Inside an experiment in self-government.
Ben King BuzzFeed News Art Director
Posted on June 14, 2020
David Ryder / Getty Images
People paint an acronym for "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" near the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct on June 10, 2020 in Seattle, Washington.
After more than a week of protests, which often escalated into violence by the police as they deployed tear gas and rubber bullets, the Seattle police department chose to abandon their East Precinct in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. On Tuesday, the department boarded up the building and left the neighborhood without a dedicated police presence. In response, protestors reversed the barricades, spray painted “People” over “Police” on the precinct’s sign, and created Seattle’s hottest new neighborhood: Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (or CHAZ).
While largely leaderless, and lacking a clear idea for its future, CHAZ has been characterized by a somewhat utopian response to autonomy: free snacks are distributed throughout the neighborhood, there was a screening of “13th,” a film by Ava DuVernay about the impact of the criminal justice system on Black people, there are daily speeches and poetry recitals amid demands to abolish the police department, drop charges against protesters, and police brutality within the Seattle Police Department be investigated by the federal government.
Posted on June 14, 2020
David Ryder / Getty Images
People paint an acronym for "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" near the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct on June 10, 2020 in Seattle, Washington.
After more than a week of protests, which often escalated into violence by the police as they deployed tear gas and rubber bullets, the Seattle police department chose to abandon their East Precinct in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. On Tuesday, the department boarded up the building and left the neighborhood without a dedicated police presence. In response, protestors reversed the barricades, spray painted “People” over “Police” on the precinct’s sign, and created Seattle’s hottest new neighborhood: Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (or CHAZ).
While largely leaderless, and lacking a clear idea for its future, CHAZ has been characterized by a somewhat utopian response to autonomy: free snacks are distributed throughout the neighborhood, there was a screening of “13th,” a film by Ava DuVernay about the impact of the criminal justice system on Black people, there are daily speeches and poetry recitals amid demands to abolish the police department, drop charges against protesters, and police brutality within the Seattle Police Department be investigated by the federal government.
Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Broadway E. 13th Ave. E.
Cal Anderson Park
Muralists painted “Black Lives Matter” on the street here
E. Pine St.
E. Pike St.
Seattle Police Department
East Precinct
BuzzFeed News; Bing
The peacefulness of the protests, and sense of calm throughout the 6-block area hasn’t insulated it from criticism, as President Trump called for Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to “take back your city NOW,” and threatened to intervene if local governments didn’t act. On Friday, The Seattle Times reported that FOX News included heavily modified images of the neighborhood in a recent article which attempted to portray the area as far more dangerous and crime-ridden than reports on the ground suggest.
While Seattle Police has been responding to 911 calls within the autonomous zone, it’s unclear when—and how—they will attempt to return to the precinct. So far, three demands have been spray painted onto a wall by demonstrators, and 30 demands have been posted online.
Here’s a look at what life is like inside #CHAZ:
Karen Ducey / Getty Images
People hang out in the Conversation Cafe
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
A shrine to George Floyd and others
Elaine Thompson / A
Protester Andrew Tomes adjusts umbrellas being used after a tarp was forgotten at a site supplying food and other essentials to demonstrators.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
People photograph an image of activist Angela Davis displayed above the entrance to the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct, vacated June 8.
David Ryder / Getty Images
Signs hang on the exterior of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct on June 9.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
A protester uses a scope on top of a barricade to look for police approaching.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Seattle Police Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette and Assistant Chief Adrian Diaz are blocked by protesters from entering the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
David Ryder / Getty Images
Barriers are seen on a street leading to the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Police officers watch from a distance
David Ryder / Getty Images
People watch a screening of "13th," a documentary film by director Ava DuVernay, in an intersection outside of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct on June 9.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
A mural of George Floyd
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Mark Henry Jr. of Black Lives Matter addresses a crowd.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Rose H., who did not want to use her last name, says she came to "meet her neighbors and make sure their needs are met" in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
People register people to vote on June 12.
Karen Ducey / Getty Images
Artist Brian Culpepper sells his paintings.
Karen Ducey / Getty Images
A painted mural on Pine Street spelling BLACK LIVES MATTER extends several blocks on June 12.
MORE ON THIS
Trump Threatened To "Take Back" Seattle As Protesters Occupy A Six-Block Cop-Free Zone
Broadway E. 13th Ave. E.
Cal Anderson Park
Muralists painted “Black Lives Matter” on the street here
E. Pine St.
E. Pike St.
Seattle Police Department
East Precinct
BuzzFeed News; Bing
The peacefulness of the protests, and sense of calm throughout the 6-block area hasn’t insulated it from criticism, as President Trump called for Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan to “take back your city NOW,” and threatened to intervene if local governments didn’t act. On Friday, The Seattle Times reported that FOX News included heavily modified images of the neighborhood in a recent article which attempted to portray the area as far more dangerous and crime-ridden than reports on the ground suggest.
While Seattle Police has been responding to 911 calls within the autonomous zone, it’s unclear when—and how—they will attempt to return to the precinct. So far, three demands have been spray painted onto a wall by demonstrators, and 30 demands have been posted online.
Here’s a look at what life is like inside #CHAZ:
Karen Ducey / Getty Images
People hang out in the Conversation Cafe
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
A shrine to George Floyd and others
Elaine Thompson / A
Protester Andrew Tomes adjusts umbrellas being used after a tarp was forgotten at a site supplying food and other essentials to demonstrators.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
People photograph an image of activist Angela Davis displayed above the entrance to the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct, vacated June 8.
David Ryder / Getty Images
Signs hang on the exterior of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct on June 9.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
A protester uses a scope on top of a barricade to look for police approaching.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Seattle Police Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette and Assistant Chief Adrian Diaz are blocked by protesters from entering the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
David Ryder / Getty Images
Barriers are seen on a street leading to the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Police officers watch from a distance
David Ryder / Getty Images
People watch a screening of "13th," a documentary film by director Ava DuVernay, in an intersection outside of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct on June 9.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
A mural of George Floyd
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Mark Henry Jr. of Black Lives Matter addresses a crowd.
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
Rose H., who did not want to use her last name, says she came to "meet her neighbors and make sure their needs are met" in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone
Jason Redmond / Getty Images
People register people to vote on June 12.
Karen Ducey / Getty Images
Artist Brian Culpepper sells his paintings.
Karen Ducey / Getty Images
A painted mural on Pine Street spelling BLACK LIVES MATTER extends several blocks on June 12.
Trump Threatened To "Take Back" Seattle As Protesters Occupy A Six-Block Cop-Free Zone
Salvador Hernandez · June 11, 2020
Ben King is the Art Director for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
Ben King is the Art Director for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
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