Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Big May Day Crowds March In Seattle

Updated at 5:16 p.m. PST

SEATTLE (AP) — Chanting "Stand up, fight back," hundreds of people marched through downtown Seattle Monday to support immigrants and workers on May Day.

Authorities braced for demonstrations to turn disruptive, with some businesses boarding up windows and erecting barricades.

Native American dancers walked in front of the larger gathering of protesters. The march followed a rally at a city park where speakers, including Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant, urged resistance to President Donald Trump's policies.

Seattle police say they ultimately expect up to 1,500 people to take part in the march Monday afternoon, and a large police presence was noticeable. Later Monday anti-capitalist gatherings were expected throughout the city.

The city traditionally sees large, disruptive May Day gatherings. Last year Seattle police used pepper spray to disperse black-clad protesters. Five officers were hurt, none seriously, and police arrested nine people.