Everett protest ends with dramatic encounter

An SUV sped off with two protesters clinging to its hood. Two were arrested, but not the driver.

EVERETT — What otherwise had been an uneventful and peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown Everett ended Thursday evening when a driver took off in an SUV with two protesters clinging to its hood.

The SUV driver was not arrested, while two protesters were booked into the Snohomish County Jail for disorderly conduct.

According to Everett officer Aaron Snell, investigating police initially determined the driver did nothing that amounted to a crime. That could always change upon further review of the evidence, Snell said.

No one was injured in the encounter, but protesters told The Daily Herald they were fearful someone could have been hurt. They questioned why the driver was not arrested.

Videos posted on social media show a small group of protesters standing in front of an SUV stopped at the intersection of Broadway and Hewitt Avenue. They appear to be standing mostly still until the SUV rolls forward slightly. Then a man who had his hands behind his back climbs onto the hood. The driver keeps moving forward, slowly at first, forcing protesters to move out of the way. A second person, who identifies as nonbinary, climbs onto the hood, too, and partially covers the windshield with a sign.

People can be heard in the videos yelling at the driver to stop. One person calls her a psychopath. The driver speeds up through the intersection. Unmarked police vehicles turn on their emergency lights and one swerves in front of the SUV. The SUV stops briefly, then accelerates again, hitting the police vehicle.

The second person who jumped on the hood was arrested. According to a police report, they were obstructing the driver’s view with the sign, contributing to the crash, Snell said.

Another protester, Benjamin Hansen, also was arrested. Police noted in their report that he had been obstructing traffic earlier in the night and had already been talked to by officers, Snell said.

It’s at least the second time Hansen has been arrested at a demonstration this summer. He was booked for fourth-degree assault after he dangled a doughnut in front of sheriff’s deputies and court marshals at a “Back the Blue” rally in July. Snohomish County Prosecutor Adam Cornell said he would not be pursuing charges in that case. Hansen is also seeking a damage claim against the county for $150,000 for what he’s calling a wrongful arrest.

On Friday, Hansen wasn’t one of the protesters who jumped on the hood, nor was he part of the group blocking the SUV. He is seen in videos running after the SUV after it takes off, dropping a megaphone along the way. He doesn’t resist arrest. Someone yells that he didn’t do anything.

Protest organizer Jazz Jarrell said she was helping direct traffic at the intersection, and that cars were being let through in the right lane going southbound, where they could turn onto Hewitt Avenue and take a detour back to Broadway. The SUV driver pulled up in the left lane going southbound, where she was forced to stop by protesters. There, according to Jarrell and others, she began arguing with protesters.

“She was not afraid at all,” Jarrell said. She said the driver appeared to purposefully drive into protesters.

Up to that point, the march had otherwise been peaceful, said protester Crystal Alford, who described it as “more sweet of a protest than an angry protest” with silly moments.

A few people gathered for a parallel “Back the Blue” rally. While the two sides interacted verbally, no violence was reported. Alford described conversations between the two groups as calm. And early on, police appeared to help the Black Lives Matter group carry out their protest, including when they laid down on the street in front of Everett City Hall for 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence, the same amount of time that a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on George Floyd’s neck last May, ultimately killing him.

The encounter with the SUV happened toward the end of the march, as protesters neared where they had parked. Some protesters lingered and took videos of the arrests. Eventually most people dispersed, as police shut down Broadway in both directions for at least a couple of hours.

Saturday afternoon, Hansen was released from jail after posting $500 bond and the other person was expected to be released soon after.

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Percy Levy, who served 17 years for drug-related crimes, outside his new business Redemption Auto along Highway 99 on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man, arrested on drugs, weapons charges, moved to federal detention

In addition to Percy Levy, U.S. marshals transferred a second suspect in the case to federal custody.

2025 Emerging Leader Anthony Hawley (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Anthony Hawley: Creating friendships and filling pantries

Since 2021, Hawley has increased donations to Lake Stevens Community Food Bank through fundraising and building donor relationships.

Gary Petershagen
Lake Stevens council member announces reelection run

Gary Petershagen is seeking a third term on the council.

2025 Emerging Leader Megan Kemmett (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Megan Kemmett: Seeking solutions to any problem or obstacle

Executive director of Snohomish Community Food Bank overcomes obstacles to keep people fed.

Director for the Snohomish County Health Department Dennis Worsham leads a short exercise during the Edge of Amazing event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department faces up to $3.4 million in cuts

The two federal grants provided funding for immunizations and disease prevention awareness efforts.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Public Schools breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.