Seattle prepares for May Day protests

SEATTLE - Police say this year's May Day protests could be bigger than ever. Immigrant rights groups and anti-capitalists could be joined by ‘Black Lives Matter’ protesters and other groups with a cause.

One of the May Day marches is expected to start at Seattle Central College Friday evening. Q13 Fox News reached out to a number of the businesses nearby. None of them are planning on changing their hours or adding security. But they say they will be watching the crowds to see what happens.

Michael Ellsworth is excited that May Day is coming up.

“It’s the workers protest, it’s about creating fair societies,” he says.

But he knows that message has gotten lost the last couple years.

“At first everyone’s marching, it seems peaceful. Then by the time the sun goes down, it starts to get violent.”

He was especially upset when two years ago, small businesses like Bill’s Off Broadway were targeted by vandals.

“The windows got smashed, that’s not the sentiment of this.”

Ten people were arrested during last year’s May Day demonstrations, but police say they were able to limit the damage around the city. That’s why Mayor Ed Murray is confident the department is prepared for whatever this May Day brings.

“Last year we had really effective tactics, allowing those who wanted to protest legally to exercise their first amendment rights,” he says, “and those who were destroying property or threatening individuals to be arrested.”

People who live in Capitol Hill are hoping the protests will stay peaceful.

“I think as long as people are being respectful of people around them, as long as property is not getting damaged and people aren’t being physical,” says Glenn Ford. “Then I think it’s a great way for people to express their feelings and opinions.”

But Ellsworth is preparing an escape plan, just in case.

“I’ll be there in the beginning, for sure. When it starts to get violent and the cops start to come around and people start to get crazy for no reason, then I’ll go home.”

The Seattle Downtown Association says they will have someone at the police command center, so they can monitor the progress of the march and any violence that may occur. They will alert business owners by email if protesters start to act up.