VIDEO: Protesters, police on Alki Trail this afternoon

The video was recorded around 4:30 pm today by Kevin Freitas as he rode westbound on the Alki Trail, coming off the “low bridge.” The “Shell No” protesters have been gathering at the cul-de-sac in Riverside from which you can access the trail on foot or bicycle, and heading northwest toward Terminal 5. They’re also expected at tomorrow afternoon’s 1 pm Port Commission meeting on the downtown waterfront. This afternoon’s demonstration appears to be ending as we write this; the five-corners traffic camera shows the bicycle officers heading back eastbound onto the trail:

Maggie June 8, 2015 (7:14 pm)

Wow! That’s a lot of bike cops.

G June 8, 2015 (7:21 pm)

I may have a philosophical difference with those who are protesting, but do we really need dozens of officers for an obviously peaceful event? How much OT are these guys racking up and costing the city? This is a long SPD tradition, over policing these types of events.

Jeff June 8, 2015 (7:40 pm)

I wondered what was up. Rode through about 4:15 and police were everywhere!

Seriously June 8, 2015 (7:51 pm)

Hey protesters, I’m assuming you are protesting the shell oil rig because of the CO2 that fossil fuels are putting into the air thus contributing to global warming. Just out of curiosity, do you think backing up west marginal way causing a hundred plus cars to sit idling for six light cycles might in some way be contributing to said CO2 emission? Truly well thought out.

dsa June 8, 2015 (7:52 pm)

Highland Park was told there was a shortage.

West Seattle Hipster June 8, 2015 (7:54 pm)

Would like to see a few of those bike cops in Westwood Village or the Admiral District.

jetcitydude June 8, 2015 (9:43 pm)

I’m guessing a lot of these protesters are on vacation from their jobs?

WSB June 8, 2015 (9:53 pm)

The Grannies, who are in the video and were there Friday morning and again Saturday afternoon, are likely retired.

Fredman June 8, 2015 (11:10 pm)

Seriously, I could not agree with you more! I sat at the light stuck there at that point for at least 20 minutes. Was almost late to my son’s school event. Would be sweet if they would protest where it would not impact others time. It Would also be nice with the police there if they could prohibit them from impacting the traffic flow. Impacting the traffic is not going to change the fact the people driving by likely will still not know why they were there or care.

Argonautter June 8, 2015 (11:31 pm)

We will all be far more inconvenienced when sea level rises further, weather patterns change, temperatures rise, there are food shortages and who knows what else. I fully support the protestors who are out there speaking up for our moral and ethical obligation to protect the only planet we’ve got. If your car is going to be idling for more than 30 seconds, turn it off. Otherwise, you’re getting 0 mpg and emitting CO2.

Ex-Westwood Resident June 9, 2015 (12:24 am)

I wish people who are trying to prove their point about cars contributing to GW/CC/CD would take a second to educate themselves about what emissions are exhausted from a idling car.
It is NOT CO2!!!
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) is what humans and animals exhale. It is an essential gas for plants.
CO (Carbon Monoxide) is what is the main component of a cars exhaust.
People would pay more attention to your argument if you gave the impression that you knew what you are talking about.

ChefJoe June 9, 2015 (12:49 am)

Ex-Westwood Resident, I have a Ph D in Chemistry so believe me when I suggest I know a thing or two about molecules resulting from combustion. Carbon monoxide is something from incomplete combustion (like a cold engine) and is what catalytic converters are trying to scrub into CO2. A properly running, idling car will produce far more CO2 than CO.
.
If you want something in writing, pg 6 has a pie chart of petrol engine emissions.
http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/ssp/SSP_230.pdf

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