Despite nightly protests against racially motivated police brutality, and nightly incidents of shocking police aggression in Seattle, Mayor Durkan has yet to meet with Black Lives Matter. She has met with protest leaders, but those people are unaffiliated with Black Lives Matter Seattle King County and do not speak for them.
Black Lives Matter Seattle King County held a press conference yesterday morning to address this and to lay out a list of their immediate demands from the City of Seattle. The demands are listed below and described in more detail in their press release:
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Rescind the motion to end the consent decree.
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End the curfew immediately.
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Require that all law enforcement at demonstrations turn on body cams and keep them on throughout their shift. Also require that each officer’s badge number be fully on display at all times.
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Establish a de-escalation team.
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Decrease funding for police and instead increase funding for health and social services.
Happily, yesterday two of these 5 demands came to fruition – the motion to end the consent decree was rescinded (which is a huge victory), and the curfew was cancelled. Let’s lean in to get those last 3 addressed!
ACTION: Tell Local Leaders to Meet with BLM and Listen
In their press conference, Black Lives Matter Seattle King County lists the leaders that they would like to meet with. We’re asking that you tell each of these leaders to meet with BLM immediately and start acting on their demands.
Mayor Durkan: [email protected]
King County Executive Dow Constantine: [email protected]
Senator Patty Murray: https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile/contactme
Senator Maria Cantwell: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact
Congressman Adam Smith: https://adamsmith.house.gov/contact
Governor Inslee: https://www.governor.wa.gov/contact
Suggested Script:
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m writing from [PLACE]. After several nights of protests ending violently, it is imperative that [representative] meet with the leaders of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County as soon as possible to hear their demands and start making changes. [Enter personal message here.] They speak for the community most affected by racially motivated police brutality, and their demands must be addressed to restore community trust and hold police accountable. The murder of George Floyd and too many other black and brown people will not be forgotten, and neither will your response to the current nationwide outrage.”
Background: http://blacklivesseattle.org/blm06032020statement/
Bonus Action: We’ll Match Your Donation to Black Lives Matter Seattle King County!
We’ll be matching up to $1,000 in donations. Enter “Indivisible” in the box with your phone number to get the match. Donate here: https://blacklivesseattle.org/donate/
Good news:
The officer who killed George Floyd has now been charged with second degree murder, and the three officers who were present at the scene and did nothing to interfere have been charged with aiding and abetting: https://www.axios.com/george-floyd-officers-charged-minnesota-5db1df45-7d00-4bf6-ad62-c89f28e02db0.html
