I wonder sometimes what people must think of the State Capitol if the only time they ever visit is on a big protest day like today. They probably see the lines of police officers in riot gear and the helicopters circling overhead, and think “Wow, this must be a really crazy place to work”. Yes, sometimes it is.
But on the average day, having the bomb squad pull up to investigate an abandoned package on the West Lawn would have been the most notable thing to happen. Instead today, it was so overshadowed by the Occupy Education protests that hardly anyone even noticed the lunchtime closure of the north side of the West Lawn. At the North and South Doors, lines of people waiting to enter the building were out the door. On the historic first floor, the exhibit rooms and historic offices were closed. In short, it was an unusual day.
Bomb Crew inspects abandoned backpack
A protester with a trash-can shield
CHP officers on the West Steps
The Occupy Education protest at noon
CHP "Orange Team" prepares to occupy the West Steps
CHP "Blue Team" near the West Steps
Love the riot shields for the horses!
replied on November 10, 2011 been following the Occupy Seattle FB page. They just wanna dance, but their party was shut down boefre it started in Westlake. We have a constitutional right to party where ever and when ever we want!!!Another example of what is really important to the Occupy movement. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock requested Occupy Denver to chose leadership to deal with city and state officials. They did. A 3-year-old Border Collie named Shelby was voted in by the group’s General Assembly as its first official leader. The dog would actually make a better spokesperson for the group than some of the humans I’ve seen. Woof!