Group marches miles on Martin Way in Lacey Friday evening
A group of protesters marched peacefully nearly 4 miles on Martin Way in Lacey during rush hour Friday, law enforcement agencies report.
Between 40 and 50 people started marching from Rite Aid in the 8200 block of Martin Way East at about 4:30 p.m., Lacey Police Sgt. Shannon Barnes told The Olympian. They marched west on Martin Way before turning south onto Sleater Kinney Road to the Target store at about 7:45 p.m.
For at least part of the march, Barnes said, the group blocked westbound lanes, waving signs as they marched. Thurston County 911 dispatch said it received calls from people who reported traffic backups in the area.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol were called in to assist with traffic control.
Trooper Ryan Burke told The Olympian WSP responded about 6 p.m. by blocking Interstate 5 exit ramps as a precautionary measure, but that no one tried to approach the freeway and there was no interaction between troopers and protesters. The protesters were voicing calls consistent with recent Black Lives Matter protests, Burke confirmed, which have prominently advocated for an end to racial injustice and police brutality since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody in late May.
The march was organized by a group called Unite the Cities, Barnes said, and organizers made police aware of the plan ahead of time. No injuries or property damage were reported.
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