Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued an executive order on Wednesday ordering demonstrators to clear the Capital Hill Occupied Protest Zone (CHOP), just two days after one person was killed and a 14-year-old boy was injured in a shooting.
Seattle police officers on bikes and on foot began dispersing the crowd at about 5 a.m. PT, per the mayor’s order.
“Anyone who remains in the area, or returns to the area, is subject to arrest,” the department said on Twitter.
By daylight, virtually the entire area was cleared.
“Officers continue to give dispersal orders and are checking Cal Anderson restrooms,” according to a police statement issued at 6:27 a.m. PT.
“Police will be clearing north end of the park soon. Thank you to the individuals affiliated with the CHOP who have assisted officers in encouraging people to safely leave the area.”
Mayor Durkan defined the area as Broadway on the west, 13th Avenue East on the on the east, East Denny Way on the north and East Pike Street on the south.
Durkan ordered the area to be clear for at least 48 hours.
CHOP was formed in early June by demonstrators protesting police brutality and the killing of George Floyd.
Protesters established the zone after the Seattle Police Department vacated the East Precinct. The site, which was also known as CHAZ, changed the boarded-up police building’s sign to read “Seattle People Department.”
Durkan said in her order that the decision is meant to “restore public safety” to the area, which she said has faced a large uptick in violence since the zone was established.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
David K. Li contributed.
