Share
SEATTLE — Seattle police showed up in force early Wednesday at the city’s “occupied” protest zone, tore down demonstrators’ tents and used bicycles to herd the protesters after the mayor ordered the area cleared following two fatal shootings in less than two weeks.
Television images showed no signs of clashes between the police, many dressed in riot gear, and dozens of protesters at the “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest” zone that was set up near downtown following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Police swarmed the zone known as CHOP at about 5 a.m. and a loud bang was heard at about 6:15 a.m. followed by a cloud of smoke. At least 13 people were arrested, said Police Chief Carmen Best.
“Our job is to support peaceful demonstration but what has happened on these streets over the last two weeks is lawless and it’s brutal and bottom line it is simply unacceptable,” Best told reporters.
Police tore down fences that protesters had erected around their tents and used batons to poke inside bushes, apparently looking for people who might be hiding inside. One officer took down a sign saying “we are not leaving until our demands are met: 1. Defund SPD by 50% now. 2. Fund Black Communities. 3. Free all protesters.”
Most protesters appeared to have dispersed several hours after the operations started and armed officers looked on from rooftops as clean-up crews of workers arrived to break down tables and tarps that protesters had set up in the zone.
Protesters Have Said They Should Not Be Blamed for the Violence in the Area
Officers were investigating several vehicles circling the area after police saw people inside them “with firearms/armor,” police said in a tweet, adding that the vehicles did not appear to have “visible license plates.”
The protesters had occupied several blocks around a park for about two weeks and police abandoned a precinct station following standoffs and clashes with the protesters, who called for racial justice and an end to police brutality.
Police said they moved in to protect the public after Mayor Jenny Durkan issued the order for protesters to leave.
“Since demonstrations at the East Precinct area began on June 8th, two teenagers have been killed and three people have been seriously wounded in late-night shootings,” Seattle police said on Twitter. “Police have also documented robberies, assaults, and other violent crimes.
The tweet added that “suspects in recent shootings may still be in the area, and because numerous people in the area are in possession of firearms.”
Best said she supports peaceful demonstrations but that “enough is enough.”
“The CHOP has become lawless and brutal. Four shootings–two fatal—robberies, assaults, violence and countless property crimes have occurred in this several block area,” she said.
There had been mounting calls by critics, including President Donald Trump, to remove protesters following the fatal shootings.
Protesters have said they should not be blamed for the violence in the area.
RELATED TOPICS:
Fresno Man Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for $4.2 Million Tech Startup Fraud
7 hours ago
Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty in Murders of Four Idaho Students, ABC News Reports
7 hours ago
Fresno County CHP Arrest Two in Interstate 5 Drug, Gun, and Counterfeit Money Bust
8 hours ago
Where Trade Talks Stand With Major US Partners Ahead of Tariffs-Hike Deadline
8 hours ago
DOJ Announces Arrest, Indictments in North Korean IT Worker Scheme
8 hours ago
Fresno Man Arrested in Clovis for Sex-Related Crimes Against Minor
8 hours ago
Clovis Police Seek Public’s Help in Finding Missing 82-Year-Old Woman
6 hours ago
Categories

Clovis Police Seek Public’s Help in Finding Missing 82-Year-Old Woman

Fresno Woman Killed in Head-On Collision, CHP Investigating

Musk Vows to Punish Lawmakers Who Back Trump’s Spending Bill

Fresno Man Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for $4.2 Million Tech Startup Fraud

Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty in Murders of Four Idaho Students, ABC News Reports
