Introducing "We Keep Us Safe" from NPR, KUOW and The Seattle Times

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Introducing "We Keep Us Safe"

Podcast: Embedded (NPR)
Episode Date: June 4, 2026
Hosts: Will James, Sydney Brownstone
Special Series Launch: "We Keep Us Safe" (A collaboration with KUOW and The Seattle Times)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Embedded serves as a gripping introduction to the upcoming eight-part series, "We Keep Us Safe." The series investigates the events surrounding the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) in Seattle, focusing on the unsolved killing of 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. The hosts, Will James and Sydney Brownstone, preview their in-depth reporting—unraveling the utopian aspirations, the rapid descent into tragedy, and the unanswered questions that continue to haunt the community.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap of the CHOP Experiment

• Backdrop: In 2020, following anti-police brutality protests and an intense standoff, Seattle police abandoned their precinct on Capitol Hill.
  • "[Back in 2020, a remarkable experiment took place. After an intense standoff with anti police brutality protesters, police abandoned their own precinct.]" — Will James (00:00)
• Emergence of a New Community:
  • Protesters occupied eight city blocks, setting up tents, a stage, mutual aid stations, and shared food.
    "They set up tents. There was free food, a mutual aid station, a stage for speeches and music." — Sydney Brownstone (00:22)
  • A witness describes the atmosphere:
    "There's several hundred people being completely peaceful. It's like a block party." — Witness (00:18)

2. Hopes for Utopia—and Looming Threats

• The area, dubbed CHOP (Capitol Hill Organized Protest), was envisioned as a police-free experiment in community safety and mutual aid.
  • "They called it chop the Capitol Hill organized protest. A place with no police. It was their attempt to build a better world. For a moment there, it was utopia." — Sydney Brownstone (00:35)
• Amid rumors of attacks from far-right activists like the Proud Boys, some protesters organized themselves as impromptu security, arming themselves for protection.
  • "Some protesters appointed themselves CHOP security began walking around in tactical gear carrying guns." — Will James (00:59)
  • A nervous witness tries to identify a firearm:
    "I'm not very familiar with firearms. AR15. That's an AR15. AR50." — Witness (01:04)

3. The Shooting of Antonio Mays Jr.

• The turning point: A Jeep drives into the CHOP zone one night, sparking panic and gunfire from protesters.
  • "And then one night, a Jeep drove into the camp. Shots are fired. Shots are fired, y'. All. Shots are fired..." — Will James (01:08)
• After the chaos, 16-year-old Antonio Mays Jr., a passenger in the Jeep, is dead.
  • "After the shooting ended, one of the Jeep's passengers was... Was dead. 16 year old Antonio Mays Jr. That night, protesters saw him as a threat." — Sydney Brownstone (01:22)
• His father's grief and reflection:
  • "To be honest, if it meant that I had my son back, I wouldn't teach my son black history because I want to have him back right now... the hell with black history." — Antonio Mays Jr.'s father (01:39)

4. Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigation

• Six years later, the case is unresolved and the contradictions remain powerful:
  • "Six years later, the case remains unsolved" — Will James (01:49)
  • "No one has been able to explain and how this place built to protect black life ended up killing a black teenager." — Sydney Brownstone (01:52)
• The hosts outline their investigative approach:
  • Sifting through rumors, tracking witness accounts, unearthing new evidence.
  • "For more than a year we've been investigating what happened that night. Sifting through rumors... Digging up new witnesses... And uncovering never before seen evidence." — Will James & Sydney Brownstone (02:03–02:27)
  • Sydney is shocked by photographic evidence:
    "Holy shit." — Sydney Brownstone (02:31)

5. Series Announcement: What’s Next?

• Introduction of the full series, "We Keep Us Safe," premiering June 11.
  • "Listen to We Keep us Safe, an eight part series coming Thursday, June 11 from NPR's embedded podcast, the Seattle Times." — Will James (02:33)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peaceful beginnings:
  "There's several hundred people being completely peaceful. It's like a block party." — Witness (00:18)

• Evolving safety measures:
  "Some protesters appointed themselves CHOP security began walking around in tactical gear carrying guns." — Will James (00:59)

• Tragic paradox:
  "...place built to protect black life ended up killing a black teenager." — Sydney Brownstone (01:52)

• Parent’s pain:
  "If it meant that I had my son back, I wouldn't teach my son black history because I want to have him back right now." — Antonio Mays Jr.'s father (01:39)

• Journalistic determination:
  "We've been investigating what happened that night. Sifting through rumors... Digging up new witnesses... And uncovering never before seen evidence." — Will James & Sydney Brownstone (02:03–02:27)

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Important Timestamps

• [00:00–00:18] — Introduction to 2020 events and protest occupation
• [00:35–00:59] — Formation and spirit of CHOP; rising fears of attack
• [01:04–01:22] — The shooting incident and aftermath
• [01:39–01:52] — Testimony from Antonio Mays Jr.’s father and reflection on the tragedy
• [02:03–02:31] — Journalistic investigation and new evidence
• [02:33–02:43] — Launch announcement for the "We Keep Us Safe" series

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Tone and Language

The tone alternates between reflective, investigative, and emotional—mirroring both the hope of the CHOP movement and the weight of the tragedy at its heart. The hosts engage directly with witnesses and affected family, conveying both empathy and a commitment to uncovering the truth.

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Summary Statement:
This episode sets the stage for a deeply reported narrative, confronting the paradoxes and complexities of Seattle’s CHOP, a community experiment that both aspired to and failed at keeping its members safe. With new evidence and poignant voices, the hosts promise to return to the unanswered questions—and to the people whose lives were changed forever.

Transcript

[Will James]

Back in 2020, a remarkable experiment took place. After an intense standoff with anti police brutality protesters, police abandoned their own precinct.

[Sydney Brownstone]

Protesters stayed and started occupying about eight city blocks in the middle of Seattle.

[Witness/Interviewee]

There's several hundred people being completely peaceful. It's like a block party.

[Sydney Brownstone]

They set up tents. There was free food, a mutual aid station, a stage for speeches and music.

[Will James]

I want my world to change. I want my. It evolved into this community.

[Sydney Brownstone]

They called it chop the Capitol Hill organized protest. A place with no police. It was their attempt to build a better world. For a moment there, it was utopia. But protesters feared an attack from right wing activists.

[Witness/Interviewee]

Taking my group down around city hall to monitor the group of the proud boys.

[Will James]

Some protesters appointed themselves CHOP security began walking around in tactical gear carrying guns.

[Witness/Interviewee]

I'm not very familiar with firearms. AR15. That's an AR15. AR50.

[Will James]

And then one night, a Jeep drove into the camp. Shots are fired. Shots are fired, y'. All. Shots are fired. Protesters thought they were under attack and shot at the Jeep.

[Witness/Interviewee]

Move out the way.

[Will James]

Oh, Jesus, Lord Jesus.

[Sydney Brownstone]

After the shooting ended, one of the Jeep's passengers was. Was dead. 16 year old Antonio Mays Jr. That night, protesters saw him as a threat. But his dad, who taught him what it means to be black in America, says his son was there for the cause.

[Witness/Interviewee]

To be honest, if it meant that I had my son back, I wouldn't teach my son black history because I want to have him back right now. I said, man, they hell with black history.

[Will James]

Six years later, the case remains unsolved

[Sydney Brownstone]

and no one has been able to explain and how this place built to protect black life ended up killing a black teenager.

[Will James]

I'm Will James and I'm Sydney Brownstone. For more than a year we've been investigating what happened that night. Sifting through rumors he put in work for the streets. I guess that's what they were saying. That's why he got killed.

[Sydney Brownstone]

Digging up new witnesses. Is someone chasing you?

[Witness/Interviewee]

Oh, yeah.

[Sydney Brownstone]

Or like in a car chasing you?

[Witness/Interviewee]

Yes, like multiple cars.

[Sydney Brownstone]

And uncovering never before seen evidence.

[Witness/Interviewee]

See this right here? That's a long gun out of the front seat.

[Sydney Brownstone]

Holy shit.

[Will James]

Shit. Listen to We Keep us Safe, an eight part series coming Thursday, June 11 from NPR's embedded podcast, the Seattle Times.

[Sydney Brownstone]

And KUOW NPR supporters get early access to every episod.