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June 9, 2020

Protesters Establish Autonomous Zone Around Seattle PD Building as Police Retreat
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In Seattle, protesters are claiming victory after they established a
barricaded zone around a police precinct building that had been the site
of protests - and a brutal police crackdown - for eight days. The
precinct building is now boarded up. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best
described the move as an exercise in "trust and deescalation."

On Friday, Seattle announced a 30-day ban on the use of tear gas, but
officers continued to use it against protesters over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Seattle City Council has begun discussing demilitarizing
or defunding the police force. On Monday, Seattle City Councilperson
Kshama Sawant introduced a bill to ban police from using chemical
weapons and chokeholds.


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