Arrests cap $15 minimum wage protests in Bellevue

Eight people were arrested Wednesday after blocking a downtown Bellevue intersection following a day of protests for a $15 minimum wage.

After trekking across a Lake Washington bridge that carries Interstate 90 between Seattle and Bellevue, about 150 marchers gathered Wednesday evening outside a Bellevue fast-food restaurant.

Organizers of the “We Are Rising” rally said earlier that some participants planned to risk arrest in peaceful civil disobedience.

After some of the protesters sat down in a busy downtown Bellevue intersection, police made the arrests.

Working Washington, the group that led Seattle’s minimum wage battle, organized the day of protests that started in Seattle and culminated in Bellevue.

But many wondered why they were out protesting when they’ve already secured a higher minimum wage in Seattle.

Sage Wilson, with Working Washington, told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz prior to the protests that while they do believe they scored a victory, with a $15 minimum wage set to be implemented over the next several years in Seattle, there are still some people trying to challenge that win.

“There are lawsuits and big lobbyist money is being spent and Tim Eyman is trying to raise a couple million bucks to take it away,” said Wilson. “We can’t just sit idly by. We need to make sure that we’re there again, because that’s how we won, and that’s how we’re going to defend this victory and expand it.”

Wilson said another reason Seattle workers were out protesting was to stand up for their fellow workers across the state who still haven’t won a higher minimum wage.

“They are going to be joining with other workers to rally,” said Wilson, “march on over to the I-90 lid in view of the Eastside, and the rest of the state, and say you know what, workers all across Washington state deserve to paid enough to support themselves and afford the basics and contribute to the economy.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.