May Day 2013: Businesses hope police will keep the peace

SEATTLE --- Seattle police have spent weeks planning for this year's 13th annual May Day march.  And it's that planning and preparation they say will help prevent violent, destructive protests.

"We will take action against any crime that's committed, specifically with respect to May Day," Seattle Police Department Captain Chris Fowler said.

Officials do not want a repeat of last year's chaos, where anarchists targeted businesses and cars with sticks and rocks.  Police have beefed up their presence around town.  Around 10,000 protesters are expected at this years march.

Some who work nearby where the chaos broke out last year, hope police will keep the peace.

"I hope that works out for them but I think we need to let them do their job and whatever it takes to stop the violence, I don't think they should be criticized for doing their jobs like they were last year," one woman said.

The focus in the May Day protest is on workers and immigration rights.  The march begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Saint Mary's Church on 20th Avenue and South Lane Street.  Protesters will head down to the Federal Building on 2nd Avenue, crisscrossing Jackson, King and Pike streets.  The march will eventually head into the heart of downtown.

A group called the Puget Sound Anarchist planned another march at 6 p.m. Wednesday on Capital Hill. Anarchists will gather at Seattle Central Community College.  There is no word on where that march will go.