On August 19 and 20th, 1965, a group of nine youths from the Central Area Youth Action Council occupied the reception area outside Mayor Dorm Braman's office in attempt to speak with the mayor. On both days, the mayor's administrative assistant, Ed Devine, told the group the mayor was expected to be out all day. The group made several requests in relation to an incident in which a Black man, Robert Reese, was shot and killed while fleeing an altercation with off-duty police officers. They asked for a new trial for the four Black youths who were convicted by an all-white jury for assault; that the police officer, Harold Larsen, be tried for the slaying; that both officers be discharged from the police department; and that a civilian police review board be established. The youths finally met with Mayor Braman on August 25 to present some of their demands, which the Mayor rejected.

This image shows the spokesmen for the Central Area Youth Action Council, Leon Givens, standing at left, and Mike Rubicz, center, with other protesters seated. Ed Devine is at right with his back to the camera.

Caption information source: "Protesters Again Sit at Office of Mayor," Seattle Times, August 20, 1965, p.19.