SPD arrests 13 during Wednesday protest in wake of Breonna Taylor decision
Sep 24, 2020, 5:20 AM | Updated: 9:48 am
Police making an arrest during a Wednesday night protest. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
Seattle police arrested 13 people Wednesday night, as part of a protest over a decision by a Kentucky grand jury to indict one of three officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor for wanton endangerment.
Demonstrations sparked up across the country in the wake of the grand jury’s decision, including in Seattle, where protesters peacefully gathered at Westlake Center early Wednesday evening. A separate group of demonstrators was spotted marching from Cal Anderson Park through Capitol Hill and First Hill.
It was during that latter protest where arrests were made, after police say protesters cut security cameras at the East Precinct, and started throwing fireworks and glass bottles at officers around 11 p.m. SPD also reported fires were set in dumpsters in the surrounding area.
Shortly after midnight, commanders on scene declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered demonstrators to leave the area immediately. Police reported deploying pepper spray and blast balls “in an attempt to create space between the officers and the protesters.”
According to SPD, “several” officers were injured in the ensuing clash, including one whose helmet was struck with a baseball bat. The department also acknowledged that it is “aware” of a video posted to social media that shows an officer rolling his bicycle over the head of a prone protester. That matter has been referred to the Office of Police Accountability for further review.
The 13 arrests made Wednesday night were for a range of charges, including property destruction, resisting arrest, failure to disperse, and assault on an officer.
