Deaf News: CHAZ/CHOP in Seattle
THE DAILY MOTH:
For almost a month in Seattle, there was a zone called the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ). It was also known as CHOP. Law enforcement left the area and allowed protesters to occupy and live there in a commune of sorts. The protesters had demands for changes in the police system and its policies. A Black Deaf man named Jimel Wright went there and did some filming.
[Video clips of CHAZ/CHOP]
JIMEL WRIGHT:
We occupied it and Seattle showed the world what it looks like. We want a socialist community in which we exchange goods without the need for money or power. We all can work equally and in unity.
[Video clips of CHAZ/CHOP]
WRIGHT, ON BICYCLE:
Hello, I’m here in Seattle, Washington. I’ll show you CHAZ or its new name, CHOP. The media has put out false information. So I’ll show you what it really looks like.
[Clips of CHAZ/CHOP]
WRIGHT:
It all started because of tensions with police. They decided to leave so the protesters decided to stay and show what a community looks like. We took the opportunity to have discussions, learn, and share things such as free food. It was a thriving community.
[Clips of CHAZ/CHOP]
WRIGHT:
It was very… people could go there and discuss things and learn. There were many things we talked about. We looked into ourselves. It was a community with various groups.
[Clips of CHAZ/CHOP]
WRIGHT:
On defunding the police, I want to make sure people understand it’s not about completely cutting off funds from the police. Of course we understand the role police has in society and we know that not all police officers are bad. There are good police officers, absolutely. But if we look at it from a community standpoint, a lot of money is directed to police. Their gear, weapons of war… these things are unnecessary. Do you plan to go to war with your own people? It’s unnecessary. So I hope the defund concept will allow money to be given back to the community, in schools, communities, many different things, social services, the money should go to them. That’s the key. That’s what they are asking for. Also accountability. I believe that these things are very basic things that I think any community should want to thrive.
[Clips of CHAZ/CHOP]
THE DAILY MOTH:
The CHAZ/CHOP zone was dismantled by Seattle police last week after a string of violent incidents during the nighttime. There was also three shootings in which two people died. It led to Seattle officials issuing an order for police to dismantle it. The CHAZ/CHOP is no longer there, and Wright will share his thoughts.
WRIGHT:
It lasted for three weeks, a long time. Of course, when word got out that CHAZ had no police there, that naturally attracted some people who wanted to cause trouble. So, yeah, what happened with the deaths, it was the safe thing to go ahead and shut it down. But at the same time, we want that example to be applied — if they want it to be shut down because of safety reasons, it should be the same with police and accountability — if they shoot someone or something happens, we want them to be accountable as well. If we mess up, we take accountability for it. We didn’t do our part to protect that person. We took accountability and we want the same with police. So I hope that’s a lesson. So yes, we did close it down, but when it lasted, it was very peaceful and good. I think it was worth it. Even the mayor supported it and called it a “Summer of Love.” So yeah.
THE DAILY MOTH:
Thank you for your time and your insights, Jimel Wright.