US protests | New gunshot victims in the Seattle’s “autonomous zone” 

The authorities have announced that a 19-year old man was killed and another man is hospitalized in critical condition after an incident with shots occurred on Saturday in the so-called “autonomous zone” which was created by protesters in the neighborhood Capitol Hill of Seattle, USA.

The “autonomous” area was set up as part of protests across the United States against police violence and racism following the death of African-American George Floyd by suffocation during his violent arrest by white police officers in Minneapolis.

For two weeks now, protesters and activists have blocked Capitol Hill after expelling police officers from the local department, and have set up a no-police zone, saying they are implementing a social experiment. The atmosphere in the neighborhood is generally festive.

However, the police were called last night when two people were injured in a shooting. Protesters did not allow the police to enter the neighborhood and reach the victims.

Police officers in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.

The police later reported that two victims were taken to hospital where one of them, a 19-year-old man, succumbed. The other man “remains in the hospital and has suffered life-threatening injuries,” police said.

A police statement said the perpetrators remained unarrested and that the authorities had no description.

Seattle’s “autonomous zone” has provoked strong political reactions. US President Donald Trump has said the district is in the hands of anarchist and left-wing activists and has threatened to intervene in order to enforce order.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Derkan and Washington Governor Jay Ansley defended the existence of the “autonomous zone” and rejected Trump’s statements.

Source: CNA, APA-MPS

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