All Seattleites know that May Day demonstrations can get a little rowdy, and this year’s were no exception.
Each year, there are peaceful May Day protests, which march from the Central Area to the federal courthouse, supporting messages like anti-capitalism, immigrants rights, workers rights and, recently, Black Lives Matter. But after many of those peaceful protesters go home, there always seem to be some troublemakers who make their way to Capitol Hill. This year, protesters were even more violent than usual, Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole told The Seattle Times.
Seattle Police arrested 16 rioters last Friday night, and three officers were injured. Many of the arrested suspects had weapons, makeshift or otherwise. Some people set fires at Seattle Central College and caused damage throughout the neighborhood, local outlets reported.
It is unfortunate that a select few people see May Day as an opportunity for violence and destruction. While these rioters may very well have valid complaints against the current political state, this is no way to get their message across. And more importantly, it greatly overshadows the thousands of people who took to the streets peacefully to promote their messages and call for change.
The protesters, who were eventually broken up due to their lack of permit, give a bad name to an otherwise good opportunity to rally and express opinions. And the fact that they choose to damage public institutions, like Seattle Central — where people likely get their first insight into many of the world’s injustices and ways to solve them — is just sad.
Hopefully, the tradition of violent May Day protests will not continue, so we can focus on the real message of the day and continue to push for more equal rights for all.