12 SPD officers injured, several businesses damaged in demonstration

Police say 12 officers were injured, several businesses damaged, and two people arrested during a large demonstration that began in downtown Seattle on Sunday.

A peaceful protest started in Westlake Park around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, but about three hours later a second group arrived carrying baseball bats. The large group of people started marching with some breaking windows and tagging buildings with paint as they moved along Fifth Avenue. After breaking windows at and tagging both the Seattle Police Headquarters and Seattle Municipal Court, the crowd moved northbound on Third Avenue.

On Third Ave. police say some individuals smashed windows, looted, and graffitied on the walls.

Demonstrators went from Westlake Park to the Municipal Courthouse and then headed back north to the West Precinct…leaving behind a trail of property destruction. These are criminal acts, not peaceful protests. pic.twitter.com/7GYkDxAg9s

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 20, 2020

Once at the West Precinct, police say demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at the officers who were outside. Multiple officers were injured by multiple large mortar-type fireworks thrown at close range.

Police used blast balls and pepper spray to try to stop the crowd, according to SPD. Two people were arrested, one for assault and the other for theft.

The group made its way up to Capitol Hill where police say people committed more property damage and looting. A fire was set inside one of the businesses after the windows were busted out. Several people smashed the front windows at the East Precinct. Someone threw a large, mortar-type firework inside the precinct’s lobby, causing a small fire. It was quickly extinguished.

Once at Cal Anderson Park, the group of demonstrators dispersed.

Seattle Police Incident Commander said that individuals in the group appeared to be very organized. The actions appeared to be “a very concerted effort at property damage of certain businesses and government facilities.”

Live updates from Sunday:

7:22pm – KTTH host Jason Rantz tweeted video surveillance from the East Precinct showing some of the damage.

WATCH: Anti-cop Seattle criminals break the windows of the East Precinct, then throw an incendiary device into the lobby. No one was hurt as the device quickly burns out. pic.twitter.com/V0lXwsT1sq

— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) July 20, 2020

6:42pm – SPD reports a trail of property destruction from Westlake Park to the Municipal Courthouse.

Demonstrators went from Westlake Park to the Municipal Courthouse and then headed back north to the West Precinct…leaving behind a trail of property destruction. These are criminal acts, not peaceful protests. pic.twitter.com/7GYkDxAg9s

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 20, 2020

6:22pm – A separate protest has begun in Wallingford, calling for Councilmembers Alex Pedersen and Debora Juarez to support a bid to defund SPD by 50%.

6:05pm – A small fire ignited by a device thrown into the lobby of the East Precinct has been extinguished. No injuries have been reported.

The fire at the East Precinct has been extinguished. No injuries reported.

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 20, 2020

5:54pm – SPD reports that protesters have broken “several” windows of the East Precinct building. The crowd is moving back toward Cal Anderson Park.

The protesters broke out several windows of the East Precinct, then threw a device into the lobby that ignited a small fire.

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 20, 2020

5:46pm – The crowd is marching on Pine toward the East Precinct.

5:40pm – Protesters are now moving past 12th and Denny on Capitol Hill.

5:18pm – Several windows at the Starbucks Roastery, as well as the Starbucks location on Pike and Broadway, have had their windows broken by demonstrators.

5:02pm – Protesters are now moving north on Broadway near Pine Street. SPD is advising people to avoid the area.

UPDATE: Demonstration moving NB on Broadway at Pine St. Use other routes pic.twitter.com/dUusyrHB5V

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) July 20, 2020

4:49pm – SPD reports two arrests were made outside of the department’s West Precinct building downtown, after protesters threw rocks, bottles, and “other items.” At least one officer has been transported to the hospital.

Large crowd continuing to march on Pike Street from downtown. Two individuals were arrested outside of the West Precinct. Demonstrators threw rocks, bottles and other items at officers. At least one officer has been transported to the hospital.

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 19, 2020

4:31pm – Protesters have crossed over I-5 on Pine Street and appear to be moving toward Capitol Hill. A line of police vehicles is trailing behind the crowd.

UPDATE: Demonstration moving east from Boren Ave on Pine St. Use other routes pic.twitter.com/EHGLlv6VI7

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) July 19, 2020

4:12pm – The crowd of demonstrators are now passing Yale and Denny. The Terry/Denny intersection is now open again.

UPDATE: Demonstrators continued south on Terry Ave from Denny Way, Denny Way is back open. Use other routes. pic.twitter.com/Ug98vwm3lG

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) July 19, 2020

4:07pm – Protesters are back on Denny Way, and are blocking the intersection at Terry Avenue.

UPDATE: Demonstrators have returned to Denny Way at Terry Ave, blocking the intersection. Use other routes. pic.twitter.com/zNRys04fni

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) July 19, 2020

4:05pm – Protesters are now moving south on Terry Avenue from Denny.

UPDATE: Demonstration has moved south on Terry Ave from Denny Way. Denny Way is back open EB and WB. Use other routes on Terry Ave. pic.twitter.com/GJByX3PzDD

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) July 19, 2020

3:50pm – The crowd is now making its way east on Denny Way across Westlake Avenue.

3:46pm – Protesters have reportedly made their way past Amazon’s campus near 7th and Lenora.

3:35pm – Seattle police say there are reports of looting and property damage, and are advising residents to avoid the area if possible.

Large demonstration occurring in downtown Seattle. There have been reports of property damage and looting. Avoid the area if possible. https://t.co/jkbCXd11zU

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 19, 2020

3:28pm – Demonstrators are moving north on 8th Avenue from Olive Way.

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