Protests Rage In Downtown Seattle Over George Floyd Killing

SEATTLE, WA — A demonstration that began peacefully in downtown Seattle Saturday afternoon escalated over the ensuing hours, as people protesting the killing of George Floyd took over Interstate 5, cars were lit on fire and store windows were smashed in.

Gov. Jay Inslee activated 200 National Guard members, saying they would protect against property damage and manage crowds and traffic, while Mayor Jenny Durkan abruptly announced a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew Saturday and Sunday, citing "an extremely dangerous situation" as the fire department was unable to access multiple fires burning downtown.

"Crowds need to disburse from downtown immediately," Durkan said in a tweet posted at 4:46 p.m.

The main protest Saturday began around 3 p.m. in Westlake Park, as thousands of demonstrators held their hands up, chanting "Black Lives Matter" and "I can't breathe."

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Tensions mounted at the park, according to reports from the scene, with loud bangs ringing out as protesters threw fireworks and broke windows at an Old Navy store, according to the Seattle Times. Multiple cars near the Nordstrom store at Westlake were lit on fire, and police shot tear gas at protesters, according to reports from the scene.

From there, demonstrators stormed the highway, blocking all southbound lanes of I-5 starting near Seneca Street, according to police, who ordered crowds to disperse.

Durkan issued an emergency order Saturday evening, banning the use of weapons within the city and granting her power to "take measures to address imminent threats to public health and safety" caused by the demonstrations.

According to the mayor's office, multiple police officers and community members were injured and "several" arrests were made.

The fire department also had limited access to buildings on fire as of Saturday evening, the mayor's office said, and two AR-15 rifles were taken from police vehicles but later returned.

Protesters were demanding accountability for police violence against black people, including the death of Floyd, 46, who died in Minneapolis Monday after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes while Floyd begged for air.

Protests over his death have spread to cities across the U.S., including Seattle, where a smaller protest Friday resulted in seven arrests. Police said they are reviewing the use of force in one arrest, in which an officer was seen punching a man lying on the ground.

Derek Chauvin, 44, the now-former officer who kneeled on Floyd's neck, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.