Washington State Patrol will no longer allow I-5 protests

The Washington State Patrol says it will no longer allow protesters to enter I-5. WSP says it’ll arrest pedestrians who walk onto the freeway.

The change was announced via Twitter just hours before 24-year-old Summer Taylor, who was hit by a driver on I-5 in Seattle early Saturday morning, died of their injuries at Harborview Medical Center. A second protester who was hit remains in serious condition in intensive care. The driver, identified as Dawit Kelete, has been arrested. State troopers did not know whether it was a targeted attack.

Protester hit by car on I-5 in Seattle dies at hospital

Trooper Rick Johnson told KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan on June 18 that closing I-5 is all about keeping protesters safe.

“We’re there to support their First Amendment to march and say what you need to say, but on the freeway with cars it’s just not a good thing,” Johnson said.

A week later, State Patrol’s Chris Loftis told Sullivan closing the freeway might actually get protesters to move along faster than if troopers were to react.

“We’ve seen a match lit,” the State Patrol’s Chris Loftis said. “When the match is lit and the fire is burning, you have to think through what is the best thing to do right now, in this moment, to keep people as safe as they possibly can.”

He added that he doesn’t believe WSP surrendered I-5, but reacted appropriately to a unique situation.

On June 27, Washington State Chief John R. Batiste issued a statement both acknowledging both the frustration from drivers traveling through downtown Seattle and the safety of protesters.

“But due to the extreme volatility of the current environment, the impact of the pandemic on our court and jail systems, and our iron-clad commitment to use force only when it is necessary, reasonable, and proportionate to the situation, we are limited in our safe and appropriate response options,” Batiste said in a news release.

Protesters from the Black Femme March held a vigil for Taylor on Saturday evening in downtown Seattle.

After announcing that protesters wouldn’t be allowed on the freeway on Saturday, Trooper Johnson tweeted 12 hours later that part of I-5 would be closed.

I-5 is being closer between I-90 and SR 520 due to protests.

— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) July 5, 2020

He later clarified that “WSP’s stance of allowing protesters onto I-5 has not changed.” WSP will continue to discourage protesters from entering the freeway and will arrest those who choose to do so. Johnson said Sunday’s brief closure was to “ensure the safety of everyone as we staged resources.”

And protestors threatened the freeway. Public safety remains our top priority. Our goal is to keep I-5 open in both directions through Seattle, but we will not hesitate to close it for the safety of motorists, protestors, and WSP personnel.

— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) July 6, 2020

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