Update 10:30 p.m. -A state of emergency was declared by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. A curfew has also been put into effect from 10:30 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Update 8 p.m. - Protesters have been seen on cars and trucks, including on top of our Spectrum News van. Police wearing riot gear are making their presence known in downtown Buffalo. Updates forthcoming.
Original story:
Hundreds have gathered at Buffalo City Hall at Niagara Square in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Floyd's death has triggered a nationwide protest.
The event was organized on Facebook under the title "Protest On Police Brutality hosted by Black Lives Matter." Rallygoyers began forming in front of City Hall around 3 p.m.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown issued a statement before the event began, warning that outside agitators would incite violence and disrupt the protests.