Seattle’s policy-free “autonomous zone” is finally being cleared after an eviction order issued by the city’s mayor early Wednesday morning.
Mayor Jenny Durkan authorized the police to remove protesters who “illegally occupy the Cal Anderson Park area,” called the Capitol Hill Organized Protest Zone.
“People who intentionally refuse or do not comply with this closure order to move and disperse from the area will be subject to arrest.” the order, posted online, says.
Durkan also ordered the police to establish a “safety buffer” around the area, which includes the East Precinct.
The dismantling of CHOP comes after two teens were shot dead in the multi-block area of the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.
“As I said, and I will say it again, I support peaceful protests. Black Lives Matter, and I also want to help drive this movement toward meaningful change in our community, “said Police Chief Carmen Best.” But enough is enough. The CHOP has become illegal and brutal. There have been four shootings. , two fatalities, robberies, assaults, violence, and countless property crimes in this multi-block area. ”
Police arrived around 5 a.m. to announce that they were cleaning up the area and then gave protesters eight minutes to comply, KOMO News reported.
“A lot of chaos, you hear many, many voices,” Debora Killman, who slept in a tent, told the station. “But then I heard on the megaphone that it would be the police or the National Guard, so when I started saying OK, it’s time to get up.”
At least 13 protesters who refused to leave were arrested, police said.
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