In the past, May Day has not been a good day for Seattle’s police and businesses. Today’s demonstrations—better labeled “riots”—will not likely break the violent cycle.
Posters around Capital Hill have popped up calling for violence against Seattle’s police officers. King 5,
“Mayor Ed Murray’s office say the posters, discovered on Capitol Hill through the Central District, read, “The only good cop is a dead cop.” In addition “Kill SPD” was spray painted on a bank on Capitol Hill, according to Seattle police.
“Another poster found on Capitol Hill reads, “No new jail. No old jail. Fire to the prisons. (expletive) the police.” The bottom of the poster listed the website for Puget Sound Anarchists.”
Seattle’s business community is also a target—spray painted anarchy symbols, the words “smash this” and “May Day” have appeared on windows of some businesses.
Seattle’s Socialist City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, who said she will participate in the demonstrations, is not helping. Although she issued a statement calling for non-violent protests, the socialist followed up her weak call for peace with highly inflammatory statements that perpetuate the general feeling of animosity toward Seattle’s police and businesses. Sawant,
“At the same time, all working people are under attack. The corporations and the super-wealthy are celebrating billions in profits while the rest of us face skyrocketing poverty and inequality…
And we are fighting back… We must rely on our own strength…
I also oppose the provocative statements and actions of the Seattle Police Department in relation to May 1st. The Seattle Police are acting in a repressive, anti-democratic manner along with the corporate owned mass media who are attempting to whip up a polarized state of fear. The Seattle Police have an unfortunate track record of violence and cracking down on activists and using pepper spray indiscriminately…”
The only possible response? Either Sawant is delusional or she has selective memory issues… or both.
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