Deanna Nollette, the Assistant Seattle Police Chief who told reporters that SPD had received “incredibly credible” reports that someone wanted to burn down the East Precinct, sent an email this morning to city council member Kshama Sawant excoriating for putting out information that was unconfirmed.
Nollette, who declined to provide any details about her claim that the precinct was in imminent danger, also pushed out the narrative that the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (known at the time as CHAZ) was guarded by armed forces engaged in an extortion racket, an assertion that the police department was later forced to retract.
Her email accused Sawant of politicizing two recent shootings by suggesting that they may have been perpetrated by right-wing agitators, and called Sawant “irresponsible” for using “this crime to advance your own narrative.”
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Sawant is an elected official who represents the district in which CHOP is located; Nollette, who promoted an equally political narrative by suggesting that people protesting against police violence were engaged in an illegal protection racket and that the protests themselves were putting the precinct building in danger, is an appointed public servant.
Here is Nollette’s letter to Sawant in full:
Three people were shot in or near the CHOP, which covers six square blocks on Capitol Hill, over the weekend. In both cases, the victims were transported to the hospital by volunteer medics.
Mayor Jenny Durkan is meeting with a group of protesters this morning, reportedly to negotiate a deal that will completely or partially shut down the organized protest zone. Over the weekend, Durkan’s office issued a statement to reporters saying that she had met with “trusted messengers and de-escalators, led by Andre Taylor with Not This Time, to engage with many of the organizers. This work will continue and the City will be meeting with some of the organizers today on next steps. We believe there can be a peaceful resolution. Taylor has appeared alongside Durkan repeatedly at press conferences and events. The mayor’s office is expected to make an announcement about “next steps” later today.
Well – it is hard to disagree with AC Nolette’s letter. Kshama did publicly state that the first shootings could be the work of right wing agitators. Her purpose seems to be to inflame and divide – not calm and unite people. Yet she and the other councilmembers seem to want SPD and other agencies to only use deescalation and calming in their work to enforce our laws. Shouldn’t the council members stop their rhetoric of inflaming and dividing just like they ask our SPD and other public servants to do?
Negotiate to eliminate CHOP? Negotiating with terrorists is a mistake 100% of the time. It has never worked in the history of human habitation on this planet. Find even a single exception. You are so retarded. HA HA HA! Have another drink on me! Will it be Jack Daniels or Jim Beam….yummy!