Protesters Block Seattle Workers From Dismantling Autonomous Zone

China State-Media Reporter Tries to Stop Cameraperson Filming Her During Aussie PM Press Conference

She left the press conference afterward. The incident took place in the Prime Minister’s Courtyard in Parliament House. The Daily Telegraph reported that the incident drew the attention of fellow journalists and Australian Federal Police officers. The prime minister’s security team followed the woman after she left the conference. The reporter was accompanied to the press conference by a photographer who was filming the event. The photographer was asked by a staffer who she worked for, but she initially declined to answer. Later, the Daily Telegraph confirmed the photographer did not have the proper credentials, having only an “escorted pass.” Access to Parliament House requires a “permanent media pass,” which the reporter did have. The Prime Minister’s press conference followed the national cabinet meeting and gave an update on the…

People occupying a so-called autonomous zone in Seattle blocked city workers from removing barriers, leading to a meeting on Friday with Mayor Jenny Durkan.

Employees from multiple departments arrived outside the zone early Friday morning “to continue the recovery of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, with the goal of removing some additional barriers blocking the roadways and cleaning up Cal Anderson Park,” a city spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement.

“Once this work commenced to remove some of the barriers blocking roadways, City workers were met with significant resistance by protesters, who grew increasingly agitated and aggressive towards City workers.”

Protesters are refusing to leave until their demands are met. The demands include abolishing the Seattle Police Department, reparations for “victims of police brutality,” and a retrial of all minorities currently in prison for violent crimes.

Plans are being made on how to safely transition the area, known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP), from the occupation to normal operations.

Durkan, a Democrat, announced Monday the city would dismantle the zone after a steady increase in violence, including a fatal shooting. She had previously expressed support for the occupation, claiming it could lead to a “summer of love.”

The zone includes an abandoned Seattle Police Department precinct. After police left the building on June 8, protesters streamed into the area, moving barricades across city streets and blocking traffic.

Personnel from the Seattle Department of Transportation wait near an entrance to the area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) in Seattle, Wash., on June 26, 2020. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins speaks with occupiers while walking through the area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) in Seattle, Wash., on June 26, 2020. (David Ryder/Getty Images)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, second from left, arrives at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church to meet with protest organizers near the CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) zone in Seattle, Wash., on June 26, 2020. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

Response times to crimes soared, according to Police Chief Carmen Best. The lawlessness forced local businesses to close as occupiers intimidated residents, prospective customers, employees, and delivery drivers, a class action lawsuit filed against city officials said.

Officials were supposed to publicly outline plans to dismantle the zone by Saturday or lawyers representing the plaintiffs would file a court order, but the lawyers agreed not to file the order, the Seattle City Attorney’s office said.

The Seattle Police Department didn’t return to the East Precinct on Friday, the city spokesperson told The Epoch Times. A mayoral spokesperson told the Associated Press that there are no plans to return to the precinct this weekend.

The continued standoff led to Durkan meeting with CHOP organizers Friday evening. She did not speak to reporters afterward.

The mayor’s office said in a statement after the meeting that Durkan met with organizers “to discuss the restoration of the Capitol Hill area and long-term changes to transform policing.”

“The City’s goal remains to allow any individuals to exceed use their first amendment rights while also preserving the public safety of local residents and small businesses. The Mayor suggested a series of steps that she believes can be taken in the coming days, including the removal of the barriers to create more access. She also believes in the planning for some of the long term changes to Cal Anderson including art installations and the community garden,” it added.

City officials are working to help any occupiers who need assistance accessing shelter, healthcare, food, COVID-19 testing, or mental health services and representatives planned to return to the site on Saturday.

Focus News: Protesters Block Seattle Workers From Dismantling Autonomous Zone

China in Focus (June 26): Unusual Weather Phenomena Plague China

Unusual natural phenomena seem to be appearing more and more in China. A gigantic tornado hit Inner Mongolia in northern China. Some netizens on social media likened the storm to a scene from a science fiction film. In a practice beginning last year, Chinese authorities demolished farmers’ homes to create more profitable projects. We hear from one such farmer who forcefully lost her home. The FBI says investigations with CCP ties are way up since a decade ago. Over 2,000 cases are currently being investigated. And the United States and the European Union are in talks regarding the Chinese regime’s threat to the West. Mike Pompeo points out it’s an issue between the CCP and the world. Subscribe to our Youtube channel for more first-hand news from China.For more news and…