Seattle's CHOP zone is coming to an end as police in riot gear began arresting protesters and clearing the area Wednesday morning.
Police were acting on orders from Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, who issued an emergency order Wednesday morning declaring the zone an unlawful assembly.
At least 15 people have been arrested after they were given eight minutes to leave the area.
The Capitol Hill Organized Protest, or CHOP, has been underway since June 8th when police abandoned the local precinct. But recently the area has been the site of multiple shooting incidents, killing two teenagers and wounding several others.
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said he supports "peaceful demonstrations" but that the CHOP "has become lawless and brutal".
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