(Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described a Planned Parenthood protest. The protest was in support of the organization.)

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Washington State troopers responded to a group of protesters blocking traffic on Interstate 5 in Bellingham Saturday afternoon.

Around 100 protesters blocked all northbound lanes of traffic near Lakeway Drive, causing a traffic jam at least four-miles long and a 5-car rollover crash. Non-life-threatening injuries were reported.

The rollover was a direct result of the backup caused by the blockade, Washington State Patrol Trooper Heather Axtman told The Bellingham Herald.

The group started gathering at about 12:30 p.m., protesting for about an hour.



Authorities had a difficult time gathering enough officers to respond to the protest, Axtman said, which delayed response time and allowed the protest to go on longer than expected.

Axtman said State Patrol did not feel safe confronting the protesters if they were outnumbered. State Patrol ended up borrowing troopers from as far south as Snohomish County.

It's illegal for pedestrians to be on interstate. WSP is investigating and may make arrests early this week.



A second group of protesters also gathered on Ellis Street to protest in support of Planned Parenthood. Police did not respond to the second protest.



The Planned Parenthood rally was unrelated to the DAPL protest.















