BELLEVUE, Wash. — Bellevue police braced for unrest on Tuesday evening because four different groups protested an appreciation dinner for Seattle police officers.
The Seattle police appreciation dinner was held at the Bellevue Hyatt and was sponsored by Franklin Graham’s Christian ministry group, which protesters said is anti-gay.
At about 8 p.m., a group gathered at Bellevue Downtown Park and later moved north.
Bellevue police said that the group ended up across the street from another group, and officers were stopping the two from merging.
Two of the protest groups are currently on opposite sides of the intersection. Bike officers are ensuring the groups don't merge. pic.twitter.com/bElTpUB5w5
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) May 12, 2021
According to police, some people in the group were using lasers to point at officers.
One person was seen in one of the groups burning a flag.
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) May 12, 2021
Earlier in the evening, Bellevue police told KIRO 7 that one person was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer. It’s unknown if it was connected to the protest.
He has been arrested and will be booked in jail. pic.twitter.com/A8WAY1mT2N
— Bellevue, WA Police (@BvuePD) May 12, 2021
Cox Media Group