Seattle police are calling Saturday’s No Kings rally and march a success, reporting no arrests, property damage, or issues involving participants.
“Our officers were there to facilitate a safe freedom of speech event, and it went perfectly,” said Seattle Police Department (SPD) detective Brian Pritchard.
The rally began at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle, then continued with a march to Seattle Center, where a voting drive was held. SPD said the crowd numbered in the thousands, but did not provide a more specific estimate.
Smaller rallies also took place across western Washington. No major incidents were reported.
Pritchard thanked everyone who participated in Saturday’s rally.
No Kings protests and marches in Seattle and across the country encourage early voting
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) warned drivers Saturday to expect delays due to a “No Kings” rally and march through downtown Seattle.
The department expected rolling road closures throughout downtown. Seattle’s march and rally was one of dozens across the country this weekend, including several within the state.
“No Kings” rallies are sponsored by a group called “Seattle Indivisible” and other partners. The demonstration was described as a “Vote Early” rally, march, and voting fair.
Similar events were held nationwide, including in Washington, DC, New York City, Atlanta, and dozens of other communities.
The events were billed as nonpartisan, but demonstrators encouraged voters to cast ballots early, ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, and to oppose President Donald Trump and his administration.
At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, a band entertained what appeared to be a few hundred people in caps and coats. Despite the chilly weather, many in the crowd danced to the tunes.
At an Atlanta rally, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond told the crowd to urge others to vote ahead of the Nov. 3rd Election Day.
The demonstrations came after a huge turnout during a previous “No Kings” protest in Seattle on March 28. SPD estimated at least 75,000 people marched through downtown Seattle on that day.
Similar protests also took place nationwide and here in the Pacific Northwest in June and October of last year.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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