Protesters March on Seattle Chief's Home, Met by Armed Neighbors

A crowd made its way to a home owned by Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best this weekend outside of the city in Snohomish County.

According to a statement from Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney, Best was not at the residence at the time of the protest, but she described the visit as large, aggressive, and concerning to neighbors. She penned a letter to the Seattle City Council, asking them to call for an end to the tactics of showing up at homes of elected officials and civil servants, MyNorthwest.com reports.

"I have to say that I take exception to the response by our police chief who celebrated that her neighbors met these young people with guns when they were exercising their First Amendment rights to peacefully protest on a city street,” Councilmember Tammy Morales told KIRO 7. “While this council has condemned some of the language and the tactics that were being used early on, we need to make sure that these young people are not met with armed neighbors when they are exercising their First Amendment rights.”

On KIRO Radio’s Gee & Ursula Show , Best responded to Morales’ statement by saying she hasn’t “celebrated,” and pointed out that she has a long history of supporting First Amendment rights.

While the protesters were gathered at her house, Best was in her office in Seattle, where she says she welcomes a conversation.