Welcome to Skagit County

5/15/2016

Police arrest 52, clear BNSF railway line near Farm to Market Road

A coordinated team of law enforcement officers arrested 52 people early Sunday morning, May 15, on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks near Farm to Market Road, just west of Mount Vernon.

All those arrested were cited for trespassing; one protester was also cited for resisting arrest. There were no injuries to protesters or officers during the arrests.

“We’ve been in communication throughout the weekend with protesters to let them know that they risked arrest for trespassing on the railroad tracks,” said Skagit County Sheriff Will Reichardt. “Prior to making any arrests, we did advise protesters that they could move to designated locations near March’s Point and lawfully demonstrate.”

Protesters had been camped on the tracks since Friday evening, May 13.

Find more information about Skagit County’s response to the protest on March’s Point online at http://bit.ly/1NGNLEz.