Official Daily Action for Tuesday, Sept 6, 2022
In meetings with the Seattle Police Department, Mayor Burce Harrell blasted City Council and the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). He blamed “inexperienced” city council members and service providers for the current state of the homelessness crisis, naming KCRHA for “working against” Harrell by opposing encampment sweeps. Last May, Mayor Harrell declared at a press conference that “Under this administration, we don’t sweep”, all the while continuing multiple sweeps a week. This blatant hypocrisy and abject cruelty against unhoused people cannot be allowed to continue. Today’s daily action is to contact the mayor’s office and urge him to end his political bickering and STOP THE SWEEPS.
Action
Mayor Bruce Harrell: 206-684-4000
Write a comment: http://web6.seattle.gov/mo/correspondence/contact-mayor
Script
Hello Mayor Harrell, my name is [NAME] and I live in Seattle. I’m appalled by the leaked comments you made to SPD blaming the King County Regional Homelessness Authority for the current state of the homelessness crisis for their opposition to your sweeps of homeless encampments. Last May, you claimed in a press conference, “Under this administration, we don’t sweep.” Yet here you are, blasting KCRHA for opposing the very sweeps you continue to order. Sweeps are harmful and do NOTHING to address the current homelessness crisis. They are actively making the situation worse and serve to only chase people around the city with no real solutions. I urge you to please listen to the unhoused community on what’s truly needed and STOP THE SWEEPS.
Background
Publicola: “Authentic” Harrell Doubles Down
Seattle Times: Seattle mayor does damage control after leaked criticism of homelessness agency, City Council
Publicola: “We Don’t Sweep,” Seattle Mayor Says as Sweeps Continue
