Thousands participate in Black Lives Matter silent march

Thousands of people marched through Seattle on Friday as part of a Statewide Silent March and General Strike hosted by Black Lives Matter Seattle King County.

Photos from the march

As part of the general strike, and in some cases to allow their employees to attend a march, many local businesses were closed Friday or at least closed for part of the day.

Other cities across the region also joined with their own marches and demonstrations.

A children’s march against racism and police violence is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at Garfield High School starting at 1 p.m. Organizers say the march was inspired by the Birmingham Children’s Crusade march of 1963 in Alabama. The event is scheduled to last until 4 p.m. at the Garfield High School track.

See updates from Friday:

6:11pm – Meanwhile, at the CHAZ on Capitol Hill in Seattle, people are walking around among several tents.

5:45pm – Almost four hours after it started, Black Lives Matter Seattle King County’s Silent March through the city has concluded. Many other cities across the region also participated in their own demonstrations and marches today.

UPDATE: The March of Silence has officially concluded. Thank you to everybody who walked with us. For the safety of the community, please disperse.

We welcome cleanup help from volunteers at both Judkins and Jefferson Park so that we can get everyone packed up and back home. 🖤

— BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) June 12, 2020

4:54pm – Mill Creek police say there are people at the Mill Creek Sports Park parking lot for a peaceful protest. They expect the group to make speeches in front of the Freedom Field and then march to North Creek Dr. and Main Street before marching back.

4:21pm – The silent march to Jefferson Park is still underway.

UPDATE: March of Silence is continuing south on 23rd Ave S into Jefferson Park. Consider alternate routes in the area with backups on Rainier Ave S NB and SB towards 23rd Ave S. pic.twitter.com/oU91l85ML7

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 12, 2020

3:56pm – Black Lives Matter Seattle King County says 60,000 people are marching across Seattle today. MyNorthwest has not been able to verify crowd size yet.

An estimated 60,000 people are walking with us today in Seattle's March of Silence, with tens of thousands more all across the state. Thank you WA for turning out.

— BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) June 12, 2020

3:38pm – Mayor Durkan joined the silent march in South Seattle on Friday.

Today at the @BLMSeattleKC silent march, community walks to abolish the school to prison pipeline, end biased policing, and undo centuries of systemic racism in our country.

The march may be silent, but the message is loud and clear: #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/PcQFM0BrKe

— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 12, 2020

3:25pm – Police in Newcastle say about 300-400 people marched through their streets in silence.

All roadways have reopened following today's family-friendly BLM march in Newcastle. A little rain couldn't stop a crowd made up of an estimated 300-400 people, including City leaders and Councilmembers, from taking a stand against injustice and racism. Thank you, Newcastle! pic.twitter.com/spd8N0Sr3z

— City of Newcastle (@CityofNewcastle) June 12, 2020

3:08pm – Demonstrators in West Seattle have dispersed.

3:05pm – Edmonds residents turned out for a Black Lives Matter march today.

Great turnout and community engagement today as we supported a #march for #justice. We’re proud to be your police department! pic.twitter.com/cfXlwsKKd3

— Edmondspolice (@EdmondsPolice) June 12, 2020

2:58pm – A line of marchers has stretched along 23rd in South Seattle.

At s Judkins & 23rd @KIRORadio #blacklivesmatte #seattleprotests pic.twitter.com/74zHa4dL6g

— Hanna Scott (@HannaKIROFM) June 12, 2020

2:42pm – Demonstrators have gathered at the West Seattle Junction, holding signs and standing in silence.

2:27pm – Two large crowds are reportedly marching in silence through West Seattle to the Junction.

Demonstrators on the Junction in West Seattle converging on California Ave SW and SW Alaska St. Consider other routes around The Junction and use caution for additional pedestrians on the roadway in West Seattle. pic.twitter.com/E6wXBVOmGv

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 12, 2020

2:15pm – Another group is marching from Cal Anderson Park to Madison Park via Madison Street. The march is reportedly led by youth.

1:57pm – Hundreds of people are at Judkins Park ready for a Silent March through downtown Seattle. Seattle DOT is warning drivers to be aware of the route.

March of Silence happening this afternoon in the Central District from Judkins Park to Jefferson Park. Per route moving south on 23rd Ave S, consider alternate routes and expect delays in the area. Use caution for additional pedestrians in CD roadways. pic.twitter.com/unKrWxBN1F

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 12, 2020

1:34pm – Mayor Jenny Durkan went to Capitol Hill on Friday to see CHAZ and talk to demonstrators.

For as long as I can remember, Capitol Hill has been autonomous – it's always been a place where people go to express themselves freely. Today at the #CHAZ, I spoke with organizers and community about how we can move forward and keep our communities safe, together. pic.twitter.com/XhtXHiIl9K

— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 12, 2020

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County hosted a Statewide Silent March and General Strike on Friday, June 12, 2020. A few of the local group’s leaders held a Facebook live Thursday evening to provide a community update and share details about the event.

Follow moment-by-moment accounts of Thursday in the CHAZ here

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with their support, their donations, and is participating in the strike tomorrow,” said Ebony, a member of the board of directors.

Ebony said Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County has never done an event on this level.

“As we know, this is a silent march and we have done that for a couple reasons. On a more health focused level, this is to still decrease the risk of transmission for COVID-19 between folks,” Ebony said. “But also it’s really a silent march because we want this to be a moment to honor, and hold space, and mourn those who have lost their lives to police brutality and institutional racism in this country.”

“This movement is to get justice for those who have unjustly lost their lives,” Ebony added.

The march is intended to be a black-led march, with black youth and black people at the front. Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is asking participants to allow room for black folks to get to the front, then POC allies behind them, followed by white allies. If you are riding your bike, you may follow behind the march.

In addition to the silent march from Judkins Park to Jefferson Park, there are other marches happening statewide in cities and communities. A list of known marches and gatherings Friday in Washington state have been collected here.

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is encouraging people to use Friday as day of action.

“For those who can’t participate in a physical gathering, we urge you to participate in the general strike and in actions that we post online throughout the day.”

As part of the general strike, and in some cases to allow their employees to attend a march, many local businesses are closed Friday or at least closed for part of the day.

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County calls for statewide protest, general strike

“For every donation that [Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County] receives on [Friday’s] calendar date, we will be giving that money to other organizations, instead of us,” said Liveo De La Cruz, the group’s treasurer.

The Lavender Rights Project, and black press in the area — including The Seattle Medium, South Seattle Emerald, and KRIZ — are among the groups that will receive the donations.

Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is a 501(c)(4), which means donations are usually not tax deductible. De La Cruz said there will be a way on Friday, June 12, to make a tax deductible donation since the funds raised will be going elsewhere. If you want to donate to Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County directly, there will be a way to do so.

Event updates can be found on Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, and more information about Friday’s march and day of action is posted in the Facebook event page and on the organization’s website here.

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