Seattle Supporters Watch Black Lives Matter Garden Leveled After It Was Overrun by Drug Users, Homeless – The Messenger

Seattle's Black Lives Matter garden is no more, despite efforts to save it, including an online petition that garnered over 5,000 signatures.

Some supporters were on hand for Wednesday morning's demolition operation, approved by the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

Established by community organizers and demonstrators during the summer of 2020, the Black Lives Matter garden was intended to memorialize those individuals of color who've been killed by police bullets.

Initially, the garden was to be razed in October. But the project was delayed, as workers faced off with garden supporters and organizers from the Black Star Farmers.

Police closed off the roads around the park, and construction vehicles were brought into to remove the community garden in Cal Anderson Park, located within the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Officials said the garden had become unsafe as people had started setting up camp and using drugs publicly, The Seattle Times reported.

The park's restrooms were also vandalized.The city has vowed to "conceptualize" a new garden elsewhere at the park.

More than 5,000 people signed anonline petition to save the garden, calling it "an ongoing, occupied protest space."

Supporters described the unsanctioned garden as memorializing Black and Indigenous people killed by police, while also providing joy and healing to Capitol Hill community members who didnt have much access to green space.

Garden supporters told the paper volunteers received no notice of the removal, but word got around, and people rushed to the scene to save some of the plants.

City officials plan to reseed the area and restore turf there. The city also removed, for the 76th time this year, tent encampments from Cal Anderson Wednesday morning.

Black Live Matter leaders backed the garden's removal, after receiving assurances a better memorial would replace it.

Community leader Jim Buchanan, speaking on behalf of King County Equity Now, said he wants the new garden to be protected, so it doesn't become a refuge "for drug use and activity, and a hangout spot."

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Seattle Supporters Watch Black Lives Matter Garden Leveled After It Was Overrun by Drug Users, Homeless - The Messenger

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