3 officers injured, 25 vehicles damaged in May Day 'riot'

When masked protesters gathered as part of the anti-capitalist demonstration, events became violent: three officers were injured, at 15 were arrested, and property was damaged.  This story will be updated throughout the night, and time-stamped updates are below.

9:18 P.M. SPD SAYS 15 ARRESTED: Seattle police say that 15 people have been arrested in May Day riot.

9:05 P.M. DEMONSTRATION CALMS: May Day is still active, but it's the calmest it's been in hours. However, police say that a group continues to set fires on Seattle Central college campus.

8:55 P.M. SMALL FIRE SET: Group gather at Broadway and Pine, and a group has fire in plaza of Seattle Central.

8:40 P.M. MAYOR ISSUES STATEMENT: As a rowdy crowd continues in Capitol Hill near Brodway and Pine, the mayor released the following statement:

“As we continue to witness acts of violence from protesters, we urge folks on Capitol Hill to exercise caution,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “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.”

8:18 P.M. 2 OF 3 OFFICERS INJURED IN SERIOUS CONDITION: Police say that two of three officers injured this evening are at Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.

8:15 P.M. SPD DEEMS EVENT AS A RIOT: "This is no longer demonstration management, this has turned into a riot" -Captain Chris Fowler.

8:00 P.M. ANOTER ARREST MADE: Large group headed northbound on Melrose from Olive. One more arrested as more flashbangs are thrown in this area. The confrontation came from police trying to stop protesters from coming near I-5 ramp. 

7:59 P.M. PROTESTERS MARCH over I-5:  Protesters are dropping stuff onto I-5 at the Olive on ramp. Northbound I-5 is now closed.

Protesters are lighting garbage on fire at Pike and Harvard.

The map below points where the rallies have hit.  (Zoom in and out of interactive to see all points. The red points mark the peaceful march, a nd the yellow mark the anti-capitalist protest.) For a bigger map, click here.

7:44 P.M. OFFICERS INJURED TOTAL 3: The total of officers injured total three.

7:42 P.M. PROTEST SPLITS: Three arrested after officers issue dispersal order at Broadway and Howell. Part of group has split off, just turned right on Pine, they're heading downtown. 

7:33 P.M. OFFICER INJURED: One officer has been injured.

Additionally, two people have been arrested.

7:27 P.M. FLASH BANGS DEPLOYED: Flash bangs being deployed near Broadway and Howell. Crowd throwing wrenches and rocks at officers.

7:11 P.M. WINDOW SHATTERED: Demonstration has turned south from Roy onto Boylston. This is after the demonstration turned westbound on Roy from Broadway. One person in the crowd on Boylston shattered a window.

6:45 P.M. DEMONSTRATION REVERSE COURSE: Protesters, some in black masks, start march from SCCC in Capitol Hill. They are now moving northbound on Broadway from Pine St.

6:15 P.M. FEW DOZEN IN MASKS GATHER: In Capitol Hill, a few dozen people with masks are gathering near Broadway and Pine at SCCC. The area is calm. 

5:45  MARCH MAKES IT TO COURTHOUSE: The demonstrators rally peacefully in front of the Federal Courthouse while speeches are made. Several blocks near 7th and Stewart will be closed for a while for this event.

Transit service rerouted off of Stewart Street has returned to its regular routing.

5:14: FIRST ARREST MADE: Police announce they arrested a man for throwing a rock at window in the 1600 block of Belmont around 4 p.m. He was found carrying machete, paint, and a wrench.

Seattle police say they estimate about 1,000 people are in the crowd. The march continues on 7th as Pine Street reopens.

5:00: MARCH HITS DOWNTOWN: The head of march is at 7th/Olive. 7th Ave is closed between Pine and Stewart. 

4:50 p.m. MARCH MORE THAN HALFWAY IN: Boren Avenue reopens after the march hits Pine Street. 7th Ave is closed between Pine and Stewart. Pine was closed between 7th Avenue and Boren Avenue. 

4:30 p.m. BUSES EXPERIENCE DELAYS:  Boren closed between Pine and Cherry. March is now at Seneca Street. Route 2 buses are experiencing delays due to a blockage on Spring St at Boren Ave.

4: 15 p.m. HUNDREDS MARCH BOREN AVENUE: What could be as many as 2,000 demonstrators march Boren.

3:45 p.m. MAY DAY MARCH REMAINS PEACEFUL: The march continues onto Boren Avenue, which is closed in parts for the prostesters. The crowd chants "black lives matter."

The group just crossed Yesler on Boren, and Boren was closed between Jackson & Madison.

3:15 p.m. MAY DAY MARCH STARTS: May Day demonstrators began to march after a rally more than an hour long at Judkins Park. Demonstrators have reached 20th Avenue and Jackson Street.

Demonstration approaching 14th and Jackson Street after marching 20th Avenue and Jackson.

2 p.m. DOZENS GATHER FOR MAY DAY MARCH: Dozens of demonstrators, including those from the earlier Black Lives Matter March are gathering at Judkins Park to kick off the annual march.

1:30 p.m. BLACK LIVES MATTER RALLY MARCHES: Demonstrators with the Black Lives Matter rally  are moving northbound on 23rd Ave from Mass. St. 

12:30 P.M. SEATTLE POLICE BRIEFING: Capt. Chris Fowler brifed reporters, saying a few thousand are expected for the permitted march and a few hundred are expected for an unpermitted protest in downtown Seattle. He said officers were aware of group announcements on social media, and some threats against officers. But he said it was expected that peaceful protesters would be able to exercise their First Amendment rights.

Fowler said downtown Seattle trafffic on a regular Friday is difficult, and larger traffic delays were expected tonight. People were asked to plan ahead.

10:30 A.M. BLACK LIVES MATTER EVENT: A Black Lives Matter event was scheduled for 10:25 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at 2200 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S. Reporter Rob Munoz was there, but fewer than two dozen people showed up initially.

9 A.M. MAYOR HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE: Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said the majority of May Day protests have been coordinated with the city, and people should exercise their First Amendment rights, but the city is prepared to stop people from being destructive.

Murray said the city will be able to keep its key transportation corridors open during the planned marches, but unplanned protests are expected.

“What we don’t know is what one group of unpredictable people will do,” said Murray.

But he said the city is ready to take action.

“If people choose to shut down parts of certain streets or destroy property, the police are ready to act,” he said.

The mayor urged people to listen to news reports and to go about their business as usual unless they hear otherwise, saying local businesses need their money.

“Let’s not let a small group of destructive individuals change the dialog in our journey towards progress of issues of equity and race and in this city,” he said.

May Day demonstrations are happening around the world today.