Planned Sweep At Cal Anderson Park Delayed By Protest

SEATTLE — A planned sweep of Cal Anderson Park failed to materialize Wednesday morning after a group of protesters assembled and placed barricades around the remaining tents that have sheltered people experiencing homelessness for months.

The Capitol Hill park has been closed since June 30, the day before Seattle police moved into the area, arresting dozens and dismantling the former Capitol Hill Organized Protest zone.

As the Seattle Times reports, people have continued to use the park during the prolonged closure, but the city has removed those staying in the area twice since the CHOP was cleared. In October, several neighborhood groups, including the Capitol Hill Business Alliance, wrote a letter asking the city to address the ongoing situation at the park.

On Monday, the city posted notices around the park ordering people to collect their belongings. Early Wednesday morning, an estimated 100 protesters arrived at the park ahead of the planned removal. Local journalists on the scene reported a brief sighting of police, but officers did not move into the area. Other footage showed a tent burning in the middle of the park.

It was not immediately clear if the city intended to move forward with the sweep later in the day or week.

Crosscut's David Kroman reported one person living in the park filed a lawsuit Wednesday, alleging the city gave fewer than 48 hours notice and violated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for encampment removals during the COVID-19 pandemic.