Protesters in Washington, D.C., began setting up what they called the “Black House Autonomous Zone” or “BHAZ” near the White House.
Using fences and barricades, demonstrators attempted to create a perimeter in the area on Monday. It was unclear how large of an area they blocked off. St. John’s Episcopal Church near Lafayette Park was tagged with spray paint spelling out the acronym.
St. John’s Church has been vandalized with spray paint reading BHAZ (Black House Autonomous Zone) pic.twitter.com/8D7UITVTK0
— Richie?McG? (@RichieMcGinniss) June 23, 2020
Looks like another autonomous zone is springing up — this one outside the White House. Protesters are fortifying barricades in what they’re calling “BHAZ” – Black House Autonomous Zone. Wonder how long President Trump will allow this to last on his doorstep. pic.twitter.com/60jK7Qj3iM
— Ebony Bowden (@ebonybowden) June 22, 2020
“Welcome to BHAZ” pic.twitter.com/7D1rpMbx5P
— Ebony Bowden (@ebonybowden) June 22, 2020
Police were later able to establish a security perimeter in front of the church.
Police establishing a perimeter in front of St. John’s Church pic.twitter.com/9rinlhH6gS
— Richie?McG? (@RichieMcGinniss) June 23, 2020
The effort from demonstrators echoed similar moves by protesters in Seattle, who set up what they call the “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest” zone or “CHOP” earlier this month. The occupation was initiated after the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis police custody late last month.
While the “CHOP” has been allowed to continue for some time, Mayor Jenny Durkan has announced that the city will begin to take back the zone “peacefully and in the near future” after two shootings took place in the area, with first responders unable to attend to the victims properly.
President Trump slammed the city’s handling of the situation, tweeting last week, “Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!”
The Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
