Black Friday protest will target Westlake; tree lighting downsized

Get ready for the next Black Friday protest in Seattle in what has become an annual event.

”IF BLACK LIVES and your life matters more than #BlackFriday cheap deals, then join us and invite everyone. This is a national event,” the Facebook event states for this year’s Black Friday protest.

Photos of the first Black Friday protest in 2014

Organized by the Black Freedom Front Seattle, another Black Friday protest is slated from 1-8 p.m. at Westlake Park. Once again, it targets the Westlake area in downtown Seattle amid the post-Thanksgiving holiday festivities, including the Macy’s star lighting and tree lighting.

The event is titled “Black Lives Matter Friday 3.0 – the Revolution Begins.” About 4,300 people have signed on to attend this year’s protest, with another 7,300 people indicating interest.

Holiday shopping at Westlake

According to the Downtown Seattle Association, the tree lighting production will be downsized this year. There won’t be a giant stage with two hours of live music performances, though the association stresses that the downsizing is not because of the Black Friday protest. The star and tree lighting will still happen, however.

Instead, the association says it is putting its resources into the weeks-long holiday shopping season downtown. There will be food trucks, and the popular Howlidays (dogs in costumes), a holiday market and more.

Seattle’s Black Friday protest

Last year’s Black Friday protest saw hundreds of people march around Westlake Center. They entered Macy’s but were forced to leave. The crowd also stormed a Forever 21. Protesters eventually surrounded the tree lighting event at Westlake and released balloons when the lights went on. They then took part in a sit-in. Seattle police presence was increased during the demonstration. By the time the protest was over, four people were arrested — including one person who attempted to break a window and another who was interfering with an arrest at Pacific Place. An officer suffered a dislocated shoulder during one of the arrests. Minor property damage was reported.

Black Freedom Front is an organization that promotes racial equality and justice in the face of police-involved killings of black individuals across the country. It commonly organizes protests and marches in Seattle. Another such demonstration — and anti-Trump protest — is planned for Nov. 20 at Seattle Central College. That event has more than 800 people signed on to attend, with another 4,000 indicating interest.

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