Anti-police brutality rally takes over Westlake Park

Protestors gather in front of Westlake Center during a protest against police brutality. The march started at Seattle Central Community College and protesters made their way to Westlake Park, Pike Place Market and Seattle Police Headquarters. Photographed on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. less Protestors gather in front of Westlake Center during a protest against police brutality. The march started at Seattle Central Community College and protesters made their way to Westlake Park, Pike Place Market ... more Photo: DANIELLA BECCARIA, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: DANIELLA BECCARIA, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Anti-police brutality rally takes over Westlake Park 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Protesters decrying the nationally infamous police-related killings in the past year took to downtown Tuesday afternoon, blocking traffic on various streets.

The protest began with a student walkout rally at Seattle Central Community College from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and continued with a Westlake Park event at 2 p.m.

Fewer than 100 people arrived at the protest, but participants made themselves visible with banners, megaphones and posters.

Protesters traveled to Pike Place Market, traveled east on Pike Street and migrated south to Seattle Police Department headquarters at Fifth Avenue and Cherry Street, where participants staged a die-in in front of the police offices. The die-in blocked traffic on Fifth Avenue as did other stops in downtown intersections. Several downtown bus routes were rerouted.

The protestors said in circulated media statements that the shootings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Eric Garner in Staten Island, N.Y. and Walter Scott in North Charleston, S.C. inspired the rally.

Social justice activists such as Cornel West and Carl Dix called for a nationwide walkout on April 14 to protest police brutality.