Seattle Protesters Block Workers From Dismantling Autonomous Zone

Protesters lie down and sit in the street after workers and heavy equipment from the Seattle Department of Transportation arrived at the the CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) zone in Seattle, Wash., on June 26, 2020. Ted S. Warren/AP Photo

People occupying the so-called autonomous zone in Seattle blocked city workers from removing barriers, leading to a meeting with Mayor Jenny Durkan.

Employees from multiple departments arrived outside the zone early June 26 “to continue the recovery of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, with the goal of removing some additional barriers blocking the roadways and cleaning up Cal Anderson Park,” a city spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.

“Once this work commenced to remove some of the barriers blocking roadways, City workers were met with significant resistance by protesters, who grew increasingly agitated and aggressive towards City workers.”

Protesters are refusing to leave until their demands are met. The demands include abolishing the Seattle Police Department, reparations for “victims of police brutality,” and a retrial of all minorities currently in prison for violent crimes.

Plans are being made on how to safely transition the area, known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), from the occupation to normal operations.

Durkan, a Democrat, announced June 22 the city would dismantle the zone after a steady increase in violence, including a fatal shooting. She had previously expressed support for the occupation, claiming it could lead to a “summer of love.”

The zone includes an abandoned Seattle Police Department precinct. After police left the building on June 8, protesters streamed into the area, moving barricades across city streets and blocking traffic.

Personnel from the Seattle Department of Transportation wait near an entrance to the area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) in Seattle, on June 26, 2020. David Ryder/Getty Images

Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins speaks with occupiers while walking through the area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) in Seattle, on June 26, 2020. David Ryder/Getty Images

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, second from left, arrives at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church to meet with protest organizers near the CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) zone in Seattle, on June 26, 2020. Ted S. Warren/AP Photo

Response times to crimes soared, according to Police Chief Carmen Best. The lawlessness forced local businesses to close as occupiers intimidated residents, prospective customers, employees, and delivery drivers, a class-action lawsuit filed against city officials said.

Officials were supposed to publicly outline plans to dismantle the zone by June 27 or lawyers representing the plaintiffs would file a court order, but the lawyers agreed not to file the order, the Seattle City Attorney’s office said.

The Seattle Police Department didn’t return to the East Precinct on June 26, the city spokesperson told The Epoch Times. A mayoral spokesperson told The Associated Press that there were no plans to return to the precinct over the weekend.

The continued standoff led to Durkan meeting with CHOP organizers late on June 26; she didn’t speak to reporters afterward.

Durkan met with organizers “to discuss the restoration of the Capitol Hill area and long-term changes to transform policing,” the mayor’s office said in a statement after the meeting.

“The City’s goal remains to allow any individuals to exceed use their first amendment rights while also preserving the public safety of local residents and small businesses. The Mayor suggested a series of steps that she believes can be taken in the coming days, including the removal of the barriers to create more access. She also believes in the planning for some of the long term changes to Cal Anderson including art installations and the community garden,” according to the statement.

City officials are working to help any occupiers who need assistance accessing shelter, health care, food, COVID-19 testing, or mental health services.