From CHAZ to CHOP, A Look Back at the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest
The Beginnings of CHAZ
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), or Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), was a short-lived occupied zone in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. It began on June 10, 2020, when police abandoned the East Precinct police station in response to protests against police brutality and racial injustice. The area was quickly occupied by protesters, who established a self-governing community.
A Brief History of CHAZ
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone was a fluid entity, with its borders and governance changing over time. At its peak, CHAZ encompassed six city blocks and included a community garden, a medical tent, a food distribution center, and a variety of other services. The zone was governed by a council of protesters, who made decisions through a consensus-based process. CHAZ was a popular destination for protesters and tourists, and it received a great deal of media attention. However, the zone was also criticized by some for its lack of security and its perceived tolerance of crime.
The End of CHAZ
On July 1, 2020, the Seattle Police Department cleared out the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone. The operation involved hundreds of officers and resulted in the arrest of 34 people. The police said that they cleared the zone because it had become a magnet for crime and violence. The end of CHAZ was a disappointment to many protesters, but it also marked a turning point in the Black Lives Matter protests in Seattle. The protests continued, but they were no longer centered on the occupied zone.
The Legacy of CHAZ
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone was a unique experiment in self-governance. It showed that it is possible to create a functioning community without the involvement of the police. However, CHAZ also showed that such communities are fragile and can easily be dismantled by force. The legacy of CHAZ is still being debated. Some people see it as a symbol of hope and possibility, while others see it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of anarchy. Regardless of one's perspective, CHAZ is a reminder that the struggle for racial justice is far from over.
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