Nine people were arrested following a protest in the street at 2nd and Madison.
At approximately 7:30 am Tuesday, 911 received calls reporting that a group of nine people were blocking the street at 2nd Avenue and Madison Street. The caller believed that it was some sort of protest or demonstration.
The information was broadcast, METRO was notified, and officers arrived within minutes. Officers began diverting traffic to the north of the demonstration.
Nine protestors were physically blocking the street and using a “sleeping dragon” tactic. Additional officers responded to the scene, including specially-trained officers with equipment to cut the PVC pipes used by the protestors.
At 8:38 am a dispersal order to clear the street was issued by police. The protestors refused to comply with the order.
At 8:42 am officers began dismantling the PVC piping used by the protestors.
At 9:06 am the protestors were removed from the street and were placed under arrest.
By 9:10 am 2nd Avenue was reopened to traffic.
The arrested individuals, six men and three women, were transported to the West Precinct and then later booked into the King County Jail for pedestrian interference.