SEATTLE, Washington - February 28, 2011 - A group of about 30 people dressed in black and wearing masks allegedly caused mayhem in Seattle Saturday night at the site of an unjustified police shooting.
Police said the protesters attacked them with fireworks, flares and fire extinguishers.
The riot, which was said to have lasted all of 10 minutes, began at about 9:00 pm Saturday at the intersection of Boren Avenue and Howell Street, the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported.
A fire extinguisher was discharged at the officer's car as he drove through the intersection, police said.
Other officers responding to the disturbance claimed they found a group of about 30 protesters.
Demonstrators put up caution tape in the intersection and painted "F**king Pigs" on the street and a nearby building, according to police.
Three members of the group that were arrested by the Seattle Police Department on rioting charges were released on their own recognizance Sunday morning.
The melee took place at the intersection where Seattle police Officer Ian Birk fatally shot John T. Williams, a Native American woodcarver, last August.
Dashcam footage of the incident showed that Birk gave Williams only seven seconds to put down a knife before shooting him. Birk claimed Williams lunged at him but photos showed that Williams' carving knife was in the closed position.
While the Firearms Review Board ruled that the shooting was unjustified, prosecutors recently said that criminal charges would not be filed.
Ed. Note: So another thug cop gets away with murder of an innocent civilian! When is enough, enough? Revolution Now! Independence Forever!
If you feel angry that the prosecutor has refused to bring criminal charges against this thug cop that murdered a well-liked, peaceable man who was whittling outside his house, then call and LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Kings County Prosecutor Dan Satlerberg
206-296-9000
