Andrew Callaghan sat down with Bootleg Kev to discuss his experience covering the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP), formerly known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ), in Seattle. Callaghan, who grew up in the Capitol Hill area, explained that he was in Minneapolis when he first heard about the police abandoning a precinct in his neighborhood, leading to protesters taking control of a four-block radius.
He described the protest in three phases. The first phase was the “Spirit of the Revolution,” where activists and organizers embraced the idea of an autonomous movement. The second phase resembled a festival-like atmosphere, with people arriving from places like Northern California and Oregon, setting up drum circles and dubstep stages, leading to ideological clashes between the original protesters and the newcomers. The third phase saw local gang members realizing there was no police presence, leading to crime, drug activity, and territorial disputes.
Callaghan recounted how his tent was stolen multiple times and detailed a fatal shooting on the Fourth of July, which marked the collapse of the movement. He noted that many activists and organizers left after the violence escalated, leaving the area in disarray until the police eventually shut it down. He admitted that he filmed the entire experience but never released the footage because he found it embarrassing for his hometown.
The conversation shifted to political discourse, with Callaghan observing that both extreme left-wing and right-wing groups believe they are acting with good intentions. He pointed out that while far-right ideologies have seeped into mainstream conservative politics, far-left movements like Antifa remain marginalized and are often rejected by mainstream liberals. He also reflected on how the political climate of 2016 led him to cut off contact with family members over political disagreements, something he now regrets.
Throughout the discussion, Callaghan emphasized the need for more balanced discourse in America, though he acknowledged that ideological divides remain deep. He predicted that 2028 might be a pivotal year for the country’s political landscape.
