Protestors snarl Friday afternoon commute through Seattle

All lanes of I-5 in Seattle are now re-open after protestors condemning the Tigray genocide in Ethiopia took over the interstate Friday afternoon.

✅ALL CLEAR

All I-90 off-ramps (westbound and eastbound) to northbound I-5 have reopened, and all lanes on northbound I-5 in downtown #Seattle have reopened. A lengthy backup remains so please give yourself plenty of extra time or seek alternate routes.@wspd2pio @seattledot

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) November 4, 2022

Protestors said they’re looking to bring awareness to “the nearly 2-year long genocidal war committed against the people of Tigray, Ethiopia,” according to the group in a news release.

#BREAKING: dozens of protestors are blocking NB I-5 right now. Traffic is at a standstill. SPD and fire on scene.

We are near the Olive exit.

Organizers say this is “civil disobedience against global inaction” about the war happening in Tigray, Ethiopia.@KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/mArjDTH2Mh

— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) November 4, 2022

Both the eastbound and westbound I-90 offramps to northbound I-5 were closed as well, with backups extending an estimated four miles. WSDOT advised drivers to use alternate routes “and expect congestion.”

Washington State Patrol troopers arrived at the scene before the protest cleared out.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.