MADISON — Madison police say a peaceful protest turned violent around 4:30 p.m. Saturday when protesters began looting and damaging property.
According to the Madison Police Department, a large group of hundreds of protesters gathered on the State Capital grounds Saturday for a peaceful protest. However, around 4:30 p.m. around 150 people remained and things turned violent.
Police say those who remained threw things like rocks and chairs at police officers. They also broke storefront windows, and attempted to break into a jewelry store.
The Madison Police Department used chemical agents in an attempt to disperse the group, who moved from the Capital to state street where they damaged more property, according to police.
In a Facebook post Saturday, the Madison Police Department said "MPD remains committed to protecting community members’ First Amendment rights. However, violence and property damage will not be tolerated."
According to WISC-TV in Madison, 75 State Street businesses were damaged and looted Saturday night. There were also businesses damaged on both sides of the city.
WISC is also reporting that one Madison Police squad car was broken into by protesters, and several others were damaged. Additionally, one Madison Police officer was injured during the protest.
Three people were taken into custody, however the department is planning to use video surveillance to make more arrests, according to WISC.
The city has established a curfew, which went into at 12:01 a.m. and ended at 5 a.m. Another curfew will go into effect Sunday at 9:30 p.m. through 5 a.m. Monday.
