Seattle authorities abandon downtown to protestors amid demands for mayor's resignation

Hundreds of protestors, who were aided by a City Council member, stormed Seattle's City Hall Tuesday night, demanding the resignation of the mayor. This comes just days after a six-block downtown zone was taken over that includes a shuttered police precinct.

Though demonstrators have largely remained peaceful, they have ordered for Mayor Jenny Durkan to step down if she is unwilling to defund the city's police department, according to Fox News.

The protesters have camped out in a self-declared "Capitol Hill Autonomous zone" (CHAZ)—a region that extends six blocks—which has been abandoned by law enforcement after the Seattle Police Department closed down the East Precinct on Monday.

Seattle has been one of the cities where rioters have clashed with law enforcement following the death of George Floyd.

A protester on Sunday night was shot and wounded on Capitol Hill, and another incident involved a man driving his car through a cluster of protesters who opened fire on a demonstrator after they approached his car window.

The police have decided to take a less violent approach in order to stifle the outrage that has seen rioters throw glass bottles, rocks, and other items at law enforcement.

The area has remained peaceful since the police has cleared out. The police said they would only be going to area if there is an emergency call.

Durkan banned the use of tear gas by police on Friday, but protesters have said that the move is not enough.

Seattle Councilwoman Kshama Sawant met with protesters inside City Hall on Tuesday night even though the building is usually closed at that time.

Durkan's office released a statement saying that she remains committed to making "actual steps on policing" and other measures of reform.

"As the person who originally investigated the Seattle Police Department for the unconstitutional use of force, Mayor Durkan believes that SPD can lead the nation on continued reforms and accountability, but knows this week has eroded trust at a time when trust is most crucial," the statement read.