5 May Day protesters arrested in Seattle, 9 arrested in Olympia
May 1, 2017, 2:48 PM | Updated: 10:49 pm
After an immigrant rights march and a pro-Trump march during the day, police in Seattle and Olympia encountered confrontations in the streets at night. Property damage was reported in Olympia after teens clashed with anarchist marchers. Seattle police made five arrests.
Seattle police report that officers encountered a few fights between the two crowds at Westlake Park on May Day, leading to an order to disperse. No damage was reported during the day, but police are continuing emphasis patrols overnight. There were five arrest total:
• 26-year-old Olympia man for attempted assault
• 30-year-old Olympia man for unlawful possession of a weapon – a fixed-blade knife
• 51-year-old Colorado man for obstruction
• 27-year-old Seattle man arrested for obstruction
• 19-year-old Seattle man, arrested for misdemeanor theft after he stole another demonstrator’s flag
9:43 p.m. Seattle police report a fifth arrest of the day. A 19-year-old was taken into custody for allegedly stealing another demonstrator’s flag. They were arrested for misdemeanor theft.
9:34 p.m. Olympia police report that they have arrested nine individuals for felony riot. About 75 people were marching in downtown Olympia, according to police, all dressed in back clothing. Those marchers began firing marbles and rocks at police using sling shots. Some officers were struck in the head, but they were wearing helmets. No officers were injured. Police used blast balls and pepper bombs. At least five businesses were damaged by marchers.
“What we saw was a very focused group intent on creating damage and confrontation with police,” said Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts.
8:50 p.m. King County Metro has announced that several of its downtown bus routes have returned to normal service.
8:40 p.m. A small crowd is still gathered at the Juvenile Detention Center in Seattle. People are making impromptu “peace and love” speeches in between DJ performances. It appears more like a block party than a protest.
8:31 p.m. The crowd being pushed back at 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle are chanting “All cops are bastards.”
8:30 p.m. The crowd formerly at Westlake Park has been fragmented into four groups as police push them out of the area.
8:24 p.m. Seattle police have formed a wall with bikes and are forcing people away from the Westlake Park area, chanting “move back.” Some officers are plunging long sticks at people on the sidewalk. People on the sidewalk are taunting police.
8:21 p.m. Seattle police report that they have made four arrests over the day. One was a 51-year-old Colorado man who was arrested for obstruction. Another was an Olympia resident.
8:18 p.m. Seattle police are focusing on Westlake Park where many people have lingered after an order to disperse. Police are again giving on order to disperse on a loudspeaker, saying that those who remain will be arrested.
8:16 p.m. Olympia police report that many small businesses in downtown suffered damage. Officers have arrested “several” and are “saturating” downtown streets.
8:10 p.m. Police reportedly have control in Olympia, and are looking for any remaining marchers in downtown.
8:03 p.m. Seattle police are now clearing the streets around Westlake Park after giving an order to disperse.
7:57 p.m. Seattle police have made three arrests over the day.
7:53 p.m.
#UPDATE @OlyPD says 8-10 ppl in custody. https://t.co/S5vgaalsOR
— KIRO 7 Brooke (@KIRO7Brooke) May 2, 2017
7:47 p.m. Seattle police have given an order to disperse at Westlake Park.
7:45 p.m. Olympia police have ordered some marchers to the ground after firing rubber bullets at them. Some of the marchers have complied and are being detained. Others are still throwing rocks at police.
7:42 p.m. A confrontation between pro-Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters erupted at Westlake Park in Seattle. KIRO 7 reports that an anti-Trump woman pushed a pro-Trump demonstrator, which began a brief confrontation.
7:40 p.m. Olympia police are following anarchists through the downtown streets. Marchers are lighting fireworks and have broken some windows at a downtown bank. Police are saying the march has turned into a riot.
7:32 p.m. Olympia police have formed a line and are confronting anarchist marchers at the transit center in downtown Olympia.
7:30 p.m. A man who works downtown tells KIRO 7 that he’s “impressed” with the street kids taking care of the anarchists problem. He says the downtown workers and businesses are tired of the anarchists ruining their downtown.
7:25 p.m. KIRO 7 reports that self-described “street people” tell them that they are tired of the anarchists ruining their streets. The “street people” and the anarchists are getting into fights and throwing rocks at each other.
7:20 p.m. KIRO 7 reports that anarchists in Olympia have been confrontational with the press. Some anarchists have tried to grab reporters’ phones and have thrown items, including hot dogs, at people on the street.
7:12 p.m. Confrontations between youth in Olympia and about three dozen anarchist marchers at 4th Avenue and Jefferson Street. The marchers left some signs and other items in the street as they marched away. The local youth, some homeless, yelled at marchers to pick up their trash, saying that they live there and don’t want to put up with their litter. Soon, the locals and the anarchists started throwing soda and bottles at each other. Some anarchists sprayed the locals with pepper spray. Olympia police have now moved in with flash bangs.
7:10 p.m. Reports of anarchist marchers throwing rocks at police in Olympia. Olympia police have given orders to disperse.
7:05 p.m. KIRO 7 reports that there have been some minor, heated verbal disputes between pro-Trump demonstrators and black block demonstrators at Westlake Park.
6:50 p.m. Pro-Trump marchers have returned to Westlake Park to find pro-immigration demonstrators and anarchists. They are chanting support for police and freedom.
6:30 p.m. A crowd has gathered at the Juvenile Detention Center in Seattle on Alder Street. They are dancing to DJ music and writing on the sidewalks with chalk. This rally was promoted as an antifascist event. There are some in the crowd dressed in all black with black masks.
6:30 p.m. Reports of a second arrest in Seattle.
6:15 p.m. Pro-Trump marchers are chanting “freedom” and “USA.” A speaker is hyping the crowd by saying they will take back the West Coast and turn it red. The marchers are staying on the sidewalk.
6:07 p.m. Pro-Trump marchers have begun to march into downtown Seattle again.
6:05 p.m. KIRO 7 reports that the detention at Westlake Park earlier was because a man allegedly threw rocks at the pro-Trump crowd.
6 p.m. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is speaking with the press, saying that the workers’ rights march was smaller than in recent years. He notes that once it gets dark, that is when the antagonistic demonstrations begin.
5:40 p.m. Seattle police have moved in and detained someone from among the crowd at Westlake Park. It is unclear which group he is part of.
5:30 p.m. Pro-Trump and anti-Trump groups are debating each other at Westlake Park.
5:15 p.m. Anti-Trump protesters have come to Westlake Park where pro-Trump demonstrators are. They are chanting “No Trump. No KKK. No fascist USA.” Police officers have formed a line between the two groups.
5:10 p.m. Pro-Trump marchers have returned to Westlake Park, but will reportedly begin marching again in about 30 minutes.
5 p.m. Workers’ rights marchers have started showing up at Seattle Center.
4:42 p.m. Pro-Trump demonstrators have begun to march through Seattle streets chanting “USA” and “no more communism, let’s hear it for freedom.” They are heading north on 4th Avenue. They are carrying flags that say “Don’t tread on me,” and some are wearing protective gear.
4:30 p.m. Anarchist marchers have begun gathering on Denny Way, dressed in black.
4:20 p.m. The immigrants rights march is lingering around Westlake Park where an anti-communist, pro-Trump rally is underway. Patriot Prayer, the organization behind the rally, is making speeches promoting free speech and against Antifa and communists. The crowd is shouting back in opposition, some calling them fascists.
4 p.m. March now near Westlake and Lenora.
3:50 p.m. The largest planned May Day march in Seattle is heading through downtown. Check current traffic conditions.
3:40 p.m. Workers’ march approaching anti-Amazon rally.
3:20 p.m. There are a “substantial” number of law enforcement officers from other agencies in Seattle as May Day drags on.
3:15 p.m. KIRO Radio’s Josh Kerns says no “hardcore” protesters have made an appearance and the march has been relatively quiet.
3:10 p.m. The workers’ march is headed northbound on Sixth Avenue from Madison Street.
2:50 p.m. The NB I-5 off-ramps to Madison and Seneca streets are closed due to the worker and immigrant march.
What you need to know about May Day in Seattle
PHOTOS: May Day around the world
This is a live blog. Check back for updates as the May Day events continue.
