CHOP / Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone

The Setup (June 8, 2020)George Floyd Protests: Demonstrations against police brutality intensified in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.Police Retreat: Following days of violent clashes, the Seattle Police Department vacated its East Precinct building.Occupation Began: Protesters immediately moved in, set up barricades, and declared a self-governing six-block zone.The Names: Initially called the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), it was later renamed the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP). Life Inside the ZoneCommunity Initiatives: Occupiers established a free food cooperative, a community garden, and a medical tent.No Police Presence: Internal volunteers and armed groups handled their own security and dispute resolution.Peaceful Gatherings: The area hosted daily teach-ins, open-mic discussions, and movie screenings. The Collapse (Late June 2020)Rising Violence: Without law enforcement, the area saw a rapid spike in crime, including several shootings.Tragic Casualties: Two teenage boys were shot and killed in separate incidents inside the zone.Emergency Delays: First responders could not safely enter the perimeter to treat victims without police escorts.Business Backlash: Local business owners and residents sued the city over property damage and lost access. The Clearout (July 1, 2020)Executive Order: Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.Police Return: Police officers in riot gear swept through the area early in the morning.Peaceful Ending: The zone was dismantled, the precinct was reclaimed, and dozens of people were arrested without major injuries.