Seattle’s Hottest New Neighborhood Is The Capitol Hill Organized Protest
Inside an experiment in self-government.

People paint an acronym for "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" near the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct in Seattle, June 10.
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, protesters reversed the barricades, spray-painted “People” over “Police” on the precinct’s sign, and created Seattle’s hottest new neighborhood: the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (or CHAZ) — now CHOP, the acronym for Capitol Hill Organized Protest, which participants believe more accurately describes their movement.
While largely leaderless, and lacking a clear idea for its future, the CHOP 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; and there are daily speeches and poetry recitals amid demands to abolish the police department, to drop charges against protesters, and for police brutality within the Seattle Police Department be investigated by the federal government.

The peacefulness of the protests and sense of calm throughout the six-block area hasn’t insulated it from criticism, as President Donald Trump called for Washington Gov. 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 had included heavily modified images of the neighborhood in a recent article that attempted to portray the area as far more dangerous and crime-ridden than reports on the ground suggest (Fox News has since apologized and added a disclaimer to the articles).
While Seattle police have 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 the #CHOP:

People hang out in the Conversation Café.

A shrine to George Floyd and others.

Protester Andrew Tomes adjusts umbrellas being used after a tarp was forgotten at a site supplying food and other essentials to demonstrators.

People photograph an image of activist Angela Davis displayed above the entrance to the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct, vacated June 8.

Signs hang on the exterior of the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct, June 9.

A protester uses a scope on top of a barricade to look for police approaching.

Seattle Police Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette and Assistant Chief Adrian Diaz are blocked by protesters from entering the Capitol Hill Organized Protest.

Barriers are seen on a street leading to the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct.

Police officers watch from a distance.

People watch a screening of 13th, a documentary film by director Ava DuVernay, in an intersection outside of the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct, June 9.

A mural of George Floyd

Mark Henry Jr. of Black Lives Matter addresses a crowd.

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 Organized Protest.

People register people to vote, June 12.

Artist Brian Culpepper sells his paintings.

A painted mural on Pine Street reading "Black Lives Matter" extends several blocks, June 12.
Update, June 15: Fox News has since apologized and added a correction to its articles.
Update, June 16: After the publication of this article, organizers changed the name to Capitol Hill Organized Protest, which participants believe more accurately describes their movement.
-
Ben King is the Art Director for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
Contact Ben King at ben.king@buzzfeed.com.
Got a confidential tip? Submit it here.