Seattle protest ends just before Friday afternoon commute
Mar 2, 2018, 8:30 AM | Updated: 2:27 pm
(WSDOT image)
(WSDOT image)
After nearly six hours, protesters in downtown Seattle ended their demonstration. But not before traffic came to a screeching halt on surface streets, I-5, and westbound I-90.
Open letter to City of Seattle
“The demonstration has moved out of the road at 5th and Stewart,” Seattle police tweeted around 2:20 p.m. “Officers will be reopening streets shortly. Thank you for your patience today as we worked to bring this to a safe resolution.”
Patience? While no injuries or road rage incidents were reported, drivers and bus riders could hardly be described as patient. Maybe tolerant. They dealt with long backups, detours, and some even got out to walk to places like Harborview Medical Center.
“If they want to continue to march around the city, we’re going to continue to let them march around the city,” Seattle Police Detective Patrick Michaud explained to KIRO Radio. “We prefer they do it on the sidewalk, but if they want to march in the street, they have that right.”
PHOTOS: Protest backs up I-5, I-90
KIRO Radio learned that the protesters did not have a permit for the protest, but Michaud said the department doesn’t track permits for protests. It’s a city function rather than police function.
Among the protesters was former Seattle mayoral candidate and activist Nikkita Oliver, who wrote:
“They are protesting the building of a $233 million children’s jail being built in King County in Seattle, WA. We don’t need a new jail we need services, equity and trauma informed care.”
A delivery driver told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson, “If you stop one ambulance from getting to the hospital, it stops being non-violent, in my opinion.”
Another driver fed up with traffic took matters into her own hands.
KING 5’s Alex Rozier tweeted a video of the driver pushing her way through the Seattle protest.
Developing: WOW. Frustrated driver just drove through the protestors here at 4th and James. Protestors voicing opposition to a new youth jail grabbed onto the vehicle as it pushed through the crowd. pic.twitter.com/ATIQTsN5yc
— Alex Rozier (@AlexRozierK5) March 2, 2018
Rider Alert: ST Express routes traveling in downtown Seattle anticipating delays due to protests https://t.co/3nbfbP7l6M
— Sound Transit (@SoundTransit) March 2, 2018
UPDATE: Demonstration still at 5th Ave & Stewart St. Seeing backups on Stewart St to Denny Way. Please consider using alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/Tw3qv35Qwf
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) March 2, 2018
Seeing big backups on I-5 & I-90 due to the demonstration at 4th & James St in downtown Seattle. Follow @SDOTtraffic and @SeattlePD for the updates. pic.twitter.com/3RD1BfsHeF
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) March 2, 2018
Reminder: Demonstration at 4th Ave and James St is blocking all lanes and leading to heavy congestion. Please avoid the area. Photo of the backup: pic.twitter.com/mMkv7Y4DKn
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) March 2, 2018
Link light rail unaffected by downtown gridlock. Consider switching if you can.
— Sound Transit (@SoundTransit) March 2, 2018
Please avoid the area around 4th Ave and James St. Heavy delays in every direction! pic.twitter.com/GzoLDUAjxh
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) March 2, 2018
Buses are being rerouted off 4th Ave on to 3rd Ave southbound. https://t.co/elqYjrDqc3
— Community Transit (@MyCommTrans) March 2, 2018
Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest
