The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) (also referred to as Free Capitol Hill, the Capitol Hill Free Zone (CHFZ), or the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP)) was a self-declared autonomous region that emerged in Seattle, Washington, in June 2020. It was established by protesters in response to the killing of George Floyd and aimed to challenge traditional power structures within the city and promote a peaceful approach to social justice, adopting the slogan "Free Capitol Hill". During its existence, CHAZ encompassed six city blocks within Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, including the area surrounding the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct, which was abandoned on June 8, 2020 when all the police left the area.
Within the zone, protesters set up tents, community gardens, and established various forms of self-governance. The area functioned as a space for demonstrations and artistic expressions. The existence of CHAZ was relatively short-lived, as the Seattle Police Department eventually reclaimed the precinct and dismantled the zone in early July 2020.
Background
The Capitol Hill District had been the site of various protests in previous years, some of which involved violence between protestors and police.
On May 29, 2020, many people gathered at the District's police precinct to protest the killing of George Floyd. Fighting ensued between protestors and police. After defensive measures including tear gas, OC grenades, and blast balls failed to disperse the protest, police evacuated the area. Following this, protestors claimed the area surrounding the precinct as an area independent from the city government.
Geography
Map of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
There are homes in the area along with restaurants and other small businesses. The police precinct which was abandoned during the zone's existence was located near it's south eastern corner along E. Pine Street.
Barricades were constructed at the zone's street entrances, using materials such cement blocks, plywood, and even vehicles.
Government
There were no paid police officers in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. There is debate surrounding leadership within CHAZ. Some people think their leader was a singer named Raz Simone. Others think their leader was Nikkita Oliver. Nikkita Oliver later ran to be the mayor of Seattle, but lost the election.
Services
Many businesses continued to operate within CHAZ. One local coffee shop employee noted that her business has been supporting the anti-racist movement. Many people stayed in CHAZ during the occupation in tents. Water, food, and soap was given to people for free. In Cal Anderson Park, a large community garden was created with a goal of eventually feeding "anyone who needs food." The Seattle Fire Department had staff stationed near the area to address fires or medical emergencies. Various city departments assisted with trash removal.
Problems
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone did not allow police officers from Seattle to come into the zone. The City of Seattle directed the police to abandon the East Precinct located within CHAZ on June 8th. Police Chief Carmen Best noted in an address to officers that "leaving the precinct was not my decision."
Shootings
On June 7, 2020, a man drove his car into the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. Some people say he tried to run into people with harmful intent. A person that the man did not know had attempted to get inside the car, and the driver shot the man. The man who was shot survived.
On June 15, 2020, two teens were shot within the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, known at that time as CHOP. A 14-year-old boy was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Antonio Mays Jr., a 16-year-old, did not survive. A jury later awarded his family $30 million dollars citing to the Mays family police negligence.
On June 20, 2020, two men were shot. One of them, 19 year old Horace Anderson, had died as a result. The other man, 33 year old DeJuan Young, survived being shot. Dejuan Young says that he was shot because he was black. When police heard gunshots, attempted to enter the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, but protesters did not allow them entry. The people in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone pushed police outside.
On June 21, 2020, a 17 year old man was shot in the arm. Police tried to ask him why he was shot, but the man did not want to talk to them.
On June 23, 2020 at approximately 5:00am, a man who was about 30 years old was shot, and he survived the shooting.[source?]
Reporters
Reporters were treated in various ways within CHAZ. Many news organizations were able to conduct interviews with protestors and organizers without issue. As one protestor summarized to KOMO News, a local ABC affiliate, "“It’s nothing aggressive or violent or nothing like that... [we] didn’t come out here for any of that. All we wanted was what is equal and what is right." Other news organizations that successfully operated within or around CHAZ included PBS, KING5, a local NBC affiliate, and The Seattle Times. Andy Ngo, a reporter from the New York Post, spent 5 days undercover within CHAZ. He disguised his identity out of concern surrounding being "barred or expelled." Fox News ran digitally altered and misleading photos in various stories regarding the protest. One reporter from a Fox News affiliate was reportedly chased out of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.
Reactions
The creation of CHAZ sparked significant debates and received mixed reactions from the public, as supporters praised it as an experiment in direct democracy and grassroots organizing, highlighting its focus on community engagement and police reform. However, critics, including President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, noted the potential safety issues, loss of public services, and the lack of legitimacy in establishing an autonomous zone within the city. The Mayor of Seattle, Jenny Durkan considered it to be a party rather than an attempt at a real country. Many residents of Seattle sued the city in an attempt to move people out of the zone.
References
12Burns, Chase; Smith, Rich; Jun 9, Jasmyne Keimig •; Am, 2020 at 12:41 (9 June 2020). "The Dawn of "Free Capitol Hill"". The Stranger. Retrieved 2020-06-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
