Seattle has been no stranger to protests and violence since the murder of George Floyd. The first Saturday after the murder, Westlake Center erupted with the sounds of flashbangs and screams from tear gas. Police cars were on fire, windows were broken, and graffiti was popping up everywhere. Marshall from Marshall Law Band had not quite become involved in the movement yet, but he knew he had to find his niche at the CHOP.
Eventually, protests would march up to Capitol Hill, only to be stopped at the East Precinct. This is where the standoff would start that would eventually result in the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone that is now the Capitol Hill Organized Protest.
Regardless of what is going on in Marshall’s life, he does his absolute best at the things he’s good at. In this case, it was keeping spirits high through music. The police created a barricade surrounding the East Precinct, Marshall erected a stage on 11th and Pike.
Photo Credit: @soaringhawkabove
Through police riot lines, barrages of flashbang grenades, and tear gas canisters, Marshall and his band kept playing, educating, and solidifying a line between the police and protesters. Music has been a vital part of keeping the energy flowing on the hill.
The Battle For The Hill stands out as a turning point for the movement. The Seattle Police Department proceeded to abandon the station the following day.
The Capitol Hill Organized Protest quickly turning the police precinct into the people’s precinct. There has still been music, Marshall hopes to continue providing education through art to the people in the zone. There is no solidified leader, but people have found avenues to provide the most help.
Educational Opportunities At The CHOP
Marshall sees the autonomous zone as a way for the community to provide services directly to the community. A place for people to share skills, art, and creative outlets. Speakers have been sharing experiences. There are plans for breakout sessions and the sharing of skills to keep the momentum going. Nikkita Oliver and Rell Be Free, part of the Decrim Seattle Coalition, have provided educational opportunities for community members within the CHOP. Recently they came together for the Seattle #DefundSPD Block Party. The block party focused on harm reduction, community care, political education, and transformative justice.
Marshall and his band are using their platform to uplift the arts community as well as provide you a safe and valuable space for people to educate each other through art. Expect to see Marshall continuing to bring good vibes along with inspirational and topical lyrics around the occupied protest while he helps build something special on Capitol Hill. Stages continue to pop up around Cal Anderson, providing more black, indigenous, people, of color (BIPOC) with the opportunity to speak about their platform.
King Youngblood has also organized a day of music and discussions from BIPOC, reminding the next generation of activists that this is not the time to get complacent, it is the time for action.
Art installations are also making appearances from murals on the street to memorials throughout the organized protest zone. A series of circular gardens have appeared. Marcus Henderson is using the gardens to show how the land could be better put to use for the community, rather than being covered in just grass. The activists that are providing platforms for people within the CHOP are creating something beautiful. There are tremendous educational opportunities through art and speakers.
