Olympia May Day protesters pound on Governor's door

07:01 PM PDT on Thursday, May 1, 2008

KING5.com Staff


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OLYMPIA, Wash. – May Day protests for workers' rights ended up on Gov. Chris Gregoire's doorstep Thursday afternoon as dozens of people marched into the capitol building to Gregoire's office.

Protesters also clashed in Downtown Olympia with police who were armed with pepper spray paintball guns.

About 40 protesters, some wearing masks over their faces, also spray painted anarchist symbols on the marble walls and wood doors inside the building.

"Sanctuary now," the protesters chanted over and over as one man pounded on Gregoire's door. Officials say Gregoire was not in the capitol at the time.
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KING 5 South Bureau

When a state trooper arrived, telling protesters that some of them would be allowed to meet with a representative, one man yelled "We will not be divided."

More troopers came in to block the door and make sure things didn't get out of hand.

In the city, police controlled the crowd using pepper spray paintball guns. Some protesters also blocked police cars and a few were arrested. A couple of windows at a bank were also smashed in.

Protesters also rallied at Sylvester Park, carrying signs and playing music.

The protests coincide with immigration marches in Downtown Seattle. Workers at Puget Sound ports held a work stoppage Thursday, protesting the Iraq War, although there is speculation it's actually a ploy in contract negotiations.

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