Local

Thousands rally throughout Seattle for 9th straight day

SEATTLE — Thousands of protesters gathered throughout Seattle for the 9th straight day Saturday as demands for systemic change following the death of George Floyd continued.

Demonstrations were seen in West Seattle, North Seattle, Capitol Hill, the University District and Downtown.

At various points throughout the day, groups of protesters were seen kneeling in an act of solidarity.

Protesters were also seen lying in the streets of downtown Seattle while chanting “I can’t breathe."

The protests continued in a mostly peaceful manner, holding to a shift in tone and mood that began in recent days and has coincided with certain changes made within the Seattle Police Department.

Protesters have said they will continue to keep the pressure on local leaders to make further changes.

Around 7:30 p.m., police said the mostly peaceful protests outside the Seattle Police Department East Precinct took a turn.

According to police, demonstrators began moving barricades at 11th and Pine.

Police said rocks, bottles and “improvised explosives” were thrown, injuring several officers.

In response to the protesters, officers used blast balls and pepper spray to temporarily disperse the crowd, police said.

Police said CS gas was not used during the confrontation.

Many protesters continued to demonstrate outside the East Precinct after the clash.

At Magnuson Park, protesters gathered to honor Charleena Lyles while also calling for a funding cut for the Seattle Police Department.

Thousands of protesters then marched through the streets of the U-District and knelt together for over 8 minutes in University Village.