Jim Seida / msnbc.com

Police tape off a Wells Fargo Bank in Seattle Tuesday, May 1, after protesters broke the bank's windows during a May Day march.

Update 3:48 ET, Seattle: Windows were broken and police arrested a handful of protesters as about 100 marched in downtown, NBC station KING reported. Many were dressed in dark clothes, wearing face makeup and carrying sticks, live TV video showed.

Jim Seida / msnbc.com

Shattered window glass from a Wells Fargo Bank in Seattle Tuesday, May 1, 2012, after protesters broke the bank's windows during a May Day march after some in the crowd turned violent.

Earlier: As news of May Day protests and gatherings were reported around the world and on the East Coast, msnbc.com's Jim Seida encountered the start of one of the west coast protests around noon PT at Westlake Center in downtown Seattle.

Jim Seida / msnbc.com

As you might expect in Seattle, for some it started with caffeine. Above, Rain City Superheroes Midnight Jack, left, El Caballero, center, and Phoenix Jones relax at a Starbucks at the intersection of Pine and 4th Ave., Tuesday, May 1. Each "superhero" carries a digital camera to record the events they witness.  "We're here to document if the police get out of control and to stop the people if they get out of control," Jones says.

Jim Seida / msnbc.com

First Lieutenant Gonzo, above, a member of the Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army, or CIRCA, says he prefers to mock police rather than yell at them.  Gonzo, from Seattle, photographed at Westlake Park, Seattle, Tuesday.  "It's really kind of hard to pin down just one reason why I'm here today," says Gonzo, "Basically I'm just here to support free thought, free creativity, and just to bring a little humor to the situation."

Jim Seida / msnbc.com

Hundreds of people gather in Seattle's Westlake Park to celebrate and protest on Tuesday, May 1.

Slideshow: May Day brings out 'Occupy' protests and other rallies around the world

Lefteris Pitarakis / AP

Workers and activists rally on May Day around the world.

Launch slideshow

'Battle for the soul of Occupy': Activists fear being 'pulled to the right,' becoming Democratic 'pet'

Video: Participant Harrison Schultz talks about the protests planned by the “Occupy” movement in New York City

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

Occupy DC demonstrator Brian Eister of Colorado packs up his camping gear, in compliance with new restrictions, at McPherson Square in Washington Jan. 30. At noon today, the National Park Service will ban Occupy DC protesters from camping overnight here and in Freedom Plaza where have they been living since October, in a blow to one of the highest-profile chapters of the movement denouncing economic inequality.

Occupy protesters in the nation's capital were preparing for a noon Monday deadline set by federal park authorities to end camping at some of the movement's last remaining large encampments, with some "surprises" in store, one of the activists said.

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

Robert Dilley and Kevin Wiley carry belongings to a rental truck to be taken to storage before the Occupy DC encampment is shut down in McPherson Square on Jan. 30.

Karen Bleier / AFP - Getty Images

The McPherson Square Occupy encampment on K Street in Washington, DC on Jan. 30.

The National Park Service said in a flier released Friday that it would begin enforcing regulations prohibiting camping and the use of temporary structures for camping at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza. Individual violators may be subject to arrest and their property subject to seizure as evidence, the flier said.

Karen Bleier / AFP - Getty Images

An Occupy protester sits at the corner of the McPherson Square Occupy encampment on K Street in Washington, DC on Monday, Jan. 30. The National Park Service has warned the protesters at McPherson Square and at Freedom Plaza that those who violate the camping rule beginning Monday at noon will be subject to arrest. Protesters have stated they intend to stay at the two sites and defend their encampments. The Occupiers are referring to the action as the

Justin Jacoby Smith, a 25-year-old activist with OccupyKSt, said the protesters at McPherson Square had plans for the deadline -- a "tent of dreams" was mentioned on their twitter feed, but he noted: “We’re still sorting of keeping the specifics under wraps … we like to have surprises when we can.” Full story...

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

James, who chose not to give his full name, smokes a cigarette after waking up in his tent at the Occupy DC encampment in McPherson Square on Jan. 30 in Washington, DC.

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

As Congress returns from its winter recess, protesters aligned with the Occupy Wall Street movement demonstrate on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 17, 2012, to decry the influence of corporate money in politics.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

A demonstrator wears a Guy Fawkes mask during an "Occupy Congress" rally at the West Front Lawn of the Capitol on Tuesday. in Washington, DC.

Msnbc.com’s Miranda Leitsinger reports that thousands of Occupy protesters from across the country are expected to converge Tuesday on Capitol Hill to take their message to the halls of Congress, in what some observers say is the movement’s overdue moment to engage the American political system.

For the most part Occupy protesters have shunned the political system, viewing it as beyond salvation. The congressional protest – which falls on the movement's four-month mark and the beginning of a new session of Congress – appears to represent a strategic shift aimed at winning support of the many Americans disillusioned with the legislative branch.

See more Occupy pictures in PhotoBlog.

Follow @msnbc_pictures

Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

Occupy Wall Street protesters stand on barricades they took down and piled inside Zuccotti Park in the Manhattan borough of New York, Jan. 1.

Just as a record crowd ushered in the new year in New York's Times Square, Occupy Wall Street protesters returned to Zuccotti Park by the hundreds to reclaim the park and the area around it. 

After taking down metal barricades, piling them up and scuffling with police, protesters were soon kicked out of the park. Smaller groups splintered and started marching through the streets after being shoed from lower Manhattan. Police used pepper spray on protesters and a number of them were arrested.

Into the wee hours of the morning, groups of protesters marched north. Some hurled orange traffic barrels into the street, blocking traffic, though most of the demonstrations were peaceful. A seemingly high ratio of police to protesters monitored the groups' movement, keeping them on sidewalks and from obstructing traffic.

Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

An Occupy Wall Street protester hurls barrels into the middle of Broadway near Zuccotti Park in the Manhattan borough of New York, Jan. 1.

Scores of officers on foot, on scooters and in sundry vehicles closed streets to keep up with the group as traffic snarled.

There was a bizarre contrast between protesters and revelers out in force for New Years' celebrations. The group marched through Manhattan's West Village, an upscale neighborhood, loaded with as many drinking establishments as quiet residential streets.

By 3:00am, demonstrators had zig-zagged their way to the East Village.

Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

Police monitor a group of Occupy Wall Street protesters that marched to the West Village after being barred from Zuccotti Park in the Manhattan borough of New York on Jan. 1.

Polly Smith, 30, of Brooklyn, was celebrating New Years with friends and witnessed the roving band of police and protesters as they marched east towards 2nd Ave. 

"I was really surprised at the volume of the police response for what seemed like a relatively small organized protest. It was surprising to see [the protest] in that neighborhood. You would expect to see that in Times Square or downtown, but not right in the heart of a more low-key neighborhood."

For more from AP, read here.

Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

Police push back Occupy Wall Street protesters after they were cleared from Zuccotti Park in the Manhattan borough of New York, Jan. 1.

Hundreds of protesters are expected to impact ports on the West Coast on Monday as Occupy movements in Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma, Wash. have joined the Occupy Wall Street demonstration. 

The demonstrators' presence at ports comes a little over a month after a general strike coordinated by Occupy Oakland shut down the port in early November. Read more in our full story...

Robert Galbraith / Reuters

Demonstrators gather at a gate to the Port of Oakland during the Occupy movement's attempts to shut down west coast ports on Dec. 12.

Kimberly White / Getty Images

Protesters attempt to block an entrance to the Port of Oakland on Dec. 12.

Kimberly White / Getty Images

A protester sits in a street in front of police in riot gear as protesters attempt to block an entrance to the Port of Oakland on Monday, Dec. 12.

People from around the country are converging on the capitol for "Take Back the Capitol." At the heart of the movement is a similar message to Occupy Wall Street, according to NBCWashington.com. The group says it wants Congress and elected leaders to represent the 99 percent of every day Americans, instead of the wealthiest 1 percent.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Demonstrators march on Capitol Hill to occupy the offices of their members of Congress during the "Take Back the Capitol" protest Dec. 6, in Washington, DC. Demonstrators from 46 states have set up on the National Mall and will stage demonstrations all week, including occupying the offices of their senators and representatives until they agree to meet with them and talk about jobs, the economy and other issues.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Marci Razlplaz, 18, from Kansas City, Mo., left, points out the office number of Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo. on a directory in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 6, as part of the People's Action Center visit to the Capitol. The group mobilized to visit congressional offices as a reminder to elected officials that they represent the 99%.

Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA

Andrew Duke (C), Chief of Staff to Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-TX, tells Members of Good Jobs, Great Houston and other progressive groups "occupying" Hensarling's office that the Representative will not be able to meet with them in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, DC, Dec. 6.

The group plans more actions this week including swarming lobbying offices, a national prayer vigil and a mass march.

Read more in the story: Activists show up to 'retake' Congress.

Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA

Members of "Our DC," a group advocating for good jobs in Washington, DC, "occupies" the office of House Majority Leader from Virginia Eric Cantor during a "Take Back the Capitol" event in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, Dec. 6. They billed the event as an opportunity "to remind members of Congress that the Capitol is the People's House."

Michal Czerwonka / Getty Images

Members of Occupy LA march through downtown on Nov. 17, in Los Angeles. The protest was part of a "Day of Action" marking the two-month anniversary of the movement that started in New York as Occupy Wall Street.

Jae C. Hong / AP

Police officers arrests a protester during a rally in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 17.

Jae C. Hong / AP

Protesters march along the street during a rally in Los Angeles, Thursday, Nov. 17.

See more images from Occupy Wall Street's day of action in our slideshow.

Justin Lane / EPA

Protestors march up Broadway during a day of action by the Occupy Wall Street movement in the area near the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street in New York on Nov. 17.

Two days after the encampment that sparked the global Occupy protest movement was cleared by authorities, demonstrators marched through New York's financial district Thursday and promised a national day of action with mass gatherings in other cities.

Richard Drew / AP

New York City Police officers prevent protestors from entering Wall Street from the east on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Thursday morning, over 100 protesters blocked access to Wall Street. Though already barricaded by police, NBC's Steve Wende reports protestors blocked the single path that allowed employees to enter.

At one point during the standoff, a NYPD Lieutenant told NBC News' Mara Schiavocampo that a protester pepper sprayed a police officer.

Update at 11:34a.m. EST: WNBC confirms that at least 4 police officers were injured after an unknown liquid was thrown in their faces.

John Minchillo / AP

Spencer Gray, 23, of Brooklyn, speaks to a line of police officers blocking the path of protestors attempting to get near the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Live updates from people on the scene: Occupy protesters take to the streets

Related photos: Occupy Wall Street

Seth Wenig / AP

An Occupy Wall Street protester yells as he is arrested by police after blocking an intersection near The New York Stock Exchange in New York on Nov. 17.

John Minchillo / AP

Police officers stand with their batons at the ready during a march of Occupy Wall Street protestors on the Financial District in New York on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Story: Occupy Wall Street organizers plan to mark two-month point with flash mobs, student strikes, rallies and musicals.

See more images from Occupy Wall Street's day of action in our slideshow.

Stephen Lam / Reuters

Occupy Oakland's encampment is flattened after authorities evicted its occupants in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Nov. 14.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers near City Hall in Oakland moved in to clear out Occupy Oakland protesters who set up camp.

Paul Sakuma / AP

Occupy Oakland demonstrator Maurice Porter, who is homeless, sits in defiance in front of a line of police at an encampment in Oakland, Calif., early Monday, Nov. 14.

Beck Diefenbach / Reuters

Webb Mealy, an Occupy Oakland camper, draws a symbol for "universal solidarity" at the Occupy Oakland campsite in Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, California Monday, Nov. 14.

Following a mainly peaceful day-long protest by thousands of anti-Wall Street demonstrators, several hundred rallied through the night with some painting graffiti, breaking windows and setting file to garbage cans. Yesterday demonstrators shut down the Port of Oakland.

Stephen Lam / Reuters

A demonstrator waves a flag as rubbish burns at the Occupy Oakland demonstration in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Noah Berger / AP

Protesters help an injured Occupy Oakland demonstrator after a police-fired projectile struck his leg in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Oakland Police said they received a late night call that protesters had broken into and occupied a downtown building and set several simultaneous fires. The department said  protesters began hurling rocks, explosives, bottles, and flaming objects at responding officers.

Noah Berger / AP

Sheriff's deputies advance on Occupy Oakland protesters in Oakland, Calif. on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Noah Berger / AP

Occupy Oakland protester Mike Clift runs from tear gas in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Noah Berger / AP

Occupy Oakland protesters pass a burning garbage heap during a confrontation with police in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Police also reported that several private and municipal buildings sustained heavy vandalism.

More than 200 officers, some of them ferried in aboard buses, lined up shoulder to shoulder and donned gas masks, then declared the crowd to be an unlawful assembly and fired volleys of tear gas as protesters turned and ran.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images

A costumed Occupy Wall Street protester dressed as "The Pink Slip" holds a sign at Zuccotti Park in New York City on Oct. 31, 2011.

I’m a little disappointed with the lack of good Halloween costumes among the Occupy Wall Street protesters in Zuccotti Park. “The Pink Slip” is good, but the other folks who simply put on a rubber mask aren’t really bringing it.

Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images

A costumed for Halloween Occupy Wall Street supporter trick-or-treats at Zuccotti Park.

See more Occupy Wall Street PhotoBlog posts

• Protesters, police clash in Denver
• Brrr! Occupy Wall Street protesters brace for cold weather
• Candlelight vigil held for protester and Iraq war vet Scott Olsen
• Occupy Atlanta protesters removed from their encampment
• Pepper spray used at San Diego 'Occupy' protest