City clears Black Lives Memorial Garden from Cal Anderson Park

The Black Lives Memorial Garden was cleared from Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill, Seattle, as city crews conducted a removal operation under police supervision. Established during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, the garden has been a symbol of community activism and resilience. While the city justified the removal for a turf restoration project intended to improve the park's usability for events, community advocates have raised significant concerns about displacement and gentrification. Black Star Farmers, a key group involved with the garden, issued a call to action, emphasizing that moving the garden would represent a broader trend of community erasure. Earlier attempts to remove the garden had faced pushback, showcasing the ongoing tensions between city officials and community members.

Although Seattle Parks has offered to relocate the garden, supporters argue its original site is integral to its meaning and purpose. This incident follows recent actions to clear homeless encampments in the vicinity, further complicating the narrative around public space in Seattle. The situation underscores the city's ongoing struggle to balance urban development with community needs and historical significance.