The Seattle Open Housing Campaign, 1959-1968

The NAACP Request

Another avenue followed to fight housing discrimination was changing the law at the local government level. By making it illegal to discriminate when selling or renting, proponents believed it would be more difficult to continue discriminatory practices. Changing the law, however, turned out to be a lengthy process.

Rev. McKinney

Late in 1961, the Seattle branch of the NAACP proposed that the City pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing. A public hearing on the idea was held in December 1961. Proponents speaking for an ordinance included the Rev. Samuel McKinney, pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, and Garfield High School principal Frank Hanawalt; opponents included Richard W. Lenington, past president of the Seattle Real Estate Board, and Donald C. Haas, president of the Seattle Apartment Operators' Association. Seattle's Corporation Counsel, A. C. Van Soelen, stated that the proposed ordinance would have dubious legal validity and would be problematic to enforce. The City Council declined to take action.

NAACP Request

Letter of protest from Caroline Root

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