Everyone around the country who has read the news in the past few months knows the infamous CHOP. But how exactly was the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), started? And how did the twenty-four day long autonomous zone end?

Following the unlawful death of George Floyd, many Americans took to the streets to fight for social justice and the end of police brutality. Hundreds of thousands marched, sang, and screamed for justice. But with these countless and powerful protests, came riots and looting. Many cities, including our very own Seattle, were dramatically affected by BLM protests and riots.

On August 24th, multiple organized riots surrounded several Seattle police stations. In an interview with Komo News, Sergeant Huserik of the SPD confirmed reports of rioters using quick concrete to seal shut all exits of the East Precinct. Officers, however, were able to bust down the doors and leave before multiple incendiary devices were thrown inside by rioters. The SPD believes the organizers of the riot intended to seal police inside before lighting the building on fire. Several suspects were identified and federally charged with arson. Protesting crowds were met with many anti-riot precautionary measures from police, including rubber bullets, flashbangs, gas, and pepper spray. Police were also met with homemade grenades and attacked in retaliation.

After several more tremulous weeks of BLM protests near 11th and Pine, the SPD removed all valuable assets from the East Precinct to avoid protesters and looters from further escalating the already tense situation. Boards and barricades were put up along every entrance and exit. Former police chief Carmen Best was then ordered by Mayor Jenny Durkan to evacuate all SPD personnel from the station to avoid risking the safety of her staff as the protesters continued to clash with police, officially vacating the precinct on June 8th.

Hundreds of protesters then quickly took over an approximately six block region of Capitol Hill, including the East Precinct, setting up barricades and armed guards to protect the new autonomous zone. CHOP was created in an attempt to make a capitalist, police, and discrimination-free utopia, filled with peace and a democratic government that spotlighted the African-American community and their long fight for equality.

Almost as soon as CHOP was established, a long list of the protesters' demands was made in a public document on "FreeCapitolHill." A few of the many demands included "the general abolition of imprisonment, abolition of the Seattle Police Department, reversal of gentrification," and "free college for the people of the state of Washington." While Mayor Durkan and other Seattle officials quickly shut down many demands, specifically the abolition of police, Mayor Durkan made a promise to cut the SPD's budget and to fund local Black communities.

The East Police Precinct was dubbed the "East People's Precinct" and intended to become a community center dedicated to the education of racial justice. Graffiti and colorful murals could be seen everywhere, from the sides of buildings to cars and sidewalks. To provide members with supplies, a "No Cop CO-OP" was created. All supplies were donated by members of the community and given for free to anyone who needed them. Open plots of land had dirt on top of cardboard to start gardens and celebration of Black and Black Indigenous-owned farm land. Medical tents were spread throughout the autonomous zone to provide healthcare for protesters. Over two hundred tents were scattered across the zone, most homes of protesters who continued to stay in the zone for multiple days or weeks. Cal Anderson Park held nightly events full of live music, speeches, documentaries, rallies, clinics and other unique events centralized around BLM. A large spotlight from the media was specifically given to one of the many leaders of CHOP: Raz Simone, a Seattle-born songwriter, recording artist, and political activist. Citizens and reporters were able to move freely in and out of borders and attend many educational events led by CHOP's various leaders.

Kamiak's very own Dr. Kuzmany has been a resident of Capitol Hill for over five years. In an interview with myself, she described Capitol Hill as a relatively young neighborhood filled with a diverse demographic with a significant LGBTQ+ community. "It's always been a center of activism," stated Kuzmany. When CHOP first began, her neighbors "didn't know whether to laugh or applaud. There was a feeling of almost elation." However, residents also felt more concerned as CHOP progressed. Businesses, in fear of being looted by rioters, hired armed security.

Unfortunately, the supposedly peaceful and loving reputation of CHOP did not last long. Armed guards could be seen around the perimeter, including armed vehicles patrolling the autonomous zone. On June 18th, one of the first of many violent crimes was reported. A deaf woman told SPD through an ASL interpreter that a protester lured her into his tent with promises of food. When she was inside, the man then began to sexually assault her. The man attempted to escalate the situation further, but the victim's screams were thankfully heard by a CHOP medic that quickly intervened. The medic waited with the victim until SPD arrived and arrested the offender on sight.

This was just the beginning of the end for CHOP. In the early hours of June 20th, a fight broke out that resulted in 10 gunshots. 19-year-old Lorenzo Anderson and a 33-year-old man were shot half a block away from each other and immediately tended to by CHOP medics. 911 was called, however the SPD was late to retrieve victims who were already being driven to the hospital in private vehicles. Once the victims arrived at the hospital, Anderson was announced dead while the other man was taken to the emergency care unit. Not even 24 hours later, on June 21st, a 17-year-old boy was shot and injured who later declined talking to detectives after being treated at Harborview Hospital. Lack of evidence and cooperation lead the investigation to be inconclusive, according to the SPD.

As time and terror continued, the numbers of the once hundreds strong CHOP dwindled. On June 23rd, a man was taken to Harborview Medical Center at 5:00 a.m. after being shot near Cal Anderson Park. According to numerous reports, including the SPD, it is highly possible the third shooting was not related to the protest. Perhaps the most infamous shooting, the fourth one, occurred on June 29th. A white Jeep Cherokee was driven into a CHOP barrier. CHOP security then opened fire upon the vehicle where a 16-year-old was fatally wounded and died after arriving at Harborview Medical Center. The other victim, a 14-year-old, was severely injured and taken into Harborview's intensive care unit. A medical kit was found by the crime scene, so the SPD assumed that CHOP medics attempted to help the boys. SPD detectives’ investigation of the fourth and final shooting was inconclusive, as it was clear the vehicle had been stripped of evidence. Protesters were uncooperative in assisting police with their investigation, similar to the last three shootings. And, in a sick twist, all victims of gun-violence within CHOP were young African-American men.

When asked if Kuzmany felt that the violence that occurred in or around CHOP undermined the peaceful beliefs that it was built on, she responded, “Absolutely.”

After the last shooting, former Chief Best famously quoted, "Enough is enough."

Following nearly three weeks after the East Precinct had been abandoned, officers took a step inside the long-protected borders of CHOP, following the executive order issued by Mayor Durkin. SPD publicly announced on Twitter July 1st: "Anyone who remains in the area, or returns to the area, is subject to arrest.” Officers could be seen clearing residential designated zones of CHOP, from the hundreds of tents to fortified buildings. Over thirty people were arrested on July 1st, ranging from charges such as failure to disperse, property damage, and assault. SPD managed to quickly take back the former autonomous zone by establishing lines of officers with bikes, who continued to push outwards towards the remaining CHOP affiliates (who refused to disperse during the initial announcement). Several protesters armed with knives and other melee weapons were immediately taken into custody.

While CHOP has been abolished, the influence of the former autonomous zone can still be seen all over Capitol Hill. Although business closure and harm is also entangled with the pandemic, Dr. Kuzmany states that several local businesses were unable to bounce back from lack of business and vandalism. Trash and homeless camps litter the streets, even more so than before. “There is nothing being done, no increase of options for shelter or care. It’s really sad,” replied Kuzmany when questioned further about the current state of Capitol Hill.

It remains to be seen what future steps will be taken by the city to find common ground with the demands of protesters, rioters, and police.