MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Kshama Sawant walks back on calls to disrupt freeways

Apr 28, 2017, 9:48 AM | Updated: 9:49 am

Kshama Sawant, women's day rally, May Day...

Kshama Sawant says the rally and march she is participating in will be peaceful. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant is stepping back from encouraging protesters to block freeways on May Day.

RELATED: Sawant’s call is ‘reckless and irresponsible’

“The march route does not include any freeways and as a movement, we stand together in advocating for peaceful and non-violent protest actions,” Sawant said.

Her comment came as she revealed her march route earlier this week.

Sawant previously called for protesters to disrupt airports and freeways on May Day. She’s also encouraged people to shut down ICE offices and prominent businesses in the past.

Calls to shut down freeways didn’t sit well with law enforcement. Captain Ron Mead with the Washington State Patrol told KIRO Radio’s Josh Kerns, “Any rhetoric like that in calling for the shutting down of freeways is reckless and irresponsible.”

The march Sawant has been promoting, which is focused on working conditions for immigrants, the Trump administration, and more, is planned to start at Judkins Park and end at Seattle Center. Part of the route crosses over I-5.

Sawant may have been “reckless” in telling protesters to shut down freeways, but former Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna says it wasn’t necessarily against the law.

“There is a law against incitement,” he said. “But in the U.S., saying things that might be viewed as incitement could be protected by the First Amendment.”

Of course, things could be very different if Sawant calls for protesters to shut down freeways during the May 1 marches.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

7 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

11 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

12 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

14 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

14 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

16 hours ago

Kshama Sawant walks back on calls to disrupt freeways