Seattle voters want a new approach in how the city handles 'demonstrations'

Following another week of riots on the streets of Seattle, Team Blue's Washington state chapter released the results of a new poll examining Seattle voters' attitudes with regard to ongoing 'demonstrations' in Seattle. Team Blue is a police advocacy and support organization.

The poll, which was conducted January 13-14 by Public Policy Polling revealed that:

90 percent of voters surveyed disapprove of looting, arson or property destruction by demonstrators. While vandalism and arson are against the law in the city, even if the law is not being enforced, 82 percent of voters support a prohibition on arson during demonstrations and 79 percent support a prohibition on property destruction during demonstrations with 85 percent supporting a prohibition on looting during demonstrations.

Interestingly, with the law and order theme taking shape in the survey, only nine percent of those surveyed approved of former President Donald Trump's job performance and over 65 percent of survey takers identified as Democrats.

67 percent of voters disapproved of the job the Seattle City Council is doing in handling demonstrations.

Only 7 percent of African American Seattle voters held a "very favorable" view of the ongoing BLM demonstrations. That was the lowest of any racial group surveyed. More than half of Seattle African Americans, 52 percent, view the demonstrations unfavorably.

Meanwhile 88 percent of Seattle voters think it is important to change course in how demonstrations are handled.

The poll was commissioned as a lead up to the Protect Free Speech and Safe Streets Act, a ballot initiative that would create laws that would help quell protests and force politicians to behave ethically. The measure is similar to one currently gathering signatures in Portland, OR, another hotbed of Antifa and BLM protests, demonstrations and riots.

According to KGW8, "The initiative proposes, among other things, banning gatherings that can be heard a quarter-mile or one block away after 10 p.m. in residential areas, and after midnight statewide."

According to their website, Team Blue "stands with, and is supportive of, all people in their right to protest peacefully. However, our leaders have failed to distinguish between peaceful protest and looting, rioting, arson and intimidation."

Following the survey being made public, interim police Chief Adrian Diaz announced Saturday that his department would be coordinating with the city attorney to enact a strict new policy to arrest and prosecute protesters who destroy property during street demonstrations.

However, it now seems as if Diaz and Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes are not on the same page. City Attorney spokesman Dan Nolte sent an emailed response to press inquiries about Diaz’s announcement which said, "The Seattle City Attorney’s Office policy has been consistent. Pete Holmes has no interest in charging peaceful protesters." The city attorney's office released and declined to press charges against many of the activists who terrorized during protests, demonstrations and riots Seattle this summer.