Photo shows Raz Simone, “the alleged leader of CHAZ crying after Seattle police arrested him.”
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No, the man in this photo isn’t Raz Simone
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- The photo shows another protest leader arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle.
An image of a man who appears to be crying as a masked medic looms over him is not Raz Simone, a rapper and political activist who has rallied demonstrators at Seattle’s Capitol Hill Occupied Protest — also known as the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.
But a Facebook post sharing the photo wrongly claims otherwise.
"This is the alleged leader of chaz crying after Seattle Police arrested him," the post says. "His name is Raz Simone. Do your thing Facebook!"
The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
Featured Fact-check
The image being shared on Facebook is of another protest leader known as River, according to news reports. According to KIRO 7 News, he was arrested after a brief chase from Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood to Interstate 5. Police said he was suspected of possessing a stolen vehicle.
For weeks, protesters calling for racial justice occupied several blocks of the Capitol Hill neighborhood after Seattle police abandoned the precinct there. The result was an "experiment in police-free governance," in The New Yorker’s words, that drew criticism from conservatives and President Donald Trump. It was ultimately cleared by police.
Simone was a regular figure at CHOP, leading protesters in marches and speaking to the media. But we found no news reports that he has been arrested.
We rate this Facebook post Mostly False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, July 5, 2020
Seattle Times, Seattle-area protests: Protesters remain on Capitol Hill on seventh day of action after George Floyd’s killing, June 4, 2020
KIRO 7 News, Video: Freeway foot race ends with leader of former CHOP zone in handcuffs, July 2, 2020
KIRO 7 News, Protest leader at CHOP appears in court as stolen vehicle suspect, released, July 4, 2020
Seattle Times, Shooting at Seattle’s CHOP protest site kills 16-year-old boy, leaves 14-year-old seriously injured, June 29, 2020
Raz Simone Facebook page, visited July 8, 2020
Seattle Times, After early morning shooting in CHOP, occupied area returns to its new normal, June 20, 2020
The New Yorker, Seattle’s Capitol Hill Occupied Protest has always been in flux, June 26, 2020
Time, More than 30 protesters arrested as Seattle police clear "Occupied Protest" zone, July 1, 2020
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No, the man in this photo isn’t Raz Simone
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