Jordan Somers Photo essay: The SPD sweep of Cal Anderson Park Jordan SomersBy Jordan Somers on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 Jordan Somers The Seattle Police Department initiated their sweep at approximately 8:00 AM, utilizing large groups of officers to sweep the encampments and remove protestors from the park. Jordan Somers A bike officer with his bicycle unit shouting at protestors to leave Cal Anderson Park Jordan Somers Police officers tear down a portion of the makeshift barricade that served as a thin line of protection for the houseless community residing in the park Jordan Somers A police officer stands guard and awaits orders near the park playground at the onset of the sweep Jordan Somers A group of police officers take moments to regroup after sweeping a portion of the west side of the park Jordan Somers Police officers regroup in the central area of Cal Anderson Park, directing their attention toward protestors who refuse to leave the park Jordan Somers Police officers stand next to one of the many temporary homes that has been vacated during the sweep Jordan Somers A police officer stands in front of and patrols a playground-turned-shelter Jordan Somers A resident of the houseless community stands his ground and shouts at the officers who are in the process of indefinitely removing everyone from the park Jordan Somers A protestor waves a small sign toward police officers that reads “Housing 1st” on the opposite end and “No Sweeps” on the other Jordan Somers A police officer stands guard at a portion of the barricade that has recently been taken over by SPD Jordan Somers All resources and existing fixtures in the park were utilized to prepare a barricade for the impending SPD sweep Jordan Somers A police officer threatens a protestor with a rubber bullet gun after the protestor refused to leave the park Jordan Somers A police officer points his rubber bullet gun at a group of protestors who refuse to disperse the area per SPD orders Jordan Somers A protestor is tackled to the ground and arrested for standing his ground against SPD orders to leave the park Jordan Somers A protestor lay motionless after police officers restrained and arrested a protestor for not complying with SPD order to vacate the park Jordan Somers Protestors were eventually purchased to the west side of the park as the police officers attempted to maintain complete control of the area Jordan Somers A police officer stands guard on the east side of the park Jordan Somers Protestors raise their hands as a peaceful gesture as police officers began forceful marches to clear all of 11th avenue, which borders Cal Anderson park on the west end Jordan Somers Police officers brandish their batons as they push the protestors back toward 11th Avenue and Denny street Jordan Somers Media and protestors alike were removed by force from SPD marches Jordan Somers A distraught resident of the houseless community is forced to pick up her tent and relocate to an unknown location Jordan Somers Police officers used their batons to push and strike any protestors who were not retreating back in accordance with the SPD march on 11th Avenue Jordan Somers A police officer stands fully equipped with an arsenal of weapons, and an American flag patch sits bright and prominent on his left arm Jordan Somers A protestor sizes up a police line formed at 11th and Denny to prohibit protestors from entering the adjacent park streets Jordan Somers A police officer patrols the fountain area of Cal Anderson Park after SPD’s successful sweep Jordan Somers Pallets, wood and used furniture pose as a barricade against the SPD on the east end of the park Jordan Somers A large stretch of the east edge of the park lay lined with pallets and wood to protect the houseless community just inside the barricade Jordan Somers Seattle Parks and Recreation crew begin to dismantle and remove all barricades in Cal Anderson park after SPD had cleared the area Jordan Somers A police helicopter circles the park during the entirety of the sweep, which spanned for several hours Jordan Somers SPD also summoned the use of several SWAT units that were parked on neighboring streets to Cal Anderson Park Jordan Somers A row of police vehicles blocks the entirety of Howell street as Parks and Recreation workers clear the barricade on the west end of the park Jordan Somers A protestor stands handcuffed and in the custody of a police officer atop the Cal Anderson steps on the west side of the park Jordan Somers A police officer uses a large role of caution tape to wrap around all edges of Cal Anderson Park Jordan Somers Protestors from all walks of life showed their support for the houseless community and condemnation for the police sweep Jordan Somers Police officers led an abrupt raid on bicycles to target protestors who hadn’t completely vacated the northwest corner of the park. The result ended in numerous forceful arrests Jordan Somers A protestor lay on the ground after being tackled to the ground and subdued by police officers for allegedly not being outside of the vacated police zone Jordan Somers Two protestors stand stunned after having been tackled to the ground and arrested. The protestor on the left shouts a phone number for someone to relay the news to her family Jordan Somers A reported 26 total arrests were made during the SPD-led sweep Jordan Somers A protestor, recently arrested, being taken to a police detainment vehicle Jordan Somers Police officers appear to have fun posing for the camera Jordan Somers The presence of city crews was immediate after the park was cleared; garbage trucks, bulldozers, and dump trucks were all utilized for the barricade and houseless community tear-down and clean-up Jordan Somers Police officers stand guard in the park and walk in this direction while shouting orders to leave the area Jordan Somers A protestor expresses their grievances to SPD officers as they bar entry to this quadrant of the park Published in Features and News Alternative MediaCal Anderson ParkCal Anderson SweepPhoto EssaySPD Sweeps More from FeaturesMore posts in Features »Youth vs. politicsMbaire | The Seattle CollegianYouth vs. politicsOP-ED: Touring the theatres with Darrell Jamieson, Broadway Performance HallVrindhaOP-ED: Touring the theatres with Darrell Jamieson, Broadway Performance HallMeditation meets art at the Frye MuseumMari Andreyevna | The Seattle CollegianMeditation meets art at the Frye MuseumDr. Daudi Abe: A voice in hip-hop history and educationPhoto Courtesy of Daudi AbeDr. Daudi Abe: A voice in hip-hop history and educationSean Behl Q&A: “We have no student voice in DC, and that is not acceptable”Sean Behl | The Seattle CollegianSean Behl Q&A: “We have no student voice in DC, and that is not acceptable”More from NewsMore posts in News »OP-ED: The Washington Post opts out of presidential endorsements; does silence signal support?Politico Media, The Washington PostOP-ED: The Washington Post opts out of presidential endorsements; does silence signal support?Seattle Central leadership under scrutiny after Dean’s alarming emailJoel Stadtmueller | The Seattle CollegianSeattle Central leadership under scrutiny after Dean’s alarming emailMeditation meets art at the Frye MuseumMari Andreyevna | The Seattle CollegianMeditation meets art at the Frye MuseumCuisine chronicles: What’s NOT YET on campus.Vrindha | The Seattle CollegianCuisine chronicles: What’s NOT YET on campus.Remembering Aysenur Ezgi Eygi: Former Central student killed in the West BankPhoto courtesy of Aysenur’s familyRemembering Aysenur Ezgi Eygi: Former Central student killed in the West Bank
Be First to Comment