Police Department

SPD arrests 12 at immigration protest

Monique Cotton, Police Communication Director, 509.363.8285

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 2 p.m.

Spokane Police arrested 12 protesters for Interference with Pedestrian/Vehicular Traffic after they sat in the middle of Post Street and refused to comply with officer directives to leave the street. Police supervisors repeatedly told protesters to leave the street and informed them they were in violation of the law. After approximately 30 minutes of officers diverting traffic around the protesters, they were arrested. There were no injuries and the protesters were taken into custody without incident.

This morning, around 11 am, approximately 50-60 people gathered in Downtown Spokane near 10 N. Post Street in a protest for immigration reform. Spokane Police had developed an operations plan to support citizens’ right to conduct 1st Amendment demonstration activities, respond to criminal violations of the law, and enhance public safety.

During the demonstration, a group of protesters gathered in the middle of Post Street, locked arms and sat in the street, obstructing traffic and creating safety concerns. Police supervisors repeatedly told protesters to leave the street and informed them they were in violation of the law. Officers had to divert traffic for approximately 30 minutes to protect the safety of the protesters and passing motorists. After repeated officer directives to leave the street, 12 people were arrested for Interference with Pedestrian/Vehicular Traffic. The 12 individuals were booked into the Spokane County Jail.

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