Early Tuesday morning, a large crowd of people claiming to be protesting in Seattle from issues ranging from the rich vs. the poor, damning Corporate America to Occupy Seattle.  Then from this, a group of 50 or more people wearing black and black masks began a path of destruction through downtown smashing windows, spraypainting cars and clashing with Police.

Several were taken into custody with some of them on the loose.  We have been hearing reports on the news, radio and scanners of their melee of damaging windows at large banks, Nike Town and other businesses.  People’s cars have had serious damage and property remains destroyed along the way.  Our Federal Courthouse even had several broken windows and smoke bombs thrown in.  Armed Federal Police Officers responded to protect the Courthouse. 

We all feel it’s okay to protest as it is our first amendment right, but when you start beginning to damage the property around you – that’s where the message gets lost and people’s emotions begin to boil over.  It almost seems like rioting is going on downtown.

Around 5pm, there is a scheduled Immigration Protest march set to take place in downtown Seattle.  With the anarchists running around eluding police, causing more destruction and putting innoncents’ lives at risk.

This is not what Seattle is all about and to not put people’s lives in danger, they are putting our Fire, EMS and PD first responders lives in jeopardy for risk of injury.  Hearing all of this going down, I wish all of you a safe journey out there doing what you do best.

This post is merely hoping that the violence in Seattle will settle down enough for us to return to normalcy and stop the destruction.  We love our City, our people and our first responders.  Thank you to our Dispatchers for taking care of our guys and gals out there on the streets.  You all are doing an awesome job especially under the circumstances.

Everyone, please be safe out there.

(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog