We’ve been doing a lot of reporting on the radical leftist/anarchist zone in Seattle known as CHOP, the Capitol Hill Organized/Occupied Protest.

They support the Black Lives Matter movement to defund and abolish police.

But here’s an interesting question: Does the formal group the BLM support the CHOP?

Now that seems like an odd question, but here’s why I think it’s a good and valid question. Because it sure sounds like they might be canceling them.

In a series of tweets on June 20, the BLM Seattle King County chapter made it clear that they had not been involved “in organizing any events or protests in or around the zone” although they had supported “Black-led events in the zone.” But now they were unhappy that there had now been three black people shot in the zone and did not feel it was safe (although they tried to suggest that the shootings were connected to white supremacy, there is no evidence that is that case).

But we know that these actions are not out of the blue. They are in part, the result of the President, lawmakers, hate groups, and the media demanding that those gathering in CHOP be met with violence. (2/7)

— BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) June 21, 2020

No, there isn’t any evidence that any of the shootings are influenced by anything they said.

There are not enough condolences to ease the pain of another life lost; words are empty, but the pain we all feel is full, and heavy. This is the third Black person to be shot or killed in the zone in the last few weeks; the first incident was intentional, white violence. (4/7)

— BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) June 21, 2020

For Black people, please consider gathering elsewhere in Black led events and spaces for the important and critical work of community gathering and protest. (6/7)

— BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) June 21, 2020

I don’t know about you, but that sure sounds like they’re explicitly rejecting CHOP as a “safe space” for black people.

Journalist Omari Salisbury has been following the actions in the CHOP. He asked the local BLM specifically and didn’t get a public answer after the BLM group endorsed a variety of groups and efforts in the area, giving them grants, but not including CHOP.

We're proud to support @KCEquityNow, Mothers for Police Accountability, @SeattleMedium, @SoSeaEmerald, @ztwinsradio, Lavender Rights Project, and Washington State Black Trans Taskforce with our first round of investment. pic.twitter.com/4XP4XqkFjQ

— BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) June 22, 2020

@BLMSeattleKC according to the article you are backing the King County Equity Now. Are you backing any of the demands of the @ChopVoices? Do you endorse or support the #CHOP / #CHAZ protest and occupation? https://t.co/H3jgSTAri6

— Omari Salisbury (@Omarisal) June 22, 2020

He didn’t get any public answer.

What’s also interesting in the donation list, is a donation of $25,000 to Mothers for Police Accountability. That $25,000 is “in support of Rev. Walden’s leadership in determining the immediate and long-term future of the East Precinct of Seattle Police Department, whose history is rooted in Black-led organizing.”

Not sure how that works with whatever plans the police might have for the precinct. Rev. Harriet Walden is a community activist who has worked with the police in the past to improve relations and hold police accountable for brutality.