By Tim Clifford

On Dec.3 Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant was officially charged with Disorderly Conduct stemming from her arrest in SeaTac on Nov.20 while protesting.
Sawant was arrested while marching with demonstrators during a protest near the headquarters for Alaska Airlines on International Blvd. Three other demonstrators, workers for Alaska Airlines, were also arrested. All four made bail later that night and were released from the SCORE jail in Des Moines. Arresting officers say that Sawant and the other protesters were marching in the street, blocking traffic and refused to comply with the officers’ commands.

The demonstration was organized to protest a recent lawsuit filed by Airlines for America in Federal court to contest whether or not the Port of Seattle has the authority to enforce the recent minimum wage hike of $15 an hour at the airport. Last year Alaska Airlines along with the Restaurant Association filed a lawsuit against the city to stop the wage increase which failed. On Nov. 10 the new suit was officially filed by the airline lobbying group on behalf of Alaska Airlines.
If Sawant is found guilty she could face the maximum penalties of 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine.