Protesters burn American flags outside Seattle federal building; more protests to happen Wed night

Two people were arrested after multiple American flags were taken down and burned in front of the Henry M. Jackson Federal building in downtown Seattle Tuesday.

The flag burning occurred after a series of demonstrations that lasted most of Tuesday, starting at approximately 8 a.m. when protesters barricaded the entrances of the federal building with city rental scooters and bikes. The Henry M. Jackson Federal building has been a target of Seattle’s recent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as it houses the immigration court in Seattle.

The demonstration was organized in part by members of Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Washington (UW). Nearly 50 protesters chanted, beat drums, and held signs opposing deportations led by ICE, according to organizers and witnesses.

The protest was “to show that we’re opposed to ICE in our community,” Mathieu Chabaud, a member of Students for a Democratic Society at UW, told KIRO 7, stating they are operating in solidarity with the Los Angeles protesters.

Signs held at the rally included “Free Them All,” “Abolish ICE,” and “No to Deportations.”

While a police presence followed most of the demonstrations, officers didn’t intervene until groups of protesters began to clash with them Tuesday evening near 2nd Avenue and Marion Street. Pepper balls were briefly used by police against the protesters, according to KIRO 7.

The first American flag was removed from its flagpole at approximately 9:45 p.m. Nearly 15 minutes later, the same group took down the American flag on the west plaza. Both were burned.

By 10:30 p.m., most of the protest had fizzled out, with just a dozen demonstrators left.

More protests to come Wednesday night in Capitol Hill

Seattle is bracing for another protest tonight, starting at 7 p.m., at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood—where “CHOP” took place back in 2020.

Organizers said they’re protesting immigration enforcement, and they’re not alone. Similar protests are happening across the country, some turning violent.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said the city supports the right to protest, but not destruction or threats to public safety.

WA fears Trump could deploy National Guard to quell protests

Governor Bob Ferguson is preparing for a rare federal move where troops will be deployed in Washington without state approval.

According to The Washington State Standard, he’s concerned President Donald Trump will send National Guard units to Washington after he deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marine soldiers to California to quell the protests taking place in Los Angeles.

Trump claimed the federal deployment to California was necessary to protect federal property and enforce immigration laws. Ferguson argued it sets a dangerous precedent, and could lead to more unrest.

Ferguson signed a bill into law on April 21 that restricts out-of-state military forces from entering Washington. The law went into effect immediately due to an emergency clause.

On the federel level, Title 10 of U.S. Code states the president can nationalize and call up the National Guard from any state under three conditions: The invasion or threat of invasion of the U.S.; rebellion or insurrection against federal authority; and when U.S. laws are being obstructed and local law enforcement can’t handle it.

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