The protests in downtown Seattle May 1 were marked by violence and destruction, much of it accomplished by self described anarchists, who, dressed in black carried tire irons and hammers and smashed out windows on buildings and cars in the core downtown area. Reporter/Photographers Greg McCorkle and Chris Menges were there for all of it and found people from our area involved in the more peaceful aspects of the protest.

by Greg McCorkle

What started out as a festive display of the right to voice displeasure as guaranteed by the first amendment, quickly turned violent as the first march of the day reached 5th Avenue.

It was then that the peaceful atmosphere was rocked by a small group of people bent on destruction of property. Many businesses and privately owned vehicles were targeted. Including the Federal Courthouse where the front doors were damaged.

Unfortunately the acts of a very small minority overshadowed the messages that law abiding protesters wanted heard.

Like Austin Murphy, a senior at Chief Sealth High School who, along with 25 other Sealth students, who wanted people to know about the lack of support for students trying to get a college education. Or, Rebeca Silva, Marisela Salazar, and Yesenia Gonzlez from Highline High School that wanted more rights for immigrant workers.

The negative acts from earlier in the day were countered by a confluence of good will when the occupy marchers met the immigrant workers rights marchers coming from Judkins Park and quickly rekindled a feeling of brotherhood bound by a common cause.

The 99% should not be controlled by the 1%.