The photo with the caption, “Anarchists march in 2016” and blurb with the headline, “How will you spend May Day?” that The Seattle Times has been running on page B1 strongly suggests that May Day in Seattle is all about anarchists running amok in the streets.
I object strongly to this false characterization. The purpose of the May Day March for Workers and Immigrants Rights is to focus attention on the rights of immigrants and workers at a critical time when those rights are under attack by the Trump administration. Supporting those rights is what a sanctuary city should be doing.
Is it the Times’ intention to dissuade people from joining the march through fear of violence from a small minority of hothead anarchists who try to co-opt the peaceful and legitimate efforts of the overwhelming majority? It’s like the World Trade Organization protests all over again: The anarchists got all the press and all the attention.
Patrice Demombynes, Seattle
