Downtown Seattle businesses taking steps to combat May Day vandalism
Apr 30, 2014, 2:49 PM | Updated: May 1, 2014, 7:53 am
Downtown Seattle businesses are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst as demonstrators set their sites on the retail core for May Day.
In 2012, so-called anarchists smashed out windows at Niketown and several other businesses, along with the old federal building and a number of cars.
In 2013, Seattle police and private security lined up outside businesses including Niketown, Nordstrom and others in 2013 to minimize damage. Seventeen people were arrested in clashes with police as a day of peaceful protests turned violent.
“We thought that last year was an improvement and we’re really hopeful that this year is even better than last year,” says James Sido with the Downtown Seattle Association.
The association will again deploy a system it calls “Event Track” for the second straight year. Members will be stationed at the Seattle Police Department command center to monitor several marches planned to converge on the retail core.
“They’ll be relaying real time information about the progress of the march, about any damage to property should it occur during any demonstration, and keep property owners and businesses along the route informed in real time,” says Sido.
Many wonder why protestors known for vandalism and violence are allowed to march into the heart of downtown Seattle.
“Businesses downtown respect the rights of those to march and free speech. It’s just that I don’t quite understand how you can combine free speech and broken windows and expect to accomplish anything,” says Sido.
But Seattle police Captain Chris Fowler, who will lead department’s operations as he did last year, tells KIRO Radio as long as the marchers aren’t causing damage or violence they’re free to take to the streets.
“If we see weapons or if they take rocks, bottles, or sticks and start turning those into weapons then it changes our response and clearly there’s an indication that they want to commit crimes,” he says. “But, until that happens they have just as much right as anybody to protest or march or get their message out.”
