Durkan said the city is working with the protesters to bring the zone to an end.
“The cumulative impacts of the gatherings and protests and the nighttime atmosphere and violence has led to increasingly difficult circumstances for our businesses and residents,” Durkan told reporters.
Protesters took over the area in early June, cordoned off several blocks after clashing with police during protests for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
After police abandoned the city’s East Precinct building, protesters blocked off the area and declared it a police free zone.
At night, however, the area has been a bit more hostile with protesters marching and armed volunteer guards keeping watch.
