May Day anti-capitalists gathered in a violent protest across Seattle after a peaceful immigration and workers' rights protest concluded on Sunday afternoon.
>> Click here to see KIRO-TV's news report on the march
>> Click here or scroll down to see how the evening played out
One officer had a laceration around his eye after he was hit with a rock, another was hit with an unlit Molotov cocktail, another was bitten and two others had other injuries.
Authorities said eight men and one juvenile female were arrested Sunday evening. The charges included obstruction, assault and property destruction.
The worst of the violence happened in the 7 p.m. hour, when protesters launched fireworks and smashed windows.
As thousands of protesters marched through downtown Seattle, police kept them corralled with unprecedented numbers of officers.
They circled the group on every side, until the frustrated marchers eventually dispersed.
After several officers were attacked, police used blast balls to try to disperse the crowds.
“We've said all along, we will march around town all day long, as long it's peaceful. Unfortunately, once assaults started, once property damage started, we took action,” said Seattle police Chief Katherine O’Toole.
Seattle police tweeted a picture of some of the weapons they collected during the protests, including a number of makeshift bats and a Molotov cocktail.
The FBI confirmed that they searched the home of a protester in Eastern Washington Sunday morning and found devices at his home.
“Suffice it to say they were possibly incendiary devices, perhaps something similar that we saw tonight,” said Frank Montoya Jr. with the FBI.
Some of those arrested are expected to appear in court Monday.
About the Author
