Post by Sethron on Apr 27, 2013 15:44:56 GMT -8
There have been violent scenes as tens of thousands of people protested against the Gun Ban in Washington.
Demonstrators stormed a building in Downtown Seattle thought to have the Senator inside, smashed windows and got on to the roof.
Outside, a crowd of thousands surged as placards and banners were set on fire and missiles were thrown.
Protest leaders condemned the violence as "despicable".
They say about 50,000 people took part in a march through Downtown Seattle earlier.
According to the news, 14 people have been injured, including a news anchor.
The vast majority of demonstrators had been peaceful, a statement said, but "a small minority" had damaged property.
At one point, a fire extinguisher was reported to have been thrown from the roof.
The police have faced accusations and lawsuits, tying their hands. Public outrage grows as they can do nothing against the rioters. Nobody in Downtown is safe from the havoc.
The Seattle Police Commissioner John Stephenson said the force wishes it could get through the bureaucratic tape, and they are doing everything they can to be able to put down this uproar.
"It's not acceptable. It's an embarrassment for Seattle and for us," he said.
"I am determined to have a thorough investigation into this matter," he added.
Seattle Mayor Troy Johnson said: "I am appalled that a small minority have today shamefully abused their right to protest.
"This is intolerable and all those involved will be pursued and they will face the full force of the law.
"The Police Commissioner has assured me that there will be a vigorous post-incident investigation."
On the other hand, will the post-incident investigation come too late? The Rioters have Seattle caught in their grip, and with no ability to do anything about it, they will continue to dominate Downtown. A warning has been issued to those who house there, and the Police have secured safe-havens within the outskirts of Redmond in the meantime.
One of the protesters who got on to the roof was University of Washington student Emily Dallas.
"It shows how angry people are," she told Seattle News.
"Why are our rights being trampled? What do the pigs in Washington think they are doing, taking away our second amendment? If they won't change it, we will change it ourselves."
Demonstrators stormed a building in Downtown Seattle thought to have the Senator inside, smashed windows and got on to the roof.
Outside, a crowd of thousands surged as placards and banners were set on fire and missiles were thrown.
Protest leaders condemned the violence as "despicable".
They say about 50,000 people took part in a march through Downtown Seattle earlier.
According to the news, 14 people have been injured, including a news anchor.
The vast majority of demonstrators had been peaceful, a statement said, but "a small minority" had damaged property.
At one point, a fire extinguisher was reported to have been thrown from the roof.
The police have faced accusations and lawsuits, tying their hands. Public outrage grows as they can do nothing against the rioters. Nobody in Downtown is safe from the havoc.
The Seattle Police Commissioner John Stephenson said the force wishes it could get through the bureaucratic tape, and they are doing everything they can to be able to put down this uproar.
"It's not acceptable. It's an embarrassment for Seattle and for us," he said.
"I am determined to have a thorough investigation into this matter," he added.
Seattle Mayor Troy Johnson said: "I am appalled that a small minority have today shamefully abused their right to protest.
"This is intolerable and all those involved will be pursued and they will face the full force of the law.
"The Police Commissioner has assured me that there will be a vigorous post-incident investigation."
On the other hand, will the post-incident investigation come too late? The Rioters have Seattle caught in their grip, and with no ability to do anything about it, they will continue to dominate Downtown. A warning has been issued to those who house there, and the Police have secured safe-havens within the outskirts of Redmond in the meantime.
One of the protesters who got on to the roof was University of Washington student Emily Dallas.
"It shows how angry people are," she told Seattle News.
"Why are our rights being trampled? What do the pigs in Washington think they are doing, taking away our second amendment? If they won't change it, we will change it ourselves."