Seattle Police invaded CHOP this morning, heavily armed since we now know that inhabitants of the occupied zone are armed and will to use their guns. Mayor Jenny Durkan issued an Executive Order against CHOP after protesters went to her home and scared her children. It would have been nice if she had issued the EO while the rioters were threatening other people’s children. Better late than never.
Fox News reported:
“Police issued the order to disperse around 5 a.m. local time Wednesday, telling protesters to leave within eight minutes. At least 13 protesters have been arrested so far for failing to clear the area, police said.”
Anyone who remains in the area, or returns to the area, is subject to arrest.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
Armed group currently approaching officers at 12th Avenue. Police are giving continuous orders to disperse will continue providing safe exit from the area to the south.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
Some of the inhabitants have been digging in around the police precinct they had captured but others are trying to convince the others to leave peacefully. Police have removed barricades and so far has arrested 13 people who decided they would remain in CHOP regardless of the police and the mayor. The stragglers are working on fortifying the barricades in the last section that they still control but it’s only a matter of time before they too are driven out.
“Officers were seen clearing tents and barriers in the CHOP. KING 5 crews saw officers using pepper spray on demonstrators who weren’t leaving the area after dispersal orders were given,” the local <a href=”https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/protests/seattle-police-capitol-hill-chop-chaz/281-6253a20a-127b-4cd7-93dd-43f3f008afd0″>NBC affiliate</a> reported.
<blockquote>KING 5’s Michael Crowe said a majority of the protestors had left the CHOP by 6:20 a.m. Around the same time, SPD tweeted that officers “continue to give dispersal orders and are moving remaining groups north through Cal Anderson Park.”</blockquote>
<blockquote>”The Seattle Police Department basically reclaimed the precinct in less than 30 minutes, 5 feet at a time with the bicycle officers out in front,” citizen journalist Omari Salisbury said. Salisbury has been live streaming from the CHOP throughout the protest in Capitol Hill.</blockquote>
Some in the zone were assisting police. “Thank you to the individuals affiliated with the CHOP who have assisted officers in encouraging people to safely leave the area,” SPD said in a tweet.