What started as peaceful protests on Saturday afternoon escalated at nightfall in downtown Syracuse.

Protesters in Syracuse rallied against police brutality, as many cities across the U.S. did, following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

As many as a thousand or more protesters surrounded the grounds of the Public Safety Building and Courthouse on State Street, smashing windows.

With full riot gear and batons, police used rubber bullets and deployed what was reported to be tear gas to push protesters away from the Public Safety Building. Police encouraged residents to avoid the area for fear of flying objects.

Syracuse Police tweeted out, "We respect your right to protest. However, we will not be tolerating acts of violence, criminal mischief or bodily harm."

Cliff Ryan of the OGs Against Violence was on hand, urging protesters to stay back and stay peaceful as objects were being thrown into the Syracuse police headquarters.

Shortly after 11 p.m., Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh weighed in.

“Like other cities around the nation, Syracuse is the site of protests and anger tonight regarding the killing of George Floyd. I share their outrage and support the peaceful actions they engaged in throughout the afternoon and evening. Late tonight, some protestors turned more aggressive and dangerous despite urging otherwise from most of those involved. I ask all participants to stop any actions that risk their safety and that of our City and to disband. My commitment is firm to strengthen and improve police community relations and ensure equitable law enforcement in the City of Syracuse. We can emerge from this national crisis stronger than ever.”

Around 1 a.m., Walsh issued an emergency order that implemented a citywide curfew until further notice that goes from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. This includes all pedestrians and vehicle traffic, except for essential personnel. The order listed first responders, hospital workers, and utility workers. It did not include other job sectors that were deemed essential under coronavirus-related lockdowns such as grocery store and food service employees.

After the flare up in downtown, stores were broken into and people were seen coming out with stolen merchandise.

Elsewhere in the area, but unknown if related to the protests, people broke into Shoppingtown Mall in DeWitt, smashed windows and set off fire extinguishers.

Earlier in the day, afternoon protesters were peaceful, and could be seen kneeling in the street and chanting.

The Syracuse Black Lives Matter protest was held in front of the Syracuse Police Station. Protesters were crying out asking officers to treat everyone equally, claiming people of color are unfairly targeted.

"With me being an African American man, chances are high either way. I am going to die, I’m about to die, I just don’t want to die at the hands of these people, I want to die on my own terms," a protester said.