Seattle councilmembers, lawmakers intervene after Saturday protest escalates
Jun 7, 2020, 9:07 AM
Seattle Councilmembers at the protest in Capitol Hill pose for a group selfie. Their support helped create CHOP. (Councilmember Andrew Lewis, Twitter)
(Councilmember Andrew Lewis, Twitter)
After a Saturday night protest in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood escalated, a handful of councilmembers and local lawmakers arrived in hopes of easing the tension.
Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda, Andrew Lewis, Dan Strauss, and Lisa Herbold answered a protester’s request to visit the demonstration at 11th and Pine on Saturday night.
On my way https://t.co/ja3o29JENq
— Teresa Mosqueda (@TeresaCMosqueda) June 7, 2020
Earlier in the night, Mosqueda was critical of tactics police used to the disperse the crowd, labeling it an “excessive use of force and absolutely unnecessary.”
“I got multiple reports that it was absolutely peaceful,” she said on Twitter.
STOP. @MayorJenny @carmenbest @SeattlePD JUST STOP! There is no need to use these dangerous tactics. This is excessive use of force and absolutely unnecessary. I got multiple reports that it was absolutely peaceful. Families are there! STOP traumatizing protesters & neighbors! https://t.co/HBkFAGXBJp
— Teresa Mosqueda (@TeresaCMosqueda) June 7, 2020
While his specific presence wasn’t requested, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay also said he would show up at the demonstration.
Coming https://t.co/U21La25yF2
— Girmay Zahilay (@GirmayZahilay) June 7, 2020
Councilmember Zahilay arrived at the demonstration just before 11 p.m.
Thank you for showing up on the front line @GirmayZahilay @votenicolemacri @CMTMosqueda @meetjoenguyen! https://t.co/R3Y7kCzDmS
— 43rd District Dems (@43rdDems) June 7, 2020
State Rep. Nicole Macri and State Sen. Joe Nguyen (34th District) also showed up. Nguyen said they want Seattle Police to move back from the barricades.
“It’s unnecessary to be so close and only increases tensions,” he tweeted.
Protestors are peaceful but this doesn’t look like peace. pic.twitter.com/CrMfERloE6
— Joe (@meetjoenguyen) June 7, 2020
Councilmembers and lawmakers were seen speaking to police in hopes of de-escalating the situation. Protesters peacefully remained at the barricades overnight into Sunday.
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