"Black Lives Matter": Seattle neighborhood declares itself autonomous, Trump threatens

The slogan "Black Lives Matter" was painted on a street in Seattle's "autonomous zone" on June 11, 2020. Jasmyne Keimig - The Stranger / via REUTERS

Text by: RFI Follow

The protest movement over the death of George Floyd continues in the United States. In Seattle, after clashes between police and demonstrators last week, a police station was evacuated and for a few days, the district has proclaimed itself "autonomous zone". A situation which led Donald Trump to harden the tone.

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With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

"  This place is now the property of the people,  " proclaim signs at the entrance to the Capitoll Hill neighborhood. It spans five blocks, and protesters attempt self-management without any police presence. Frescoes adorn the sidewalks, there are performances, there are debates, the atmosphere seems rather calm.

The American president sees it as an unbearable disorder. On Twitter, he ordered local authorities to regain control of their city and threatened to intervene.

Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don't do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stopped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST!

  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020

He repeated these words on Fox News. "  I'll tell you, if they don't resolve this situation, we'll take care of it." What I mean is very simple: we're not going to let Seattle be occupied by anarchists. If we have to go we have to go, somehow it has to be done. These people are not going to occupy a major portion of a beautiful city,  ”warned Donald Trump.

Faced with these threats of federal intervention, the Democratic mayor of Seattle Jenny Durkan responded on Twitter. "  Leave us safe, go back to your bunker,  " wrote Jenny Durkain, addressing the president. A remark described as pathetic by Donald Trump.

Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker. #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/H3TXduhlY4

  Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) June 11, 2020

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