Palo Alto Police are currently restoring order to the downtown area after a large riot composed mostly of teens and young adults marched down University and other streets, disrupting traffic and disturbing the peace.

The riot, organized weeks in advance through fliers distributed at local high schools, shopping districts, and during the “Battle of the Bands,” began Friday evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. The demonstrators walked up and down University Avenue chanting anti-capitalist slogans such as, “Bombs are dropping while you’re shopping,” and “Whose streets? Our streets!” The members, whose faces were shrouded by dark bandanas, carried large banners and black flags while marching.

The demonstrators broke the window of an American Express office with a flagpole, blasted loud music through large speakers, knocked over trashcans and newspaper stands. They also stole a sidewalk sign from Beyond Juice, damaged a car hood and windshield, and looted the local Longs Drugs store.

After police formed a line across University Avenue blocking the demonstrators’ path, the crowd detoured through various streets in the downtown area blasting music and evading police blockades.

Onlookers expressed varied opinions regarding the demonstrators’ intentions. Some cheered and clapped as the crowd passed while others held opposing views. According to one onlooker, a self-described bystander, Rob, the crowd failed to deliver an effective message. Rob noted that the purpose behind the demonstration was a statement against globalization, but insufficient information was distributed by the crowd to highlight the message. “[The demonstration] was ineffective — it did not give out information… [the demonstration] was only to disrupt corporate businesses such as Starbucks and build chaos.”

At one point, the demonstrators tried to enter Borders Bookstore, but the music speakers could not fit through the doors so the crowd was forced to retreat. Shortly afterward, the group of police, which included officers from Palo Alto as well as local departments, finally cornered the demonstrators at the corner of Hamilton and Webster. The police then escorted the demonstrators back to Lytton Plaza. The Palo Alto Police Department plans to release information regarding the details behind the incidents.

Voice would like to thank Verde Editor, Rafael Solari for his contribution to this article