Thirty-seven pro-Palestinian protesters who were accused of blocking a main road into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last month pleaded not guilty on Monday to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and failing to disperse. The protesters appeared in SeaTac Municipal Court, where they pleaded not guilty and were released on conditions, including not returning to the airport without a travel purpose and attending their pretrial hearings on June 11.
Additionally, at least five other individuals who were arrested hired private attorneys and waived arraignment. The Washington State Department of Transportation reported that on April 15, a demonstration closed the main road to the airport for several hours, with social media posts showing individuals holding a banner and waving Palestinian flags while standing on the highway. Similar demonstrations also took place near airports in Illinois, California, and New York on the same day.
During the arraignment outside SeaTac City Hall, several protesters declined to comment on their cases, simply stating, 'Free Palestine.' In Washington state, a misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of up to 90 days in county jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
The protesters were advocating for an immediate cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This demonstration was part of a broader wave of protests on college campuses across the U.S., where students have been calling for their schools to sever ties with Israel and companies supporting it. Law enforcement authorities have identified some participants in these protests as outside agitators.
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas began when militants entered southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in casualties and hostages. The subsequent war in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 35,000 people, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
