BREAKING: Seattle autonomous zone cleared of occupiers by police

Reporter Michael Crowe posted live from the occupied zone. He wrote that "SPD [are] pushing through CHOP. Saying 'leave now or you will be arrested.' Have seen some pepper spray used in front of East Precinct."

Protestors tried to hold their ground, using portable toilets to create barricades.

Police can be seen moving into the area in a block, pushing people back. As occupiers don't move fast enough, or refuse to get out of the way, police continue to move forward. Occupiers scream and curse at them, and warn that pepper spray is in the air.

The park was mostly cleared by police.

Crowe writes that "Police seem to have cleared majority of CHOP. Holding a line at Pike for several blocks."

The Seattle Police Department took to Twitter to explain their operations. They said that this move comes as a result of an executive order from Mayor Jenny Durkan.

Seattle police note that "Commanders have issued a dispersal order in accordance with the Mayor’s emergency order. All protestors are being asked to leave the immediate area within eight minutes. Safe exit is to the South and West."

Yesterday, the city began dismantling the occupation, pulling the cement blocks that they had installed to cordon off the protest.