The second lesson comes from the CHAZ/CHOP in Seattle where predominantly white leftist protests turned into a pseudo-occupy movement wherein several city blocks were barricaded and declared to be the "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" free from US law. This evolution of their protest served the dual purpose of living out their wet dreams but also a national bout of muscle-flexing that commanded our nation's attention (and highlighted the incompetence of our politicians in a crisis). The following twenty-three days of CHAZ/CHOP's existence were either heavily embellished, over sensationalized, or endlessly ridiculed; the central figure of the drama being Raz Simone, a local SoundCloud rapper, Airbnb host and wannabe gangster. He, with about five decently armed and equipped loyal friends, effectively took control of the CHAZ security and became de facto leaders, policing the occupied zone as they saw fit. Additionally, there have been numerous claims that local businesses were forced into a protection racket by Raz where they paid a onetime ‘tax’ in order to enjoy his crew's protection. Furthermore, business where alleged to have been ‘asked’ by Raz and his armed crew to give access to unities, bathrooms, water and electric to protesters. Because his decidedly violent, confrontational policing and 'de-escalation' methods were much worse than those of the police he replaced, he gained notoriety online and discontent among so called residents. Despite this, his influence went unchallenged. If rumors from the zone are to be believed, lone discontented individuals had no ability to challenge Raz and his crew as anyone who did would be severely outgunned and outmanned. With the rebranding of CHAZ to CHOP, and the days for the experiment looking numbered, he tried to paint himself in a positive or at least a legal light. However, despite his efforts, when normalcy resumed and CHOP was dismantled, he was arrested. There is something to be said about his waning influence in the increased presence of other ‘Red Gun Clubs’ however the lesson is the same. A small group of armed and loyal friends acting swiftly and opportunistically have exponential power to take control of a situation and assert authority by virtue of being the ‘firstest with the mostest’.