Seattle Police Clash With May Day Protesters

Five police officers have been injured and nine people were arrested when a parade for worker and immigrant rights in Seattle turned violent.

During the May Day gathering on Sunday, anti-capitalist demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at officers and smashed windows.

The city's mayor, Ed Murray, has blamed the "senseless violence" on a "different crowd" from the hundreds who had attended an earlier peaceful march.

He said: "It is deeply regrettable that in a city that goes to incredible lengths to respect First Amendment rights, there are some who disregard our values and engage in senseless acts of violence and property destruction."

Police in riot gear used pepper spray to disperse the protesters, who were dressed in black and had gathered at a park before taking to the streets carrying signs.

On Twitter, the Seattle police department said one officer had suffered a cut to the head, another was hit by a rock, and a third officer was bitten.

Police chief Kathleen O'Toole said: "Nobody has been seriously injured. Once assaults started and property damage started, we took action. It's that simple."

Three people have been charged with assault, one with destruction of property and five with obstruction of justice.

Eight men ranging in age from about 20 to 32 were charged, along with a teenage girl.

Crowds gather every year on 1 May, in several cities across America, to call for better wages for workers and an end to deportations, but they often descend into chaos.

Last year, 16 people were arrested and three officers hurt when protesters threw bottles and wrenches at police.