State Patrol announced Saturday evening that it would
no longer allow protesters on the interstate.
The change in strategy comes as protests against police brutality and racism enter their second month in Seattle. The hit-and-run was the latest traumatic event to occur at or near protest areas, including
shootings near the Capitol Hill Organized Protest, which was
shut down by police Wednesday.
“Blocking a freeway is a crime and no longer are we going to enable that criminal conduct to continue,” said State Patrol Capt. Ron Mead, who made the decision to no longer close the interstate. “We are not going to be allowing protesters to access the freeway unimpeded, and there are consequences for criminal conduct.”
Mead said additional troopers would be in the area Saturday night and “they have been instructed to enforce the law.”