Seattle PD response to ‘sleeping dragon’ protest much faster this time around

In March, protesters using the “sleeping dragon” methodblocked Seattle traffic for hours, causing backups that extended onto the freeway.

On Tuesday, June 5, activists with the Northwest Detention Center Resistance calling for the abolition of ICE used the same technique on Second Avenue. But the Seattle Police Department removed the protesters much faster.

Tuesday’s protest lasted for less than two hours.

After giving the handful of protesters time to disperse on their own, Seattle police began making arrests around 9 a.m. The work can be slow due to the “sleeping dragon” method, which involves locking arms via tubing and other materials.

“Removing these devices is slow, deliberate work,” SPD tweeted. “The safety of all involved is paramount.”

Tuesday’s protest was likely not permitted.

In March, people protesting King County’s new juvenile detention facility did not have a permit either, however, they were allowed to stay on the street until police warned them to leave prior to the afternoon commute.

Interim Police Chief Carmen Best explained why:

“I know I’m taking a lot of heat and criticism,” Best said at a community meeting Wednesday, March 7. “But as far as I’m concerned, at the end of the day … yes, people were inconvenienced, but nobody was arrested; nobody got hurt. We cleared everybody off of 5th Avenue. We made it known that if they’re not gone by three o’clock, you’re going to jail because, in fact, we can’t block off 5th Avenue in Friday rush hour.”

She added that the department assists people in their personal right to free speech.

“We swore to do that, actually … And nowhere in there does it say, ‘First Amendment right to free speech, except if it’s inconvenient … except if there’s a permit.’ That is just not the way it works.”

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