Anti-Israel activists shut down Seattle freeway for over 3 hours

Hundreds of anti-Israel activists shut down all lanes of northbound Interstate 5 in downtown Seattle for over three hours on Saturday causing a 6-mile backup. An ambulance with lights flashing was seen caught in the backup.

Activists chanting for the genocide of Jews also swarmed the nearby overpasses on Denny Way and Olive Way.

Some activists vandalized a local Starbucks before marching over to the freeway.

The activists drove onto the freeway and blocked traffic at approximately 1:15 pm. The Washington State Patrol posted on X that “troopers are approaching to handle,” the Seattle Police Department asked Seattlites to avoid the area and the Washington State Department of Transportation reported that traffic was diverted onto eastbound I-90.

It wasn’t until 3:40 pm that Seattle police posted on X that a dispersal order was given to the Hamas-supporting activists, who didn’t end up leaving the freeway until around 5 pm. However, they left their vehicles behind and the cars had to be towed. The freeway ended up re-opening after 6 pm.

None of the activists were arrested. According to the Washington State Patrol, they did not have the resources to handle the activists.

The Post Millennial previously revealed that Seattle law enforcement has been ordered to allow anti-Israel demonstrators to seize control of a major bridge during rush hour traffic.

Dave Reichert, the Republican frontrunner in Washington's gubernatorial race said in a statement, "Like many of you I'm tired of watching the few violate the rights of many. I'm tired of those few not respecting the rights and freedoms of their families friends and neighbors. Today's protest displayed the continued disintegration of our society."

"The voices of Americans should be heard and we all have that right. Those voices can be raised and more likely listened to when presented lawfully peacefully and respectfully," it continued, "Blocking traffic for hours on I-5 stops on the rights of others is not respectful and creates serious safety concerns. This disrespect and unlawful display not only prevents first responders from going to emergency calls but disrupts the lives of thousands freedom of speech is cherished in Washington state but it cannot violate the rights of families friends and neighbors." 

Activists have been marching in the Emerald City since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre of over 1,200 people in Israel and the kidnapping of others, many of whom are still hostages. Seattle officials previously allowed the activists to shut down bridges and roads.

Locals and pundits across social media slammed public officials and law enforcement for appearing to allow the anti-Israel activists to shut down the freeway for over 3 hours with no consequences.

The action was similar to those taken by BLM and Antifa activists during the George Floyd riots in the city in 2020 during the deadly occupation of the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Rather than preventing the protesters from blocking the freeway, the Washington State Patrol was ordered to close the freeway at set times each night for the activists despite the danger and traffic delays.

Last month, Dawit Kelete was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison for breaking one of the state patrol’s blockades by driving onto the closed freeway and fatally striking activist Summer Taylor, 24, and seriously injured Diaz Love, 32, both of whom identified as non-binary.

Hours after the fatal collision, WSP discontinued the dangerous policy.

Taylor's and Love's families as well as other activists have filed lawsuits against Seattle, Washington State, and law enforcement for failing to protect the activists who were shutting down the freeway.