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As protests and unrest continue to spread in response to George Floyd's death, various regions across the country are becoming pivotal locations for the movement, yet none have taken shape quite like The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ).
CHAZ is a recently established area in downtown Seattle, formed after the police precinct abandoned the space, leaving a void.
Some have labeled it anarchistic, others see it as a block party, but what is it truly? Here are ten essential facts about CHAZ that may shed some light on its nature.
10. Where Is CHAZ Located Exactly?
Capitol Hill, located in the heart of downtown Seattle, has long been a hub for the city's gay and counterculture communities. In the past, this neighborhood was home to the 1999 Seattle WTO protests and later played a significant role in the 2011 Occupy Seattle movement, where protestors clashed with police. With a population of around 32,000 residents, Capitol Hill remains a focal point for Seattle’s counterculture. The area's connection to the gay community dates back to the 1960s, which led to Capitol Hill being recognized as Seattle’s main “gayborhood.”
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) was formed after the Seattle Police Department abandoned the East Precinct building. Once the police vacated, residents took control of the building, setting up barricades and proclaiming the area 'Free Capitol Hill.' The East Precinct building became the heart of the Zone, which spans about six city blocks. The entrance to CHAZ was marked with the phrase, 'You Are Entering Free Capitol Hill,' while another sign read, 'You Are Now Leaving the USA.'
9. What led to the SPD’s abandonment of the East Precinct?
On May 29th, protests erupted across Seattle, leading to nine days of violent confrontations between protestors and police. During these clashes, the Seattle Police Department deployed various tactics, such as flashbangs, blast balls, and pepper spray. Much of the unrest was concentrated around the East Precinct building, making it a central location for the protests.
On June 5th, the Mayor and Chief of Police announced a 30-day ban on tear gas, promising to deescalate the situation. However, this did little to calm the protesters. By June 7th, the SPD had placed metal fences and cement blocks around the building, escalating tensions. On the same day, a car drove into a group of protesters, and the driver shot a man who attempted to intervene. This incident led to the precinct being surrounded by demonstrators.
The situation escalated as protesters began launching bottles, rocks, and fireworks at the building, prompting the police to deploy tear gas again after midnight. By the next morning, the police withdrew from the precinct.
8. Is It Truly Anarchy?
Whether it's truly anarchy is subjective, depending on who you ask. President Trump has branded the inhabitants of the Zone as 'ugly Anarchists,' whereas Seattle’s Mayor Jenny Durkan took a different stance, calling it 'just four blocks of a block party atmosphere.' She dismissed the notion of an armed takeover or military rule, stating, 'We’ll restore order, but this is just a part of Seattle where block parties happen all the time... there’s no immediate threat to the public.'
After the police left, a boundary was set up around the area. However, this didn’t mean that the CHAZ had transformed into a chaotic, lawless zone like Thunderdome. Instead, it is meant to be a neighborhood that can function without law enforcement, though social services still exist within it. People have set up tents in the park, which spans around three blocks of CHAZ. Furthermore, residents are exercising their constitutional right to openly carry firearms.
In terms of leadership, the residents of the Zone embrace a consensus-driven democracy, with no central authority. Anyone could be removed, either imprisoned or killed, under this system.
7. What Are The Occupants Seeking?
While some view the occupation as an act of terrorism, others see it as a nonviolent effort for self-rule. The residents do have a list of demands. On June 9th, a blog post appeared on Medium outlining the perspectives 'widely shared by those on the ground and familiar with the reality in the CHAZ.' The post, titled 'THE DEMANDS OF THE COLLECTIVE BLACK VOICES AT FREE CAPITOL HILL TO THE GOVERNMENT OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON,' presented 30 demands along with an explanation of the movement.
The list of 30 demands included measures to reverse gentrification in Seattle through rent control, an investigation by federal authorities into over 12,000 allegations of police brutality, and the dissolution of the SPD and the courts, among others. Many of the demands are far-reaching, addressing issues like reparations for victims of police violence, retrials for Black individuals convicted of violent crimes, and broad economic requests related to education, health care, and more.
6. If There Are No Leaders, Who is This 'Warlord' Figure?
Though the majority of CHAZ residents aim to demonstrate that a leaderless society without police can work, it doesn’t mean the zone lacks individuals taking on leadership roles. One such person is Solomon 'Raz' Simone, a hip-hop artist who helped storm the East Precinct and has since become a local figure of influence, often referred to as a warlord or celebrity. However, the term 'warlord' doesn't perfectly match global warlord definitions, although President Trump seems to view it that way. After some of Trump’s Tweets, Simone responded, claiming the President 'really put a hit on my head.'
Solomon has been spotted walking through the streets of CHAZ with an AK-47, seemingly on patrol. The title of 'warlord' has been given to him online, but he has addressed this label. He wrote, 'I’m not a Terrorist Warlord. Quit spreading that false narrative. The world has NEVER Been ready for a strong black man. We have been peaceful and nothing else. If I die, don’t let it be in vain.' While he plays a central role in CHAZ, Simone isn’t leading in the traditional sense, though his presence has made him a divisive figure.
5. What Is Daily Life Like in CHAZ?
When people talk about CHAZ, some view it as an experiment in anarchy, while others see it as an extension of the protest movement. However, people imagine life there in different ways. With no police presence, people are free to roam the streets doing whatever they choose, but they aren’t engaging in criminal activities like pillaging. Instead, they are mainly doing what Seattle residents do: planting a community garden in the park, setting up tents for sleeping, and covering the streets with messages of peace that are visible for all to see.
Messages like 'Black Lives Matter' are visible everywhere, and residents often spend their days singing, dancing, and playing music. It’s a community where businesses continue to operate, and many restaurants have reported a surge in walk-up customers. Occupants frequently gather to hold community meetings to discuss maintaining peace, ensuring free movement, and deciding what actions to take next. Despite being outside of the city’s direct control, essential services like electricity, water, sewage, trash removal, fire rescue, and police responses to 9-1-1 calls continue (ironically).
The area also has its share of amusing moments. After a group of homeless individuals was invited into CHAZ and took all the food, the 'leaders' of the community publicly called for donations of vegan food so that the residents could eat during their occupation.
4. How Do People in CHAZ Provide for Themselves?
While it may seem that the CHAZ is a completely isolated zone where people are trapped inside, that’s not the case. People are free to come and go as they please — as long as they aren’t police officers — and for the most part, food isn’t a major issue. Cal Anderson Park, which occupies a significant portion of the CHAZ, has a community garden, not necessarily out of necessity, but as a meaningful project. This garden was started by Marcus Henderson, a movement member with a Master's Degree in Sustainability in the Urban Environment.
Henderson led volunteers in preparing the soil and planting sustainable crops in the park. The garden was established soon after CHAZ was formed, and it grows a variety of food from donated seeds. However, since the plants take time to mature, the garden isn’t the primary food source for the community. People bring in food, or leave to eat, with no issues. Food is distributed freely to anyone who asks within the CHAZ.
3. How Will This End?
CHAZ will eventually come to an end, and everyone involved — including the Mayor, Chief of Police, and Governor — understands this. Like any protest, it could conclude in a variety of ways. Ideally, it will end without force or violence, and with luck, the entire situation will resolve peacefully. On June 13th, negotiations began with the goal of convincing the occupiers and Black Lives Matter protesters to leave CHAZ and return the area to the city of Seattle. The talks were led by members of CHAZ and Seattle Police representatives, aiming for a peaceful resolution.
While the demands posted on Medium won’t be fully addressed, the Mayor’s office has shown some responsiveness to the occupation and the ongoing protests in the city. Mayor Durkan has agreed to allocate at least $100 million toward creating a community-driven Black Commission and improving conditions in Seattle’s minority communities. Some officers have already returned to the East Precinct and have resumed responding to calls. Although CHAZ remains in place as its first week concludes, it seems likely the situation will end without a major escalation of force.
2. What’s the Situation with the Precinct?
The SPD did vacate the East Precinct, but this decision was more about maintaining peace than actually handing the building over to the protesters. The SPD fully intends to return once things have settled down, and if the occupants get their way, the Precinct will remain untouched until then. One major concern voiced by CHAZ residents from the start was that any destruction of the Precinct would be seen as an act of aggression, which would provoke a response — something no one wants. With riot gear and tear gas, escalating the conflict could make everything worse.
One protester stated, 'They gave us this precinct, and we’re not going to destroy this motherf——ker!' Since CHAZ’s inception, protesters have blocked access to the Precinct and are committed to ensuring it remains intact throughout the occupation.
1. Are CHAZ & ANTIFA Connected?
The answer to this question may vary depending on who you ask. Left-wing media generally deny any ANTIFA involvement, while conservative outlets claim that ANTIFA members are present, armed, and were responsible for setting up the border defenses when CHAZ was established. It’s true that some individuals in the area are carrying weapons, but they are doing so in accordance with the same laws that allow weapon carrying in other U.S. cities. Whether those individuals are linked to ANTIFA remains uncertain, as ANTIFA members are known to conceal their identities with masks. However, there have been violent incidents in the area involving masked individuals, and such actions resemble the behavior typically associated with ANTIFA groups.
President Trump has referred to the situation as 'Domestic terrorists' taking over Seattle and has warned that the federal government may step in to reclaim the area if the local government fails to act. However, there is no confirmed evidence linking the CHAZ occupiers to ANTIFA, and many of those involved were prominent voices in the Black Lives Matter movement. While there is no official connection between ANTIFA and CHAZ, the zone’s border defenses are minimal, accessible to everyone (except police unless called for emergencies), and loosely guarded.
