The so-called Capital Hill Organized Protest area in Seattle was “liberated” in a victory for law and order, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said after police officers forced occupiers out of the autonomous zone.
Activists and agitators had taken over an area of multiple city blocks that was alternately known as CHOP and CHAZ, blocking police officers from entering as law enforcement response times soared.
“I am pleased to inform everyone that Seattle has been liberated. The Capital Hill Autonomous Zone, CHAZ, was a failed four-week Democrat experiment by the radical left and the results are in. Anarchy is anti-American; law and order is essential. Peace in our streets will be secured,” McEnany told reporters on July 1 in Washington.
McEnany brought up comments made by Durkan shortly after the occupation started, which the mayor made in response to President Donald Trump’s vow to step in and take care of the situation if local and state officials didn’t.
Durkan had claimed the occupation could lead to a “summer of love.”
CHAZ wasn’t the summer of love, McEnany asserted.
Trump was ready to act in the face of failed leadership, she said, although he appeared to take no action in the three-plus weeks that the occupation took place. McEnany claimed that he “compelled action.”
“He has said take back your city now. If you don’t do it, I will. He said this is not a game,” she said. “President Trump has stood on the side of law and order and we’re pleased to report that law and order has prevailed in Seattle. In President Trump’s America, autonomous zones have no place.”
A Durkan spokesperson referred The Epoch Times to Durkan’s response at a press conference. She told reporters that President Trump and his administrations remarks weren’t helpful and made the situation “more volatile.”
Durkan also told reporters that there were “incredibly peaceful demonstrations on Capitol Hill.”
“But the recent public safety threats have been well documented. These acts of gun violence resulted in the tragic deaths of two teenagers, with multiple others seriously wounded. Despite continued efforts to deescalate and bring community together, this violence demanded action,” she added.
Trump promised in late June not to allow a similar zone in Washington, as long as he’s president.
“If they try they will be met with serious force!” he said.
Protesters attempted to seal off an area near the White House on June 22, using fencing and other materials to create barriers.
Police officers removed the barriers, tents, and other items.
Seattle police officials, meanwhile, said 44 arrests were made July 1 as the zone was being cleared for failure to disperse, assault, obstruction, pedestrian interference, and malicious mischief.
In one case, officers used pepper spray while arresting a person who was armed with a metal pole. In another incident, an officer used a “less lethal” 40 mm sponge round on a man who appeared to be brandishing a metal pipe.
Officers, who were remaining in the area to ensure safety, might be making more arrests, the Seattle Police Department said in a statement.
