Protestors set fires outside Seattle federal building during late-night demonstration Saturday

A demonstration took place Saturday night on 2nd Avenue and Madison Street in downtown Seattle, blocking all southbound and westbound lanes in the process. At one point, there were as many as 30 protesters blocking the intersection. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) reported the demonstration had cleared just before 1 am.

Demonstration on 2nd Ave at Madison St, blocking all lanes on 2nd Ave. Seek alternate routes and use caution. pic.twitter.com/JCBnWbRhib

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) June 15, 2025

Antifa had been spotted at the late-night protest occurring in downtown Seattle, following a historic turnout earlier that day, when approximately 70,000 people participated and marched in a “No Kings” rally.

Small fires sprouted up, with trash and public city bikes being dragged into the flames. Roads near the downtown Seattle Target were blocked by barricades set up by protesters. Surrounding downtown buildings and cars were targeted for vandalism and graffiti throughout the night.

During the late-night protest, a person on a motorcycle with a flaming torch helped set a box on fire, which was then rushed to the entrance of the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, according to the SDOT footage obtained by KIRO 7.

The protesters started a bonfire at the entrance of the building while lighting fireworks. Officers with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) were seen getting into their gear blocks away.

The fire was extinguished by 11:10 p.m., according to KIRO 7.

Breaking: Anti-ICE activists are setting fires in the streets outside the federal building in Seattle.

Blockades are going up. pic.twitter.com/vNOjIJchKM

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) June 15, 2025

According to Katie Daviscourt, a reporter for The Post Millennial, a driver in an SUV plowed through the crowd after being harassed by a group. A protester was allegedly clipped in the incident.

Breaking: A vehicle just rammed through an anti-ICE blockade after being swarmed by Antifa militants downtown Seattle. pic.twitter.com/uX4nlrDop6

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) June 15, 2025

Daviscourt also reported that the Seattle Police Department (SPD) does not have enough officers to respond to the demonstration, urging the community to stay away.

By 11:30 p.m., SPD officers entered a stalemate with the protesters, one block apart from each other. After approximately 10 minutes, the group of protesters scattered once police began approaching them.

Seattle PD arrived on scene and made an arrest. Officers were forced to retreat after getting mobbed by the anti-ICE rioters. Police are outnumbered, not enough officers to respond. pic.twitter.com/RFfiIlISpc

— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) June 15, 2025

‘No Kings’ rally sees massive turnout Saturday afternoon

The historically large protest began in Cal Anderson Park at 12 p.m., before participants marched to the Space Needle and then to the Seattle Center downtown. It was one of the largest protests in Seattle’s history, The Seattle Times estimated.

Some graffiti and vandalism were spotted on the exterior of Climate Pledge Arena, but the Cal Anderson Park protest—in addition to a “No Kings” protest that gathered at the University of Washington during their graduation ceremony—remained “extremely peaceful,” according to KIRO Newsradio.

“Any concerns for safety today?” KIRO reporter Scott Carty asked marching participants.

“No,” a couple from West Seattle responded. “We want to show with a peaceful protest that this is who we are.”

Thanks again to the tens of thousands peaceful protesters who came out to the #NoKingsProtest and used their voice. https://t.co/WycZFrlMIp

— Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) June 15, 2025

“NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies,” event coordinators stated.

In addition to the demonstrations’ goal to end U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration, protesting in solidarity with the movements in Los Angeles, the protests also focused on what they claim is rising authoritarianism under the Trump administration.

The Cal Anderson protest is supported in part by Seattle Indivisible, a grassroots and all-volunteer organization working to create and secure progressive policies.

“In his ruthless pursuit of power, Donald Trump has launched an assault on the American people—destroying livelihoods, dismantling democratic institutions, terrorizing communities, and defying the rule of law,” Seattle Indivisible said in a statement ahead of Saturday’s rally. “He has weaponized our government to silence dissent, seeking to dominate Congress, the press, universities, states, cities, and anyone who refuses to submit to his authoritarian agenda. Now, he has ordered the military to crush protesters in Los Angeles and threatens Seattle—and any community that defies him—will be next.”

Katie Garrow, the head of MLK Labor, Noah Purcell, Washington Solicitor General, Palmira Figueroa, a longtime immigrant rights advocate, and U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal spoke at Cal Anderson Park.

More than 50 ‘No Kings’ rallies throughout Puget Sound

Similar protests occurred all across the state, including Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, and Spokane. A map tracking all the No Kings protests across the nation can be seen here. There were as many as 50-something protests that happened in the Puget Sound region from Olympia to Bellingham.

Organizers estimated that 2,000 protests against Trump took place nationwide Saturday.

KIRO host John Curley made his way out to a “No Kings” rally in Cle Elum to interview participants.

KIRO host John Curley talks with Corey Demers in Cle Elum about why she is participating in the “No Kings” protests occurring throughout the Puget Sound Saturday. pic.twitter.com/FBlimaK6IQ

— KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM🎙 (@KIRONewsradio) June 14, 2025

More of the “No Kings” rally occurring in Cle Elum.

Click here for more: https://t.co/LyD1Ce2eR4 pic.twitter.com/TbWBJVSuhQ

— KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM🎙 (@KIRONewsradio) June 14, 2025

Tensions escalated in Tukwila, where tear gas was eventually deployed by Tukwila Police.

Several blockades were set in the afternoon during protests, deterring traffic throughout parts of the city.

#BREAKING: Homeland Security just deployed some kind of green smoke around the DHS office to disperse the violent crowd in Tukwila, WA. Antifa militants are starting to retreat.@choeshow|@tpusa pic.twitter.com/KzPm9VBAP1

— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) June 14, 2025

This tension comes in response to Friday, when approximately 100 immigrants were ordered to report on their compliance with their provisional release from custody by ICE, according to The Seattle Times.

In response, dozens of activists waited outside the Department of Homeland Security headquarters in Tukwila to take the names of each immigrant who was ordered to report, confirming when they exited the building.

The group determined that one person was detained.

RETREATING: Antifa militants are scrambling for cover after law enforcement deployed tear gas outside the Department of Homeland Security office in Tukwila, WA.@choeshow|@TPUSA pic.twitter.com/F1yoP3MmAB

— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) June 14, 2025

Seattle Police’s approach to Saturday

The Seattle Police Department stated that its officers were not to engage in confrontations with protesters. They were to only engage when public safety was at risk.

On the department’s police blotter webpage, SPD said it deployed a “Police Outreach and Engagement Team.” Members of this team are specifically trained to speak with organizers and community members before protests, with a goal of facilitating peaceful protests—and not confrontation.

The department stated that its officers were to prioritize low-profile tactics whenever possible, and would not interfere or ask a crowd to disperse unless there were immediate threats to public safety.

“Have I seen a single Seattle police officer? I have to think about it. No, I don’t think so,” one protester who marched from Cal Anderson Park to the Space Needle told KIRO Newsradio.

Recent Seattle protests

Wednesday night, eight protesters were arrested by the Seattle Police Department during an event outside the federal building. The building was tagged with “Abolish ICE,” and a dumpster fire broke out.

Thousands gathered downtown, demanding an end to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration.

Two Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers were injured during the clash with protesters.

Last month, at least eight people were arrested at what police called a “First Amendment event” outside Seattle City Hall. Chaos steadily escalated as opposing protest groups clashed at the scene. The event was spurred after a Christian group’s rally at Cal Anderson Park earlier that week turned violent.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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