Black Lives Matter protesters disrupt Seattle traffic after downtown demonstration

Real-time updates: 

• 5:45 p.m. The protest appears to have ended. No arrests were reported.  
• 5:15 p.m. The march at Westlake and Mercer is dissipating.
• 4:50 p.m. Seattle protesters now blocking Westlake and Mercer. Cars are being diverted off Mercer. 

• 4:44 p.m. Protesters have surrounded a KIRO 7 photographer so that he can no longer move in the march. KIRO 7 is now streaming chopper 7. 
• 4:30 p.m. At Westlake, a group is gathering, but they are likely spectators for the tree lighting. The protesters are still marching on Westlake Avenue near Denny. 

• 4:32 p.m. The protesters are on Westlake Avenue heading toward Denny. The group is chanting "Black Lives Matter."
• 4:15 p.m. The march is going eastbound on Pike Street from 7th Avenue. 

• 4:05 p.m. It appears the demonstration is moving again, this time marching south on 5th. 
• 4 p.m. Protesters remain in downtown Seattle, holding signs. The protest coincides with the tree lighting downtown, which will start around 5:20 p.m.

• 3:30 p.m. Demonstrators are sitting at Westlake Center as protesters speak. Speakers address protesters about immigration, racism, political prisoners. One young man spoke over a megaphone, "it's important we give Trump an inauguration he never forgets." Earlier in November, councilwoman Kshama Sawant called for a "shutdown" on Trump's inauguration. Read about that here.

• 3 p.m. Group of demonstrators are back at Westlake Center. 
• 2:45 p.m. March stops at Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street.
• 2:30 p.m. Demonstration appears to separate into two groups marching around downtown Seattle. 
• 2 p.m. People gather for the protest near Westlake.