By Gray Trammel
As crowds gathered at Gas Works Park to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day, protesters took to both the shore and the water to denounce Amazon’s ties to Israel during the company-sponsored Seafair “Fourth of July,” fireworks event. Organizers with Amazon Worker Intifada (AWI) paired a land rally complete with chants, flyers, and Palestinian flags, with a coordinated flotilla that included kayaks and a tugboat where they hoisted a 35-foot-long banner towards the holiday crowd that read, “Amazon Delivers Genocide in Gaza.”
“They [Amazon] are also using this event to whitewash Israeli crimes in Palestine. Shame!” one AWI activist said into a speakerphone from a kayak on Lake Union.
Organizers said the demonstration was aimed at Amazon’s role as a Seafair fireworks sponsor, while also accusing the company of backing Israel through cloud-computing and AI work, pointing to contracts such as Project Nimbus and Project Sirius. They also urged Amazon to stop supporting ICE deportations through its Amazon Web Services infrastructure.
The flotilla’s first pass brought kayakers directly in front of the SeaFair viewing area. Some onlookers filmed on their phones, and others joined in the chanting as the boats continued across Lake Union. On land, demonstrators handed out flyers, chanted, and waved Palestinian flags, with several wearing them over their shoulders. Protesters stayed near the shoreline as more spectators arrived for the planned celebration.
“When you hear the explosions of fireworks in the air tonight, remind yourself of the bombs Amazon is powering in the genocide in Gaza. When you heard the screams of celebration, remind yourself of the Palestinian children screaming as bombs drop above them. Bombs powered by Amazon. Shame!” the speaker said.
One passerby who was also on the water yelled at protesters that “Hamas are terrorists,” and to “go back to your country,” according to AWI. The U.S. Coast Guard was visible on the lake during the demonstration, alongside a Seattle Police boat. Officers were also positioned around Gas Works Park as the crowd grew for the holiday celebration, and no obvious interactions between police and protesters were seen.
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