President Trump accused Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan of allowing “terrorists” to control her city over her refusal to intervene in the “autonomous zone” set up by protesters.
Trump urged Durkan and other officials to end the “takeover” of a six-block section of the city that has become known as the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” or CHAZ. He claimed Durkan, a Democrat, was allowing the city to be terrorized by brushing off the occupation as another “summer of love.”
“Seattle Mayor says, about the anarchists takeover of her city, ‘it is a Summer of Love’. These Liberal Dems don’t have a clue. The terrorists burn and pillage our cities, and they think it is just wonderful, even the death. Must end this Seattle takeover now!” Trump tweeted.
Seattle Mayor says, about the anarchists takeover of her city, “it is a Summer of Love”. These Liberal Dems don’t have a clue. The terrorists burn and pillage our cities, and they think it is just wonderful, even the death. Must end this Seattle takeover now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2020
Trump has blamed the left-wing antifa movement for violent demonstrations across the country in several cities, including looting, arson, and major clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The president recently said the United States would designate antifa a domestic terrorist organization.
Durkan said on Thursday that she was not sure when the occupation would conclude. The mayor did, however, say that she will not allow Trump to intervene in the occupation by sending the National Guard to regain control of the area.
“We do not need anyone, including the president, to try to sow further divide, further distrust and misinformation,” Durkan said in a press conference. “The threat to invade Seattle, to divide and incite violence in our city is not only unwelcome, it would be illegal.”
“It is unconstitutional and illegal to send the military to Seattle,” she added.
The autonomous zone formed after police in Seattle abandoned a precinct and allowed protesters to take over the building and the surrounding area. The protesters have established their own city of sorts that included borders, checkpoints, and a sign that reads: “Now leaving the USA.” The protesters have created a police-free city within Seattle, and local leaders have not signaled any intention of regaining control of the area.
“The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone #CHAZ is not a lawless wasteland of anarchist insurrection — it is a peaceful expression of our community’s collective grief and their desire to build a better world. Given his track record, it’s not hard to believe that Trump is wrong, yet again,” Durkan tweeted on Thursday. “For the thousands of individuals who have been on Capitol Hill, I think you’ve seen what I’ve seen: The painting of Black Lives Matter along Pine Street, food trucks, spaghetti potlucks, teach-ins, and movies.”
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee offered a similar message, tweeting: “I spoke with @MayorJenny and her team about the situation on Capitol Hill. Although unpermitted, and we should remember we are still in a pandemic, the area is largely peaceful. Peaceful protests are fundamentally American, and I am hopeful there will be a peaceful resolution.”
The creation of CHAZ is part of a larger protest in the city against police brutality and racial injustice after George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died after a white Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for several minutes during an arrest.
Trump’s disagreements with Durkan mirror his arguments with mayors and governors throughout the nation who were hesitant to allow the National Guard to be deployed to quash riots in cities throughout the U.S.
