SEATTLE — Some demonstrators protesting the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri, briefly got onto Interstate 5 late Monday night, Seattle police said. Highway officials briefly closed all northbound lanes.
After hours of marching peacefully, Seattle protesters also hurled canned food, bottles and rocks, police said. The Seattle Times reported that police responded with pepper spray and flash-bang grenades.
Shortly before midnight, the roving crowd was estimated at about 200 demonstrators.
Police made four arrests, The Times reported.
There were no reports of serious injuries.
Police scrambled quickly to remove several protesters from the freeway. The state Transportation Department announced a short time later that closed freeway lanes had reopened.
Police also cautioned drivers that they had reports of rocks being thrown onto I-5.
Thousands across the country protested a grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who killed an 18-year-old black man in Ferguson in August.
St. Louis County, Missouri, authorities announced Monday evening that Officer Darren Wilson will not be charged in the Aug. 9 shooting death of Michael Brown.
Chanting “Black lives matter” and “Hands up, don’t shoot,” Seattle marchers stopped periodically to sit or lie down in city intersections, blocking traffic before moving on. For the first several hours, police just watched the marchers.
While acknowledging that Seattle is “far from perfect,” Mayor Ed Murray told a Monday evening news briefing that his city “is committed to the goals of racial, social justice.” He urged protesters to make their case peacefully.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
