Does Seattle have an autonomous zone?

Politics & Elections
1

So some news sites are reporting that protestors have taken over several blocks in Seattle and declared it its own country, and have issued a list of demands. And the police seem to have abandoned it. Searching the news on this, the links are all to sites I would expect people on this board to refuse to look at as being “right wing”. Is this real?

2

What news sites? Link?

3

For further information: Capitol Hill Occupied Protest - Wikipedia

This is, as far as I can tell, entirely supported by reports in fringe media and Fox. I expect the truth is that someone has declared the area an Autonomous zone, but that doesn’t mean it is one, and its going to take more than two days to judge if it’s even on the way.

4

I traveled through there yesterday, and I didn’t even have my passport.

5

Well, The Stranger is quite left-wing, but basically the answer to the OP is: no. The SPD did abandon the East Precinct since they seemed incapable of staying there and not escalating the situation. They set up shop a few blocks away, and seem to be ready to come back in if there’s any actual crime. Also, some protesters probably said some stupid things. An autonomous zone this is not.

6

I’m afraid this post does not come with source cites, it’s just my summary from living in Seattle and having friends living inside “The CHAZ”.

The Seattle PD had barricaded an area around their precinct building on Capitol Hill, which had provided a focal point for protests. When the police decided to move out and stop defending the area, the protestors moved in some wag spray painted “Capitol Hill Free Zone - Leaving the USA” on the cement barricades. It got a ton of pictures and basically took on a life of its own from there.

The protestors are still camped out inside the barricaded area, and without the police there to oppose them, the thing has sort of turned into a big block party. After a solid week of staying up late and night, facing constant danger in the form of tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper balls, flash bangs, sonic weapons and such, I imagine the protestors are having a sort of survivor’s high and it feels pretty good to just enjoy being in a public space without having to fight for it.