May Day, Celebrated as International Workers' Day, is TODAY and as in past years there are permitted (and un-permitted) free speech events planned for the day. These free speech rallies, held mostly in the morning and early afternoon, tend to be peaceful and well attended. Several advocacy groups will rally at Judkins park and join the historic march for workers & immigrant rights:
11am rally at Judkins Park, 3:30pm march to Downtown Seattle
The Workers and Immigration Rights March organizers have worked in close coordination with the City to assist in facilitation of their events to promote public safety and provide a forum for free expression.
Businesses could be impacted by traffic congestion and disruption associated with any march and should take appropriate safety measures for their customers and facilities. Some rallies and/or marches may occur without prior coordination between the organizers and the City.In past years, agroup of individuals with less than peaceful intentions have infiltrated these rallies and marches and used the opportunity to cause damage to property and individuals. Here are a few actions you can take to ensure people and property are safe:
Stay informed about marches, rallies and protests to ensure you are aware of activities that may occur near and around you
Watch for suspicious activity and call 911 if you see anything suspicious
Close and lock any dumpsters and lock them together or to a building for the day. Secure or empty trash/recycling materials, including any bottles of flammable materials
During evening hours, remove outdoor fixtures such as flower pots, chairs, tables, signs and other objects from the sidewalk
Know where fire extinguishers and fire exits are located in your business, home and building
Record and/or save any video from the day in case law enforcement contact you about suspicious or dangerous activities
Report graffiti to the City of Seattle Customer Service Bureau at 206.684.2489 or use the Find it, Fix it App on your smart device
