Police arrest dozens during Tacoma anti-war demonstration

TACOMA – Dozens of anti-war demonstrators were arrested Sunday at the Port of Tacoma while protesting the shipment of military vehicles and equipment to Iraq.

The Army is shipping the equipment for Fort Lewis’ 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, which is scheduled to leave for Iraq next month. The Stryker brigade’s deployment ceremony is planned today at the post south of Tacoma.

Demonstrations have been held at the port for more than a week. On Sunday, protesters climbed over a barrier, despite orders to stop.

Police arrested 23 people for disobeying officers, KOMO Television reported. Another eight were arrested for carrying backpacks through a police line, which was prohibited for security reasons.

“We truly believe that violence breeds violence. There’s no way we can bring peace with violence. So I’m doing this civilly with peace, and if I get arrested that’s the least I could do,” protester Somerset Fetter told the station.

On Friday, about 200 demonstrators gathered at the port. A 32-year-old Gig Harbor man was arrested for obstructing police when he took his backpack into a protest area. A 20-year-old Tacoma man was arrested for obstruction and a 19-year-old Olympia man was arrested for third-degree assault of a police officer.