SEATTLE — Sound Transit closed one of its light rail stations in Seattle on Saturday night due to a planned pro-Palestine demonstration, citing "safety reasons."
The University District Link light rail station closed for four hours Saturday evening and trains bypassed the station. Sound Transit announced the closure on social media shortly after 5 p.m. The agency reopened the station around 9:30 p.m. and service resumed as usual.
On its website, Sound Transit said access into and out of the station was restricted due to protests.
Link Shuttle buses were used to replace the 1 Line between Roosevelt Station and the University of Wash Station.
A planned demonstration in support of Palestine, organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, was set from 6 to 8 p.m. at the U District station, according to a demonstration flyer. Answer Seattle and the Party For Socialism and Liberation are also organizers of the demonstration.
The group's demonstration is to "denounce the links between the publicly-funded Sound Transit and multinational conglomerate, Siemens, who works to enhance Israeli occupation and colonization in Palestine," according to the flyer.
The closure further disrupted travelers who are dealing with crowding and delayed trains as a result of Sound Transit's emergency light rail track repairs.
This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.
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