POLL: May Day Protests Explode in Downtown Seattle

May Day protests occurred in downtown Seattle today and around the country, and police arrested a few individuals and some businesses were damaged.

In Seattle, some protestors, identified as about 30 Black Block protestors, smashed windows of large banks and corporate businesses, and vehicles have been damaged.

KOMO Radio is reporting that Seattle City Hall has been locked down.

Mayor Mike McGinn said in a press conference today about 2:45 p.m. that he signed a special order allowing police to confiscate items that might be used as weapons from the remaining 300 protesters in Westlake Center. Undercover police are reportedly in the crowd.

More protests are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Here’s links to coverage from Seattle-PI.com and SeattleTimes.com.

Do you work or have been downtown today, tell us what’s going on? Post photos and comments on Patch below. Also, if you can or can’t leave your building safely let us know.

Shoreline-LFP Patch has contacted Occupy protestors who may be in the middle of things and requested comment. 

Check back for an update.

Also do you agree with the sentiment of the protestors? Do you agree or disagree with their tactics?

Tell us in the comments. 

Do you think corporations and the federal government are unjust to the average person, and are working together, seemingly intentionally, to victimize their some or all customers and citizens?

Or do you think corporations are basically right, and just have minor flaws, and people need to calm down and wait for opportunities to develop?

And do you think the Obama Administration do anything about corporate corruption or are their powers limited?