Is Seattle’s Autonomous Zone really peaceful? According to the Washington Post, “After days of clashes with protesters outside the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct, authorities backed down Monday, removing barricades and boarding up the building. Since then, protesters have moved in proclaiming the area the ‘Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,’ where police are forbidden, food is free and documentaries are screened at night.”

Here is a first-hand report from one who is there, but not participating in the protests:

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“First, it is all calm and peaceful, an almost carnival atmosphere pervades. Very much a similar vibe to the large summer block parties on the hill. Crowd size? About 400. People mostly on the sidewalks. Just about everyone is wearing a face mask.

Street artists and music. Lots of grafitti everywhere, but most of it appears to be done with multi-colored chalk. All the shops, restaurants, and bars that are open appear to be doing more business than they have done in months. Remember, they’ve all been on “lockdown.” In fact, the “takeover” actually seems to be a boon for the restaurants and bars.

The pavement on Pine Street, alongside Cal Anderson Park (the site of huge rallies this week) and continuing up the hill to 12th by the boarded up Seattle Police East Precinct headquarters, is covered with huge letters that spell out BLACK LIVES MATTER.

At the top of the hill there are Seattle Department of Transportation dump trucks full of gravel blocking the street, and behind them are several blue Seattle Police Department (SPD) vans that are running, with their air conditioning on, filled with what appear to be SPD officers in tactical gear (are they waiting for something?).”

Thankfully, so far, the Zone is peaceful. But what is the spirit behind the takeover? Is it a spirit of peace or domination? Let’s look at further actions that tell a deeper story.

When the protestors entered enforce, they told police officers to “get out!” The block long police precinct was emptied and vacated. A banner was hung across the front declaring “This space is now property of the Seattle people.”

The protestors wanted to hold a victory celebration. People donated sparkling water, and snacks and protestors brought in food. They then decided to invite the homeless in the area to come celebrate with them. A kind gesture by any means. Unfortunately, some of the homeless people decided to steal the food instead of share it.

In disbelief, the hungry protestors complained that their food was gone. Part of the boast of the autonomous zone is many things are free. They have scoffed how just across the street a vendor is selling $6 hotdogs. So in keeping with free, some began to make calls to see if good Samaritans would donate food to replace the celebratory meal.

A Seattle resident nearby decided to be kind and donate some food. When he dropped it off, it was promptly refused by the protestors. “It’s not vegan,” they said.

As the man left, he heard the protestors expressing frustration over their stolen food with the best line ever as they asked each other, apparently without noting the irony, “Who can we call to report this theft?”

Is Seattle’s autonomous zone peaceful? If you mean no shots have been fired, then yes, it is “peaceful.”

But another definition of peaceful is: “untroubled by conflict, agitation, or commotion.”

It may be “peaceful” for now, but it is a powder keg ready to explode.

Karen Hardin is a literary agent, author, and intercessor. Her work has appeared in USA Today, World Net Daily, Intercessors For America, Charisma, CBN.com, The Elijah List, etc. To join her in DC for the Election 2020 Prayer Tour go to: https://destinybuilders.world/election-prayer-tour/ or you can contact her at www.prioritypr.org or www.karenhardin.com