King County Cities Renew Curfews, Prepare For More Demonstrations

SEATTLE, WA — Several King County cities announced new curfews Monday night, in preparation for further protests expected throughout the region. In Seattle, the mayor announced a third consecutive curfew, in place from 6 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday. Police Chief Carmen Best said she would make a determination on further emergency orders on a day-by-day basis.

In Issaquah, city officials extended a curfew through Wednesday, and in Auburn nightly curfews will remain in place until Saturday morning. Kirkland city officials declined to issue a curfew, but advised all businesses to close and secure valuables through Tuesday.

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New & extended King County curfews (Monday, June 1):

• Seattle: 6 p.m. Monday - 5 a.m. Tuesday
• Bellevue: 5 p.m. Monday - 5 a.m. Tuesday
• Renton: 8 p.m. Monday - 5 a.m. Tuesday
• Tukwila: 8 p.m. Monday - 6 a.m. Tuesday
• Redmond: 8 p.m. Monday - 5 a.m. Tuesday
• Mercer Island: 7 p.m. Monday - 5 a.m. Tuesday
• Issaquah: 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. (nightly, through Wednesday, June 3)
• Auburn: 9 p.m. - 5 a.m. (nightly, until Saturday, June 6)

Seattle's mayor held a news conference Monday afternoon, joined by the police chief and fire chief Harold Scoggins, recapping the weekend response and looking ahead to further demonstrations.

Durkan began her remarks by Monday by acknowledging the Minneapolis police killing that sparked nationwide protests and highlighting those who gathered peacefully to call for justice.

"At the core, the most important part of these events was what happened to George Floyd, and how his murder resonated through decades of unjust treatment for black and brown people in America, and particularly for African Americans," Durkan said. "I really want to emphasize, the people who are protesting what happened to Mr. Floyd did so peacefully and with no intent to cause destruction, violence and chaos. They came together to express their mutual grief and trauma."

Related: Inslee Addresses Turbulent Weekend Demonstrations

The mayor noted Seattle, Bellevue, Tukwila and Renton all reported property damage during weekend demonstrations. In Seattle, hundreds of buildings downtown were damaged, and at least 57 people were arrested, according to the police. The city's police watchdog is also investigating a flood of complaints alleging excessive force and other misconduct by officers.

"It was a rapid escalation of demonstrations that is not something I had seen or Chief Best had seen since WTO," Durkan said, referencing Seattle protests that garnered international attention in 1999.

The mayor's original curfew order remained in place Sunday, but marches were continued until late in the night. Durkan said police are authorized to use their discretion to allow for gatherings that do not erupt into violence.

"If you are here to protest, we will protect you," Durkan said. "If you are here to engage in chaos and destruction, your actions will not be tolerated."

Related: Health Experts Ask Protesters To Remain Mindful Of Coronavirus

Durkan said Sunday's demonstrations were "significantly more peaceful" in Seattle, noting a sharp drop in violence, property destruction and theft. In Bellevue, city officials declared an emergency Sunday night after reports of widespread looting, including at Bellevue Square. Similar actions were taken in Renton and Tukwila.

Seattle enters fourth night of demonstrations; police declare 'riot' on Capitol Hill

Protest actions resumed in Seattle by Monday afternoon. An alert posted on the University of Washington website around 4:30 p.m. said a large group arrived in University Village, with reports of smashed windows and looting in the area of Northeast 45th Street and 25th Avenue Northeast. Several replies to the alert posted on Twitter called that account into question.

Downtown, a peaceful rally convened at City Hall before marching towards the Seattle Police Department's east precinct around 5 p.m. As a precaution, Washington State Patrol again closed both directions of Interstate 5, between Interstate 90 and State Route 520, shortly after 6 p.m. All lanes reopened by 7:30 p.m. before closing a second time an hour later.

Local media reported police clashing with protesters on Capitol Hill, with officers throwing tear gas and flashbang devices near Cal Anderson Park, around 9 p.m. Video broadcast on MSNBC showed a reporter being hit by a projectile live on the air. The Seattle Police Department declared the demonstration a riot a few minutes later.

A pair of videos shared online showed police hitting peaceful protesters with pepper spray and throwing tear gas from behind a barricade. Drone video showed a large amount of smoke permeating through the neighborhood.

Related: 12,000 Complaints Allege Police Misconduct At Seattle Protests

In Renton, the police department addressed to a "growing concern" over a rally planned at City Hall Monday evening.

"The legitimate organizers of this rally deserve to have the right to assemble peacefully, and those who attend have the right to protest and vocalize their freedoms of speech," the department wrote on Facebook. "We will not, however, allow those who wish to cause damage an destruciton to our city drown out the important voices and their messages of unity, honor and justice."

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Seattle's curfew order here.