[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] - The clean up operation began at Seattle's Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone on Wednesday
- It came after officers in riot gear issued a dispersal order at 5am and used bicycles to herd the protesters
- Eyewitness Omari Salisbury said: 'The Seattle Police Department basically reclaimed the precinct in less than 30 minutes, five feet at a time with the bicycle officers out in front.'
- Pictures show trash and debris being collected by city workers with tents and protest signs taken down
- Mitch McConnell said the move to shut down the zone 'is several deaths too late' after two black men were shot dead
- Mayor Jenny Durkan said there has been a 525% spike in violent crimes, including rape and assault, in the area
- People had occupied several blocks around a park and the Seattle Police Department's East Precinct
- Police had abandoned the building June 8th, following clashes with those calling for an end to police brutality
- Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said: 'The CHOP has become lawless and brutal'
- Police found 'recovered improvised spike strips—designed to puncture vehicle tires—in the area of the CHOP'
- The 31 arrests were for failure to disperse, obstruction, assault, and unlawful weapon possession
Durkan orders CHOP/CHAZ/CHEAP/WHATEVER shut down
[TWITTER] |