Seattle Councilmembers at Saturday's protest in Capitol Hill pose for a group selfie. (Councilmember Andrew Lewis, Twitter)
At this weekend’s Seattle protest, which turned violent at times, a Seattle city councilmember said the anger from a man threatening to murder cops was justified.
On Saturday night, in what appeared to be a coordinated effort, several local far-left politicians descended upon Capitol Hill to taunt the Seattle Police Department’s effort to maintain peace.
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda live-streamed portions of the protest and when she heard violent rhetoric from those around her, she didn’t just downplay them — she claimed their anger is valid.
‘Kill yourselves’ says activist to Seattle cops during protest
On Facebook, Mosqueda posted live video near the front of the Seattle protest, just feet away from both a barricade and officers trying to protect the East Precinct from vandalism or worse. As she interviewed various activists, a man with a bullhorn shouted odious messages at the police.
“SPD, I need you to do me a favor. Take your guns, put them onto your chins, and pull the trigger,” the man yelled. “I need you to kill yourselves. That’s your only redemption. Go ahead, save us the trouble of tearing you apart and *****ing kill yourselves. Did I stutter? I said ‘k-k-k-kill yourselves.”
As this madman shouted, Mosqueda looked at him but didn’t condemn the messaging.
“****ing kill yourselves. It’s the only chance you have left to do something good for the world and that’s remove yourself from it,” he shouted.
Mosqueda then had the audacity to support the message bull-horned over her.
“The anger that you hear is justified,” she said.
Telling cops to kill themselves before a threat to tear them apart is not justified. It’s a threat. It’s the kind of statement that if you targeted Mosqueda with, she’d call the same cops she’s currently criticizing.
While she was defending the anger, the man continued his attack on cops: “I need you to kill yourself.”
Moments later, Mosqueda spoke with King County Councilman Girmay Zahilay. While he claimed, “I’ve seen nothing but peaceful people out here,” the protester shouted, “You have declared war on the American people. We do not forgive, we do not forget. Expect us.”
This could have been a moment to call out the unhelpful, hateful, and divisive language while reminding people of the right to protest. Instead, they excuse or ignore the vitriol. Calling it out wouldn’t please their base of support. That’s a shame.
Watch the video here. Warning: graphic language.
‘Weapons of war’ used against protesters?
Mosqueda wasn’t the only Seattle City Councilmember at the protest. She was briefly joined by Councilmember Dan Strauss. He made an interesting observation not based in fact.
“The only thing that I would say is we have no place for weapons of war on our streets and against our residents,” he claimed.
It’s unclear what “weapons of war” he was referring to since the police didn’t use any. They didn’t even use tear gas, as activists had claimed.
Earlier in the evening, agitators threw rocks, bottles and incendiary devices at police, sending two to the hospital. He did not provide a comment on that at the time, instead calling the protesters peaceful.
Just now: @CMDanStrauss claims or implies @SeattlePD uses "weapons of war" against Seattle protesters. Tonight, two cops were sent to the hospital.
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Seattle protest lists demands and Mosqueda accepts them
The protesters have a list of demands, though it’s unclear which protesters are the organizers she backs. Earlier, one of the organizers of a previous march sided with police against agitators.
It’s critical that so many are out holding the space on #CapitolHill. Organizers have been clear about their demands - now is not the time for more baracades or fence lines. It is time for actions.
Here is what I support:
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Earlier, on KIRO 7, a protester lambasted the fraudsters.
“There are people who are here who don’t give a damn about black people. And I don’t mean the police,” he said.
For a sitting councilmember to post these demands, as if they’re hostage takers, is bizarre. Mosqueda has the support on the Seattle Council to pass legislation of the demands coming from the protest. So why not just come up with their legislation? Instead, she shows up to taunt the police.
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