A protest march in response to police action during a Price weekend queer street “dance party” took to the streets Friday evening.

Hudson Williams-Eynon was released from jail Monday when a King County Court judge found no probable cause to continue holding him as possible assault charges are weighed. Protestors announced plans to get back on the streets Friday night to protest the police actions on Pride weekend.

The CHS Funtern Kelton Sears is on the scene. His updates below:

UPDATE:

10:20 p.m—The rally has largely quieted and dispersed.

What began as a quiet vigil at Cal Anderson in memory of the recently slain lesbian couple in Texas turned into a pink and black dance party. The rally marched up and down the length of Broadway from Pike to Thomas, backing traffic up both ways. The group stopped briefly for a more elaborate dance party at 11th and Pine where police had set up a barricade.

Each time the group stopped and blocked an intersection, a man dressed as a clown wearing a police constable hat directed traffic with a whistle as SPD looked on.

A large envoy of bike mounted SPD officers followed at a distance during the march. As night fell, the envoy eventually grew to an eight-car caravan, including two large SPD vans. The march remained peaceful, with no physical conflict between protestors and police. Protestors made clear their displeasure with SPD, shouting, “How do you spell Homophobia? SPD!” and repeatedly calling for the dropping of charges against the six people arrested in the dance party conflict last weekend at Pride.

The group grew as the night wore on, ending with a dramatic exchange between protestors and “Midnight Jack” of the Rain City Superhero group, who stood next to police lining Blick. Midnight Jack of Mayday pepper spray infamy stood holding a shield bearing the visage of Phoenix Jones alongside two other masked figures, stoically receiving a barrage of verbal taunts from protestors. “You’re worse than the police,” the crowd shouted, citing the squad’s track record of pepper spray use.

The protested ended shortly after 10, with protestors returning from their circuit back to Seattle Central Community College. From what CHS could make out, the protest ended peacefully without any outstanding arrests directly linked to the march.

More coverage:

“We’re here, we’re queer, we’re unicorns we’ll fuck you up” marching to SCCC

Rally parading down Broadway

Large bike cop unit poised at Broadway and Pike

Police standing at barricaded 11th and Pine intersection

9:25 PM: As the march moved north on Broadway, police reopened traffic near the 12th and Pine East Precinct. CHS Funtern has a short video clip of the march here.

9:31 PM: A protestor dressed as a clown with a police constable hat has been directing traffic with a whistle (video here).

9:45 PM: Police envoy has grown to bike squad, 6 cars and two vans. Seem to be keeping distance, no conflict thus far. Police estimate about 100 protesters now.

9:54 PM: Protestors have set up soap box style testimonials at SCCC:

Also, Phoenix Jones was reportedly seen rushing to the scene to stop them.

10:01 PM: Video of protesters yelling at “Midnight Jack” of the Rain City Superhero Squad here.

10:04 PM: Sounds like things are winding down.