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Niketown is not open Wednesday after a group of anarchists broke windows in the May Day protests in Seattle. (97.3 KIRO FM/Chris Sullivan)

Seattle businesses recovering after May Day violence

BY MyNorthwest.com  on May 2, 2012 @ 9:09 am (Updated: 10:59 am - 5/2/12 )

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Niketown and American Apparel are not open on Wednesday because of the vandalism to their stores done during the May Day protests in downtown Seattle yesterday.

Black-clad protesters used sticks and bats to smash stores and automobile windows during the demonstrations.

"I looked down that block and it's very discouraging to see all that plywood up on windows."

The head of Seattle's downtown business organization is discouraged by the May Day rioting, but she credits police for preventing further damage to storefronts.

"Nothing happened the rest of the day. The rest of the day was peaceful, the protest went on as planned, the police obviously adjusted and were able to do a good job," said Kate Joncas, President of the Downtown Seattle Association.

She said businesses were warned and prepared, thanks to lessons learned from the WTO riots of 1999. Many businesses quickly locked up and put up their plywood to avoid damage.

As for the future, Joncas doesn't believe Tuesday's violence will deter tourism even though it is frustrating for businesses owners trying to recoup.

She said their safety ambassadors were out in the evening talking to businesses and shoppers and early Wednesday morning making sure the sidewalks were clear of broken glass.

Damage done during the first demonstration prompted Mayor Mike McGinn to issue a special order allowing police to confiscate makeshift weapons. By Tuesday night, police had seized about 70 such items, including one with at least a dozen cigarette lighters taped together.

Meanwhile, police say vandals threw rocks through windows at the mayor's home Tuesday evening.

McGinn's spokesman Aaron Pickus confirmed Wednesday that the rocks sailed through his dining room and living room windows around midnight. McGinn and his wife were home but were not injured.

According to a police report, one of the suspects waved at the mayor's wife after she peered out the window.

The mayor plans to hold a news conference at noon on Wednesday to address the protests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (7)


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  • spuddog wrote...
    Why does the media...
    May 2, 2012 10:04 am
    insist on calling these black-clad idiots protestors? I defy anyone to articulate just what it is they are protesting against. They are mindless youth who hate the world (and probably their own lives too) and who seem to derive some sort of satisfaction from simply being destructive. They do absolutely nothing to improve or change their community or world. They are not protestors.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    there's broken glass and then there's broken glass.
    May 2, 2012 10:34 am
    Most of the store windows will be replaced by insurance. ... A good lot of the windows smashed on parked cars will be paid for out of their owners' pockets. .. Didn't think of that, did you, black-crud ? ... Requires liability insurance on vehicles covers only the damage you do to other people. ... So, how many who can't afford comprehensive insurance can easily pay $150+ for a new car window ? So much for the heroes of the workers.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Articulate
    May 2, 2012 11:00 am
    http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Workers+Solidarity+Alliance ----------------------------------- http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sNN_HRu6NJs#!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hayduke wrote...
    Spuddog and others here are right: They're not protesters. They're vandals and hooligans.
    May 2, 2012 11:50 am
    And they are no more aligned with the Occupy Movement than the racists were aligned with the tea party at some of their rallies.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    I'm a wondering
    May 2, 2012 12:08 pm
    The more liberal the city, the more violent the protest. You don't see this stuff in Dallas.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • montanarose wrote...
    A very true statement
    May 2, 2012 12:16 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • diverphil wrote...
    Stupid!
    May 2, 2012 9:08 pm
    Anyone see the picture of the guy throwing a rock into the window of Nike town while wearing a pair of Nike shoes. IRONY?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }