Protesters at a May Day march in Seattle, Washington clashed with police during what law enforcement called “a riot” on Friday. Officers deployed flashbangs and pepper spray to try and get the crowd under control.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets Friday to
participate in pro-worker, anti-police-brutality rallies, as well
as one that was billed as anti-capitalist. According to the
Seattle Times, one protester broke a window and others threw
rocks at police before law enforcement responded with flash
bangs.
Pepper spray flash bangs craziness. Police took back the street
#MayDaySea#Videopic.twitter.com/jY9XF1ANZ7
— Lauren Frohne (@laurenfrohne) May
2, 2015
“As we continue to witness acts of violence from protesters,
we urge folks on Capitol Hill to exercise caution,” said
Mayor Ed Murray in a statement. “Seattle Police are advising
that businesses on Broadway and other Capitol Hill streets should
take reasonable precautions to protect their employees and
customers. Police will continue to work to protect people and
property in the area, and will make arrests when necessary.”
Seattle police officer injured in May Day violence. #Q13FOXpic.twitter.com/Vbmfai6aeb
— Thomas Brock (@Q13FoxNews_Tom) May
2, 2015
Three officers have been injured at the scene of a melee at
Broadway and Howell, the Seattle Police Department tweeted, two
of which were hurt seriously. A total of fifteen people have been
arrested across the city, police said.
One protester has reportedly thrown a burning object into a
vehicle. Police said fires have been ignited at Seattle Plaza and
that 25 vehicles have been damaged.
Anarchists light a flag and spray paint the silver sculpture
outside Seattle Central #MayDaySeapic.twitter.com/TfA6CVtvNr
— Bettina Hansen (@bettinahansen) May
2, 2015
Protesters burning items #Seattle#Baltimorepic.twitter.com/ZyV2OhZ0mJ
— Joel Alcaraz (@joelalcaraz92) May
2, 2015
Police tweeted that an “explosive device” was thrown at officers
and said the situation has escalated into a riot.
“This is no longer demonstration management, this has turned
into a riot” -Captain Chris Fowler. #MayDaySea
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) May
2, 2015
Meanwhile, video surfaced of individuals breaking windows as they
made their way through the city.
Breaking windows of QFC #MayDaySea#Videopic.twitter.com/oI7kllLK6T
— Lauren Frohne (@laurenfrohne) May
2, 2015
The Seattle Times reported that earlier in the day, a Black Lives
Matter march planned to meet up with the May Day March for Workers and
Immigrants Rights. Earlier in the day, police said they were
concerned about a third group of self-proclaimed anarchists who
might try to cause chaos in the city.
The line has been drawn at Broadway and Pine. Flash bangs and
pepper spray dispersing crowd. #MayDaySeapic.twitter.com/INoM3K3vY4
— Jon Humbert (@jonhumbert) May
2, 2015
In this video, some of
the masked protesters can be seen marching and chanting.
NOW: Broadway at Thomas, anti-capitalists on the move and
chanting. pic.twitter.com/3TPmlmu0Iz
— Janet Kim (@JanetKimTV) May
2, 2015
For most of the day, the
marches were peaceful even though protesters disrupted traffic at
times.
Stopping traffic in Cap Hill #maydayseapic.twitter.com/Ao2DRDAsy2
— Lauren Frohne (@laurenfrohne) May
2, 2015
When confrontation first
broke out between police and protesters, officers were reportedly
hit with flags and sticks.
Rewind: the moment the police moved in. Dropped bikes.
Protesters hit cops with their flag sticks #MayDaySea#Videopic.twitter.com/dwLyIOLtYF
— Lauren Frohne (@laurenfrohne) May
2, 2015
Seattle Police Captain
Chris Fowler explained the situation to a reporter on the
ground.
Incident commander Capt Fowler discusses mayhem. #MayDaySeapic.twitter.com/QJRyd28435
— Steve Miletich (@stevemiletich) May
2, 2015
Amid the chaos, some
helped clean up what others made a mess of.
Important: some protesters helped pick up a dumpster others
upturned at Melrose, Yale. #MayDaySeapic.twitter.com/tOfBZ4aLSR
— Lindsey Wasson (@lindseywasson) May
2, 2015