SPD clashes with demonstrators against pro-Israeli influencer at Town Hall Seattle

Multiple people were arrested by the Seattle Police Department in a clash over a protest targeting an appearance by a pro-Israel advocate and influencer at a Sunday night event held at Town Hall Seattle on First Hill.

The Seattle Times reported the three arrests were made as protesters from the Seattle Palestine Action Network demonstrating against pro-Israel advocate and influencer Noa Cochva’s appearance at the event tangled with attendees and police.

The event was organized by StandWithUs Northwest, a Mercer Island-based nonprofit that organizes appearances by “speakers on Israel and the Jewish people to Northwest high schools, campuses, synagogues, churches, Rotary Clubs, senior homes and private venues.”

According to the Time report and police, arrests were made for assault as protesters fought with attendees and police as demonstrators attempted to enter the Town Hall venue.

The Times reports police also sprayed “chemical irritants at several protesters in a crowd of about 75” during the response.

The King County Prosecutor said Monday night it was considering cases against a 21-year-old and 24-year-old “arrested on investigation of potential felony crimes by police.”

The incident and arrests come a year after SPD’s crackdown on demonstrators demonstrators against an anti-trans Christian group’s rally in Cal Anderson Park that spurred backlash and calls for investigation of the department’s response. In February, the Seattle Office of Inspector General released its report, including its finding that SPD was ignorant “of the broader cultural and political context of the rally and location” in its heavy handed response to the demonstration and that SPD leadership took an adversarial stance toward the protesters.

Though 23 were arrested in the May incident, no charges were filed against the demonstrators

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