George Floyd protests Vol. 4 – Tuesday

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Seattle protests grew and continued throughout the day on June 2nd, which marked the fifth straight day of protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protests have grown larger by the day as Seattlites have assembled en masse around the Seattle police department’s east precinct. Here, a protestor holds a sign that reads, “BLM – This shit should be simple.”

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Thousands of protestors have begun to congregate at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Pine Street, where police are blockading any attempts for protestors to reach the east precinct station.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors have shown up more prepared with a multitude of signs in tow, protesting both disapproval for the Seattle police department and its tactics. Here, a protestor raises a sign that reads, “Defund SPD.”

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Seattle’s youth have made their presence known and felt as mass Seattle protests continue to surge.

Jordan Somers A common theme throughout the protests – protestors raise their hands en masse as a symbol of peace and solidarity.

Jordan Somers A protestor having words with the first row of police blockade on 11th Avenue and Pine Street.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian “Your tear gas is exactly the point.” A sign that stems from the police’s excessive force toward protestors in the the first week of protests, where tear gas, flash bangs, pepper spray and rubber bullets have been employed time and time again.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian A protestor holds a sign that reads, “Black trans lives matter,” a statement indicative of the diverse sentiments of those impacted by suppression, racism, bigotry and violence in America.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Two protestors hold a rose clasped between their hands on the front lines as a sign of peace and solidarity.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Police officers eventually created more distance between themselves and protestors in the evening of the June 2nd protests. Some also held their sticks to the ground, presumably to show a less aggressive stance.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Umbrellas have become a major symbol of the Seattle-based protests. A day prior, a tug-o-war match ensued when a cop tried to pry an umbrella from a protestor. When she resisted, pepper spray was employed, which led to the police using flash bangs and tear gas on the entire crowd of protestors.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protestors hold their umbrellas high to serve as a symbol, as well as a defense against excessive police tactics that have been common in recent days. They made a point to hold their umbrellas upright, as opposed to in the faces of the police.

Jordan Somers | The Seattle Collegian Protest? Check. Proper attire? Check. This has become the new definition of PPE.