County Councilmember Reagan Dunn responds to violent protests in Seattle

May 1, 2012

Summary

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Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn released this statement about the acts of vandalism and violence that disrupted activity in downtown Seattle throughout the day:

“These threats to public safety and the attacks on our fellow citizens and on private property must not be tolerated.

“Our right to protest is sacred. That right is protected, not only by the Constitution, but by the men and women in uniform that serve our communities. It is also preserved by those who choose to exercise their rights peacefully and responsibly.

“Tuesday's violent protests were not about the rights of working people. If anything, these irresponsible and illegal demonstrations made life harder on the working men and women in our community.

“Some working downtown were put in danger as broken glass littered their storefronts. Others were left stranded as their bus routes were disrupted or rerouted. Many hourly workers were told to leave early or told not to come in at all. Our uniformed officers from Seattle and those brought in from other departments around the region were also put at risk, some even injured.

“The reprehensible acts of this violent minority have tainted the image and the motives of those who came to peacefully assemble.”