Dismantling CHOP.

The Seattle police, fully suited up in riot gear, went in at 5:00am this morning and dismantled the occupied area on Capitol Hill. Based on what I have read, 23 people were arrested, despite reports from the police that no one was really resisting them. They also fired tear gas at the protesters, even though the mayor had told them not to use it, and they also used flash bangs. They were poking around in the bushes with batons to drive out anyone who might be hiding. They said anyone who was in that area would be arrested.

I don't know how I feel about this. I knew it couldn't go on as it was forever, but the amount of force used seems excessive. Reports say that it was the violence in the area that prompted this action. My husband and I got to know a lot of people in the occupied area over our three visits with our charity organization and we saw many of them actively stopping violence in their midst.

What do you think about this action? Is it all over? Will the protesters continue in a different venue or manner? Do you think their demands will eventually be met?