Seattle Police have arrested at least 23 individuals following Mayor Jenny Durkan’s (D) order to clear out the “autonomous” zone, known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), as authorities continue in reclaiming the zone held by demonstrators for weeks.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) announced it had made at least 23 arrests as of 7:45 a.m. local time for “failure to disperse, obstruction, resisting arrest, and assault.”
“One of the arrestees, a 29-year-old man, was in possession of a large metal pipe and kitchen knife when he was taken into custody,” the department noted.
As of 7:45 AM, officers have made 23 arrests in the #CHOP zone for failure to disperse, obstruction, resisting arrest, and assault. One of the arrestees, a 29-year-old man, was in possession of a large metal pipe and kitchen knife when he was taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/12qT7psBQQ
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
SPD also revealed that city workers had recovered makeshift spike strips “designed to puncture vehicle tires—in the area of the CHOP”:
City workers have also recovered improvised spike strips—designed to puncture vehicle tires—in the area of the CHOP. pic.twitter.com/x4Des6hPGq
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
Mayor Durkan issued an executive order on Wednesday to clear out the autonomous zone, citing “several gun violence incidents — two of which resulted in the loss of life — hostile crowds, the inability of emergency personnel to move quickly and efficiently in the area due to the barriers, narcotics use and violent crime — including rape, robbery, and assault — increased gang activity, business harassment, noise disturbances, property damage, open fires, and ongoing violations of the Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Code of Conduct,” as Breitbart News detailed:
Due to ongoing violence and public safety issues in the East Precinct/Cal Anderson Park area. Mayor Jenny Durkan has issued an executive order to vacate the area. Seattle police will be in the area this morning enforcing the Mayor’s order. https://t.co/SpVRYIB8eg pic.twitter.com/JAt2AvUTCr
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said in a Wednesday statement that police “will be in the area this morning enforcing the Mayor’s order.”
SPD has provided updates on social media throughout the morning’s recovery process.
“Officers enforcing today’s order are wearing a higher-level of protective gear,” the department noted. “Police are utilizing this equipment because individuals associated w/the CHOP are known to be armed and dangerous/may be associated with shootings, homicides, robberies, assaults &other violent crimes”:
Officers enforcing today’s order are wearing a higher-level of protective gear. Police are utilizing this equipment because individuals associated w/the CHOP are known to be armed and dangerous/may be associated with shootings, homicides, robberies, assaults &other violent crimes
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 1, 2020
Officers, according to SPD, are also investigating “several vehicles circling the area of today’s operation.”
“Police have observed individuals in the vehicles with firearms/armor,” SPD said. “The vehicles also appear to be operating without visible license plates.”
Several pictures and videos across social media show police continuing in their efforts to clear out the area:
More video of @SeattlePD moving people out of the #CHOP this morning. #Seattle pic.twitter.com/nUWYXNhQUl
— Joseph Suttner (@josephsuttner) July 1, 2020
This is what’s left of the #CHOP as of 7:18 am… pic.twitter.com/pT3eGiAwLI
— Joseph Suttner (@josephsuttner) July 1, 2020
BREAKING: Seattle Police retake CHAZ pic.twitter.com/GOb9JKigIG
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) July 1, 2020
Police have cleared #CHOP to Pike @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/0GUSkZkFA0
— Michael Crowe (@MichaelReports) July 1, 2020
Back inside the #CHOP zone. 12th and Pine. Lots of debris left. Crews cleaning up. Just watched Chief Best enter East Precinct. @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/HNAb6TOiI2
— Michael Crowe (@MichaelReports) July 1, 2020
This was on the barricade facing out of #CHOP towards 12/Pike this morning before police moved through. @KING5Seattle pic.twitter.com/UAH0EOqJk7
— Michael Crowe (@MichaelReports) July 1, 2020
A look at the East Precinct of the Seattle Police Department. Police have taken control of this precinct again. A lot of cleanup will need to happen before police can move into the building once again. pic.twitter.com/pzMl7xJjW7
— Kierra Elfalan (@KierraElfalanTV) July 1, 2020
#CHOP seems quiet now. This mornings operation by #Seattle Police appears successful.
The East Precinct is reclaimed. pic.twitter.com/xkTixUHnf0— Jake Whittenberg 🎥 (@jwhittenbergK5) July 1, 2020
Here’s another update. Some cars are able to move through the “CHOP” now. #k5traffic pic.twitter.com/LADR6vM3VM
— Jordan Wilkerson (@JordanWtv) July 1, 2020
This story is developing.
