
George Floyd protests in Washington (state)

This is a list of protests over the murder of George Floyd that have been ongoing in the state of Washington since May 29, 2020.
Protests.
Bellingham.
On May 29, a vigil occurred at the Bellingham Public Library where a memorial was set up. A march took place in Bellingham the following day. On June 2, a small gathering took pace at the library memorial while several hundred protesters gathered at Railroad Avenue and Holly Street.
On June 6, about 7,000 protesters gathered at Maritime Heritage Park.
On June 28, hundreds of protesters marched from Maritime Heritage Park to City Hall commemorating the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall riots and calling on the city to "defund the police." After most protesters had left, a small group remained, taking down and burning the American flags which had flown at City Hall and graffitiing the entrance.
Southwest Washington.
Kevin Peterson Jr. protests.
On October 29, 2020, Clark County sheriff's deputies fatally shot Kevin E. Peterson, Jr., in Hazel Dell, Washington, near Vancouver, resulting in vigils and demonstrations. Hundreds gathered in Hazel Dell for a vigil the evening of October 30 with protesters carrying signs saying “Honk for Black lives. White silence is violence” and “Scream his name,” and confronting right-wing counter-protesters. That night, hundreds of protesters marched through Downtown Vancouver, resulting in property damage and a confrontation with federal agents. At least one person was arrested after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and a dispersal order was issued by police.
Government response.
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee ordered the activation of the Washington National Guard.
As a consequence of the May 30 events, all Seattle-bound service by Washington State Ferries, Kitsap Fast Ferries and the Seattle Water Taxi was suspended, with Colman Dock loading westbound traffic to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton only; many downtown streets were closed and bus service was halted; the Westlake and Pioneer Square light rail stations were also closed by Sound Transit. The Washington State Department of Transportation rerouted Interstate 5 freeway traffic away from Downtown Seattle in a 20-mile detour across the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and Interstate 90 floating bridges, and through the Eastside.
The Mayor of Bellevue, Lynne Robinson, declared a civil emergency and curfew in Downtown Bellevue on May 31, and requested the governor to mobilize the Washington National Guard to the city.
Police chief Steve Mylett said the looters and rioters had joined a small group of peaceful protesters before they committed their crimes. "They were not there to protest the tragic death of George Floyd. They were there to destroy," said the chief. He explained that officers had learned on Saturday that gang members had planned to "cause trouble" at a planned peaceful protest, adding that he welcomed peaceful protesters.
The protests in Bellevue and elsewhere led to a statewide expansion of the National Guard callup on May 31, previously limited to 600 guardsmen sent to Seattle only. On June 1, the National Guard secured Bellevue Square.
The city of Kirkland issued an official bulletin to businesses asking them to close in the early afternoon, and for citizens to stay away from the downtown area.
President Donald Trump has criticized the response of Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, claiming that they have not been effective in dealing with protesters, especially regarding the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone and the Seattle police's abandonment of the East Precinct. Trump has threatened to retake the city if local leaders do not reassert their authority. Weeks later, in the early morning of July 1, Mayor Durkan issued an executive order declaring an end to the zone and authorizing police to clear the area. The police cleared the protest zone and retook the East Precinct soon-after.
Procedural changes.
The City of Bellevue announced on June 5 it would no longer allow neck restraints.
The Edmonds School District school board voted on June 24 to terminate contracts with the local police department.
Curfews.
On June 1, Lynnwood issued a curfew after tips came in that rioters were planning to loot Alderwood Mall.
The cities of Redmond, Renton and Mercer Island established a curfew for the evening of June 1. The Redmond curfew was rescinded June 2.
Arrests.
On the morning of June 11, a Tacoma woman was arrested by federal authorities in full SWAT gear for burning 5 police cars during the May 30 riot in Seattle.
At least 23 people were arrested by Spokane police for participating in the May 31 looting in Downtown Spokane. Fifteen of those arrested were arrested on the night of May 31 and at least 8 more were arrested following police investigation.
At least 23 people were arrested in June by Bellevue police for participating in the May 31 riots.
Killing of Michael Reinoehl.
On September 3, in Lacey, Washington, federal authorities attempted to arrest Antifa supporter Michael Reinoehl for the August 29 killing of Aaron Danielson, a right-wing activist associated with Patriot Prayer, during a protest in Portland. During the attempted arrest, Reinoehl was shot and killed by a federal officer.