Seattle's mayor told Donald Trump to "Go back to your bunker" Thursday, escalating a spat after the president threatened to intervene over a police-free autonomous zone protesters have set up in the western US city.

Human Rights Attorney Mike Withey, a veteran of major protests in 1999 against the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests, addresses demonstrators in the CHAZ zone
Human Rights Attorney Mike Withey, a veteran of major protests in 1999 against the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests, addresses demonstrators in the CHAZ zone AFP / Jason Redmond

The reference to a "bunker" was a nod to reports Trump was rushed by Secret Service agents to a secure area in the White House as demonstrations against racism and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd reached the president's residence.

Trump sparked the spat when he threatened to intervene in the neighborhood in Seattle dubbed "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone," or CHAZ, which was agreed upon by demonstrators and the city's police department.

People of all ages enjoyed the sunny weather in Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ)
People of all ages enjoyed the sunny weather in Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) AFP / Jason Redmond

"Take back your city NOW. If you don't do it, I will," Trump warned mayor Jenny Durkan and Washington state governor Jay Inslee -- both Democrats -- in a tweet late Wednesday, calling the protesters "domestic terrorists" who have taken over Seattle.

"This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped (sic) IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST," he continued in another tweet.

A crowd gathers to listen to speakers in Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ)
A crowd gathers to listen to speakers in Seattle's Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) AFP / Jason Redmond

Mayor Jenny Durkan replied, urging Trump to "make us all safe. Go back to your bunker", with Inslee joining in the Twitter mockery of Trump.

"A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state's business. 'Stoop' tweeting," Inslee wrote.

Demonstrators in Seattle's CHAZ area set up a shrine to the memory of the late George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer triggered the recent wave of protests
Demonstrators in Seattle's CHAZ area set up a shrine to the memory of the late George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer triggered the recent wave of protests AFP / Jason Redmond

Protests have taken place across the country following the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.

Officials in Seattle have denied reports that left-wing activists are behind the setting up of the autonomous zone.

Trump sparked a spat with Seattle's mayor after he threatened to intervene in the neighborhood dubbed 'Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,' or CHAZ
Trump sparked a spat with Seattle's mayor after he threatened to intervene in the neighborhood dubbed 'Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone,' or CHAZ AFP / Jason Redmond

In the CHAZ area Thursday there were tents with supplies for volunteer medics as well as free gourmet food donated by local restaurants, along with fruit, snacks, and water bottles for the taking.

The sunny afternoon gathering had a relaxed air, with people of all ages, including mothers with children, milling around the car-free streets.

At one point a crowd locked arms and prevented two police officers from reaching a boarded up police station in the area. The officers failed to break in when they tried to enter through a different road.

"The scene here is peaceful as hell," said a demonstrator who identified herself as Jahtia B.

She wondered aloud what Trump meant by tweeting 'take back the city.'

"This is our city. I was born and raised in this damn city. Let's give it to the people, the people who live in Seattle and have been thriving here," she told AFP.

An African-American demonstrator, Rich Brown, said he was scared on Sunday when police used tear gas and flash bang grenades in an attempt to clear the area.

"Today I feel supported, welcomed," he said. "We're able to speak, it's what we've been wanting to do this whole time, without intimidation, without fear."

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