02/07/2024 0 Comments
Standing in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter Seattle King County on Friday, June 12th from 1pm-2pm
Standing in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter Seattle King County on Friday, June 12th from 1pm-2pm
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Standing in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter Seattle King County on Friday, June 12th from 1pm-2pm
This Friday, June 12th the Black Lives Matter chapter in Seattle King County is calling for a statewide general strike, protest march, and day of action in support of all Black lives in Washington state. If you can’t be at the march in Seattle they are asking that people organize one in their community.
So that is what we are doing at St. Columba's on Friday June 12th from 1pm-2pm. We will meet in the church parking lot at 12:45 and begin walking to the corner of 272nd and Military at 1pm sharp. We will stand silently in order to 1. actively listen to our neighborhood 2. to hear what our neighbors are trying to tell us and, 3. to stand with our Black brothers and sisters.
This week, and every week, church let's focus on listening in order to act. Let's talk about what we hear, and how God is calling us to action as a result. And then, when we act, let's listen again to see how we can do better, see more clearly, and continue to draw close to the new horizon of justice and love that God calls all of creation to pursue, together.
If you can, bring a sign and remember we cannot let you in the building even to use the bathroom. Please, stay 6ft from each other and wear a mask.
A sign can be made out of an old cereal box, card board box, or poster board. Suggestions for signage: Black Lives Matter, Enough, Racism is a pandemic too, How many weren't filmed, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and so many more.
In order for us to all stand together you do not have to agree politically with the current demands, but you should be aware of what they are. Below is what the Black Lives Matter Seattle King County chapter has presented to Mayor Durkan:
1. We demand that all law enforcement at demonstrations turn on their body cams and leave them on throughout the entirety of their shift. With that, we understand that this is only the beginning of this conversation. Per the ACLU, we want the access and use of the recorded data from body cams to be taken out of the hands of the police. Furthermore, more regulations must be put in place into how this data is distributed. - Mayor Durkan agreed
2. We demand the city divest $100 million in the police budget that would be used for militarized weapons and equipment and reinvest those funds in de-escalation teams, street outreach, crisis intervention teams, mental health diversion teams, housing, and PPE - Mayor Durkan agrees to a divestment that is reinvested in our community needs. It was also agreed that $100 million may not be enough to meet the needs.
3. We demand the end of sweeping homeless encampments, as it violates CDC guidelines in treating and supporting people and families experiencing homelessness - Mayor has a tentative plan that includes housing/shelter options. ULMS would be interested in continuing the discussion with the Mayor’s office as they have more data to share on the matter.
4. We demand that the City of Seattle drop the Inquest Lawsuit with King County - The Mayor will be speaking with the City Attorney about this matter.
5. We demand that Community Oversight be a part of the police contract bargaining process - The Mayor mentioned the CPC expressed this also. We shared that the community will need a better relationship with the CPC and that we, BLM, are willing to assist with.
6. We demand the City of Seattle to develop a fully funded and staffed Black Commission to address these and further issues in the future - Mayor Durkan agrees to its formation, staffing and funding support of the commission
If you would like to read more from Black Lives Matter Seattle King County go here.
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