Rantz: Confusion as Seattle activists change CHAZ to CHOP
Jun 13, 2020, 8:09 PM | Updated: Jun 14, 2020, 7:28 am
It’s time for a brand new name for the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ). Some organizers now refer to the commandeered 6-block radius as Capitol Hill Occupied (or Organized) Protest (CHOP). But some folks are confused.
Activists have been removing signs from the site formerly known as CHAZ in hopes that the new CHOP name better reflects their action.
The change was made, one unnamed organizer said, because “this is not an autonomous zone, and we’re not trying to secede from the United States.”
He claimed that outsiders called it CHAZ, though provided little evidence. Indeed, protesters at the site previously known as CHAZ actively embraced the old name. But, CHOP it is. We’re just not entirely sure what the “O” stands for.
There’s a movement to change the name from Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) to Capitol Hill Occupy Protest (CHOP).
Signs have come down with CHAZ. Not everyone agrees. Last night, there was some tense moments. pic.twitter.com/P5r9HczMvd
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) June 14, 2020
On Saturday afternoon, one organizer on a bullhorn announced the change from CHAZ to CHOP. He said the “O” stands for “Occupied.” But another organizer confidently declares it “Organized.”
So which is it?
WE ARE #CHOP not #CHAZ stop spilling lies and spreading this narrative of being autonomous pic.twitter.com/wh0oxcCafy
— Black Lives Matter (@djbsqrd) June 14, 2020
It’s unclear who decided to make the name change from CHAZ to CHOP. There’s no leader at CHAZ/CHOP, and it’s a space occupied by a variety of groups and community organizers. But last night, the change discussion turned to action as activists began to pull down signs reading Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.
And there were some tense moments Friday night as the CHAZ signs came down.
There apparently wasn’t agreement on the change, so bickering and a small skirmish ensued. One activist would end up chiding them for being focused on the wrong issue — CHAZ to CHOP — than on police brutality and racism.
It appears the CHAZ street sign is staying for now as the man climbed off the ladder and a struggle broke out over control of the ladder. A woman asks, “Is anyone in charge?” pic.twitter.com/IeSQY96J6A
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) June 13, 2020
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