May Day 2021: More than a dozen arrested during Seattle demonstrations

Police arrest 14 people as group marches through Seattle

SEATTLE - Seattle Police said they arrested fourteen people Saturday during unpermitted May Day marches for a variety of crimes from property destruction to assault and reckless driving.

Several demonstrations took place earlier in the day in the Seattle area as part of International Workers' Day. Those marches and rallies ended peacefully.

Later in the day, Seattle Police said a group of people dressed in black was moving around downtown Seattle and the Capitol Hill neighborhood blocking traffic, and throwing objects at officers and bystanders.

Police said around 2:00 p.m. that officers arrested two people in connection with property damage at a coffee shop in Capitol Hill.

Police in Seattle said shortly after 3:00 p.m. that officers issued a public safety order to the group.

Authorities said the group was placing hazards in the road. Officers were making a third arrest at 7th and Olive.

Police then tweeted that they recovered a carton of eggs filled with paint in the same area. Officers said that a bystander was "pelted" on the street.

At 4:00 p.m. police said they gave the group additional public safety orders at Pike Place in downtown Seattle. People were throwing rocks, bottles and eggs, officers said.

Around 4:30 p.m., police said they were issuing a dispersal order to a group at Broadway and Pine. They said officers were making two more arrests.

Just before 5:00 p.m., police said the crowd continued throwing flares, bottles, eggs and paint at officers. The group was approaching Cal Anderson Park - not far from the East Precinct.

Seattle Police arrested another person who they said threw a bottle through an open window of an SPD vehicle striking the driver.

Officers said just after 5:00 p.m. that four more people were arrested - this time at Cal Anderson Park. It was not immediately clear what led to these arrests, but police said more details would be released.

The City of Seattle has not been issuing permits for marches due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The most recent guidance said permits would not be given through at least April 30, but that could be extended.

List of arrests provided by SPD:

A 35-year-old for obstruction at Summit Ave and E Olive Way.
A 37-year-old for property destruction in the Summit Ave and E Olive Way.
A 25-year-old for obstruction in the Summit Ave and E Olive Way.
A 22-year-old for assault, obstruction and resisting arrest in the Summit Ave and E Olive Way.
A 26-year-old for pedestrian interference at 7th Ave and Olive St.
A 36-year-old for assault at 4th Ave and Bell St.
An 18-year-old for malicious mischief at Broadway and E. Howell St.
A 28-year-old for reckless driving at Harvard Ave and Pine St.
A 23-year-old for property destruction at Denny Way and E. Howell St.
A not-yet-identified individual, for assault and resisting arrest at 11th Ave and Olive St.
A 35-year-old for assault at Cal Anderson Park.
A 26-year-old for obstruction at Cal Anderson Park.
A 25-year-old for obstruction at Cal Anderson Park.
A 25-year-old for obstruction at 11th Ave and Pine St.

In past years, May Day has historically turned violent in later hours when anarchist groups take to the streets.

On Friday, Seattle Police and the King County Sheriff's Department told Q13 News that they were prepared to respond to any acts of violence or property destruction.

Stay connected with Q13 News on all platforms:

DOWNLOAD: Q13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: Q13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: Q13 FOX on YouTube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram