Protests continue in Seattle for a 7th night
Jun 3, 2020, 2:15 PM | Updated: Jun 5, 2020, 12:04 am
(Nicole Jennings/KIRO Radio)
For the seventh night, protesters gathered in downtown Seattle. They marched through downtown and in Capitol Hill where they met up near Cal Anderson Park for another long night.
Earlier on Thursday, Police Chief Carmen Best sent a directive on mourning bands worn on her officers’ badges. Read more.
Follow live updates:
11:13pm – Hundreds of protesters remain at 11th and Pine in Capitol Hill. They’re chanting: “Who’s lives matter? Black Lives Matter.”
10:24pm – A large group of protesters is headed toward Cal Anderson Park. They’re moving along near 12th and Pike.
9:49pm – Protesters say (via Twitter) that there is a different feel at the demonstration at 11th and Pine on the 7th night — it’s more peaceful, less tense.
9:22pm – Two large groups of protesters marching around Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle met up at 12th and Jackson. They’re expected to head towards Cal Anderson Park to meet back up with protesters on 11th and Pine.
8:48pm – While a large group of protesters is marching down Broadway, another is assembled where it was last night — on 11th and Pine near Cal Anderson Park. Police officers have moved quiet a ways back from the fencing they’ve set up.
8:18pm – A large group has now been spotted peacefully marching south on Broadway. Another crowd is moving through the Central District.
8:14pm – Local Capitol Hill businesses have begun to open their doors for protesters. That includes Optimism Brewing on Broadway, which is allowing protesters in the area to use its bathrooms, fill up water bottles, wash their hands, and charge phones. The brewery is asking that anyone coming inside wears a mask and practices safe social distancing.
“These were not the circumstances we thought we would reopen for, but we see that we’ve never had a better reason,” it detailed in a Tweet.
8:03pm – Protesters have begun to chant “take off your riot gear, we don’t see no riot here,” as the crowd remains behind the barrier with cops positioned 30 or so feet away.
7:39pm – For the second night in a row, police are positioned further away from the barricade at 11th and Pine than they were on Monday and Tuesday.
Whereas early in the week, officers would stand directly behind the barrier, they’ve now begun to stand roughly 30 feet away.
7:21pm – The Seattle Police Department put out a blog post Thursday evening providing more details on its new policy on mourning bands on badges.
In the days ahead, the policy will require mourning bands to be positioned directly above the badge number, rather than over it.
6:49pm – Rep. Pramila Jayapal announced “legislative efforts to stop police brutality,” which she expects will touch on a number of points, including the use of force, de-militarization of the police force, and data collection.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I'm working on urgent legislative efforts to stop police brutality, end the militarization of law enforcement, and finally get rid of qualified immunity.
Here's how: pic.twitter.com/XI8UAEi7Jy
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) June 5, 2020
6:33pm – Live videos indicate a crowd has gathered at the site of earlier protests this week at 11th and Pine in Capitol Hill. There are also reports of protesters nearby on 12th Avenue, and on Broadway.
On Broadway in #CapitolHill. #BLM #seattleprotests pic.twitter.com/DOKdfvyKj4
— Nicole Jennings (@nicoleKIROFM) June 5, 2020
4:32pm – Donations of snacks, water, and medical supplies for protesters have grown in recent days. A few restaurants and buildings in the area have opened their restrooms for protesters as well.
Protesters tell me we have seen a turning point. Not just in the way that things have become peaceful since yesterday – but in the way community members are banding together to help. They say they’re in it for the long haul – as long as it takes. #Seattleprotest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/ntyi97TwZ3
— Nicole Jennings (@nicoleKIROFM) June 4, 2020
4:03pm – Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson has lifted the city curfew through Saturday and has no curfew planned for Thursday, June 4.
2:54pm – Police Chief Best will be issuing a formal order Thursday requiring all badge numbers to be displayed following community concerns that officers were using mourning bands to cover their badge numbers.
1:05pm – Roughly two-dozen protesters appear to be gathered at the 11th and Pine barricade now.
10:50am – With sunshine peeking through the clouds, protesters remain at the barricade near the East Precinct. They appear to have set up cones around the area they’ve gathered in.
9:26am – Police presence at the protest remains minimal, with cop cars continuing to give the small crowd stationed at the barricade a wide berth. Top Pot donuts and coffee were also seen being brought to protesters.
8:12am – Protesters are still out. A small food and water station appears to have been laid out on the corner of 11th of Pine.
7:00am – A small crowd of protesters is still at the 11th and Pine barricade, after picking up garbage that had accrued overnight.
5:58am – Just over a dozen or so protesters remain at the intersection of 11th and Pine, while police presence has dwindled to a few cop cars parked half a block behind the barricade near the East Precinct.
5:03am – Crowds are reportedly still gathered in Capitol Hill. Police have moved away from the barricade along 11th and Pine, and the crowd appears to have dwindled to a small handful of people. The protest has remained peaceful.
Wednesday:
11:15pm – Police and protesters remain on Capitol Hill.
10:44pm – Chief Best is at the barricade on Capitol Hill, speaking one-on-one to protesters.
10:38pm: Seattle Police Chief was spotted at the police barricade on Capitol Hill Wednesday night, wearing a mask.
“We can stand here all night,” Best said.
9:57pm – A second group of people have reportedly broken off from the large crowd on 11th. They appear to be moving past Pine.
9:27pm – There are reports of someone throwing things at the protests on Capitol Hill. Protesters are warning each other not to throw things. There were reports of people throwing rocks last night at police officers, prompting them to deploy tear gas.
UPDATE: Demonstrators are currently on E Pine St at 11th Ave. pic.twitter.com/YBKPTEaJuG
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 4, 2020
9:11pm – The curfew in Seattle was originally set at 9pm. It has been canceled. Nothing looks different on Capitol Hill, despite not having a curfew. A large crowd, many with open umbrellas, remains at 11th and Pine.
8:40pm – Police Chief Carmen Best posts pics of her conversation with protest organizers.
I sat down with community members and city officials today. I heard the community's concerns. We must heal and move forward, peacefully. pic.twitter.com/ydJVTJ9QDG
— Chief Carmen Best (@carmenbest) June 4, 2020
8:23pm – Mayor Jenny Durkan confirmed to KIRO 7’s Essex Porter that the curfew has been lifted effective immediately.
Update – SEATTLE CURFEW LIFTED IMMEDIATELY: @MayorJenny 's Communications Chief just texted to say "we learned we can actually legally end it effective immediately, so curfew will end effective immediately."
— Essex J. Porter (@EssexKIRO7) June 4, 2020
8:17pm – Seattle Council President Lorena Gonzalez says that based on internal conversations with Mayor Durkan, the council is operating under the assumption that the curfew will not be effective for the rest of the week.
🚨🚨🚨
There will be NO CURFEW tonight or the rest of the week.
— Council President M. Lorena González (@CMLGonzalez) June 4, 2020
8:14pm – Water bottles and spray bottles can be seen lining sidewalks near the intersection of 11th and Pine.
7:59pm – Clarifying Mayor Durkan’s previous statement, her office told KIRO 7 “the citywide curfew will end effective tomorrow, June 4, at 5 a.m.”
“Peaceful demonstrators can continue to protest regardless of the curfew,” the statement added.
7:40pm – Protesters can be seen on video laying down flat in protest at the intersection of 12th and Pine. Things remain largely peaceful.
7:27pm – KIRO Radio’s Meili Cady describes “a mellow scene” right now among protesters at Cal Anderson Park. Crowds remain gathered at barricades a block away from the East Precinct in Capitol Hill with umbrellas open.
It’s a mellow scene right now at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle. People are giving out free pizza, hand sanitizer, and snacks. pic.twitter.com/VwVPeWqSE6
— Meili Cady (@MeiliKIROFM) June 4, 2020
7:07pm – Mayor Durkan heard the calls from protesters to end the curfew, and has told those demonstrating tonight they can continue to do so.
For those peacefully demonstrating tonight, please know you can continue to demonstrate. We want you to continue making your voice heard.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 4, 2020
6:36pm – There are public toilets available at Cal Anderson Park, and people on Twitter have posted offers of snacks, water, and medical supplies for the protesters in the area. A crowd has gathered in the same area as Tuesday night’s protest — near 11th and Pine — with a line of umbrellas at the barricade.
6:13pm – The city just sent another reminder out about the 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. curfew.
AlertSeattle: A 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew remains in effect tonight through Saturday morning in the City of Seattle. Find out more at https://t.co/8mcZ5maTxl
— AlertSeattle (@AlertSeattle) June 4, 2020
6:03pm – A large group of protesters is moving down Pine Street.
5:34pm – I-5 through Seattle is once again open. Cars are moving in both directions.
And NB 5 at I-90 and SB 5 at SR 520 are open again. pic.twitter.com/DKCcLM1BBL
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 4, 2020
5:26pm – The crowd is currently marching back to Capitol Hill and Cal Anderson Park. A number of demonstration leaders and organizers are meeting with Mayor Durkan and Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best now at City Hall, on the sixth day of protests in Seattle.
4:58pm – I-5 was briefly reopened, but is now closing again due to “demonstration movement.”
WSP has requested assistance closing NB and SB I-5 again between SR 520 and I-90. No word on how long this will be. pic.twitter.com/Zbm6OnDLyc
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 3, 2020
4:35pm – Mayor Durkan came outside to briefly address the crowd gathered outside City Hall.
“I want to tell you that I will continue to meet and listen to people,” she said. “We will not change things overnight.”
— Nicole Jennings (@nicoleKIROFM) June 3, 2020
Nikkita Oliver addressing the crowd. @MayorJenny is with her. pic.twitter.com/0ScHbdZkbn
— Nicole Jennings (@nicoleKIROFM) June 3, 2020
4:26pm – Demonstrators are now meeting with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best. There are reports that Durkan will come outside to address the crowd of protesters directly.
3:54pm – Several streets in downtown Seattle are closed.
#Seattle Current Street Closures:
-James St closed between 4th & 5th Ave
-4th Ave Closed between Cherry & James St
-Public Safety Zone still in place
-I-5 closed between SR-520 & I-90 pic.twitter.com/Zw33aJo1qc— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 3, 2020
3:37pm – Protesters have arrived outside City Hall in downtown Seattle. Watch the KIRO 7 feed here.
3:23pm – Protesters are now at 4th and James
here's pics from DOT cams at 4th and James pic.twitter.com/HcDhrvVkb4
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) June 3, 2020
3:05pm – Protesters in Seattle are marching toward City Hall through downtown to deliver a petition to defund the Seattle Police Department.
the crowd is moving very slowly down James to city hall pic.twitter.com/uwcj7CnvMY
— KIRO Radio Traffic (@KIROTraffic) June 3, 2020
2:58pm – Seattle protesters are marching through downtown, now on James Street.
The crowd has now turned down James Street to head downtown. It stretches all the way to the water. #seattleprotests #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/6DtNYLVeFz
— Nicole Jennings (@nicoleKIROFM) June 3, 2020
2:39pm – Washington State Patrol has shut down I-5 through downtown Seattle – SR 520 to I-90.
The northbound I-5 backup is also about three miles, toward Hudson Street. pic.twitter.com/G8YBxOVzzp
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 3, 2020
2:25pm – Protesters who were gathered for the rally have left Cal Anderson Park, starting to march.
The crowd just keeps growing. They’re now leaving the park and starting to march. #GeorgeFloyd #Seattle #RallyforBlackLives pic.twitter.com/eR3YT3EEtn
— Nicole Jennings (@nicoleKIROFM) June 3, 2020
2:07pm – One of the speakers at today’s rally is Nikkita Oliver, who was a candidate for Seattle Mayor in 2017.
1:30pm – Wednesday’s rally and march has now started in Cal Anderson Park. It’s unclear at this time where the march will move, although in past days Westlake in downtown Seattle has frequently played host to protesters.