An incident involving a police officer slashing the tires of automobiles at a Free Palestine protest on February 9 is below investigation in Seattle, Washington. The actions of the Seattle Police Department, which focused a minivan and different automobiles regardless of compliance from their drivers, at the moment are below overview by the Office of Police Accountability after a grievance was filed on February 13, in line with Real Change News.
Pro-Palestine protesters had gathered on the World Trade Center Seattle and the town’s waterfront at a rally calling for a ceasefire within the Israel-Hamas battle. The demonstration was a part of ongoing protests in Seattle denouncing U.S. help of Israel. A caravan of automobiles, together with a Toyota Prius and Honda Odyssey, parked on a driveway to allegedly shut off entry to the avenue in entrance of the World Trade Center, prompting the Seattle Police Department to maneuver in and disperse the group. Witness accounts say the protesters have been complying with police instructions, however SPD officers pressed forward, knocking over a 62-year-old protester and slashing the tires on the minivan, as video shared by the University of Washington’s Progressive Student Union reveals:
The police arrested 4 protesters, together with the 62-year-old girl who was forcibly detained, solely to be transferred to an space hospital and, later, launched. Charges for these arrested included felony assault, however these have been dropped and prosecutors kept away from pursuing additional costs, because the Stranger reviews:
On Wednesday, prosecutors filed no costs towards two protesters arrested for felony assault by Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers throughout a pro-Palestine protest exterior the World Trade Center Seattle final Friday. The lack of costs appears to help claims from protesters that SPD overreacted to the demonstration, as does the truth that, in line with the King County Prosecutor’s Office, SPD itself stated the division won’t have a felony case towards both defendant. However, the division stated Thursday they have been nonetheless investigating the protesters.
SPD stated demonstrators used folks and automobiles to dam the entrances and exits right into a car parking zone and a storage of the World Trade Center and the Waterfront Marriott Hotel and ignored orders to maneuver. However, protesters described their response as cooperative and stated the cops escalated the scenario.
The events concerned within the pro-Palestine protest embody the UW PSU and the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, which each keep that officers reacted with extreme pressure and didn’t clearly warn activists earlier than speeding them, even after protesters have been complying with the police.
Police slashed the tires of three automobiles within the “car brigade,” together with the Honda Odyssey bearing a “Free Palestine” banner, whereas a fourth was towed away. Per Real Change:
Since the start of the demonstration, witnesses reported there was a heavy police presence. One protester estimated there have been greater than 30 Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers and a dozen police automobiles on the scene. After protesters blocked off a driveway at 2200 Alaskan Way, cops moved in to disperse the rally.
According to each activists and SPD, 4 protesters have been arrested. One of them, 62-year-old college instructor Linda Bevis, was knocked to the bottom previous to the arrest and suffered a head harm. In movies recorded by bystanders, one of many arrested protesters could be seen being pinned to the bottom by 4 law enforcement officials.
Videos additionally confirmed a police officer utilizing a knife to stab the tires of protesters’ automobiles, which have been a part of a “car brigade” used to assist block off the driveway. Protesters declare police punctured the tires of three automobiles, whereas a fourth was towed.
The Seattle Police Department went on to declare its response was warranted and that officers have been guaranteeing entry to the parking storage subsequent to the World Trade Center:
In a written assertion, SPD stated officers responded to the protest to make sure car entry to the parking storage adjoining to the World Trade Center Seattle and that one officer was injured throughout the protest. The division additionally stated the tires of a protester’s car have been flattened “by an approved tire deflation device.”
Protesters replied by gathering exterior a police precinct with video footage that reveals them separating to permit tow vehicles to drive in. SPD coverage permits officers to interrupt up crowds that trigger a visitors disturbance, however it’s unclear if officers can persist after protesters have, certainly, complied. In the footage, it appears just like the minivan driver is following instructions when an officer runs up behind and slashes its tires. The driver is reportedly in search of assist from an lawyer, whereas the investigation by the Office of Police Accountability is ongoing.
Source: jalopnik.com