Washington State Patrol recommends charges for five pro-Palestinian protesters

(The Center Square) – The Washington State Patrol recommended charges for five pro-Palestinian protesters who blocked Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle more than a month ago.

The protest occurred on Jan. 6 and caused a six-mile traffic backup on the highway for about five hours. Videos on social media shows hundreds of protestors on the highway, chanting phrases such as “Hey hey, ho ho, the occupation has got to go!”

Three males and two females are being referred by the department for charges, including second degree criminal trespass, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct, and obstruction. The King County Prosecutor’s Office will make the final determination if criminal charges will be filed.

According to WSP, two other individuals remain under investigation for possible referrals in the near future.

WSP Chief John Batiste said that there can be no doubt that the department respects and protects the rights of free speech and assembly, but that the I-5 protest has nothing to do with free speech and assembly rights.

- Advertisement -

“This is about holding people accountable for unlawful and dangerous acts that put the traveling public, our first responders, and yes, the protestors themselves, in danger,” Batiste said in a statement. “Stepping foot on a freeway to highlight your own individual cause is a self-centered act that is dangerous, foolhardy, disruptive, and most assuredly illegal.”

Batiste added that WSP will “exhaust all possible investigatory efforts” to deter people from engaging in similarly dangerous behavior in the future.

The I-5 protest was one of a series of similar gatherings held in the Puget Sound region demanding a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including rallies in downtown Seattle, as well as an attempt to block the departure of a merchant vessel from the Port of Tacoma suspected of carrying weapons and military equipment to the Middle East.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Fish passage project in Olympic Peninsula not impacted by federal funding freeze

(The Center Square) – So far, federal funding remains...

Poll: Consumer sentiment highest since 2019 Trump administration

(The Center Square) – Inflation, 2.9% in the final...

Illinois quick hits: Illinois joins lawsuit agsinst Trump’s spending cuts

Illinois is among 22 states suing the Trump administration...

Nuclear recycling aims to reduce waste, provide ‘generational jobs’

(The Center Square) − A growing number of energy...

Trump signs order forcing agencies to work with DOGE

Billionaire Elon Musk joined President Donald Trump in the...

WA senator insists controversial remarks on parents’ rights taken out of context

(The Center Square) – Washington State Senate Majority Leader...

Lee’s $59.5B budget inlcudes $3.9B in new spending

(The Center Square) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is...

More like this
Related

Fish passage project in Olympic Peninsula not impacted by federal funding freeze

(The Center Square) – So far, federal funding remains...

Poll: Consumer sentiment highest since 2019 Trump administration

(The Center Square) – Inflation, 2.9% in the final...

Illinois quick hits: Illinois joins lawsuit agsinst Trump’s spending cuts

Illinois is among 22 states suing the Trump administration...