Thousands of people gathered on Saturday in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood to protest in support of the Black Lives Matter and show solidarity with protesters in Portland, Oregon, reports CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. Seattle police stated that the riots occurred after fires started and some buildings were destroyed and at least 25 people have been arrested.
The demonstration takes place in the area that was briefly known as the Capitol Hill Busy Protest (CHOP). After protesters began to march, five trailers caught fire at a nearby construction site for a juvenile detention center. According to Seattle police, protesters also spray-painted Police Station No. 12 and tried to disable cameras outside the building. Police also claimed that protesters were breaking business and car windows in the area.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Police said they deployed “less lethal munitions” to keep people away from the compound. Police later claimed that protesters threw stones, liquid-filled balloons, fireworks, and “other explosives” at officers and shared a photo of what appears to be a colored smoke bomb. Police said three officers were injured. One was taken to the hospital while the other two were treated and returned to service.
Ted S. Warren / AP
Saturday’s rally comes a day after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that lifted the ban on Seattle police using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds, KIRO-TV reports. The June 15 ordinance was put in place following protests that violently dissolved after the death of George Floyd.
On Saturday morning, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said the officers would not carry tear gas on Saturday, but would be equipped with pepper spray and blast balls, reports KIRO-TV.
The protest also follows the 57th consecutive night of protests in Portland, Oregon, where tear gas was used once again About the Protesters Many of the protesters in Portland on Friday night came prepared with gas masks, umbrellas, and leaf blowers.
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