Trump fumes as protesters stake out 'cop-free zone' in Seattle

'Take back your city now,' US president tells Washington governor

A police officer removes a wire barricade at the entrance of Seattle Police Department East Precinct in Seattle. Reuters

A sign is seen on a barrier at an entrance to the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" in Seattle, Washington. The zone includes the blocks surrounding the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct. Getty Images/AFP

People rally in front of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct in the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images/AFP

A barricade is seen at an entrance to the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images/AFP

A protester sits out of the window of a car with an American flag as a youth-led protest walks towards the Seattle Police Department's West Precinct in Seattle. Reuters

A police officer walks in front of Seattle Police Department East Precinct. Reuters

A police officer removes a wire barricade at the entrance of Seattle Police Department East Precinct in Seattle. Reuters

People listen as a band plays a free show in front of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct in the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone." Getty Images/AFP

A person walks by a camping trailer in the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone." Getty Images/AFP

A man holds his child and a sign that reads 'Black Lives Matter' near Seattle Police Department East Precinct. Reuters

A defaced sign with "people" painted over "police" is seen on the exterior of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct in the so-called "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone." Getty Images/AFP

A man walks across the street over freshly painted sign that reads 'Black Lives Matter' near Seattle Police Department East Precinct. Reuters

After days of violent clashes with protesters, police in Seattle have largely withdrawn from a neighbourhood that protesters have turned into a "cop-free zone" that has US President Donald Trump fuming.

Mr Trump taunted Washington state Governor Jay Inslee and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan about the situation on Twitter, saying the city had been taken over by “anarchists".

“Take back your city now. If you don’t do it, I will,” he tweeted.

The area, called “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,” or Chaz, sprang up after police on Monday removed barricades surrounding the East Precinct police station and left the building.

Officers used tear gas, pepper spray and stun grenades over the weekend to disperse demonstrators they said were assaulting them with projectiles.

Mr Trump has sparred before with Mr Inslee and Ms Durkan, both of whom are liberal Democrats.

Mr Inslee, who earlier sought his party’s presidential nomination, tweeted on Thursday that state officials would not allow threats of military violence from the White House.

“The US military serves to protect Americans, not the fragility of an insecure president,” he tweeted.

The zone set up by protesters stretches across several blocks of the youthful Capitol Hill neighbourhood, where dozens of people listen to speakers calling for police reform and racial justice. In the evenings, free music performances take place

Signs surrounding the area read “You are entering free Capitol Hill”, and “No cop co-op” along pavements where people sell water and other wares.

"From what I've gathered, we're trying to take our community back so we can live without a massive police force patrolling the streets," resident Michael Taylor told The Seattle Times.

At the weekend, police were criticised by city council members and other elected leaders.

The demonstrations have been largely peaceful since officers eased back on their weekend tactics.

Police officials say they are looking to reopen the precinct.

A demonstrator wearing a protective mask attends a Black Lives Matter protest in Amsterdam, Netherlands. REUTERS

Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, testifies during the US House Judiciary Committee hearing on "Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability" on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. REUTERS

George Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, reacts during the US House Judiciary Committee hearing. Reuters

Philonise Floyd marches with other demonstrators near the White House, to protest police brutality and racism, in Washington, DC. AFP

Protestors take part in a Take The Knee demonstration in solidarity with Black Lives Matter in Windrush Square, Brixton, south west London. AFP

Children take part in a protest against racism and police violence during a "Black Lives Matter" demonstration in Duque de Caxias, Brazil. AP Photo

San Francisco Mayor London Breed the first African-American woman mayor in the city's history, takes a knee with protesters for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to participate in a Kneeling for Justice demonstration. EPA

People walk past a make-shift memorial of people who have died in police custody in Oakland, California, USA. EPA

Demonstrators lie face down with their hands behind their backs during a protest in Oakland, California. EPA

Supporters of Black Lives Matter, hold signs during a protest outside the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Demonstrators lie face down with their hands behind their backs during a protest following the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody, in Oakland, California. EPA

Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet, wears a "I Can't Breathe - Black Lives Matter" t-shirt under his fire suit in solidarity with protesters around the world, speaks to the media prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Virginia. Getty Images

Cyclists gather for a mass ride in protest of systemic racism in policing in Brooklyn, New York City. Getty Images

A woman with a red hand painted on her face, which calls attention to the high rates of indigenous women who are murdered or missing, raises a sign in solidarity in Denver, Colorado. Reuters

Protesters surround a statue of Christopher Columbus before marching, eventually returning and pulling it down in Richmond, Virginia. Another statue of Christopher Columbus was beheaded in Boston. AFP

People attend a Black Lives Matter Denmark rally in Odense, Denmark. AP

The White House is seen through the hole of a "Black Lives Matter" banner displaying crosses with the names of black victims who died of police brutality in Washington, DC. AFP

On Wednesday, Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette said the barriers were removed from the front of the building after it became a flashpoint between officers and protesters.

Ms Nollette said the precinct was boarded up because of credible threats that it would be vandalised or burnt.

She said protesters set up their own barricades, which are intimidating some residents.

“We are dedicated to working with peaceful protesters on a way to move forward,” Ms Nollette said.

Demonstrators say they want to see the precinct turned into a community centre or used for purposes other than law enforcement.

Councilwoman Kshama Sawant on Thursday disputed accounts of violence or intimidation by protesters in the area and said it was more like a street fair, with political discussions and a drum circle.

“The right wing has been spreading rumours that there is some sort of lawlessness and crime taking place at the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, but it is exactly the opposite of that,” said Ms Sawant, a socialist and critic of Mr Durkan and the police.

She said she wanted the precinct to be “converted into a public resource that will actually be helpful to society".