10 arrested after protest crumbles into destruction, fires in Seattle

People smashed windows and set fires in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and downtown during protests on Saturday evening. The SPD arrested 10 people for failure to disperse, assault, and property damage.

A group left Cal Anderson Part just before 5 p.m., according to the Seattle Police Department, and began marching in the streets. They walked through the city while some members of the group damaged property, including spray painting buildings and smashing windows.

The group then returned to Capitol Hill and began lighting fires in dumpsters near 11th Avenue and East Olive Street, next to Cal Anderson Park. Police issued a dispersal order to the crowd.

A dispersal order has been issued to a group of people at 11/E Olive St due to a fire in the street. pic.twitter.com/nPVfwC6B6h

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) September 27, 2020

Some people threw bottles and rocks at officers, according to the SPD Blotter. The police then used blast balls to move the crowd a “safe distance away.”

Seattle Fire was able to extinguish all fires at the scene.

Officers have made seven arrests in response to assaults and property damage. The fires have been extinguished thanks to @SeattleFire for the assistance. 11/Pine remains closed to vehicle traffic. Avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/i65nAZqC5C

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) September 27, 2020

The SPD tweeted updates through the night of the demonstrations, asking others to avoid the areas due to public safety concerns. The police also tweeted out photos of graffiti and broken windows at the Columbia Center from earlier in the evening.

UPDATE: March moving WB on E Yesler Way at 12th Ave. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/enKgYqBnDt

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March is at Yesler Way & 8th Ave. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/CbtqZfdhve

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March moving NB on 3rd Ave & E Yesler Way Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/i1tiyKU3MF

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March at Madison St & Terry Ave. Use caution and seek alternate routes pic.twitter.com/BWrBM0SoIK

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March moving EB on Marion St at 5th Ave. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/X1aWE5IMkI

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March moving EB on Madison St at 8th Ave. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/Ck1S2RApsK

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March on 4th Ave moving NB at Cherry St. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/7vipDEr9cl

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

UPDATE: March is at Yesler Way & 8th Ave. Use caution and seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/CbtqZfdhve

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) September 27, 2020

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