BELLINGHAM, WA. – (KGMI.com) New information has been released about the protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza on I-5 in Seattle.
According to Washington State Patrol, upwards of 500 people participated in the protest that stopped all traffic on northbound I-5 near the Pine Street exit for roughly 5 hours Saturday afternoon.
WSP released a report Monday detailing what they know at the time and their future planned response.
The report says that, while no official arrests were made at the scene, participants in the event will still likely face charges in the coming weeks.
WSP did prepare a response plan after hearing unsubstantiated “chatter,” but were not able to take action before the protest because they did not have reliable intelligence.
The protest was well-coordinated and Sleeping Dragon devices used further hindered efforts to break up the protest.
A Sleeping Dragon tactic involves holding arms together through a PVC pipe using handcuffs or zip ties. Sometimes materials like chicken wire, tar or duct tape are added to the PVC’s outside in order to prevent breaking the chain.
Specialized troopers forming the CUT team were deployed to the scene to break up the Sleeping Dragon.
About 12 abandoned vehicles needed to be towed from the freeway after the protest’s dispersal.
Washington law prohibits impeding traffic (especially emergency vehicles) and letting pedestrians on the highway.
Other disruptive protest charges may be filed in addition.
To read the full report, you can view this pdf provided by WSP.