In short
The NPR/KUOW/Seattle Times series “We Keep Us Safe” investigates Seattle’s CHOP zone in 2020—an eight-block, police-free protest area after police abandoned a precinct—focusing on how it shifted from mutual aid and speeches into a deadly night.
Key claims
CHOP was intended to protect Black life but ended with the killing of 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr.; protesters feared right-wing attacks, some armed themselves, and a jeep incident led to gunfire and his death; the case remains unsolved six years later.
Notable examples
Proud Boys monitoring; CHOP security in tactical gear with AR-15s; jeep drove into camp; protesters shot back.
Guests
Will James and Sydney Brownstone (investigating hosts/reporters).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOThe Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP)
0:00 to 0:46
Learn about the formation and community aspects of CHOP during protests in Seattle.
“Back in 2020, a remarkable experiment took place.”
Tragic Events at CHOP
0:46 to 1:48
Discover the tragic events that unfolded involving the shooting of Antonio Mays Jr.
“But protesters feared an attack from right-wing activists.”
Unsolved Case Investigation
1:48 to 2:32
Explore the ongoing investigation into the unsolved case of Antonio Mays Jr.
“Six years later, the case remains unsolved.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Will James:Back in 2020, a remarkable experiment took place. After an intense standoff with anti-police brutality protesters, police abandoned their own precinct.
0:11Sydney Brownstone:Protesters stayed and started occupying about eight city blocks in the middle of Seattle.
0:18David Gutman:There's several hundred people being completely peaceful. It's like a block party.
0:22Sydney Brownstone:They set up tents. There was free food, a mutual aid station, a stage for speeches and music.
0:32David Gutman:It evolved into this community. They called it CHOP. The Capitol Hill organized protest.
0:40Sydney Brownstone:A place with no police. It was their attempt to build a better world. For a moment there, it was utopia. But protesters feared an attack from right-wing activists.
0:54David Gutman:Taking my group down around City Hall to monitor the group of the Proud Boys.
0:58Will James:Some protesters appointed themselves CHOP security, began walking around in tactical gear, carrying guns.
1:04David Gutman:I'm not very familiar with fire. AR-15. That's an AR-15. AR-15.
1:08Will James:And then one night, a jeep drove into the camp.
1:11David Gutman:Shots are fired. Shots are fired, Joe. Shots are fired.
1:14Will James:Protesters thought they were under attack and shot at the jeep.
1:18David Gutman:Move out the way! Oh, Jesus, Lord Jesus. Move out the way! Move out the way!
1:22Sydney Brownstone:After the shooting ended, one of the jeep's passengers was dead. 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. That night, protesters saw him as a threat. But his dad, who taught him what it means to be Black in America, says his son was there for the cause. To be honest, if it meant that I'd have my son back,
1:42David Gutman:I wouldn't teach my son Black history. Because I want to have him back right now. That's the man they have with Black history.
1:49Will James:Six years later, the case remains unsolved.
1:52Sydney Brownstone:and no one has been able to explain how this place built to protect Black life ended up killing a Black teenager.
2:03Sydney Brownstone:I'm Will James.
2:05Will James:And I'm Sydney Brownstone. For more than a year, we've been investigating what happened that night, sifting through rumors.
2:11David Gutman:He put in work for the streets, I guess. That's what they were saying. That's why he got killed.
2:17Sydney Brownstone:Digging up new witnesses. Is someone chasing you? Oh, yeah. Carling in a car. Yes, multiple cars. And uncovering never-before-seen evidence.
2:27David Gutman:See this right here? That's a long gun out of the front seat.
2:31Sydney Brownstone:Holy shit. Shit.
2:34Will James:Listen to We Keep Us Safe, an eight-part series coming Thursday, June 11th, from NPR's Embedded Podcast, The Seattle Times, and KUOW.
2:44Sydney Brownstone:NPR Plus supporters get early access to every episode. you
From the publisher
In this eight-part series, hosts Sydney Brownstone of The Seattle Times and Will James of KUOW team up with NPR’s Embedded to investigate Antonio’s death. Alongside reporter David Gutman, they track down key figures and eyewitnesses from the night of the shooting and surface crucial evidence that has never been made public.
Who bears responsibility for the shooting? And how did an idealistic protest for protecting Black lives turn into a circle of silence surrounding the killing of a Black teenager?
The series premieres on Thursday, June 11.
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