Protests over George Floyd death turned violent in Seattle (VIDEOS)

In Seattle, a protest against police injustice that started off peaceful has turned violent.

In multiple reports, shots were fired from a stolen rifle. There were also reports of “Proud Boys” (armed white supremacists) heading toward protesters.

PROUD BOYS ARE ON PINE AND 5TH AND ARE CARRYING. STATE TROOPERS HEADED TO 5TH AND CHERRY, THEY ARE INTENDING TO SHOOT. THERE ARE MORE SNIPERS ON JAMES. CARS BEING SET ON FIRE .

— b got locked (@baezaswrld) May 30, 2020

These are the real enemies. pic.twitter.com/KSO56LbXGX

— Duchess Verbena🌼🌷 (@VerbenaGrace) May 30, 2020

Shots fired at the #GeorgeFloyd protest in #Seattle: pic.twitter.com/4xmILZydyh

— MK-Ultra News (@mkultranews) May 30, 2020

proud boys and anarchists, both of whom are confirmed to be on site in downtown Seattle, have started fires and are firing assault rifles. THEY are the ones causing violence and destruction after protests remained peaceful for hours. #seattleprotest

— QuarenTwoOhSix (@thetwoohsix) May 31, 2020

In the midst of the demonstrations, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a State of Emergency requiring individuals to be home by 5 pm. In a series of tweets, she revealed that the situation is “extremely dangerous” and that “while many individuals gathered peaceful, some individuals have started fires and are destroying buildings.”

I will soon be signing an emergency order and the @CityofSeattle will be imposing a 5 pm curfew soon. Crowds need to disburse from downtown immediately.

— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) May 30, 2020

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has also activated 200 members of the National Guard at the request of the City of Seattle.

“The National Guard is on stand by to assist the Seattle Police Department as requested by Mayor Durkan,” Inslee said in a news release. “They will be unarmed and assist with infrastructure protection and crowd movement. They will only be utilized if absolutely necessary and we appreciate their efforts to help in this important work.”

Here’s what others have captured from the protests:

WE WERE JUST TEAR GASSED AT A PEACEFUL PROTEST IN SEATTLE pic.twitter.com/XAtLwpNW7R

— 15 sluts who say BLM (@marxistmaggie) May 30, 2020

BREAKING: Protests erupt in Seattle, Washington pic.twitter.com/DYdttpvmm0

— CryptøManiac101 🅐 (@_Crypto_Maniac_) May 30, 2020

Seattle protest was peaceful until #SeattlePD started using flash bangs, pepper spray, and attempted to dismantle protesters.#seattleprotest #BlackLivesMatters pic.twitter.com/bCX7muDaSO

— Nick Southcote-Want (@NickSouthcote) May 31, 2020

I want to be absolutely clear that this protest was peaceful until the cops fired tear gas into the crowd. #Seattle #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/Z7LbKDnPh9

— Zak Binns (@zakbinns) May 31, 2020

Floyd’s death has reignited the conversation around racism in the United States and sparked protests across the country against police violence on Black Americans.

In a graphic video posted to social media on May 25, Floyd was heard repeatedly saying that he cannot breathe while Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin held him down with a knee on his neck.

According to an official police statement, Minneapolis police responded to a 911 call reporting a forgery in progress. The officers arrived and located a suspect in a vehicle. They reportedly ordered the suspect out of the vehicle, who then physically resisted the officers.

The officers claim to have handcuffed the suspect and restrained him on the ground while an ambulance was called. He was then transported to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.