Attorney questions removal of street messages following pro-Palestinian protest

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the Edmonds Bowl neighborhood on Wednesday morning, prompting local attorney Marissa Ollson to raise concerns about the city's removal of chalk messages left by protesters. Ollson characterized the protest as “quiet and peaceful,” arguing that chalking is typically protected under the First Amendment unless a specific ordinance prohibits it. Mayor Mike Rosen responded that police monitored the protest, which involved chanting and blocking traffic, but did not immediately intervene. Rosen described the chalk messages as vulgar and stated that substances used during the protest required city cleaning services. Ollson, however, argues that the decision to erase the pro-Palestinian messaging raises significant free speech concerns.

This incident reflects broader tensions regarding public expression related to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, as U. S. lawmakers face scrutiny over their positions. The city’s actions may prompt further discussion on how local governments handle protests and public expressions. The case could set a precedent for future protests and the treatment of chalk as a form of expression.