MYNORTHWEST NEWS

How much should it take to be arrested for a Seattle protest?

Apr 30, 2015, 12:39 PM | Updated: May 1, 2015, 1:26 pm

Seattle protesters block traffic and interrupt day-to-day life, but as long as they stick with the ...

Seattle protesters block traffic and interrupt day-to-day life, but as long as they stick with the city's protest policy they don't have to worry about consequences. (AP)

(AP)

Three May Day demonstrations in downtown Seattle are expected to draw huge crowds and block streets.

The May Day protest, which argues for worker and immigrant rights, will cover about three miles from Judkins Park to the Federal courthouse at 700 Stewart Street.

Seattle police will escort marchers along the route. “Considerable” congestion is expected to occur throughout the afternoon and evening, according to the Seattle Police Department. The rally begins at 2 p.m., and the march is at 3 p.m.

Related: Mayor urges peace during Seattle’s May Day protests

There is also the possibility of several other un-permitted demonstrations throughout the day. An anti-capitalist march is expected to begin at 6 p.m. at Seattle Central Community College and Youth Service Center at 12th and Alder on Capitol Hill.

To start the day, a Black Lives Matter rally begins at 10:30 a.m. at MLK Memorial Park, located at 2200 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.

Seattle protesters block traffic and interrupt day-to-day life, but as long as they stick with the city’s protest policy they don’t have to worry about consequences.

Protesters don’t face charges unless exhibiting physical assault or resistance, damage of property, threats, harassment, or engaging in acts of deception.

“Most often, these cases present a delicate and difficult balance between preserving an individual’s rights under the First Amendment and maintaining the health and safety of our community,” reads an internal memo sent to staff in the Criminal Division of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office.

But does that give protesters the right to disrupt people who are not involved?

“There are people being killed all around the world,” David Boze on AM 770 KTTH said. “Should everything come to a stop?”

Seattle Police Captain Chris Fowler told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz Show the department operates under the philosophy that they’ll make the events safe for the people who want to peacefully protest.

“They can take the street, walk around, get their message out,” Fowler said. “That’s certainly the philosophy we’re working under this year.”

Peaceful protests in Seattle, even if they block traffic, will most likely not result in people being charged. Protests are “part of our city’s culture,” Police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb previously told KIRO Radio. “We’re the Seattle Police Department. It’s our job to serve the people that live here. People want to come to Seattle to protest, we want to facilitate that First Amendment right.”

Cities, even those near Seattle, handle protests much differently. For example, the same group of people that organized a demonstration in front of a Seattle McDonald’s was arrested and charged for a similar demonstration in Bellevue.

The discrepancy with how cities handle protests and demonstrations is felt nationwide. Despite burning and looting, half of the protesters in Baltimore arrested were released without charges.

“And it’s frustrating,” Boze said on Thursday. “[A city] is burning to the ground, is it really that bad to make sure people who are participating are going to stay in jail?”

Protests in Seattle, that interrupt people’s lives, are probably not going to solve the nation’s issues, Boze said.

“How is blocking people from getting home going to help Freddie Gray?” Boze asked. “It’s not.”

Seattle police arrested 10 people on May Day 2014. No major damage was reported. In 2013, 17 people were arrested. Police reported metal pipes were thrown at patrol cars and windows, along with water bottles and other debris. Officers deployed pepper spray and stun grenades that year.

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

8 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

10 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

11 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

12 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

12 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

13 hours ago

How much should it take to be arrested for a Seattle protest?