The City of Seattle will be voting on February 21 on a first-of-its-kind ordinance by a city in the US (but hopefully not the last!) to add caste as a protected class in its anti-discrimination framework.

Caste-based discrimination is a real and growing problem in Seattle and King County – especially in the tech industry. Real Change News has a good overview of the need for the ordinance: https://www.realchangenews.org/news/2023/02/18/fighting-caste-oppression-and-fighting-racism-go-hand-hand

So please email/call Seattle City Council and ask them to VOTE YES on this ordinance

https://www.tinyurl.com/seattlecasteally will bring up a pre-drafted email to the Seattle City Council in your email program. Make sure to fill in your name and city at the bottom, and then hit send!

BONUS ACTION #1: Call Your Seattle City Councilmembers and ask them to VOTE YES on this ordinance

Find your three Councilmembers: https://www.seattle.gov/council/meet-the-council/find-your-district-and-councilmembers

Sample script:

“Hello, my name is [NAME]. I live in Seattle and I am calling to urge you to support the important ordinance banning caste discrimination in Seattle by voting YES. This is a human rights issue, and caste discrimination is a growing problem in our community. Please vote YES to address it, and address it NOW. Thank you.”

BONUS ACTION #2: Join us at City Hall on Tuesday

If you’re in Seattle, join us on Tuesday, February 21 at 2 PM at City Hall to stand in solidarity and support of the caste-oppressed as the Council votes on this ordinance. Please also sign up no later than 12PM to make public comments at 2PM, if you can.

If you’re going to be attending the meeting, please fill out the form at https://forms.gle/rmEJQL61N8K8BDTj9 to help us organize.