The U-District Link light rail station in Seattle was closed due to planned pro-Palestine protests
by Paul Rivera, KOMO News Reporter
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Image of people in front of the closed U-District Link light rail station during a planned pro-Palestine protest. (Photo: KOMO News)
SEATTLE-
Seattle's U-District Link light rail station was closed due to another pro-Palestinian protest aimed at disrupting traffic.
A leaflet circulating reads: “Lock it up! For Palestine: Saturday, January 20, 6-8 p.m. U District Link Station.” A social media post from the organization “samidounseattle” states that it wants “to strengthen the connections between the publicly funded Sound Transit and the multinational Siemens “denounce those who promote Israeli occupation and colonization in Palestine.”
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They want Sound Transit to end its contracts with Siemens to purchase light rail vehicles.
Sound Transit spokesman John Gallagher told KOMO News in a statement: “We are aware of the planned protest. While we respect the rights of protesters, the safety of our drivers and employees is our priority. We are monitoring the situation but have nothing more to report at this time.”
The station was closed before the protest for security reasons. A Sound Transit official said a bus bridge has been constructed between the Roosevelt and UW stations.
No protesters made it inside, but people with signs can be seen outside the station.
This disruptive act comes two weeks after another pro-Palestinian protest. Protesters were allowed to remain on Interstate 5 as it was closed for nearly five hours. So far, no one has been held responsible for the closure of the highway, which is illegal.
“Investigators are still collecting and examining evidence. Investigators will report their findings to the King County Prosecutor's Office if they believe they have a substantiated case for individuals. Prosecutors have said they will examine each situation individually. There is no target date for completion. “An investigation takes the time it needs,” said Chris Loftis of the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
WSP has repeatedly defended its actions, claiming they did what they could.
Loftis said: “The demonstrators caused the delays – not our policies, our safety commitments or our solution strategies for dangerously complex operating environments.” Our response is to clear the highways for safe travel as quickly as possible to eliminate all dangers, be they more natural Nature or caused by man. Reopening the highway quickly is a priority. But doing so safely for everyone – the traveling public, first responders and protesters alike – is and must be the order of the day in this time of increasing conflict and demonstrations. Delays are unsatisfactory for everyone; But doing things in unsafe ways to avoid frustration, however understandable that frustration may be, is not a sensible alternative.”
Critics of the protest said organizers and participants had no right to trap innocent motorists as they protested on the highway.
“It is not permitted to confine someone or restrict their freedom of movement in this way. “It's unfortunate that police didn't intervene,” said Ted Frank, a senior attorney at the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute. Frank says people stuck in their cars could sue the protest organizers for stopping them against their will.
Although it is not under their jurisdiction, the WSP said it is aware of this new protest against the U-District light rail. The Seattle Police Department did not respond to our request for comment.
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