Sound Transit, Seattle Mayor review protocols after Sea-Tac protest
Jan 30, 2017, 5:40 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2017, 2:34 pm
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Sound Transit, and King County Metro are reviewing protocols after a protest at Sea-Tac Airport Saturday night.
Photos: Massive protest at Sea-Tac Airport
Thousands of people streamed into the airport to protest President Trump’s executive order to ban travel from seven countries, which resulted in the detention of at least two travelers.
Service on Link Light Rail was disrupted for about 30 minutes during the protest, affecting six trains moving in both directions. They were stopped at the request of the Port of Seattle due to safety and security concerns. Sound Transit says CEO Peter Rogoff rescinded the interruption after protest observers determined there was no threat to safety. The port agreed and service resumed.
Rogoff and King County Metro General Manager Rob Gannon met on Monday morning to review procedures. They agreed CEOs/general managers will be part of the decision to suspend service at the request of law enforcement due to safety and security concerns.
“Transit should always be available for those who want to participate in our democracy,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a news release. “Under the new protocol, any request by law enforcement to disrupt rail or bus service, except for an immediate and serious threat, will be quickly reviewed by senior leadership at both Sound Transit and King County Metro. This will help protect both public safety and the constitutional right to peacefully assemble.”
On Monday, Mayor Murray also explained, via Twitter, the actions of Seattle police officers present at the protest on Saturday.
Murray said he immediately reached out to Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole upon hearing about the deployment of pepper spray and arrests at the airport.
I’ve lost count of number of arrests. Pepper spray also deployed in places in #seatacprotest https://t.co/Eo2cO701YP pic.twitter.com/9LQd8h7lIS
— Lindsey Wasson (@lindseywasson) January 29, 2017
Murray also promised to send legislation to the Seattle City Council this week on police accountability reform that he says will “create the most civilian-driven accountability process in our city’s history.”
“The City of Seattle is committed to remaining a welcoming city of all, and to ensuring our police department will not be used by the Trump Administration to target anyone, including immigrants, refugees and Muslims,” the mayor wrote.
Read Murray’s full statement:
In light of confusion and misinformation about @SeattlePD‘s role and actions at Saturday’s protest at SeaTac, setting the record straight: pic.twitter.com/UF0hTydlIs
— Ed Murray (@MayorEdMurray) January 30, 2017
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