Nightly protests against police brutality and racial bias in the justice system have angered the owners of businesses based in the downtown core. In a letter (PDF) sent to Mayor Ed Murray and the City Council by leaders of the Downtown Seattle Association, Visit Seattle, the Alliance for Pioneer Square, and the Seattle Hotel Association, the business groups accuse protesters of everything from "intimidating a children’s choir that became too frightened to perform" to repeatedly forcing the shutdown of transit service.

This has resulted in an "unfortunate hit to our reputation," the letter-writers say, as well as lost sales. Unpermitted marches are "being allowed to take over one small area of our city... clearly, new approaches are urgently needed," the letter continues.

It also complains that police are "not currently authorized to halt protests that cause costly disruption" to downtown commerce. For example, the letter says, Ride the Ducks is reporting decreases of five and 30 percent in reservations and walk-up sales, respectively.

Attached to the three-page letter is a three-page list of what its authors say are "verbatim comments" (though they're unattributed) from people downtown who were angered, confused, and otherwise freaked out by the protests. "Maybe it is time to move back into the suburbs," says one. Concern about Ride the Ducks also comes up a couple times. The full list of "verbatim comments" is in the jump:

Verbatim Comments Received from Downtown Businesses, Visitors & Residents



People are scared . . . our customers left and went home because they felt unsafe.



Customers are calling to see if it is safe to come Downtown . . . most of our scheduled clients called to cancel their appointments, which make up a significant part of our business.



We’re worried about the protests getting violent, so we’re having to order supplies to protect our windows and doors.



If we don’t figure this out, all eastside customers will stay on the eastside – and will be closely followed by Seattle-based customers.



During one of the protests, our staffers had no way of getting home because the transit tunnel was closed.



The perception that Downtown is unsafe, is a real problem.



On what was supposed to be our busiest day of the year, many customers left the store and stopped shopping because they feared for their safety.



What are councilmembers who are endorsing protests sending to their constituents about responsible civil disobedience? It is great to have Mayor Murray and SPD involved and accountable, but I would like to see some action by the Public Safety Chair and other Councilmembers.



As a community member concerned with the current and progressively worsening Downtown area, I refuse to take my family to Downtown Seattle. I am fearful for their safety, and the overall experience in Downtown is disappointing. I hope that one day Downtown Seattle will be a safe place that I look forward to bringing my family, but I do not see this in the foreseeable future given the current view of the public officials.



I am all for freedom of speech, but when the protesters turn into rioters . . . they turn into criminals, and should be treated as such.



We have continued to remain inside as the streets are rough enough without demonstrations as well. As two senior citizens moving into the city for a convenient retirement location. Which has become more worrisome each year. Maybe it is time to move back into the suburbs.



As a lifelong Seattle resident I feel it necessary to advise someone in the business community that the current environment keeps my family from attending any type of events in the retail core. Due to the current attitudes of our city leadership and the general complacency towards the criminal element, I no longer feel safe to have my family in that area. We currently do our shopping and entertaining outside Downtown Seattle, which is a shame since we are still residents of this once beautiful city. Unfortunately, I suspect many in this area feel the same way and the once vital downtown core will soon become distant memory. I am hopeful that one day soon, these attitudes will change. We need to start putting pressure on the so-called leaders of this city to return it to the citizens.



We have continued to remain inside as the streets are rough enough without demonstrations as well. As two senior citizens moving into the city for a convenient retirement location. Which has become more worrisome each year. Maybe it is time to move back into the suburbs.



We are located in the Westlake Tower. This is my personal opinion, if they have a permit, so be it. If they don’t, and especially if they damage property, they should be arrested, and prosecuted. I am tired of . . . reluctance of our courts to follow through with the consequences of breaking the law.



The protests have hurt our sales tremendously. We are down about 40% for our anticipated sales . . . if I didn’t have to work Downtown, I most definitely would not have bothered to visit here over the weekend. I have a young daughter and wife, and I would not want them to feel threatened. I promise you many others feel the same way, and I am sure many local stores and restaurants were way down in sales as well.



I love the fact that people can protest and express themselves in our town, and not be harmed themselves—that’s beautiful; but Friday represented a total lack of control, disregard for what is right toward our traditions and families and the consequence of leadership not doing a better job.



We had dinner reservations for PF Chang @ Westlake Center for tonight, which we have canceled, due to the protesters. I have sympathy for the retailers and restaurants, I will never understand our tolerance for this madness, especially at the cost of downtown business. I have worked in Downtown Seattle since 1971. I have been a resident of Seattle for the same period. Although I respect the rights of organized, legal groups to have their voices heard, I do not and will not expect conditions which create an unsafe environment for me or others who work and shop in the Downtown area. I expect unauthorized civil disorder to be dealt with to the full extent of the law . . . With the announcement that there may be another action this evening at 6pm I will have to circumvent the Downtown area in order to get home safely. The actions of a very few people are having major impact on all businesses. A co-worker on mine had planned to spend the weekend shopping downtown last Saturday after spending the night in a local hotel. Instead, they decided to drive to Bellevue where it was ‘safer’ to shop. I am ashamed of a city that cannot protect its citizens and businesses. I expect immediate actions which send a loud and clear message to those who have no care for safety.



My family of six really wanted to do the holiday Ride the Ducks on Friday and shop for Christmas gifts but there is a scheduled protest at Westlake really close to where we are supposed to leave from . . . We want to go but my children would be terrorized by the mass of protesters. I want to spend my money Downtown but were just too scared to go. Any suggestions?



Until you compel our elected and appointed representatives (Mayor Murray in specific) to perform their primary duty of making our streets safe from criminals and riffraff that have overtaken Downtown I will cease making ANY purchases in Downtown Seattle. Bellevue is now my destination for Christmas shopping and any other considerations. Police should be arresting anyone that is breaking our laws, that includes vagrants, "protesters", anyone who has disregard for appropriate civil behavior.



Regarding Westlake 'Park' and Mall, in recent years we have implored the City to stop allowing permitted or unpermitted protests there, but to no avail. Now it's much worse especially in the holiday season when the carousel and carriage rides are there for families (children). Who wants to go there now when every protest, vigil, march, etc. are there, and crime. Help.



I've stopped shopping completely Downtown. And I live Downtown. Not safe with the protests. I'll listen to the protestors but they have no right to block my day and make the kids scared. It makes Seattle a kid negative city. Impacts are long term. Why would I or my family want to go to Westlake center?



As an everyday citizen, I only see the surface of the issue—not the behind the scenes and details of the situation. All I know is that for a city that says it wants to be a world class city, it sure is going about it in an interesting way. Seattle needs strong leadership—in the council, in city hall, and in the police department. And we need it sooner rather than later.



With the demonstrations constantly blocking streets and intersections our Ride the Ducks vehicles have been unable to maintain an adequate route, consistent schedule, and our parking location—on multiple occasions—has been inundated by protesters and SPD officers. When dealt this hand, we have been required to provide an immediate alteration to our boarding/ debarking process severely impacting our guests and staff . . . and have been forced to move our starting location from Westlake Center to our main location near Seattle Center. . . causing un-needed stress on our guests and additional training for our employees.