Clashes with police after arrests during demonstration against Chase Bank — Seattle, WA

Yesterday, in response to a call out to march on the banks in solidarity with Oakland, 100 people marched into the streets from the Occupy Seattle camp to Chase Bank down the street. Inside the building 5 people locked themselves to each other, shutting down the bank. When the crowd arrived the police were already blocking the doors. People chanted, yelled, and gave speeches of encouragement toward their comrades inside. Everyone was waiting for the police to drag them out.

Once it was clear that the occupiers were being forced out, people began to block the police van, sitting and laying in front it. In this moment, chaos began, perhaps a cop pushed someone, perhaps someone pushed a cop, it’s unclear but once the occupiers were pushed inside the van, people began screaming louder, and pushing harder. Small skirmishes broke out between protestors and the police. Leading the pigs to release their first hit of pepperspray of the day. This only further motivated people. Within these moments, people were running around, pushing cops, helping their comrades from the ground and pulling them back from the police. Several people were dearrested in the process.

With this flow of energy, the protestors flooded into the street in front of Chase. People linked arms, pushed the cops back, while others engaged in small fights with the police. Many pigs were punched in the face or hit with bottles. More pepperspray flew.

During this melee people pushed the cops and took the streets, eventually kicking the cops out.

This is a huge victory for a movement that rarely lets its festering rage run wild.

Later, people marched (always in the streets) back down toward the camp, and then downtown to Westlake to celebrate their victory.

A few hours later, people left from Westlake to march on the CEO of Chase a few blocks away. Those from earlier in the day immediately rushed to the streets, leaving the peace marshals and union bureaucrats on the sidewalks. This may have been embarrassing for them, so soon enough they also joined in the streets.

When the protestors reached the hotel where the hated 1% was, it was protected by police barricades, yet few cops. At this moment the people could have stormed the barricades, and forced themselves inside, perhaps actually confronting the 1% inside. But, no one did and the cops regrouped, surrounding the hotel. So, for many hours to come people rattled the fences and screamed in the rain.

The police peppersprayed more people, someone threw a bottle, the people stayed strong and wet. A few people were arrested (it’s unclear for what) and eventually everyone went home.

Some call it a victory. Some don’t. Regardless, the protestors left on their own accord and showed their commitment and sometimes their anger toward the 1% and their dogs.

People are hungry for real confrontation, real resistance. The CEO may have escaped this time, and the people may have let him but it’s clear after yesterdays small battles that something is growing and it just might explode…

http://pugetsoundanarchists.org/node/1062