Protest moves through Bellevue Tuesday night
May 11, 2021, 11:28 AM | Updated: May 12, 2021, 7:12 am
People in downtown Bellevue Tuesday night. (Bellevue Police)
(Bellevue Police)
A few groups protested an appreciation dinner for law enforcement held at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue Tuesday evening. Although one arrest was made, it’s unclear whether it was related to the protests.
The dinner was hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BCEA). The Seattle Police Department had previously rescinded an email invitation to the dinner, in the wake of criticism over the views of the BCEA regarding the LGBTQ community.
Group is told the event has concluded. pic.twitter.com/YBKqALeIkn
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) May 12, 2021
The group dressed in black is lighting a flag on fire. pic.twitter.com/zook5HAlfT
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) May 12, 2021
Police arrested a man for assaulting an officer on a bike.
Officers were riding down the street and a man crossing NE 4th Street appears to reach out a grab one of them by the arm. The officer crashed near a black vehicle. It’s unclear if this incident was related to the protests near the Hyatt Regency.
The city indicated that while it was “committed to protecting everyone’s right to protest or demonstrate peacefully,” police would still “take action against attempts to destroy property or injure people.”
“That’s a balanced piece, where we expect anyone coming here to obey the rules and laws of the city,” BPD Major Andrew Popochock told KTTH’s Jason Rantz Show, indicating that the department had made attempts to reach out to organizers to have conversations about proper expectations.
Residents were advised to avoid the area Tuesday night as a precaution, with downtown “expected to be very congested.”
