Local

800 gather for peaceful Tacoma rally, small group damages businesses

TACOMA, Wash. — People of all races, ages and backgrounds gathered in Tacoma's Wright Park Monday to protest police brutality.

They peacefully marched around town for hours and even took their message to the highway.

Tacoma police said about 800 people were in attendance. At one point, protesters lied facedown to make a powerful statement in support of George Floyd.

"I hope that people are being heard,” said Nga Hamada, Bubbles Tea Shop owner.

Unfortunately, a small handful of people damaged a row of shops on Pacific Avenue before heading home.

"I think people have worked hard for a lot of things in their lives that haven't been appreciated. I mean, that's the whole point of people protesting. There's a lot of injustice and there's a lot of people who deserve justice,” said Andy Stevens, Satori owner.

Someone smashed the windows at Bubbles Tea Shop.

“I'm at a loss for words. I support the movement, everything going on. We're just trying to make it through,” said Hamada.

A couple of shops were also burglarized.

Tacoma police took two people into custody and said a few others were likely also involved.

"Everything is getting more and more real and it's getting more real for me,” said Diamond Sanger, Satori owner.

Tacoma police stress that the majority of the Monday protests were peaceful.

Business owners told KIRO 7 broken glass is a small price to pay.

"A rock through a window is nothing compared to what people have gone through for hundreds of years, so I’m not going to complain about one rock,” said Stevens . “I would burn my own business down if people didn’t get freedom and equality.”