Seattle’s embattled mayor, Jenny Durkan said at a news conference Monday that officials may begin to wind down the 6-block area taken over by protesters two weeks ago and dubbed the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.”
The decision comes in the wake of violent shootings over the last several days that have apparently changed the city’s calculation on the occupying protesters.
“The cumulative impacts of the gatherings and protests and the nighttime atmosphere and violence has led to increasingly difficult circumstances for our businesses and residents,” Durkan said.
“The impacts have increased and the safety has decreased.”
Durkan received criticism for letting the autonomous come begin and for bizarrely saying that the protest may lead to a “summer of love” in Seattle. She tried to walk those statements back but the public’s perception of her handling of the crisis has not changed.
Her office is hoping a peaceful end to the protest will help them regain an image of being strong on law and order.
“After days of peaceful demonstrations, two nights of shootings have clearly escalated the situation on Capitol Hill,” Durkan’s office said in a statement.
“We have been meeting with residents and small business owners to address their safety and disorder concerns, including the ability of first responders to access emergencies in the area…
As many community groups are also urging, (the) Mayor believes individuals can and should peacefully demonstrate, but the message cannot be lost in the violence.”