Seattle Police Pepper Spray 84-Year-Old Activist, Priest, Pregnant Woman, Among Others

Occupy Seattle, while demonstrating in solidarity with the besieged protesters in New York City, faced a volley of indiscriminate police pepper spray last night. As protesters neared a busy street, police suddenly hit a large number of protesters — including an 84-year-old woman, a pregnant woman, a priest, and several teenagers — with mace. Dorli Rainey, the elderly activist stung in the face by law enforcement, was saved by a veteran who came her aid in the midst of the confusion in the crowd.

Watch a local news segment about the incident below:

The 19-year-old woman, who said she is three months pregnant, was among several who were treated by paramedics on the scene.

Police have not apologized for their actions. “Pepper spray was deployed only against subjects who were either refusing a lawful order to disperse or engaging in assaultive behavior toward officers,” responded Seattle police spokesman the department’s blog.

YouTube user cmcneary100 posted a video showing the chaotic scene shortly after the pepper spray attack:

Earlier this month, an Iraq War veteran alleged that he was maced 23 times in the face by Seattle police while attempting to aid protestors during a protest at the downtown Chase Bank, according to Wendy Leigh.