Watch how Seattle PD managed the “Riots” on Capitol Hill
For eight days straight, my friends and neighbors have lived in the middle of a battle. We live on Capitol Hill, an eclectic neighborhood near Downtown Seattle. It’s the most densely populated neighborhood and a center for arts, culture and nightlife.
When I say “Battle”, I am not exaggerating. It has been a literal battle just a few blocks up the Pine Street, which I live on. This was a battle between my friends, neighbors, Black Lives Matter protesters from all around our community and the police and national guard.
Protesters are demanding a less violent police department, and to allocate some police funding to community problems such as mental health so we can begin to heal the underlying issues rather than beat them down with law enforcement. We have to address budget cuts anyway due to COVID-19.
As the number of people protesting grew over the course of a week, so did the number of armed forces, which pretty much proves the point of the protests. Please take a look at how police were “keeping the peace” on Capitol Hill over the past week during #BlackLivesMatter protests.
👀 WATCH the police in these videos.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
Beginning Sunday, after the first night of bad riots downtown, Police established barriers on Capitol Hill preventing protesters from getting within a block of the East Precinct building. The primary protest line is shown in the following video at 11th & Pine in Seattle where the first serious incident at that barrier line began on Tuesday, June 2.
Watch how confrontational the police are with protesters and how quickly it escalated. Ask yourself, why did it escalate?
This was called the “Pink Umbrella Incident”. The umbrellas are used by protesters to protect themselves from teargas. When events like this occurred over the course of 8 days, the police immediately put out a press statement saying a riot began and they had to use force to stop it. City officials did take a close look at this incident and through negotiations with organizers, implemented several changes including backing up the police line and a 30-day ban on teargas (which lasted five days).
SUNDAY, JUNE 7 — MORNING
After this went on for several days, the last day of the Battle on Capitol Hill was Sunday, June 7th. In the morning, I observed the police were further fortifying the area around the East Precinct. In this video at 12th & Pike, I ask soldiers and others why they are increasing the barriers and they do not answer.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7 — EVENING
Sunday night was the worst and final night of confrontation. First, a man drove into the crowd. Here’s a news summary showing the speeding car and the reaction from the crowd:
There was a longer clip of the car speeding, but the tweet has been deleted.
After the car was stopped by protesters, one using part of a police barrier, the driver then brandished a gun and shot a Black man before calmly surrendering to the police who literally had not even moved. The car incident occurred in front of the former Stout space at 11th & Pine which right where the police line is. Watch how the police handled the situation in this video.
They literally do not move as the man surrenders to them. What were they doing during this incident? Did they do anything to protect the protesting citizens? We’ve since learned from other neighborhood reporting from Capitol Hill Seattle Blog that the driver of the car is the brother of a police office from the East Precinct:
He has since been charged with a first-degree assault.
“Although Mr. Fernandez claims to have acted in self-defense, our laws distinguish a person protecting himself from an attack from a person who provoked the attack in the first place. Given the evidence uncovered in the past three days, there is probable cause to believe Mr. Fernandez falls in the latter category,” said Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for Prosecutor Dan Satterberg per The Seattle Times.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7 — NIGHT
As the night proceeded, the police dramatically escalated.
Friends and neighbors not on the ground were glued to live streams on Facebook, Instagram and Twitch. As a community, we’ve had to learn how to keep in communication and make sure we see what is really happening.
No one on the live streams could see ore explain any cause for the escalation you see here despite claims today by the Police Union President that police have had cinder blocks and rocks, etc. thrown at them.
Teargas Used in a Residential Neighborhood
Teargas was used — what happened to the 30-day ban? There is semantic debate over which chemicals are “teargas”, but the long and short of it is people couldn’t breath and had to be treated. Residents in nearby buildings have had to shelter in place or evacuate. There are children living in these blocks. Here’s a good overview of the use of teargas in war (it’s banned!) and by the police (it’s popular!).
Volunteer Medics Targeted
Coordinators reported that volunteer tables disappeared during this incidents and that medics helping injured protests were targeted by police. Read the horrific story of one volunteer medic who was hit with flash bangs in thrown by the police into the medic area shown below. One of our neighbors being tended to for teargas almost died as a result.
MONDAY, JUNE 8 — TONIGHT
On Monday afternoon, thanks to negotiations from protesters with leaders of the city, the Seattle PD decided abandon the East Precinct. I’m sure they will be back but it was boarded up for protection and in a dramatic exit, they let the people of Seattle freely walk through the streets again. It was really an exciting time on Capitol Hill. I will write more about this soon.
About the protests
The protesters are people of all colors and backgrounds, citizens of this neighborhood and city — your friends and neighbors. They include members of City Council and our Representatives.
Protesters are demanding police accountability and asking to make cuts to police funding, especially due to COVID-related budget deficits. They are very organized, and visiting the protest site is one of the best ways to learn about what is happening, what is being demanded and to listen to the stories of Black people in our community. I have been listening and it is incredible.
King County Equity Now is the umbrella organization that is working to coordinate demands and is actively negotiating with the city and they are Getting Things Done! Scroll way down the page to find the Donate Now button.
Black Lives Matter Seattle is organizing on the ground and the best source for up to date resources and information about marches.
If you want to see how invigorating the protests are, how they are cooperating with the police during the day, and how they are a great opportunity to listen to and amplify Black voices. I’ll move those videos from Facebook to YouTube shortly ✌
If you want to see how amazing, giving and caring people in your city are, check out the incredible organization building on Capitol Hill. People are donating everything a protester needs and implementing really great COVID-protection systems. Small businesses, struggling through COVID-19, are stepping up to support the protesters and provide space for coordinators. H
What role should police play in our community?
Having seen with your own eyes some of what went on here in the Battle for Capitol Hill, I urge you to think about think about the community you want to be part of. Who are the police serving here? Are they serving you?
Pass this on to your Seattle friends. Conversations of change for the better are happening every day on Capitol Hill. Join the conversation.
#LoveAndPeaceOnEarth
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