I wasn't a participant, just a bystander working while the event brewed below my office window over the first two days. I worked for Amazon.com in their building on 6th Street, between Pike and Pine, across from Old Navy, Planet Hollywood and Nike. We were excited about the planned parades and went down to street level during our breaks and lunch to mingle among the sea turtles, butterflies and drum circles milling about. I remember getting off the bus going to work and walking past suited,briefcased International faces purposefully walking in and out of the Sheraton and convention area. The first day it was less protesting and more standing in line with a sea turtle at Starbucks, very festival-like.

Then we started seeing a change. We preferred to stay on our fifth floor, looking out of the window. it was the height of the holiday online ordering rush and Amazon preferred we keep attending ot business.

I remember the noise of the chanting and the police whistles and the sound of helicopters. I remember when the thick of it started on the second day: Cops, bandana’d rioters, bricks, tear gas on the Pike Street below my window. I watched as a guy threw a brick through Old Navy’s window. Saw another guy urinate in a cup and throw it on a cop. I shook my head, disappointed at the youthful damage.

Word spread quickly that Amazon was asking all employees pack up and leave. No cars or buses were on the streets and the management were concerned for us, so a sheep-shepherd plan unfolded. We formed groups of twenty and walked the few miles to the Seattle Kingdome (in the last few months of its life), leaving the riots - and those more engaged in change - behind.

I hope to dig up my pictures taken from the Amazon window above 6th Steet at some point for the Flickr project.

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