Seattle police arrest woman for sitting down with umbrella

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:35:00 +0000

Umbrellas, of all things, have been a central point of contention between Seattle police and protesters since the city's OWS-inspired demonstrations started earlier this month.

Authorities in Westlake Park -- where Occupy Seattle has taken up residence -- first restricted use of umbrellas about a week and a half ago. Protesters were told that they were not allowed to sit down with the rain gear, as it would then constitute a "structure" like a tent or tarp, which are proscribed under the park's anti-camping rule.

Occupy Seattle, sprung from perch, protests Romney

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:45:00 +0000

Seattle police have finally forced Occupy Seattle protesters to leave their base of operations in the city's Westlake Park after nearly two weeks at the location. The move came on the heels of several days of posturing, during which time Mayor Mike McGinn repeatedly threatened arrests -- camping is illegal in Westlake Park -- while encouraging the group to move to City Hall.

According to Seattle's KING-TV:

About 10 police officers arrived at Westlake around 9:30 a.m. Officers told about 75 demonstrators who had spent the night that the city was enforcing the no-camping rule at the park "starting right now."

Some of the protesters packed up their possessions and moved out, while others simply relocated across the street.

Another group of Westlake protesters decamped to the Seattle Grand Hyatt, where Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was hosting a fundraiser. According to the News Tribune:

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Seattle police arrest woman for sitting down with umbrella

Occupy Seattle, sprung from perch, protests Romney