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UPDATE: Tradition!

How to tell that it's #MayDay on Capitol Hill in #Seattle, Washington. #MayDay2023 (+🌧️🌧️) pic.twitter.com/8zANqnBqIi

— Brian M. Westbrook (@BrianWestbrook) May 2, 2023

Marchers in 2022

After years of Seattle Police and demonstrator conflict, one of the few signs that May Day came and went on Capitol Hill last year was the annual installation of plywood on the Starbucks Roastery.

In 2023, a Capitol Hill Starbucks has been boarded up for months in a corporate conflict over public safety and unionization but the preparations in Seattle indicate expectations, again, for a calmer May 1st.

In the Central District, Seattle’s annual May 1st March and Rally for Immigrant and Workers’ Rights will take place but the plan this year is to march a reverse course — from downtown to Judkins Park starting at 11:30 AM at the Federal Building on 2nd Ave.

“Join us for the annual May 1st March and Rally for Immigrant and Workers’ Rights!,” the translation from organizing community group El Comité reads. “The day is approaching and we need your support, we need your voice and your strength to advocate for our community. We know you have other things to do that are important but this day is as important as it is your family, your friends and your community rights on stake. Join us on Monday May 1st for a day of unity and collective community power to support our most needed people.
Join our annual March and Rally in support of the Immigrants and Workers!”

After the march, groups are planning to rally in Judkins Park starting around 1:30 PM.

May Day 2022 was a day for workers’ rights, signs and marches, with Seattle Police reporting “zero arrests.” The annual event organized by civil rights group El Comite grew closer to past proportions after COVID-19 concerns reduced attendance at the 2021 rally and march for workers rights.

2021 also saw arrests during May Day protests away from the workers march including on Capitol Hill where a “black bloc” group marched on Broadway and became embroiled with law enforcement after a large contingent of police responded and moved on the crowd outside the E Olive Way Starbucks following reports of property damage.

That Starbucks is now shuttered as the company said it was concerned about public safety around the store as it also wages a labor battle with growing unionization efforts in its ranks.

While 2023 could follow 2022 with no black bloc actions, the labor landscape in the city and on Capitol Hill has also shifted. While it is far from a worker revolution, even independent restaurants like Glo’s Diner are moving ahead with unionization efforts inspired by the Starbucks efforts and smaller scale organization.

Officials in 2023, meanwhile, seem unconcerned. The Seattle Police Department and chambers of commerce groups have not issued warnings to area business and residents to brace for unrest like in years past and others are going ahead with plans like King County Council candidate Teresa Mosqueda, former Seattle City Council member and previously political-campaign director at the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, who will hold her campaign kick-off party Monday night with U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal.

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