1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 1 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC 123 QUEEN ANNE AVE N #101 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY ROBERT WEST , an individual Plaintiff, v. CITY OF SEATTLE, a government entity ; JENNY ANNE DURKAN, in her official capacity as Mayor of the City of Seattle ; KSHAMA SAWANT, in her official capacity as a member of the Seattle City Council; HAROLD D. SCOGGINS, in his official capacity as the Fire Chief of City of Seattle; CARMEN BEST, in her official capacity as the former Chief of Police of City of Seattle; DOES 1 - 100, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Cause No. PLAINTIFFS’ COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJUR IES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 2 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 INTRODUCTION This action is brought to seek redress and some measure of justice from the D efendants for the tragedy they caused on June 29, 2020 , when Robert West who was a minor at the time , was shot and left without the assistance he was entitled to by the government Roberts ’s injuries directly caused by the D efendants resulted in tremendous pain and suffering and debilitating injuries Robert West prays that through this lawsuit, the D efendants will be held accountable for the actions an inaction they took that resulted in his debilitating injuries and that a process will be put into place to lessen the chances that such a thing could happen to anyone else in the future. Robert West was shot while trying to escape while being barricaded at the “CHOP or “CHAZ” area in the City of Seattle, which the city abandoned without a working plan to provide essential services, creating a danger Robert West was lured into the CHOP area by Mayor Durkin’s positive statements about the area on television and went to CHOP with the intention of participating in what we thought to be a peaceful protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 3 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 3 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 Sadly, Mr. West soon realized that there was nothing peaceful about CHOP. In the days leading up to Robert’s being severely injured , there were countless acts of violence committed inside CHOP and multiple fatal shootings including but not limited to: fatal shooting of Lorenzo Anderson on June 20, 2020. In the early hours of June 2 9 , 2020, Robert West was shot by CHOP “security /cops , ” a makeshift security squad comprised of civilian residents of the CHOP area, trained by the Seattle Police Department according to “Sentinel Event Review of Police Response to 2020 Protests in Seattle” written by Seattle Office of Inspector General (Attached hereto as Exhibit 1) CHOP medics who were essentially good Samaritans attempted to provid e aid, deciding at 3:05 am to transport Robert West out of CHOP for emergency assistance when Seattle Paramedics failed at their duty to provide the much - needed assistance. R ather than waiting for assistance to come to them, due to the severity of his injuries they decided to transport him. CHOP medics drove Mr. West to meet paramedics at a pre - arranged staging location on 14th and Union which was communicated on the phones . When the CHOP medics arrived, the paramedics did a U - turn and sped away in the other direction. The CHOP medics frantically followed the paramedics, perplexed as to why they were driving away instead of helping Mr. West , who was clearly in dire need of live - saving medical attention. At one point, the medics caught up with the paramedics again, but the paramedics sped off once again. The civilian medics continued to pursue the ambulance, ultimately making contact with the paramedics in a parking lot. The CHOP medics pulled into the lot at 3:22 am to transfer Mr. West to SFD for transport to Harborview. A lthough the City directive was for the police or first responders not to enter the CHOP zone without prior permission, there was no limitation to allowing assistance outside of the CHOP zone. The CHOP medics followed the agreed - upon protocol and drove Robert to a meeting point to transfer him into the care of first responders so that he could receive medical 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 4 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 4 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 care. Instead of fulfilling their duty to Robert , the paramedics refused to provide medical assistance, despite knowing it was urgently needed. The actions and inactions by the City of Seattle created a dangerous situation in and around the CHOP. Further, the city failed to have a plan for providing police protection, fire department protection, or any other emergency services. As a result, Robert ’s Due Process Rights to be free of state - created danger as prescribed by the Washin g ton State Constitution were disregarded The government further violated Robert ’s civil rights by acting under color of state law while depriving him of his life and liberty. The City of Seattle, County of King, and their actors and agents carried out outrageous conduct and encouraged the City of Seattle and others from participating or engaging in similar dangerous conduct. Crime soared in CHOP after the city abandoned the area. The City of Seattle instituted protocols and practices that emboldened the lawlessness in this zone and engaged in affirma tive conduct that placed Robert in foreseeable danger and made it difficult for emergency services to adequately respond. Despite knowledge of the violence, chaos, danger, and potential danger, Seattle leaders failed Robert and encouraged lawlessness to reign The D efendants are responsible for the injuries of Robert West. The city had knowledge of prior teen death of Lorenzo Anderson, a disable black teenager who was shot and killed on June 20, 2020. Due to this notice and other events of mayhem violence and terror the City of Seattle failed to close the CHOP down as they should have. I. PARTIES 1.1 Robert West is a n individual, who resides in King County Washington 1. 2 Defendant City of Seattle is a first - class city, as described in RCW 35.22.010 , a municipality incorporated in the State of Washington and is governed and organized in accordance with the Washington State Constitution Article 11, Section 10, Amendment 40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 5 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 5 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 The City of Seattle is liable for the acts and omissions of city employees and officers. A true and correct copy of the Washington State Constitution is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 1. 3 Defendant Jenny Anne Durkan in her official capacity is an individual that resides in Seattle, Washington and is the former Mayor of Defendant City of Seattle. 1. 4 Defendant Kshama Sawant in her official capacity is an individual who resides in Seattle, Washington and serves on its City Council of Defendant City of Seattle. 1. 5 Defendant Harold D. Scoggins in his official capacity is an individual that resides in Seattle, Washington and serves as the Fire Chief of Defendant City of Seattle; 1. 6 Defendant Carmen Best in her official capacity is an individual who resides in Seattle, Washington and is the former Police Chief of Defendant City of Seattle. 1. 7 Defendant Does 1 through 100, are unknown agents and/or coconspirators whose identities will be provided when they become known. II. NOTICE OF CLAIMS FILED 2.1 Notice of Claim was filed with the City of Seattle on Ju ne 28 , 202 3 More than 60 days have elapsed since this claim was filed before the filing of this complaint against Defendant City of Seattle in the above - entitled court. The filing of this claim properly satisfied the notice and other procedural requirements of RCW 4.9 6 et. s eq A true and correct copy of RCW 4.96 et. seq. and the Notice of Claim is attached hereto as Exhibit 3 I II. JURISDICTION 3 .1 This Court has subject matter and personal jurisdiction over this matter under RCW2.08.10. 3 .2 Venue is proper and appropriate in King County Superior Court because the incidents occurred in the City of Seattle, in King County, State of Washington. In addition, all defendants reside in K ing County I V FACTS A. The Creation of CHOP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 6 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 6 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 4 .1 In late May 2020, protests erupted in downtown Seattle following the death of George Floyd. The protests led to violence, looting, destruction, and general chaos. 4 .2 On May 30, 2020, Mayor Durkan issued a Civil Emergency Proclamation granting the mayor the authority to address threats to public health and safety caused by the protests. A true and correct copy of the P roclamation is attached hereto as Exhibit 4 4 .3 In that Proclamation, Mayor Durkan recognized that these protests have led to property destruction and injuries to demonstrators, including death. Mayor Durkan also issued Emergency Orders banning the use of weapons and establishing a 5:00 p.m. curfew for May 30 th and 31 st A true and correct copy of the Order is attached hereto as Exhibit 5 4 .4 In the first week of June 2020, protests continued in Seattle, moving primarily to the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Seattle police issued a statement late June 1, 2020 declaring a riot. A true and correct copy of the statement is attached hereto as Exhibit 6 Despite protests getting out of control, Mayor Durkan and Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best announced a 30 - day ban on the Seattle Police Department using tear gas for crowd control. A true and correct copy of the announcement is attached hereto as Exhibit 7 In the following days, uncontrolled protests continued in Capitol Hill. 4 .5 By June 8, 2020 , the protests surrounded the police precinct in Capitol Hill, the East Precinct. 4.6 On June 8, 2020, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best gave a press conference in which she stated that the Seattle Police would try something new to keep protestors at bay after prior measures had been unsuccessful. She stated: “We’re not going to evacuate or abandon the East Precinct.” and continued “We will be hardening the East Prec inct facility by boarding up the exterior windows, and applying fire retardant to the building exterior and installing fencing.” A true and correct copy of the statement is attached hereto as Exhibit 8 4 .7 Despite Chief Best’s proclamation, on June 8, 2020, the City and SPD made the extraordinary decision to abandon the East Precinct entirely. The SPD boarded up the building, removed all valuables, and walked away. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 7 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 7 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 4 .8 The City left behind at the precinct and in the surrounding areas large barriers that had been used in previous days to try to limit the movements of protesters and despite Chief Best’s words, the Seattle Police Department East Precinct became overtaken by protestors who vandalized and destroyed the precinct. 4 .9 Predictably, almost immediately after the Seattle Police Department abandoned the precinct and the barriers, occupants used the barriers to block off streets in the area and create a “no - cop” zone. Initially, the blocked off area extended to all streets wi thin one block from the precinct and The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), also identified as the Free Capitol Hill, the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, or the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) was born. 4 .10 The abandonment of the East Precinct was celebrated by Defendant Sawant who, acting under color of law, encouraged the CHOP participants to engage in lawfulness, and used the power of her office to open the doors of city hall to protestors. In the words of Defendant Durkan, Sawant used “her office ‘in violation of the law’ in a fashion that “recklessly undermines the safety of others, all for political theater.” A true and correct copy of Sawant’s statements is attached hereto as Exhibit 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 8 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 4 .11 Defendant Sawant’s actions were so egregious that she faced recall charges. The Washington Supreme Court opinion dated April 1, 2021 affirms that Sawant “ used city resources to promote a ballot initiative and failed to comply with public disclosure requirements, disregarded state orders related to COVID - 19 and endangered the safety of city workers and other individuals by admitting hundreds of people into city hall while it was closed to the public .” The court further acknowledged that Sawant “ led a protest march to Mayor Jenny Durkan’s private residence, the location of which Councilmember Sawant knew was protected under state confidentiality laws ” which constituted a violation of the Seat t le city code regarding confidentiality Led and en couraged by Sawant, protesters defaced and damaged Mayor Durkan’s home A true and correct copy of th e summary of the protest is attached hereto as Exhibit 10 4 .12 Without any police presence and encouragement from public officials , the CHOP participants organized themselves, declared the area “Free Capitol Hill” and stationed guards by the barriers that the City had abandoned, thereby creating borders for the occupied area. True and correct copies of the guards are attached hereto as Exhibit 1 1 IN FACT , THE CITY PROVIDED THE BARRIERS AND ENCORAGED THE CHOP T rue and correct cop ies of work orders for the barriers are attached hereto as Exhibit 1 2 The area later expanded, was referred to as CHAZ for several days, and eventually became known as CHOP. 4 .13 CHOP’s unofficial boundaries stretched north to East Denny Way, east to 13 th Avenue, south to East Pike Street, and west to Broadway. It encompassed the entirety of Cal Anderson Park and sixteen city blocks in all. A true and correct copy of the map of CHOP is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 9 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 9 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 B. The Activities of CHOP Participants 4 .14 When the Seattle Police Department vacated Capitol Hill, the CHOP participants claimed the area as their own with a physical boundary and a loose form of governance and justice 4 .15 CHOP participants - maintained borders with barriers and people patrolling the perimeter, as well as vehicles parked in the middle of rights - of - way. 4 .16 Many CHOP participants lived on the streets and sidewalks in Cal Anderson Park, in tents such as the following: 4 .17 They painted graffiti on most available surfaces, and if a property owner painted 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 10 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 10 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 over the graffiti, the graffiti was typically replaced within a few hours. 4.18 CHOP participants even threatened business owners with retaliation if they painted over graffiti. T rue and correct cop ies of the threats are attached hereto as Exhibit 1 4 4.19 Examples of the pervasive graffiti included the following: 4 .20 CHOP participants occupied the streets and sidewalks 24 hours a day B etween June 8 and July 1, 2020, in lawlessness and chaos 4 .21 CHOP participants were observed carrying guns in the public streets and parks in broad daylight. 4 .22 Cal Anderson Park was one of the focal points of CHOP. The approximately seven - acre City Park was left entirely to the CHOP participants. The City supported and enabled CHOP’s occupation of the park by providing washing/sanitation facilities, portable toilets, barriers, and other material s that encouraged the encampment to continue. See Exhibit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 11 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 11 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 1 2 4 .23 As a result of the City’s actions, Cal Anderson Park was transformed into a massive tent city for CHOP participants, as shown here: 4 .24 Members of the public could no longer use Cal Anderson Park. CHOP’s control of the park continued unabated for weeks, as shown in the below pictures taken the afternoon of June 23, 2020: 4 .25 CHOP participants even built makeshift gardens on the park’s lawn to grow food for CHOP. The City handed over forfeited public property for this use, as shown here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 12 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 12 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 4 .26 CHOP’s control of Cal Anderson Park was a central nuisance to local residents and businesses. Cal Anderson Park was one of the most violent areas of CHOP. Local residents observed individuals in Cal Anderson Park carrying firearms. C. The City Actively Supported and Encouraged CHOP and CHOP Participants 4 .27 In the face of all this destruction Mayor Durkan celebrated the existence, message, and methods of CHOP and CHOP Participants. She did this with physical support and extensive verbal support and encouragement that expressly endorsed the barricading and occupation of City streets and parks. The Fire Chief had friendly text conversations with the self - proclaimed “Warlord” of CHOP, Raz Simone, who was frequently seen walking around the area with an AK - 47 and handed assault rifles out to CHOP participants from his personal stockpile of weapons in the trunk of his car. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 13 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 13 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 4 .28 Mayor Durkan knew the CHOP activity was dangerous to the health and safety of the community and needed to be controlled. She delegated authority to the Fire Chief and Police Chief “direction of any necessary population and property protection, as well as c ontrol of incidents and maintenance of public peace and order.” She followed that with a statement that “[o]ther departments and personnel will assist as requested.” In the proclamation, Mayor Durkan stated: This Proclamation shall be terminated by the issuance of another proclamation of when I determine that extraordinary measures are no longer required for the protection of the public peace, safety and welfare, or by passage of a termination resolution by vo te of not less than two - thirds (2/3) of all the members of the City Council. Before termination of this civil emergency, I or the City Council shall consult with the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, the Director of Public Health, and the Director of Emerge ncy Management to determine if there are any fiscal, public safety response or disaster recovery imperatives that require the continuation of emergency measures. A true and correct copy of Mayor Durkan’s Proclamation is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 5 4 .29 Since the day the East Precinct was abandoned, the City had full knowledge of the problems created for residents and the general publ ic. The City nevertheless adopted a policy that supported the CHOP occupation and acted with deliberate indifference toward those suffering harms from it. Evidence of the City’s knowledge includes the following: a. At a June 11, 2020 press conference with Mayor Durkan, Chief Best made it clear that the City was fully aware that its 9 - 1 - 1 response times had tripled and that there was a serious public - safety crisis for anyone who lived or worked in CHOP. b. On June 16, 2020, the City stated via a press release from the Mayor’s office: Beginning last Tuesday, City officials have been on site on Capitol Hill to work [to] meet community needs including hygiene, sanitation an d safety. Utilities including Puget Sound 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 14 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 14 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 Energy and SPU have been able to respond to the area for service. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has visited the site multiple times. Over the past week, conversations continued between City officials, organizers onsite for the CHOP, residents and businesses. ... Every day, Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Seattle Department of Transportation Director Sam Zimbabwe, and Seattle Public Utilities General Manager Mami Hara have been on site. On Sunday, they held a meeting with onsite organizers, small businesses, and residents to discuss proposed changes to the protest zone. c. On information and belief, Mayor Durkan and the Seattle Police Department were inundated with complaints about CHOP that described in detail the public danger. d. In response, Mayor Durkan’s office provided a stock response acknowledging that the City is “maintaining” a space for CHOP, including by, for example, providing a “sturdier concrete barrier” to help CHOP block a public street. The stock response states in pertinent part as follows: Thank you for reaching out. The Capitol Hill Organized Protest has emerged as a gathering place where community members can demand change of their local, state, and federal government. Capitol Hill and Cal Anderson Park have long been a gathering place for justice. While there have been inaccurate and misleading depictions of the CHOP from the President and some national media, the City believes first amendment activities can continue while also maintaining public safety and allowing access for residents and businesses who operate in the area. Mayor Durkan believes these changes can help ensure any focus of the CHOP and Cal Anderson will allow for peaceful demonstrations to continue. Beginning last Tuesday, City officials have been on site on Capitol Hill to work [to] meet community needs including hygiene, sanitation and safety. Utilities including Puget Sound Energy and SPU have been able to respond to the area for service. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best has visited the site multiple times. Over the past week, conversations continued between City officials, organizers onsite for the CHOP, residents and businesses. The City is committed to maintaining space for community to come to together, protest and exercise their first amendment rights. Minor changes to the protest zone will implement safer and sturdier barriers to protect individuals 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 15 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 15 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 in this area, allow traffic to move throughout the Capitol Hill neighborhood, ease access for residents of apartment building in the surrounding areas, and help local businesses manage deliveries and logistics. Additionally, all plans have been crafted with the goal of allowing access for emergency personnel including fire trucks. Everyday, Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Seattle Department of Transportation Director Sam Zimbabwe, and Seattle Public Utilities General Manager Marni Hara have been on site On Sunday, they held a meeting with onsite organizers, small businesses, and residents to discuss proposed changes to the protest zone. In coordination with protesters onsite, work began at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday to remove a tent barrier at 10th and Pine and replace it with a sturdier concrete barrier to improve public safety. The City has successfully worked with protesters onsite to reconfigure the CHOP to allow for public safety and better access for the local community. That has involved rerouting traffic, freeing up alley access, opened streets, and replacing makeshift barriers with heavy concrete barriers that can be painted. e. Mayor Durkan herself personally visited CHOP and observed what was happening. In an interview given in her City offices on Facebook Live on June 12, 2020, Mayor Durkan made clear that she had seen the barriers and talked to CHOP participants and apparently approved of them using an individual with behavioral health issues to enforce the perimeter: “It’s interesting, when I was at the CHAZ, walking around, similar kind of philosophy, because there’s this one guy, some behavioral health issues, and it was like, look, he has some hard times, and he helps on that barricade over there, and then when he starts having a hard time, we just bring him over he re, take care of him, feed him. And that’s what you gotta do, right?” f. On June 22, 2020, Mayo r Durkan stated at a press conference: Over the days, tens of thousands of people have peacefully gathered or visited Capitol Hill. During the day, there have been no major incidents. But we know it is very different at night, particularly in recent nights. The cumulative impacts of the gatherings and protests and the nighttime atmosphere and violence has led to increasingly difficult circumstances for our businesses and residents. M 0 ost of them supported protesters’ right to gather at the outset. They stand with them in solidarity. But the impacts have increased, and the safety has decreased. Both on Saturday morning and last night there 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 16 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 were incidents of gun violence. And that escalating violence concerns me, Chief Best, residents, businesses, and the greater community. All of Capitol Hill has been impacted. g. At the same June 22, 2020 press conference, Chief Best stated that reports to the police demonstrate that some CHOP participants are “engaging in shootings, a rape, assaults, burglary, arson and property destruction, and I have their police reports right h ere. I’m not making it up. These things have happened.” 4 .30 Despite having knowledge of exactly what is happening at CHOP by being there every day and in apparently constant contact with area residents and business owners, the City acted with deliberate indifference toward the safety and care of residents and the p ublic. 4 .31 At the same time that the City acted with deliberate indifference to property owners and people who lived and worked in and near CHOP, the City physically aided, endorsed and actively encouraged CHOP participants in their occupation of public spaces. 4 .32 The City physically aided CHOP participants in their occupation of the area in at least the following ways: a. When the City abandoned the East Precinct on June 8, 2020, it left behind the barriers that had previously blocked street access and protected the East Precinct from protestors. These barriers predictably served as that raw materials that allowed CHOP participants to block streets and create CHOP within a very short time b. On June 16, 2020, the City provided even more concrete barriers to C HOP participants so that CHOP participants could replace wooden barriers and fortify their blockages of streets. See previously referenced Exhibit 1 2 c. The City provided portable toilets for CHOP participants that were regularly serviced. See Exhibit 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 17 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 17 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 4 .33 The City’s policies effectively authorized the actions of the CHOP participants. The City communicated clearly to CHOP participants that they could continue occupying the streets in the area, maintain their barricades and block traffic all without interference from the City. The City communicated this message in at least the following ways: a. On June 11, 2020, during a joint press conference with the Chief of Police, Mayor Durkan stated” There’s not a specific date...because we are trying to do things that are responsible.” b. On June 12, 2020, in response to a direct question from CNN’s Chris Cuomo about how long the City would allow CHOP participants to continue to occupy the neighborhood, Mayor Durkan responded, “I don’t know. We could have the Summer of Love.” c. O n June 16, 2020, the City announced through an official statement from Mayor Durkan that it had negotiated with CHOP participants to adjust some but not all their barriers to allow one - way traffic on Twelfth Avenue. See Exhibit 1 6 This agreement was a tacit approval of the CHOP’s other unlawful barriers and the occupation of the neighborhood itself. d. In announcing the supposed opening of a one - way corridor, the City made clear in a statement from the Mayor that it was an active participant in maintaining and solidifying the CHOP barriers and boundaries: The City is committed to maintaining space for community to come together, protest and exercise their first amendment rights. Minor changes to the protest zone will implement safer and sturdier barriers to protect individuals in this area, allow traffic t o move through the Capitol Hill neighborhood, ease access for residents of apartment buildings in the surrounding area, and help local businesses manage deliveries and logistics. [emphasis added] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 18 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 e. Also on June 16, 2020, Mayor Durkan suggested that the City agreed that police officers will only enter the occupied area for “significant life - safety issues.” f. On June 22, 2020, Mayor Durkan and Chief Best held a joint press conference in which they expressed concern about the impacts of CHOP but also suggested that there was no specific timeline or plan for lessening those impacts or removing the blockades, barriers and tents from CHOP. 4 .34 The City has also made numerous statements indicating that it endorsed and supported what CHOP participants are doing to the area, thereby ensuring the continued and indefinite occupation and blockading of the neighborhood, and all the damage it has caused and will cause. The City’s statements include at least the following: a. On June 11, 2020, Mayor Durkan posted following her on Twitter page: “The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone #CHAZ is not a lawless wasteland of anarchist insurrection – it is a peaceful expression of our community’s collective grief and their desire to build a better world.” A true and correct copy of Mayor Durkan’s June 11, 2020 Twitter post is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 7 b. On June 11, 2020 Mayor Durkan also posted on her Twitter page: “ For the thousands of individuals who have been on Capitol Hill, I think you’ve seen what I’ve seen: the painting of Black Lives Matter along Pine Street, food trucks, spaghetti potlucks, teac h - ins, and movies.” A true and correct copy of Mayor Durkan’s second June 11, 2020 Twitter post is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 8. c. On June 11, 2020, Mayor Durkan stated during a joint press conference with the Chief of Police: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 19 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 Lawfully gathering and expressing First Amendment rights, and demanding we do better as a society, and providing true equity for communities of color, is not terrorism. It is patriotism. The right to challenge government and authority is a fundamental to who we are on Capitol Hill, many of them, what you’ll see is a painting of Black Lives Matter along Pine Street. Foo d Trucks, spaghetti potlucks, teach - ins, and movies, free granola bars...” d. During the same press conference on June 11, 2020, Mayor Durkan, also stated: The Capitol Hill area — in fact, some of my family is up there right now — ... it is not an armed ANTIFA militia no - go zone. It is, a number of people are there, we’ve had ongoing communications with them, with the businesses, with the residents, and we will make sure that we find some way for people to continue to protest peacefully while also getting ingress and egress. We’ve had blocks of Seattle in Capitol Hill shut down every summer for everything from Block Party to Pride. This is not really that much of an operational challenge. But we want to make sure that the businesses and residents feel safe and we’ll continue to move that forward. e. During her Facebook Live interview, Mayor Durkan also stated “I was up there today, walking around, talking to people, and I think we just have to continue to listen to people and figure out a way that there’s still a way for people to have that kind of fr ee expression, but we need to open up the streets, too, at least 12 th so we can get fire through, and like that, so we’re going to keep talking to people and listen to them. But I heard a lot of great ideas and I heard a lot of community strength there. That was cool.” f. Also on June 12, 2020, during her interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Mayor Durkan said “We’ve got four blocks in Seattle that just saw pictures of that is more like a block party atmosphere. It’s not an armed takeover. It’s not a military junta. We will – we will make sure that we can restore this. But we have block parties and the like in this part of Seattle all the time. It’s known for that.” g. On June 12, 2020 Mayor Durkan endorses the gardens being planted in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20 PLAINTIFF S’ COMPLAINT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, PERSONAL INJURIES, ECONOMIC LOSS, AND OTHER RELIEF - 20 OSHAN & ASSOCIATES PC P.O. BOX 9091 SEATTLE, WA 98109 P (206) 335 - 3880 F (206) 905 - 0918 Cal Anderson Park on Twitter: “Earlier today I visited the #CHAZ and met Marcus Henderson, the person behind the new community garden popping up in Cal Anderson Park. Read more about Marcus and the work that’s gone into creating the gardens: thestanger.com/slog/2020/06/1.” A true and correct copy of Mayor Durkan’s June 1 2 , 2020 Twitter post is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 9 h. Mayor Durkan also tweeted on June 12, 2020: “For as long as I can remember, Capitol Hill has been autonomous – it’s been a place where people go to express themselves freely. Today at the #CHAZ, I spoke with organizers and community about how we can move forward and keep our communities safe, together.” i. Mayor Durkan tweeted on June 16, 2020: “ The #CHOP has emerged as gathering place for community to demand change of their local, state, and federal government.” A true and correct copy of Mayor Durkan’s June 1 2 , 2020 Twitter post is attached hereto as Exhibit 20 j. On June 19, 2020, Mayor Durkan official ly declared that there was no longer a state of emergence in the City because “demonstrations since that day have been and continued largely peaceful.” k. On June 21, 2020, after two people were shot in the CHOP and one of them died, Mayor Durkan issued a statement indicating that the City still had no plans to cease supporting CHOP and the City was instead acting to work with and preserve CHOP. l. On June 28, 2020, Hundreds of protestors and demonstrators marched to Mayor Durkan’s neighborhood and house as they sought to bring their demands to her doorstep. There was no visible police presence. It was not until protestors hit close to