Black Lives Matter

Fund Career Bridge, Fight Racial Injustice 
"Career Bridge was created by the Black Prisoners Caucus in order to help prisoners transition into the reliable, well-paying jobs they need to rebuild their lives after the harsh experience of prison. A recent audit demonstrated that 81% of the men who participated in Career Bridge were able to secure steady jobs, despite the discrimination and hardship that comes with past prison experience. We have an obligation to challenge the New Jim Crow at every level. Funding Career Bridge is one such way we can do that."

My Speech on Seattle's Call for Zero Youth Detention 
"On September 21, 2015, the Seattle City Council unanimously adopted a resolution committing to a vision of zero youth detentions within Seattle. I strongly support this resolution, but words are not enough. Only months ago, every other Councilmember voted in favor of a new youth jail, which will cost more than 200 million dollars. "

On Juneteenth - Build the Struggle against Racism 
"On Juneteenth, we celebrate the end of the Civil War and the smashing of slavery - one of the most brutally oppressive systems the world has known. While the institution of slavery is gone, racism is not. We must stand together to demand an end to racist violence, end to police brutality, and end poverty wages and unemployment!"

Press Conference with Jesse Hagopian
Garfield High School teacher and social justice activist, Jesse Hagopian, announced at a press conference on January 28th that he is filing a lawsuit against the City of Seattle and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) after being pepper sprayed as he walked down the street. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred after the Martin Luther King Day rally just minutes after Hagopian gave a speech about the Black Lives Matter movement.

MLK Day Rally Speech Outside Youth Jail
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, 2015, I delivered a speech outside of our local youth jail.

SPD Chief O'Toole to Answer Questions About Policing of Protests
On Monday, January 12th at 9:30 am at City Hall, Chief O'Toole and other leading officials from the Seattle Police Department answered questions from Councilmembers about the SPD's policing of the Black Lives Matter protests over the last several weeks. It is important that civil rights activists and social justice advocates come to this Council Briefing to show the Council and the SPD that there is widespread concern over the tactics used by the SPD.

No New Youth Jail: Build the Struggle for Racial Justice
For many months, civil rights activists and community leaders have been organizing against the construction of a new youth detention center in King County. At many council meetings they have clearly articulated how this jail would exacerbate institutional racism in Seattle, and how the $210 million dollars could be spent on better projects than a detention center for children. Nevertheless, on Monday, October 13th, I was the only Councilmember to stand with the community and vote against an ordinance that would facilitate the development of a new youth jail. Check out my speech and read the transcript below.