A fascinating story about Seattle history and some epic bullshit pulled by the Seattle Times that turned a minor skirmish into a misinformed riot.

Seattle has long been known for political upheaval and protest: the Capitol Hill occupation in 2020; the World Trade Organization protests of 1999; anti-Vietnam demonstrations in the 1960s; the Longshoremen’s strike of 1934; the bashing of May Day marchers in 1930; the Seattle General Strike of 1919; the anti-Chinese riot of 1886.

Such was the case during what was supposed to be a glorious Seattle summer festival when sailors, soldiers, socialists and innocent bystanders became embroiled in a violent conflict that trashed parts of Downtown. Each side in this collision claimed their free speech was violated — and they were right.