The mayor of Seattle believes her city can survive the establishment of the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” or CHAZ, comparing it to the Occupy Wall Street movement.
During an interview with CNN host Chris Cuomo, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan dismissed the severity of the CHAZ, an area claimed by activists this week, noting that New York City “survived” the Occupy Wall Street movement, an effort in 2011 to protest income inequality.
“Place-based protests are nothing new in Seattle or across America. I mean, you saw Occupy take part of Wall Street for almost eight months in New York, and the city managed to survive,” Durkan said.
“I think what we really have to do is, you know, it’s the old saying we’re given one mouth but two ears. It’s time to listen. What’s happening in America right now is so significant, and we as leaders, have to listen and determine what changes can we bring to bring us to a better country and better cities,” the mayor added.
Durkan earlier rejected sentiments from President Trump, who said that the federal government will disperse protesters holding the area hostage if the city or state fails to do so. “We will be fine in Seattle, and we don’t need the president’s help,” said Durkan, claiming she spent time in the area to listen to their concerns.
During an interview with Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, Trump insisted he won’t let the city be occupied by “anarchists.”
“If they don’t straighten that situation out, we’re going to straighten it out,” Trump said, floating the possibility of using the National Guard.
Occupants of the area have established clearly defined borders, marking one end with a sign that reads: “You are now leaving the USA.” The protesters published an article with 30 demands to Seattle’s government before promising to depart the area, which includes the dismantlement of the police department, the abolition of imprisonment, free public housing, and socialized healthcare.
On Thursday, Durkan said she has no idea when the protesters will disperse while being interviewed by Cuomo. “How long do you think Seattle and those few blocks looks like this?” Cuomo asked. “I don’t know. We could have a summer of love!” Durkan responded, alluding to a mass gathering of peace activists in 1967 in San Francisco.
