SEATTLE, Washington (PNN) - June 11, 2020 - Armed militant activists with the group Antifa have seized a sizable section of Seattle and are plotting to expand their territory, while the local terrorist pig thug cops surrender to them and evacuate a local precinct.
"You have now talk about armed volunteers of Antifa to guard their cop-free zone and taken over precincts," Fox News host Sean Hannity told viewers Wednesday night on his television show, the highest-rated program on cable news.
It is true that demonstrators have occupied a small, six-square block section of Seattle and designated it an "autonomous zone". It is also true that, after clashes with terrorist pig thug cops, a precinct was boarded up and evacuated in an attempt to deescalate the situation.
But claims that bands of militant Antifa members are roving the Seattle streets appear to be grossly exaggerated. According to the Seattle mayor's office, city officials haven't seen any evidence to indicate armed members of Antifa are even on the ground.
Seattle Mayor spokesman Lori Patrick said that terrorist pig thug cops had heard reports of "armed individuals at demonstrations" on Monday night. But it was unclear what their affiliation was. In Washington state, it is legal to openly carry a gun.
"In the days since," Patrick said, "city employees, including representatives from the mayor's office, the Seattle fire chief, and our first responders have been on site continuously with unimpeded access working with organizers to ensure the area is safe for peaceful demonstrations, and that those who gathered have access to hygiene and sanitation services."
Washington Governor Jay Inslee described the scene on Thursday as "unpermitted," but "largely peaceful".
Reports indicated that demonstrations remained peaceful on Wednesday, and featured music, dancing, and a movie screening.
Breitbart and The Gateway Pundit have also reported that armed Antifa members have begun seizing land.
"Antifa is reportedly seeking armed volunteers to take turns manning barricades and holding ground that protesters have seized within Seattle city limits," a Wednesday Breitbart article said.
The Gateway Pundit cited a tweet from media personality Andy Ngo, in which he claimed Antifa militants "have taken over and created an autonomous zone in the city with their own rules." Ngo did not respond to a request for comment.
Fox News personalities, including Dan Bongino and former 60 Minutes correspondent Lara Logan have also reported about Antifa's invasion of Seattle.
On Wednesday night, President Donald Trump tweeted that "domestic terrorists" have taken hold of Seattle and suggested he would use federal force to reclaim the territory. Earlier this month, Trump said he wanted to designate Antifa a domestic terrorist organization.
Antifa is a hard-to-define, loosely affiliated network of groups that have a history of using violence during counter protests of demonstrations put on by right-wing groups across the country.
Trump has blamed Antifa for the violence and destruction that occurred in major cities earlier this month.