Protests in Seattle over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis turned violent on Saturday. Shops were ransacked, police vehicles set on fire and police weapons were stolen, prompting Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to impose a city-wide curfew and proclaim a civil emergency. Washington Governor Jay Inslee called in 200 members of the National Guard to help manage crowds and protect property.
The protesters had gathered to demonstrate against the killing of George Floyd, a 46-year old African American man, by a white police officer. Four white police officers were captured on-camera tackling him. One officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd's neck for a long eight-and-a-half minutes as he gasped for air. He later passed out and was declared dead at the hospital. The incident has sparked nationwide protests, some turning into riots.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Seattle, at times passing right through the traffic. They carried signs stating 'Defund Police', 'Police the Police', 'Justice for George Floyd' and chanted "black lives matter", "I can't breathe" and "What's his name? George Floyd".
Seattle, WA May 30th 2020 #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/WOoK88BgSC
— Joshua Lewis (@realjoshlewis) May 30, 2020
Seattle protestors have taken over the
This was the peaceful part of the #seattleprotest that I enjoyed... pic.twitter.com/CTAVsdFT4Y
— Phoe (@gotta_have_hope) May 31, 2020
whatever the news is gonna say, just know it was peaceful. the cops made it violent. #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/4WwiJ5ZnU8
— Joe (@shishishoga) May 31, 2020
Some signs from today’s protest in Seattle #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/GuN1BOnS2f
— ash shah (@itsashshah) May 31, 2020
At places, the police shot tear gas shells and used pepper spray. Many have argued that the protest was completely peaceful until the police sprung into action. In one such incident, cops sprayed pepper spray at a little girl.
I want to be absolutely clear that this protest was peaceful until the cops fired tear gas into the crowd. #Seattle #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/Z7LbKDnPh9
— Zak Binns (@zakbinns) May 31, 2020
HAPPENING RIGHT NOW- Downtown Seattle peaceful protest escalates as cops enforce with batons, tear gas and pepper spray. #seattleprotest #SeattlePD #GeorgeFloydMurder pic.twitter.com/xykEuia20J
— Taylor Evans (@taylorevansnews) May 30, 2020
#seattleprotest #SeattlePD throwing more and more flash bombs and tear gas...even after the crowds ran for their lives pic.twitter.com/ZtbgEWVrlc
— Anna Wheeler (@annabluex) May 31, 2020
Officer Jared Campbell badge 8470 maced a child today during the peaceful protest @MayorJenny
— Heythereits (@samicaitlin) May 31, 2020
HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE
#PoliceBrutality #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/xDf8CZjJ1U
Not our protest but @SeattlePD. Beats people who are not resisting
— BlackLivesMatterSEA (@BLMSEA206) May 31, 2020
Using Tear Gas and Flash Bangs to incite violence
And pepper sprays little girls #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd #Seattle #SeattleProtest
Now WE ARE DEMANDING @carmenbest resigns pic.twitter.com/4L6UIBrA0U
The protest soon escalated and turned violent. Officers were attacked with objects, properties were destroyed, shops ransacked and police cars set on fire. Even the cheesecake factory was looted, with a protester seen walking away with a cheesecake. Matters escalated when some demonstrated broke into the police vehicle and stole rifles. In one such incident, a man was seen with a weapon, which was swiftly snatched away by a police officer.
Seattle. Rioters set fire to a police car and are looting nearby businesses. pic.twitter.com/AUsfYb4zIS
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) May 30, 2020
JUST SAD: Day started at Westlake Center. Covering peaceful demonstration with prayers for #GeorgeFloyd in Downtown Seattle. Andre Taylor’s group was praised by the Mayor.
— Jonathan Choe Journalist KOMO News (@choeshow) May 31, 2020
This is the aftermath of looting, fires, and destruction caused by others who hijacked the day. @komonews pic.twitter.com/sh7QoHGtqW
Looting at the downton Seattle Columbia store. #komonews pic.twitter.com/3wLif7QLoa
— Eric Jensen (@EricJensenTV) May 31, 2020
Be carful #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/JvhjNWDo7u
— Eric Haas (@erichaas__) May 30, 2020
The fact that this is in Downtown Seattle happening right now is crazy, to everyone out there protesting stay safe. #BlackLivesMatter #SeattleProtest pic.twitter.com/1fe4ZWyQ91
— #BlackLivesMatter ✊🽠(@jerrydelacherry) May 30, 2020
#seattleprotest Nordstrom and cop cars on fire. pic.twitter.com/88KQYCPIsJ
— Molly Rae (@SweetMollyRae) May 30, 2020
Seattle is burning. Get off the streets, there’s a 5 pm curfew everyone #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/sYGpEPPgnZ
— BLACK LIVES MATTER (@beeyotchia) May 30, 2020
White guy in #seattle protest open carrying, what appears to be an AR15, has his weapon taken away by an undercover police officer at gun point. pic.twitter.com/OwJDw6qV9A
— Naveed Jamali (@NaveedAJamali) May 30, 2020
The surreal #seattleprotest cheesecake looter 😂 pic.twitter.com/38YHPLUlvV
— Frothy Afterbirth (@Frothy_A) May 31, 2020
Cheesecake Factory in downtown Seattle being looted #seattleprotest #BlacklivesMaters #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/D3IkJgdVh6
— BreakingNews (@BreakingNewz92) May 31, 2020
Seattle Mayor Imposes Curfew
Mayor Durkan imposed a city-wide curfew from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am on both Saturday and Sunday. The city's residents are asked to shelter at home and no weapons are allowed on streets, including objects like rocks and sticks, MYNorthWest reported. She said that several injuries and arrests were reported. Several police officers were also injured.
AlertSeattle: The City of Seattle asking all residents to immediately disperse from downtown. The City has imposed an immediate curfew of 5 pm.
— AlertSeattle (@AlertSeattle) May 31, 2020
Today, many came together to grieve, protest, and commit themselves to justice. Coming together is a right we all honor and cherish. For most of the day, the demonstrations were peaceful.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) May 31, 2020
