Residents, Businesses Sue Seattle Officials Over CHOP Zone

The city of Seattle is being sued over their role in the Capital Hill Occupied Protest zone situation. Residents and businesses, including an auto repair shop, a tattoo parlor and a property management company, filed the lawsuit yesterday. They allege the actions by city leaders and officials which allowed the infamous CHOP zone to occupy six city blocks, including a police precinct, made them feel unsafe in their own neighborhood. Demonstrators barricaded off the police-free area for upwards of two weeks before they were peacefully asked to disband following a deadly shooting last weekend. The lawsuit claims not only did the city allow for the protesters to occupy the area, but they were also complicit by providing them with items such as barriers, public restrooms and medical supplies. One local said “we have no leadership” and that he intends to move out of the state of Washington following this incident.