BREAKING NEWS: Seattle Mayor orders police into occupied zone (live news)

The SeattleMayor issued a Proclamation of Civil Emergency regarding the East Precinct and Cal Anderson Park area today.  The order declared the gathering in this area as an “unlawful assembly” requiring immediate action from city agencies, including the Seattle Police Department. At roughly 0530 July 1st hundreds of police officers moved in on the protesters.

According to the Mayors announcement: “Today, the public will see an SPD operational response in the East Precinct and Cal Anderson Park. Officers will be donning a variety of uniforms, based on their assignment for the day.  Some will be wearing a higher level of protective gear. This equipment not meant to be a preemptive show of force. Police are utilizing this equipment because individuals associated with the CHOP area are known to be armed and dangerous, and who may be associated with active shootings, homicides, robberies, assaults, and other violent crimes.”