US: Vehicle hits protesters in Seattle July 4

Event

A vehicle struck pedestrians participating in a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protest in Seattle (Washington state) on Saturday, July 4. The incident occurred in the early hours (local time) of Saturday when a vehicle swerved to avoid a protest-related roadblock on Interstate-5 and struck multiple people. Two people were injured, one of whom reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested by the police. It is not clear if the driver's actions were deliberate.

The southbound lanes of the freeway were closed on Saturday to allow for investigations to take place and residual disruption is possible in the vicinity of the incident in the short term.

Context

Black Lives Matter (BLM) supporters gathered in Minneapolis (Minnesota state) on May 26 after George Floyd died while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. The four arresting police officers were subsequently fired, and one has since been charged with murder. Clashes ensued between protesters and riot police; with demonstrators throwing bricks and projectiles at police and police property, and police responding with tear gas and rubber bullets as they attempted to disperse the crowds. Protests have since spread to a number of cities across the US.

Advice

Individuals in Seattle are advised to monitor developments, anticipate overland disruption in the vicinity of the incident, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.