This afternoon’s protest in solidarity with Ferguson proved to be considerably more peaceful than last night’s protest, which resulted in five arrests. Late this morning, Garfield High School students met with a group of protesters outside Mount Calvary Christian Center on 23rd Avenue and Union Street. Together they marched down Union toward Broadway. The group, composed of about 350 people of every race and color, was lead in part by Pastor Lawrence Willis of the United Black Clergy. Police escorted them as they marched from Broadway to Pine, chanting and stopping traffic in major intersections along the way. The crowd was passionate, but gentle.At every stop, Willis reminded marchers of how important it was to stay peaceful. As they finished their protest route at the Federal Courthouse, more protesters and advocates welcomed the group with cheers and applause. Willis says he is in contact with the National Action Committee in Ferguson and has connections to the Brown family. He said the family plans to “file for excessive use of force with the federal government and the federal courts.” Gerald Hankerson, President of the Seattle King County NAACP, rallied the crowd at the courthouse. Michael Brown "lost his life for what we exercised as our right to do today, marching in the middle of the streets,” he said. “I’m tired of using the word change… We need results.” — T.W.
A woman at the Ferguson protest in Seattle holds a sign reading, "I can't believe I'm still fighting for my civil rights." Photo: Taylor Winkel
