SEATTLE — Sixteen protesters were arrested Saturday night after police gave a dispersal order to a group they said caused “extensive property damage to a business” while marching and later had thrown explosives toward officers.
The protest had begun earlier in the day and was quiet for the most part, but later changed when police said a Metro bus was spray-painted with graffiti on Broadway near East Mercer Street.
Police said one person also spray painted a bank.
More graffiti was also found on other businesses near Harvard and Olive streets.
And just after 9 p.m., police gave a dispersal order after they said more property damage was done.
Law enforcement said explosives were thrown toward officers and that’s when multiple arrests were being made.
Just before 9:30 p.m., police said the group of protesters returned to Cal Anderson Park.
Police tweeted that they blocked the 1300 block of 11th Avenue East as officers made additional arrests.