Seattle Police Clash With May Day Protesters

Police resorted to flash-bang grenades and pepper spray to move the crowd out of the downtown area of Seattle Wednesday night.

SEATTLE — Police have made several arrests and are using flash-bang grenades and pepper spray after apparent anarchists and May Day marchers converged in downtown Seattle, throwing pipes, fireworks and rocks, lighting flares and sparking confrontations with officers.

Protesters met at Seattle Central Community College at the busy intersection of Broadway and Pine and then spilled into the street, blocking traffic.

Photos From Today's May Day March In Seattle:

Police create a bicycle barrier as protesters deploy smoke near Sixth/Pike. #WaMayDay @bettinahansen http://t.co/NSDslw38iB

Police create a bicycle barrier as protesters deploy smoke near Sixth/Pike. #WaMayDay @bettinahansen http://t.co/NSDslw38iB-- Seattle Times Photo

Arrest of demonstrator at Olive Way and 8th Ave in Seattle #wamayday http://t.co/ef1SUmzrAG

Arrest of demonstrator at Olive Way and 8th Ave in Seattle #wamayday http://t.co/ef1SUmzrAG-- Erika Schultz

PHOTO: Explosion from police munition. Wild scene in downtown Seattle. #Seamayday. #wamayday http://t.co/qdwxW4EIMc

PHOTO: Explosion from police munition. Wild scene in downtown Seattle. #Seamayday. #wamayday http://t.co/qdwxW4EIMc-- Joshua Trujillo

Seattle Police now using flashbangs and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators. #SeaMayDay @seattletimes http://t.co/J4JaAUBvhQ

Seattle Police now using flashbangs and pepper spray to disperse demonstrators. #SeaMayDay @seattletimes http://t.co/J4JaAUBvhQ-- Patrick Erickson KHQ

#seamayday protest in downtown Seattle. @seattletimes http://t.co/pF9JAzcT5H

#seamayday protest in downtown Seattle. @seattletimes http://t.co/pF9JAzcT5H-- Patrick Erickson KHQ

Window shattered at drug store in Cap Hill in Seattle http://t.co/BluWLIqE15 (@joshtrujillo)

Window shattered at drug store in Cap Hill in Seattle http://t.co/BluWLIqE15 (@joshtrujillo)-- BuzzFeed News

Pedestrians cleaning broken bottles, trash at Pine and Broadway #wamayday http://t.co/uHbc2NrOjo

Pedestrians cleaning broken bottles, trash at Pine and Broadway #wamayday http://t.co/uHbc2NrOjo-- Erika Schultz

Seattle Police blocking off all traffic at East Pine Street and 11th Ave. Crowd is dispersing. #WaMayDay http://t.co/t7nKWQg3U9

Seattle Police blocking off all traffic at East Pine Street and 11th Ave. Crowd is dispersing. #WaMayDay http://t.co/t7nKWQg3U9-- Erika Schultz

Update: Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 12:43 a.m. ET:

One officer injured during tonight's demonstration. Hit by an object thrown near minor/pine shortly after 8pm #seamayday

One officer injured during tonight's demonstration. Hit by an object thrown near minor/pine shortly after 8pm #seamayday-- Seattle Police Dept.

As of 9pm, 11 adults & 2 juveniles arrested for assaults, property damage #seamayday

As of 9pm, 11 adults & 2 juveniles arrested for assaults, property damage #seamayday-- Seattle Police Dept.

Update: Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 1:56 a.m. ET:

In the foreground: chunks of asphalt, cement, bottles & other items thrown at officers during eve #seamayday event http://t.co/7Qbbd4wcyS

In the foreground: chunks of asphalt, cement, bottles & other items thrown at officers during eve #seamayday event http://t.co/7Qbbd4wcyS-- Seattle Police Dept.

8 officers injured, 18 arrested during evening #seamayday incidents

8 officers injured, 18 arrested during evening #seamayday incidents-- Seattle Police Dept.

Update: Thursday, May 2, 2013 - 1:56 a.m. ET:

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

May Day Turns Violent in Seattle

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