The-Ave.US

Organized peaceful protests in downtown Seattle gave way to rock and bottle throwing, arson fires, and looting on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

Mayor Jenny Durkan declared a civil emergency and imposed a citywide 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for Saturday and Sunday. I-5 was closed through downtown Seattle, ferry service to Seattle was suspended, and Gov. Inslee activated 200 National Guardsmen, who will be unarmed, to assist Seattle police in restoring order.

There have been injuries to both police officers and citizens, although apparently none were serious. Some of the protesters tried to guard stores from looting, but there’s “a lot of serious property damage in the downtown core.” The Westlake area is the epicenter of the rioting. A number of arrests have been made.

I watched a news conference featuring Mayor Durkan, Police Chief Carmen Best, and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, and was impressed by how they’re dealing with the situation.

Mayor Durkan, a former federal prosecutor, acknowledged the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis cop was “wrong” and said the cop should be prosecuted; she supported the right of demonstrators to peacefully protest, and said those responsible for violence and looting will be held accountable.

Watching a KING-5 TV live feed, I saw car fires, looting, fights, and tear gas and pepper spray being used. From what I could see, the Seattle police officers on the scene generally appeared to be acting professionally and with restraint.

I’m also impressed by the reporting and commentary by local media. They’re looking past the violence and talking about how our country needs intelligent conversations about the issues people are upset about. “Leave the anarchists out of it, we know what their intentions are, and looting is a criminal act;” we “have serious problems in this country” and must not let the chaos distract us from seeking solutions to those problems.

Photo: A police car burns in downtown Seattle on May 30, 2020 (KUOW photo)