Bikers plan to attack Seattle protest zone

Vigilante groups have threatened to “retake” the independent zone in Seattle where protesters have set up barricades to keep police out.

An event promoted on Facebook suggests that more than 500 bikers plan to attack the socalled Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, which they say is “illegally occupying public property and terrorising small businesses”.

The zone, established a week ago, covers a six-block area surrounding the abandoned East Precinct police station. Some protesters are camping overnight and first aid stations and food stalls have been set up. The Facebook event, hosted by a pro-Trump site, and scheduled for July 4, suggests that non-bikers with other vehicles could also join in.

Across the US, cars and lorries have been used as weapons during the wave of nationwide protests. Cars have been driven into crowds during two protests in Seattle, with some injuries reported.

The zone has become a target for pro-Trump social media users, who have called the protesters “terrorists” and claim they represent “Antifa”, an anti-fascist movement Trump has blamed for spreading the protests.