Downtown Bellevue is 8 miles from downtown Seattle, straight east across Lake Washington. The Microsoft main campus in Redmond is 5 miles northeast of downtown Bellevue.
Political Reference:
In the 2018 midterm election, our incumbent Democrat Congressman got 70% of the vote. His opponent, from the Socialist Party, got 30%.
My street was blocked off by the Police. I asked if I could walk to the QFC grocery store. They said there was a lot of "action" in that area, and, there was also a curfew in effect, which I had not heard about.
Being me, I pretended to walk back towards my house, made a quick turn, and walked straight towards the riot.
The first crazy thing I saw was Antifa guys in brand new, fresh off the lot, black pick up trucks. Stolen? I assume so, because they had ripped out the mufflers, and they were making Daytona 500 level sound effects. This really psyched up the scattered groups of kids on the sidewalk.
My first assumption was that the main mob would be located near the Bellevue Mall, which is definitely upscale, with stores like Nordstrom and Tiffany, plus showcase Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, and Amazon stores, plus several major cell phone stores.
I cut through our downtown park, which was almost empty except for 20 people listening to some white woman lecture them about racism.
Yesterday, the main entrance to the park was adorned with American flags (I have no idea why since Memorial Day was last week). Today, almost all the flags and their flagstaffs were ripped off the walls and the columns, and lying on the ground. My instinct was to pick the flags up, but my common sense said I would get beat to a pulp by a gang of kids if I did.
Then, another novelty. How can you tell if clothing stores are being looted? The sidewalk and the street are covered with clothes hangers - with no clothes on them.
I walked to a better vantage point to see what was happening at one of the main Mall entrance ways. Like 5 seconds later, I heard a flash-bang go off INSIDE the Mall, and about 20 masked kids sprinted out of the door. Who set off the flash-bang? I do not know.
The kids around the Mall acted quite friendly to me. I don't wear a mask, I have white hair and a crew cut, so I am obviously not one them. One kid did aggressively turn around and blow marijuana smoke on me. A young large Black woman with looted goods forced me off the sidewalk into the street where cars were still driving. A couple groups of aggressive young men unnerved me, but I stayed calm, and nothing happened. All in all, I think most of the kids were there just to participate in an extraordinary adventure that had nothing to do with politics.
All the cops were very friendly to me, too. No threats about the curfew, and almost every one them said "stay safe."
On my way home, things intensified. I saw one of the black trucks speed by with cops in pursuit. A short time later I heard an explosive noise that was not a flash bang or tear gas. Almost immediately I saw black smoke rising above the buildings. A black pick up was on fire in the street. A couple minutes later I heard a similar explosive sound, but this time there was no smoke - maybe because fire engines were already in the area?
On my way home I passed Bellevue City Hall and the Bellevue Police Department, which occupy four square blocks. The entire area and all the entrances were cordoned off, with a very visible and heavy Police presence.
My local QFC store and the Bartell Drug store had their front doors smashed in, but it did not look like they had been looted.
I flipped on the local news when I got home.
The Mall Mob had moved south, and they were smashing into small privately owned stores and businesses on Main Street and Bellevue Way. Safeway is in that area, but I could not see if it got looted - they have a very large liquor and wine department in Safeway.
The door to the QFC wine and beer bar was smashed open, but I could not tell if it was looted.
Similar happening in eastern WA locations, albeit smaller scale, surprising many of us.
So, I went out for my evening walk and discovered a riot in my backyard. Unfortunately, I am the only person on planet Earth who has not invested in a cell phone, so no live video or photographs....
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Jeez...you could have looted one from the Apple Store there. ;-)
But, joking aside, thanks for your comprehensive report. Stay safe,
[ Riot, Looting, Arson in Downtown Bellevue, Washington ]
Now, now, now...
You witnessed “PROTESTS” in progress.
All of the crime, destruction, theft, etc. did not really happen.
Sincerely,
Office of Nancy Pelosi and the entire Democratic Party.
Thanks for the story...Stay safe...
You are either very brave or very stupid, possibly both. But thanks for the sit rep anyway.
I figured Seattle was in for a bad time. I didn’t realize Bellevue has been overrun. I was hoping it was not as liberal/polluted as Seattle. Time for a quick check of “City Data” to examine what Bellevue is like these days.
https://www.city-data.com/city/Bellevue-Washington.html
City Data — Bellevue, Washington
Population: 144,444
Median Household Income: $121,200
Median House Price: $806,800
White population: 50%
Asian population: 34%
Hispanic population: 7%
Black population: 4%
Crime Rate: 180 (National Average 274)
Presidential Election Results: Clinton 70% — Trump 21%
The first time I drove through Bellevue was in 1982. Back then, it was not wall to wall development. There were actually fields and empty lots running along the highways. Seems like a million years ago.
L8r 1
Youtube video of looting at Bellevue Square.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlNbp5X-LYA
Why are there so many black looters? Bellevue is only like 4% black. Sheesh!!
So the police were doing nothing about the looting?
We used to live in Pioneer Square but it got too dangerous - but I thought Bellevue was safe. Geez...and even eastern WA?
I live in a nice neighborhood in Portland now but maybe I should buy a gun.
Holeee sht!! Bellevue, Wa is an affluent beautiful city. If they’re breaking into grocery stores they should definitely be shot! I bet that they go into Bellevue Center mall. Thats such a nice place. Man...shoot these vermin NOW!
Stay safe
Bump
Every year I go to the Microsoft MVP Summit and stay in the Hyatt Regency across from Lincoln Square. I know the area VERY well.
What a damn shame.
Thanks for the Live Action “man on the street” report. Watch your six!
The rioters don’t give a crap about BLM or anything. Destroying property makes it even harder for SB owners... first Covid 19 and now neanderthals.
Thanks for the story. I’m so sad and furious to see what is happening to our beautiful city. Stay safe!