Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (D) has announced plans to dismantle to the city’s autonomous zone — known as the “Capitol Hill Organized Protest” zone or “CHOP” — previously taken over by protesters.
In wake of the ongoing protests, Durkan has expressed concern about the “increasingly difficult circumstances” Seattle residents and businesses are facing as a result of the gatherings, protests, nighttime atmosphere, and violence that has erupted in the blocks-long autonomous zone over the last two weeks. The mayor’s announcement comes after two weekend shootings.
“The cumulative impacts of the gatherings and protests and the nighttime atmosphere and violence has led to increasingly difficult circumstances for our businesses and residents,” Durkan said. “The impacts have increased and the safety has decreased.”
The mayor said during Monday’s press conference:
“It’s time for people to go home. It is time for us to restore Cal Anderson and Capitol Hill so it can be a vibrant part of the community. We can still accommodate people who want to protest peacefully, come there and gather. But the impacts on the businesses and residents and community are now too much.”
UPDATE: CHAZ, now rebranded as CHOP is the scene of a homicide. 1 teenager is dead. 1 in critical condition. Police aren't even able to investigate what happened because of resistance from protesters. Didn't the Mayor of Seattle say CHAZ/CHOP was just like the summer of love? pic.twitter.com/Nwvb24deon
— Price of Reason (@priceoreason) June 21, 2020
On Monday, Durkan also took to Twitter with a series of tweets about the changes that will be forthcoming.
The Democratic mayor acknowledged protesters’ concerns about police brutality and systemic racism but made it clear the violence would not be tolerated.
“Across the City, hundreds of thousands have gathered daily at different events protesting the murder of George Floyd and hundreds of years of systemic racism that led to his death,” Durkan tweeted, “A recent silent march had nearly 85,000 peaceful attendees whose message was clear: we need change.”
Across the City, hundreds of thousands have gathered daily at different events protesting the murder of George Floyd and hundreds of years of systemic racism that led to his death. A recent silent march had nearly 85,000 peaceful attendees whose message was clear: we need change.
— Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 23, 2020
While she did not offer a timeline for the dismantling of the autonomous zone, she has confirmed that it will be taken back by the city.
On Capitol Hill and across Seattle, we need to have true community space – with connections to community-based organizations, health clinics, and restorative justice programs – that will help us move forward together to dismantle generations of systemic racism in our City.
— Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 23, 2020
Durkan briefly discussed the city’s budget changes as she revealed financial reductions for the Seattle Police Department.
As part of the 2020 and 2021 budget, we will be looking at @SeattlePD‘s culture and budget. Police should not always be first people on the scene to deal with every call for help. Not every 9-1-1 call requires someone with a firearm to show up.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 23, 2020
She also confirmed multiple changes that will be incorporated for first responders.
“We must deploy the right person with the right skills into a situation – like mental health specialists, domestic violence counselors, or addiction counselors,” Durkan said. “We must expand programs that follow these models, like SPD’s Community Service Officers and [Seattle Police Department’s] Health One.”
We must deploy the right person with the right skills into a situation – like mental health specialists, domestic violence counselors, or addiction counselors. We must expand programs that follow these models, like SPD’s Community Service Officers and @SeattleFire‘s Health One.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 23, 2020
It is still unclear how Durkan and city officials plan to regain control of the autonomous zone.