Anti-Trump protesters march through SeaTac Airport
SEATAC, Wash. - Anti-Trump protesters marched through SeaTac Airport Saturday in response to President Donald Trump's refugee ban.
Crowds are estimated to be close to 1,000. Police began forcing protesters out of the airport and into the parking garage at around 2 am.m Sunday morning.
Some protesters were pepper-sprayed and a number of people were arrested. The protests were initially peaceful. No property damage was reported.
It's unclear how many people were arrested, as of Sunday morning.
Protesters started gathering at the airport at around 5 p.m. The crowds later moved to block airport exits and security check points.
Sound Transit Light Rail service to the airport was briefly shut down during the protests.
Before marching, protesters rallied behind Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant. Sawant delivered a brief message before leading crowds through the airport.
"It is so critical that we show Trump and the odious billionaire class that they have no mandate," Sawant said. "...It is no longer enough to simply have protest action. What we need is mass non-violence civil disobedience. We need disruption of business as usual."
In her message, Sawant demanded that all detainees be released. The ACLU of Washington reported earlier in the day that several people were detained at the airport.
Port of Seattle Commissioner Courtney Gregoire estimated that at the beginning of the day, there were at least 12 people who would be impacted by Trump's executive order.
Hours before the march, local officials, including Gov. Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, spoke out against Trump's ban at a news conference hosted at the airport.
Inslee said said he had met with a woman, a U.S. citizen, whose husband was denied entry at Sea-Tac airport after flying from Vienna. It wasn't clear if Inslee was speaking about the same traveler or if multiple people were detained.
The United States "allowed her husband to get on a plane in Vienna but didn't let him go the six feet across this gate to embrace his wife," Inslee said of the man.
Inslee said he was trying to get details on those turned away and had spoken with someone in the Trump administration by phone.
Murray referred to Trump's ban as unconstitutional, cruel and immoral.
"It is the worst days for immigrants in America since the internment of Japanese Americans," Murray said.
Earlier in the conference, King County Executive Dow Constantine referred to the ban as "chilling."
"If you're frightened by this, if it somehow reminds you of a history that we thought we had put behind us...you're right to be frightened," Constantine said. "The first week of this administration has done more damage to America's prospects and it's position in the world than any terrorist acting alone could ever hope to do."
Other local officials at the conference included Pramila Jayapal and Lieutenant Governor of Washington Cyrus Habib. Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson issued a statement Saturday night also criticizing the ban.
"President Trump’s immigration ban is inconsistent with our values as a country and as a community," Stephanson said. "We cannot close our doors to the most vulnerable among us, including those who have been persecuted for their faith."
A protest of about 150 people also marched through the Portland International Airport Saturday. The protest march briefly disrupted Portland's MAX Red Line service at the airport. No damage was reported.
SeaTac Airport said Sunday morning that was bracing for a second night of protests. We'll have the latest on the KOMO News website and the KOMO News Facebook page.
