SEATTLE, WA – After the abandonment of Seattle’s East Precinct due to threats of arson, the police department announced on Wednesday that they would like to get officers back to work inside of the boarded up building.
However, protesters have appeared to set up tents, blocking streets all around Capitol Hill, from 13th Avenue past 11th Avenue, near Cal Anderson Park, and it runs from East Olive Street to East Pike Street. This area has been labeled the “Autonomous Zone.”
Hello, @seattleblmanon3, @irie_kenya and @AustinCHowe!
Looking for your help to connect me with someone who can speak on the record in an interview this morning about the specifics laid out here >> https://t.co/q8zu4LA1OS#FreeCapitolHill
— Steve Kiggins (@Q13FOXKiggins) June 10, 2020
The “Zone” was said to be set up and taken over by Antifa.
In perhaps a grand example of why we don’t negotiate with terrorists, Assistant Chief Dianna Nollette told reporters Wednesday that there is a criminal element “exacting extortion on businesses and neighbors” inside the zone, charging fees to come and go into parts of the neighborhood.
Antifa created their “autonomous city” by seizing 6 blocks in Seattle just yesterday and they’ve already run out of food and are starving 😆🤣https://t.co/DeRI0uGoUd
— ✭ Wayne Dupree ✭ (@WayneDupreeShow) June 11, 2020
There were also reports of “identification checks” at blockades, which were sometimes manned by people with guns.
Authorities would not elaborate on this information.
They’ve created their own official looking sign for the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.” #antifa pic.twitter.com/hMpjUdELdw
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) June 10, 2020
Despite the leadership of SPD telling the officers they were abandoning the building for the arson threats, they also said they left to “calm tension and give protesters room to march.”
Apparently, Nollette and the SPD brass are going to be “working to identify and engage with protester leadership to move towards resuming operations at the facility.”
ANTIFA has taken over Seattle
They’re occupying City Hall
They created an “autonomous zone”
They drove out the police
They’re extorting local businesses
And not a SINGLE Democrat has condemned this behavior.
This is America’s future if Donald Trump doesn’t win in November.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 11, 2020
Q13 Fox reported:
“Nollette says she wants to come to an agreement with protesters so officers can return to the precinct because service has cut back.
“’Right now, we are on priority calls only which means people citywide who need a police response are not receiving it,’” she said. “’That to us is just not acceptable.’”
Nollette also said of reports of people using firearms in an intimidating fashion:
“While they have a constitutionally protected right to bear arms, and while Washington is an open-carry state, there is no legal right for those arms to be used to intimidate community members.”
Seattle Autonomous Zone update: pic.twitter.com/xX0LINKMao
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 10, 2020
Shockingly, Q13 also reported:
“Efforts to interview protester leadership for comment were unsuccessful.”
Meanwhile, some “protesters” have indicated that they don’t plan on moving from Capitol Hill.
King5 spoke to a man who identified himself as “Rooks,” who said:
“If you want to call it anything, it is the people’s community. It is not nothing aggressive or violent. We didn’t come out here for any of that.
“That’s what those faces on the wall. Black lives killed by police. We want people to see that those lives matter.”
“Rooks” wouldn’t answer when they plan on getting out of the streets, saying only:
“We’re hoping to see a better, if not system, society altogether.”
Calls for Security and Guns within thr Antifa-held Seattle Autonomous Zone pic.twitter.com/dNttPwfjN1
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 11, 2020
He also said there isn’t a “leader” in the “zone,” but a “unified message.”
In the “Autonomous Zone,” vandals have defaced a Seattle Police Department sign and changed it to “Seattle People Department.”
Armed Protesters have taken over 6 blocks in Seattle and are calling it the ‘Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone’.
Where are the leaders in Seattle? pic.twitter.com/jnKCB39Ure
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) June 11, 2020
Fire Chief Harold Scoggins has stated that the blocked off area is a problem for his trucks. He said if there’s a medical call for a person in the area it will be nearly impossible to get to them.
City Councilman Andrew Lewis is also not happy with the barricaded area. He said:
“I oversee the mayor and the police department, I’m certainly going to be having conversations with them as this process unfolds.”
When asked of the “Autonomous Zone,” Governor Jay Inslee replied simply:
“That’s news to me.”
Leadership at its finest.
President Donald Trump has called out Inslee and Durkan on Twitter, saying:
“Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!”
Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020
Durkan spat back:
“Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker. #BlackLivesMatter.”
While @MayorJenny hides in her home, she’s given this city away to domestic terrorists. But yeah, she’s just so damn tough when it comes to tweeting to @realDonaldTrump. So completely pathetic. https://t.co/JNvXWIkRvg
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) June 11, 2020
The mayor has taken hits on social media for her comments as well as her caving to the terrorists taking over the city.
You have let children take over – how embarrassing! pic.twitter.com/HPFAR9VuLZ
— Karli Q ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@KarluskaP) June 11, 2020
Maybe get out of yours and do something about the city…
— iyaunna j 🦋 (@iyaunnajax) June 11, 2020
You are the epitome of a failure! Zero leadership, and you have allowed an insurrection in you own city!! It’s time to step up and if you are unwilling or incapable then I’m sure Trump will show you how!
— FeralPatriot (@KHerdeck) June 11, 2020
You foolish woman. You’ve allowed this to happen. You have encouraged this to occur. And frankly, if one drop of blood is shed, it is 100% on you and @JayInslee
— #SayIt EllieB 💃 (@SayItEllieB) June 11, 2020
Former president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild and retired Sergeant Ron Smith went on the Jason Rantz show as posted on MyNorthwest.com.
In part, Smith said:
“My take is that it’s unconscionable that they would give it up, and let it burn to the ground like what happened in Minneapolis … so I don’t know what to think.
“It is beyond me that you could let a taxpayer funded building go by the wayside.
“The preservation of life comes first, and then property is second or third down the list, but you’re talking about a police building with critical things inside of it. I cannot imagine if people started taking crowbars trying to pry off the plywood, or started trying to light it on fire that there would not be orders to engage that conduct.
“This has been something that’s been going on for at least four, five, six years where somehow there’s a movement afoot to get rid of law enforcement and somehow come up with a community-based solution to deal with crime that goes on. That’s just not palatable. That’s just not reality.”
Here’s Law Enforcement Today’s previous report on the situation in Seattle.
Seattle protesters set up a “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” Tuesday, following police essentially abandoning the East Precinct.
One speaker, identified as Magik, called out on a megaphone:
“I guess whatever the fuck we’re doing is effective. They are going to move up. They are going to get everybody out of here and we are free to move through these streets and protest and march.”
Monday afternoon, Seattle police and National Guard units pulled back from the precinct after having spent the day filling moving trucks with equipment from the building. A mobile shredding unit was also seen near the department.
There have now been multiple pickups full of police equipment LEAVING the east precinct. Yesterday framed items and boxes were seen leaving. A mobile shredding truck also arrived earlier. #seattleprotest #seattleprotestcomms pic.twitter.com/Y5ALUWDXLo
— matt (@mmitgang) June 8, 2020
Originally the department had set up barriers to protect the precinct and keep rioters from passing the building.
A letter sent to officers from Assistant Chief Tom Mahaffey said:
“The decision has been made to allow demonstrators to march past the East Precinct later today. Your safety and the security of our facilities are my highest priorities. Additional measures are currently underway to enhance our ongoing efforts to insure the security of our East Precinct and provide for the safety of all our officers.
“We will have personnel in place should the need arise to swiftly address acts of violence and/or property destruction.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation and admiration for your continued efforts to protect this City and one another during this extremely challenging time.”
Can confirm visually that SPD has started the process. First time a rented moving truck has been within the secured space. Will monitor items being brought out. #seattleprotest pic.twitter.com/BhMIKIMky5
— Dustin Akers (@DustinAkers) June 8, 2020
It was reported that the precinct would remain staffed.
Mayor Jenny Durkan had said over the weekend that she had received “specific information from the FBI” regarding threats of arson to the East Precinct.
Capitol Hill Seattle reported:
A key policing facility in the central city now stands on even more uncertain ground and a neighborhood locked down for more than a week will no longer have to pass through police checkpoints to access homes and work.
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