4 things to know about weekend riots in Seattle, Portland
1. What happened in Seattle?
According to Seattle Police, peaceful protests began early in the morning Sunday but turned violent hours later.
FOX Seattle reports that protests were peaceful until a second group showed up with baseball bats.
The group of demonstrators broke windows out of buildings, tagged them with paint and then looted the buildings.
The police department’s report said that a fire was started inside of a business that had been broken into and looted. One police precinct had its windows smashed out and a firework was then set off. This caused a small fire.
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
Twelve police officers were injured when the group approached the police, according to the department. According to a statement from the Seattle Police Department, at least two officers suffered abrasion injuries while one suffered burns on his neck from the fireworks.
Some demonstrators drove in unmarked vehicles while armed. Some vehicles were marked and spray-painted with the words “Black Lives Matter'' and “Justice for Floyd,” according to citizen-journalist Katie Daviscourt’s social media video.
Another video by Daviscourt recorded looters breaking into an Amazon store in downtown Seattle.
NOW: Antifa Militants and Black Lives Matter rioters are breaking into Amazon Go Downtown Seattle. This protest has turned into a riot. #SeattleProtest#AntifaDomesticTerrorists#seattleriots#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/RH8u56fCGP
— Katie Daviscourt???????? (@KatieDaviscourt) July 19, 2020
The Seattle Police Headquarters and Seattle Municipal Court buildings were also vandalized and had windows broken on Sunday. Officers were attacked with fireworks, rocks and bottles when the group made its way to the West Precinct, according to The Washington Post.
The attacks on specific businesses and government buildings appeared to be concerted efforts, according to the police department.
As the demonstrations happened, the Seattle Police Department urged citizens to avoid the downtown area via posts on social media. The department has not released any information or confirmation of civilian injuries.
