>>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON,
EVERYBODY. TODAY IS NOVEMBER
21, 2023. THIS IS THE MEETING
OF THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL. I
AM NOW CALLING IT ORDER. I AM
DEBORA JUAREZ. WITH THAT, MADAM
CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT?
>> PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER
TRAN 21?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD?
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> PRESENT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MORALES?
>> HERE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ?
>> HERE.
>> NINE PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO
PRESENTATIONS TODAY SO WE ARE
GOING TO GO RIGHT INTO PUBLIC
COMMENT . WE ARE STILL DOING
HYBRID AND IN PERSON PUBLIC
COMMENT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE
HAVE 85 REMOTE AND 53 IN PERSON
AND THAT MAY CHANGE. LET'S SEE
WHERE WE ARE AT. EVERYONE WILL
HAVE ONE MINUTE. WE ARE GOING
TO START WITH THE REMOTE
SPEAKERS FIRST. BEFORE WE
BEGIN, I WILL HAND OFF TO MADAM
CLERK FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WHAT WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM
EVERYBODY TODAY. HOPEFULLY WE
CAN ALL AGREE TO DISAGREE AND
WE CAN BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER
PEOPLE'S OPINIONS AND BASICALLY
MOVE FORWARD WITH SOME DIGNITY
AND IN A GOOD WAY. WITH THAT,
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE GO AHEAD
WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS.
>> BE RESPECTFUL.
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, SEATTLE. WE ARE THE
EMERALD CITY, THE CITY OF
FLOWERS AND THE CITY OF
GOODWILL, BUILT ON INDIGENOUS
LAND THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY
OF THE PEOPLES. THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL WELCOMES REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT AND IS EAGER TO
HEAR FROM RESIDENTS OF OUR
CITY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A
SPEAKER AND PROVIDE A VERBAL
PUBLIC COMMENT, YOU MAY
REGISTER TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE
MEETING VIA THE SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL WEBSITE. HERE IS
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PROCEEDINGS. SPEAKERS
ARE CALLED UPON IN THE ORDER IN
WHICH THEY REGISTERED ON THE
COUNCIL'S WEBSITE. EACH SPEAKER
MUST CALL IN FROM THE PHONE
NUMBER PROVIDED WHEN THEY
REGISTERED ONLINE AND USE THE
MEETING ID AND PASSCODE THAT
WAS EMAILED UPON CONFIRMATION.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL
CONFIRMATION, PLEASE CHECK YOUR
SPAM OR JUNK MAIL FOLDERS. A
REMINDER, THE SPEAKER MEETING
ID IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR
GENERAL LISTEN LINE MEETING ID
PROVIDED ON THE AGENDA. ONCE A
SPEAKER'S NAME IS CALLED, THE
MICROPHONE WILL BE UNMUTED AND
AN AUTOMATIC PROMPT WILL SAY,
THE HOST WOULD LIKE YOU TO
UNMUTE YOUR MICROPHONE. THAT IS
YOUR CUE THAT IT IS YOUR TURN
TO SPEAK. AT THAT TIME, YOU
MUST PRESS STAR SIX. YOU WILL
THEN HEAR A PROMPT OF, YOU ARE
UNMUTED. MAKE SURE YOUR PHONE
IS UNMUTE ON YOUR END SO THAT
YOU WILL BE HEARD. AS A
SPEAKER, YOU SHOULD BEGIN BY
STATING YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
THAT YOU ARE ADDRESSING. A
CHIME WILL SOUND WHEN 10
SECONDS ARE LEFT IN YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME. AS A GENTLE
REMINDER, WRAP UP YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENTS. AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME, YOUR MICROPHONE
WILL BE MUTED AND THE NEXT
SPEAKER REGISTERED WILL BE
CALLED. ONCE SPEAKERS HAVE
COMPLETED PROVIDING PUBLIC
COMMENT, PLEASE DISCONNECT FROM
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINE AND
JOIN US BY FOLLOWING THE
MEETING VIA SEATTLE CHANNEL
BROADCAST OR THROUGH THE
LISTENING LINE OPTION LISTED ON
THE AGENDA. THE COUNCIL
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ELIMINATE
PUBLIC COMMENT IF THE SYSTEM IS
BEING ABUSED OR IF THE PROCESS
IMPEDES THE COUNCIL'S ABILITY
TO CONDUCT THIS BUSINESS ON
BEHALF OF RESIDENTS OF THE
CITY. ANY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
THAT IS DISRUPTIVE TO THESE
PROCEEDINGS OR THAT IS NOT
FOCUSED ON AN APPROPRIATE TOPIC
AS SPECIFIED IN COUNCIL RULES,
MAY LEAD TO THE SPEAKER BEING
MUTED BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
OUR HOPE IS TO PROVIDE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCTIVE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL ASSIST
OUR ORDERLY CONSIDERATION OF
ISSUES BEFORE THE COUNCIL. THE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW
OPEN AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRESS ÷6
AFTER YOU HEAR THE PROMPT OF ,
YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTED. THANK
YOU, SEATTLE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. I
UNDERSTAND WE WILL START WITH
FORMER COUNCILMEMBER -- MR.
NICK LICATA. NICK? YOU'VE GOT
TO ÷6 .
>> THERE YOU ARE. ÷6. I CAN SEE
YOU THERE . I SEE MR. LICATA
HAS NOT UNMUTED. HIT ÷6 AND
THEN WAIT A MINUTE .
>> SHALL WE MOVE TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER, COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> LET'S DO THAT. ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS
DENNIS MILLS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS, HELLO.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO COMMENT ON THIS YEAR'S
PROPOSED BUDGET. I WORK AT THE
PLYMOUTH HOUSING. EARLIER THIS
WEEK, PLYMOUTH CEO KAREN LEIGH
SENT A LETTER EXPRESSING THANKS
FOR THE GREAT WORK YOU HAVE
DONE ON THE MAYOR'S INITIAL
BUDGET PROPOSAL AND ASKING YOU
TO VOTE YES ON THE FINAL
PASSAGE. 9.5 PERCENTAGE WAS
ADDED THEN THE CONTRACT WILL
HELP HOMELESS NEIGHBORS AND
ENABLE PROVIDERS LIKE PLYMOUTH
TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES,
IMPROVE WELLNESS AND REMAIN
SAFELY HOUSED. OUR WORKFORCE IS
AT THE FRONT LINES OF THE
HOUSING AND FENTANYL CRISIS.
THIS BUDGET HELPS THEM MOVE
TOWARD WAGE EQUITY. LASTLY,
PLYMOUTH HOUSING IS A MEMBER OF
THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
CONSORTIUM THAT HAS WEIGHED IN
ON IMPACTS TODAY. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ZOE A
MERE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> HELLO. I AM A MEMBER OF
SOCIAL ALTERNATIVES. I AM HERE
TO DEMAND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
VOTE YES TO PASS THE RESOLUTION
CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN
GAZA AND TO END MILITARY
FUNDING FOR ISRAEL. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE PAID TO TRAIN POLICE
OFFICERS WITH THE ISRAELI
DEFENSE FORCE. WE MUST ALSO
TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN BUDGET
AND AND THE DEADLY EXCHANGE IN
OUR OWN CITY. RECOMMEND
ACTIVISTS AND COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT OFFICE ON WINNING A $20
MILLION INCREASE TO THE AMAZON
TAX FOR MENTAL HEALTH
COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS . WITH
THE STRENGTH OF THE MOVEMENT,
WE CAN STOP FUNDING WARS AND
INSTEAD FUND ESSENTIAL
SERVICES. IT IS THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY MUST STEP UP AND END THIS
RELATIONSHIP. A CALL FOR A
CEASE-FIRE WITHOUT A CALL TO
END MILITARY FUNDING -- VOTE
YES WITH NO AMENDMENT.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BRADLEY
NORDSTROM.
>> HELLO MY. MY NAME IS BRADLEY
NORDSTROM. I AM SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE FOR
EVERYONE COALITION I AM
COMMENTING ON COUNCIL BILL
120635 RELATED TO
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES. WE
OPPOSE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AMENDMENT . OUR MEMBERS HOLD A
VARIETY OF VIEWS ON
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES AND
SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE EVEN
SUPPORTED THESE IN OTHER
CONTACTS BUT WE DO AGREE THAT
NOW IS THE WRONG TIME TO BE
CONSIDERING NEW FEES ON
HOUSING, EVEN IF THIS SPECIFIC
COUNCIL ACTION DOES NOT
IMMEDIATELY IMPACT THE FEES.
PRIMARY CONCERN IS AROUND THE
CHILL IT COULD HAVE ON HOUSING
GROWTH AS OUR REGION CONTINUES
TO STRUGGLE WITH HIGH HOUSING
COSTS. SEATTLE SHOULD BE
REMOVING BARRIERS AND
OUTPUTTING MORE UP. WE BELIEVE
THAT PASSING THIS BILL, EVEN
WITHOUT AMENDMENTS, WOULD TIP
THE SCALE TOWARD IMPACT FEES
WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE
TRADE-OFF. OR, THE OTHER
OPTIONS WE COULD USE TO FUND.
WE ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO
SYNCHRONIZE A BROADER
CONVERSATION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
JENNIFER IVES.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS JENNIFER.
I AM HERE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO
SUPPORT THE CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION. RAYON, YASMIN,
AISHA, MOHAMMED , ALMA, ABDUL,
TAWNY, MOHAMMED AND MUSTAPHA
ARE THE FIRST NAMES OF THE
GAZA GENOCIDE THAT THE U.S. IS
SUPPORTING WITH FUNDS AND
MILITARY RESOURCES. NONE OF
THOSE BOYS OR GIRLS EVER
REACHED THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAYS.
WE ARE ACTIVELY UNABLE
ETHICALLY REPREHENSIBLE AND
MORALLY REPUBLIC INTERNATIONAL
WAR CRIMES WITH OUR TAX
DOLLARS. OF YOUR CONSCIOUS IS
NOT ENOUGH TO MOVE YOU TO
SUPPORT THE CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION, MAY THE WORDS OF
YOUR CONSTITUENTS BE ENOUGH.
SHAME ON YOU. SHAME ON THE
COUNCIL. SHAME ON ME AND SHAME
ON ALL OF US AS LONG AS WE
CLOSE OUR EYES AND PLEAD
IGNORANCE. SUPPORT THE
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION. YIELD
THE REST OF MY TIME.
>> MY NAME IS BARBARA FINNEY. I
AM A RETIRED HOSPITAL WORKER. I
AM CALLING ON THE COUNCIL
DEMOCRATS TO VOTE YES ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT 'S
RESOLUTION FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN
GAZA AND ENDING U.S. MILITARY
FUNDING FOR ISRAEL WITHOUT
FURTHERING IT DOWN. I REQUEST
YOU PUT THIS RESOLUTION BACK AT
THE TOP OF THE AGENDA WHERE IT
WAS ORIGINALLY. ISRAEL'S WAR ON
HOSPITALS -- ISRAEL IS
SYSTEMATICALLY AND DELIBERATELY
DESTROYING GAZA'S
INFRASTRUCTURE. ISRAEL HAS JUST
FOUND 21 OF GAZA'S 35 HOSPITALS
INCLUDING THE ONLY CANCER
HOSPITAL. SOON THERE WILL BE NO
HEALTH FACILITIES LEFT. THIS IS
BY DESIGN. A CEASE-FIRE IS
ESSENTIAL. THE ROOT CAUSE MUST
BE ADDRESSED . AN AND FOSTER
THE OCCUPATION OF PALESTINIAN
LANDS AND U.S. MILITARY FUNDING
IS MAKING THIS WAR --
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS MUSTAFA ROMNEY.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> I AM A MEMBER OF COALITION
OF SEATTLE. THE COUNCIL MUST
VOTE YES ON THE RESOLUTION
WITHOUT ANY WATERING DOWN,
INCLUDING MAKING THIS THE FIRST
ITEM ON THE AGENDA. A
CEASE-FIRE, WITHOUT BENDING
WARMONGERING U.S. MILITARY AID
TO ISRAEL AND WITHOUT ENDING
THE OCCUPATION IS KICKING THE
CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND HONESTLY
INCENTIVIZING THE GLOBAL
MOVEMENT. EVERYONE KNOWS JOE
BIDEN'S APPROVAL HAS TANKED
BECAUSE OF THE TIMING OF THE
SITUATION. IF YOU DO NOT WORK
YET, YOU TOO WILL RIGHTFULLY BE
DELEGATED TO POLITICAL OBLIVION
COME THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS JARED
MADDOX.
>> HELLO MY. MY NAME IS JARED
MADDOX. I LIVE IN NORTHEAST
SEATTLE. I AM COMMENTING ON
RESOLUTION 32118. I AM JOINING
ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALSO
COMMENTED. IS A PROUD
SEATTLEITE, I HAVE BEEN PROUD
AND THANKFUL FOR THE WAY THE
SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND HIS
COUNCIL HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING
ALL PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO LIBERTY
IN LIFE AND I WANT TO URGE THE
COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY MY
COUNCILMEMBER, ALEX PEDERSEN,
TO ECHO THE CALL THAT ATLANTA
CITY COUNCIL HAS ALREADY
SUPPORTED FOR A CEASE-FIRE ,
STANDING UP TO THE RIGHTS OF
THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. I WANT
TO SAY THAT THIS IS AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU ALL IN THE
COUNCIL TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE
ARAB, MUSLIM, AND PALESTINIAN
RESIDENTS IN SEATTLE THAT THEIR
LIVES MATTER, AS DO ALL OF THE
LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO SHARE
THEIR IDENTITIES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOE
CONSULAR.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE - LOW
VOLUME]. ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE
TAKING UP AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT
IN YOUR JURISDICTION. RIGHT
NOW, WE ARE DEBATING -- WAIT
FOR IT -- A CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION IN RETURN FOR A
HOSTAGES RELEASE, WHICH IS WHAT
I BELIEVE COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA ANOTHER POSSIBLE
MODERATES WANT . I HAVE YET TO
HEAR ANY CONDEMNATION OF HAMAS.
I HAVE YET TO HEAR ANY
CONDEMNATION OF THE TEARING
DOWN OF POSTERS OF THE
KIDNAPPED AND THAT IS
ANTI-SEMITIC. IN FACT, TODAY,
THEY MAY YIELD TO THE SACRIFICE
AS A PRISONER OF WAR HELD BY
HAMAS. YET, NO ONE HAS SAID HER
NAME UNTIL NOW. I REALLY HOPE
THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THE ARE
WATCHING THIS. THERE ARE TALKS
OF BOYCOTTS OF SEATTLE . I
ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO VOTE ON
THIS RESOLUTION. GOD BLESS
AMERICA.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS REN÷
MAY.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE - LOW
VOLUME]. I AM A RENTER AND
DISTRICT 3. SO OFTEN OVER THE
LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE FOR THE
COUNCIL SAY THAT WE HAVE TO DO
SOMETHING. WHY IS IT THAT
COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT PUT
FORWARD A CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION
A FEW WEEKS AGO AND NOBODY DID
ANYTHING TO SECOND HER CALL?
YOU HAVE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE
DEMANDING -- 10,000 SOULS LOST
IN A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH.
INSTEAD OF ACKNOWLEDGING THE
PAIN OUR COMMUNITY IS IN, THE
COUNCILS FOCUSED ON GIVING MORE
AND MORE MONEY TO THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH IS
TRAINED WITH THE ISRAELI
DEFENSE FORCE. FROM SEATTLE TO
GAZA, MORE VIOLENCE IS NOT THE
SOLUTION. IT IS NOT THE VIOLENT
ETHNIC CLEANSING OF INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE. NOW TO THINK ABOUT IT
-- I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE YES
ON THE CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION
FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMUNITY
AND THE VIOLENCE THAT IS
OCCURRING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANNALEE
IS ALI.
>> I AM A DISTRICT ONE
RESIDENT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A
RESOLUTION PASSED THAT HELPS
END OCCUPATION AND MILITARY
FUNDING OF ISRAEL BUT I HAVE
JOINED THOSE PALESTINIANS
SUPPORTING THE AMENDED
RESOLUTION AS A WAY TO PASS
SOMETHING THAT ADDRESSES
IMMEDIATE URGENT NEED. OVER 20
YEARS AGO, I VISITED GAZA AND
IN A REFUGEE CAMP THAT HAD BEEN
REPEATEDLY BOMBED, WE HEARD
MORE BOMBS. A 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD
WAS ASSURED THAT THE BOMBS
WERE FAR AWAY. MANY TIMES HAD
HE BEEN BOMBED THAT HE KNEW THE
DIFFERENCE IN THE SOUND? THAT
MEMORY REMAINS WITH ME AS I
THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE CHILDREN
NOW BEING BOMBED. MORE CHILDREN
HAVE BEEN KILLED IN GAZA IN THE
LAST SIX WEEKS THAN ALL THE
ARMED CONFLICTS IN THE WORLD
FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS
COMBINED. WE DEFINITELY NEED A
CEASE-FIRE NOW. IT HAS TO BE A
PRIORITY AND I APPRECIATE THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WORKING WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OTHERS TO
COME UP WITH AN AMENDED
RESOLUTION THAT IS FULLY PAST
TO HELP US TO EQUATE OUR
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO BE ON
THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE NOW MOVING TO THE
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS. THE FIRST
IN-PERSON SPEAKER IS EMILY
MacARTHUR. EMILY WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY NATALIE RALEY.
EMILY MacARTHUR? NATALIE RALEY?
>> THEY ARE COMING.
>> EMILY MacARTHUR?
>> MY NAME IS EMILY MacARTHUR.
I'M A MEMBER OF DISTRICT 2 AND
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER KSHAMA SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION DEMANDING NOT JUST A
CEASE-FIRE BUT AN AND FOSTER
THE OCCUPATION AND AND PASTA
U.S. FUNDING FOR MILITARY AID
TO ISRAEL. 92% OF THE WEAPONS
USED BY ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
COME FROM THE U.S. THIS IS NOT
A SECONDARY ISSUE. IT IS NOT
SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SWEPT
UNDER THE RUG. FURTHERMORE, I
THINK THAT IT IS A WRONG
APPROACH TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO
WATER DOWN OUR APPROACH. THERE
ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS
THE GLOBE WHO ARE OUT ON THE
STREETS DEMANDING ACTION
AGAINST WHAT IS HAPPENING IN
GAZA. THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT IS
GROWING. WE ARE SHUTTING DOWN
BRIDGES. WE ARE SHUTTING DOWN
INTERSECTIONS. NOW IS NOT THE
MOMENT FOR THE MOVEMENT TO
RETREAT SO WE CAN PROVIDE COVER
FOR BIDEN AND THE DEMOCRATS. WE
DEMAND THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE
RESOLUTION AND WE DEMAND THAT
THIS RESOLUTION BE MOVED TO THE
FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA
BECAUSE THE BUDGET IS NOT A
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE. EVERYONE
IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT GAZA.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NATALIE
BAILEY FOLLOWED BY SOME ODD.
>> MY NAME IS NATALIE BAILEY. I
MEMBER OF A SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE. THANK YOU
COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR BRINGING
THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD. I
DEMAND THAT ALL DEMOCRATS VOTE
YES ON THE RESOLUTION WITHOUT
ANY WATERING DOWN, INCLUDING
MOVING INTO THE FIRST ITEM. AS
MANY OF YOU KNOW, WHEN
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT BROUGHT
FORWARD A RESOLUTION , NOT ONE
OF THE DEMOCRATS WAS WILLING TO
SECOND THE MOTION FOR A
RESOLUTION AGAINST THE WAR, LET
ALONE VOTE YES ON THE
RESOLUTION. WE HAD ANOTHER
CHANCE TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE
OF HISTORY. DON'T WATER DOWN
THIS RESOLUTION. IT IS CRUCIAL
FOR A LASTING CEASE-FIRE THAT
THE ROOT CAUSE OF WAR BE
ADDRESSED. THAT IS WHY THE
RESOLUTION CALLS NOT ONLY FOR A
CEASE-FIRE BUT ALSO FOR THE END
OF OCCUPATION OF PALESTINIAN
LANDS AND THE U.S. MILITARY
FUNDING THAT IS MAKING THIS WAR
POSSIBLE. I HAVE SERIOUS
PROBLEMS WITH THESE LEADERS
WHO PURSUE THIS BACKWARDS
STRATEGY OF ADMITTING DEFEAT
WHEN THE FIGHT HAS BARELY
BEGUN. THE WAR IN GAZA WILL
NEVER BE ENDED ON THE BASIS OF
--
>> THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER
WILL BE FOLLOWED BY CLIFF
HAWTHORNE.
>> WHENEVER I THINK ABOUT ALL
THOSE DEAD PALESTINIANS, MY
WHOLE BODY SHIVERS. TEARS START
FLOWING FROM MY EYES. WHENEVER
I SEE MY 20 MONTH OLD GRANDSON,
I HOLD HIM TIGHT AND THINK
ABOUT WHEN I WAS FORCED TO
SUPPORT THE GENOCIDE. WHAT
WOULD HAVE STOPPED PEOPLE TO
BRING MY CHILDREN HERE? IT IS
NOT THAT THEY HAVE NOT DONE IT
BEFORE. WE HAVE TO STAND UP TO
GATHER FOR HUMANITY'S SAKE . IF
YOU DON'T HAVE HUMANITY, THEN
YOU MUST BE EVIL! A FEW
PARAGRAPHS WRITTEN --
[INDISCERNIBLE - LOW VOLUME]
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT
SPEAKER IS CLIFF HAWTHORNE --
>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I CAN'T GET
HIM TO STOP.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL -- I DO
NOT WANT TO HAVE ANYONE REMOVED
FOR OBSTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR. SIR,
WE HAVE OVER 100 PEOPLE THAT
WANT TO SPEAK TODAY. LET'S JUST
WAIT. SECURITY, PERHAPS WE
COULD HAVE A TALK WITH THE
GENTLEMAN.
>> ALL RIGHT. HELLO,
COUNCILMEMBERS. MY NAME IS
CLIFF HAWTHORNE. I AM THE
POLICY MANAGER FOR THE SEATTLE
COUNTIES. AS YOU KNOW, I
TESTIFIED BEFORE IN OPPOSITION
OF THE IMPACT FEES AND I AM
HERE AGAIN TODAY TO TESTIFY IN
OPPOSITION TO CB 12635. WE NEED
HOUSING NOW. ONE OF OUR
HOMEBUYERS AND VOLUNTEERS
WORKS WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER
FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING
ORGANIZATION. SHE CAN AFFORD TO
BUY A HOME FOR HER FAMILY AND
THIS HOUSING MARKET AND THEY
JOINED OUR PROGRAM. NOW SHE IS
ON HER WAY TO BECOMING A
HABITAT HOMEOWNER, FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE. THE
LACK OF ACCESS TO STABLE
HOUSING IS CHOKING THIS HOUSING
MARKET, TRANSPORTATION IMPACT
FEES WILL ONLY MAKE THE PROBLEM
WORSE. WHILE WE TRY OUR BEST,
WE CAN DO IT ALONE. WHILE THIS
WON'T AFFECT OUR PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS,
SMALL THEY WOULD NOT BE
IMMEDIATELY IMPACTED, THIS WILL
IMPACT THE ENTIRE HOUSING. I
ASK YOU TO OPPOSE IT WITH
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES AND
CHOOSE A HOUSING FUTURE WHERE
EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND DECENT
PLACE TO LIVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
JOAN WRIGHT FOLLOWED BY LOGAN
SWAN.
>> THANK YOU. HELLO. I AM A
UNION TECH WORKER AND AN
ACTIVIST WITH WORKERS STRIKE
BACK. I DEMAND THAT ALL
DEMOCRATS VOTE YES ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION WITHOUT ANY WATERING
DOWN AND MAKE IT THE FIRST ITEM
ON THE AGENDA . THE ISRAELI
FAITH OCCUPATION, ENABLED BY
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR
IS WHAT NEEDS TO END BECAUSE
THAT IS THE ROOT OF THE CRISIS.
AMONG THE MASSIVE PROTEST
MOVEMENT ACROSS THE GLOBE AND
HERE IN SEATTLE, I HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN HIGH
SCHOOLERS AT HIS SCHOOL WALKOUT
AT FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL. THEY
BOOED SO-CALLED PROGRESSIVE
POLITICIANS LIKE BERNIE OR
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ WHO
SAID THEY WOULD VOTE MAPFRE AND
DON'T FUNDING. THEY CONDEMNED
BIDEN FOR FUNDING WAR CRIMES.
STUDENTS AND WORKERS ALIKE KNOW
THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND
SO-CALLED PROGRESSIVE
POLITICIANS ARE NOT ON THE
RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY JUST LIKE
THE DEMOCRATS HERE ON CITY
COUNCIL, NOT ONE OF WHOM WOULD
COUNCIL -- SECOND THE
RESOLUTION, WHICH IS THE ONLY
ONE THAT CALLS FOR AN END.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS LOGAN SWAN FOLLOWED BY
CHARLENE HENDERSON. LOGAN SWAN?
>> [INDISCERNIBLE - LOW
VOLUME]. MY NAME IS LOGAN SWAN.
I AM A UNION IRONWORKER HERE IN
SEATTLE AND A RENTER AND
DISTRICT TO. I WANT TO THANK
THE SOCIAL OFFICE FOR BRINGING
FORWARD THE STRONGEST
RESOLUTION, DEMANDING A
CEASE-FIRE AND AN END TO U.S.
FUNDING FOR ISRAEL'S ATROCITY.
I DEMAND A YES VOTE FROM THE
DEMOCRATS. BIDEN IS PUSHING FOR
$14 BILLION FOR ISRAEL'S
INSTRUMENTS OF MURDER AND
OPPRESSION AND THIS IS ON TOP
OF NEARLY $4 BILLION THE U.S.
DONATES EVERY YEAR FOR ISRAEL'S
ROCKETS AND GUNS. THIS WOULD
AMOUNT TO OVER A FIFTH OF
FEDERAL EDUCATION SPENDING AT
ITS CURRENT AMOUNT, NEARLY A
FIFTH OF EXPANDING THE CHILD
TAX CREDIT, TWICE MORE THAN
BIDEN'S PROPOSED INCREASE OF
SPENDING ON HOUSING WHEN WE ARE
FACED WITH A HOUSING CRISIS
AND 1 BILLION MORE THAN THE
ANNUAL BUDGET PROVIDED FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. THE
PRIORITIES OF YOUR PARTY ARE
CLEAR. OUR GOVERNMENT CAN'T
KEEP ITSELF HOUSED OR OUR ROADS
AND BRIDGES MAINTAINED --
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
SHIRLEY HENDERSON FOLLOWED BY
JAMAAL SAVILLE.
>> IT IS A CRIME TO THE
POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
IMPERIALIST OF THE UNITED
STATES. YOU DO HAVE TO TAKE A
STAND HERE. OTHERWISE, YOU ARE
COMPLACENT.
>> HE IS NOT EVEN STOPPING. I
DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
>> SORRY, MADAM CLERK.
APPARENTLY PEOPLE CAN'T -- I DO
NOT WANT TO HAVE SECURITY
INTERVENE. SIR, PLEASE.
>> I DON'T THINK THEY CAN HEAR
ANYTHING YOU ARE SAYING IN
THEIR.
>> LET'S SETTLE DOWN THEN.
>> OKAY.
>> MY NAME IS SHIRLEY
HENDERSON. I AM A RENTER IN
DISTRICT 3 AND I, LIKE SO MANY
HERE TODAY, DEMAND THAT ALL
DEMOCRATS VOTE YES ON THE
RESOLUTION WITHOUT ANY WATERING
DOWN. IF DEMOCRATS CALL FOR A
CEASE-FIRE BUT ALSO FAILED TO
DEMAND AN AND FOSTER U.S.
MILITARY AID AND AN AND PASTA
THE OCCUPATION, YOU ARE ONLY
PAYING LIP SERVICE TO THE
PRESSURE OF OUR MOVEMENT HERE
TODAY TO SAY YOU ARE AGAINST
THE WAR BUT ON THE OTHER HAND
YOU ARE STILL PROPPING UP THE
VERY THINGS THAT PERPETUATE THE
ROOT CAUSES OF THIS WAR, NAMELY
THE U.S. FUNDING OF ISRAEL'S
STATE OF BRUTAL OCCUPATION AND
A PART-TIME POLICY. THIS
EXPOSES THE REAL ROLL PLAYED BY
DEMOCRATS , PROVIDING COVER FOR
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, WHICH
HAS BLOOD ON ITS HANDS. IT IS
ALSO SHAMEFUL THAT COUNCIL
DEMOCRATS REFUSE TO SHARE THEIR
INTENDED AMENDMENTS WITH THE
COUNCILMEMBER'S OFFICE, DESPITE
REPEATED ASKING. ALSO, MANY OF
US ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE
ARE SICKENED OF THE WAY
PALESTINIANS ARE LIVING IN GAZA
AND WE ASK THAT THIS ITEM BE
MOVED TO THE TOP OF THE AGENDA
WHERE IT BELONGS. WORKING
PEOPLE HAVE COME OUT --
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JAMAAL
FOLLOWED BY [INDISCERNIBLE] .
>> HOLDUP. DON'T CALL ANYONE
ELSE. LET'S TAKE A MOMENT HERE.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SEE IF
MR. LICATA IS STILL ON THE
LINE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT
HE -- MR. LICATA? I DO NOT SEE
HIS TILE. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL BE
ON STANDBY FOR MR. LICATA.
MADAM CLERK , HOW ARE YOU
DOING?
>> WE'VE GOT THREE MORE IN
PERSON TO HIT OUR 10, IF WE
COULD PLEASE JUST GET THROUGH
IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> PEACE, LOVE, HARMONY. I AM A
LOCAL ARTIST AND ORGANIZER HERE
IN SEATTLE. I AM SURE THE
COUNCIL KNOWS ME BY ANOTHER
NAME BUT I CAME SURPRISINGLY IS
MYSELF TODAY. I WANT TO SUPPORT
THE RESOLUTION BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT . THE REASON I WANT TO
-- I THINK ALMOST ALL OF US
WANT A CEASE-FIRE BUT I THINK
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WE
HAVE TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE NEED
TO END THE OCCUPATION AND FREE
THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. THIS IS
VERY IMPORTANT. FROM WHAT I AM
HEARING, THERE IS A POSSIBLE
AMENDMENT TO THIS THAT WILL
DETER US FROM THAT MISSION AND
I WANT THE COUNCIL TO REALLY
CONSIDER THAT. SEATTLE HAS A
TENDENCY TO LEAD PROGRESSIVELY
IN THIS COUNTRY AND WE COULD
MAKE A DRASTIC CHANGE I MAKING
THE RIGHT CHOICE TODAY ABOUT
THIS SITUATION. VOTE ON A YES.
I LOVE YOU. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR KIND WORDS. MADAM CLERK, I
UNDERSTAND MR. LICATA IS BACK.
MADAM CLERK, THANK YOU. ANNUAL
THAT ONE SECOND? WE HAVE MR.
LICATA BACK. NICK, ÷6 .
>> WHY THE PREFERENTIAL
TREATMENT?
>> I CAN SEE YOUR TILE?
>> MADAM CLERK, WHEN ARE WE
SWITCHING?
>> WE HAVE TWO MORE IN PERSON
SPEAKERS TO HIT OUR MARK OF 10.
>> OKAY. I SEE MR. LICATA HAS
NOT UNMUTED YET SO LET'S FINISH
UP WITH OUR TWO SPEAKERS AND
CHAMBERS FOR ONE MINUTE AND
THEN WE WILL GO TO OUR REMOTE
CALLERS. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS
[INDISCERNIBLE] FOLLOWED BY
SONJA.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE - LOW
VOLUME]. I WANT TO START OFF BY
APPEALING TO EVERYONE'S
HUMANITY HERE.
>> YOUR MICROPHONE IS OFF.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. I WANT TO
APPEAL TO EVERYONE'S HUMANITY
HERE AND REMIND EVERYONE WHY WE
ARE HERE AND WHAT WE ARE VOTING
FOR. EVERY DAY, EVERY MINUTE,
WE HAVE CHILDREN BEING BLOWN UP
TO BITS. AT WHAT POINT DO WE
SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH? TO VOTE
NO ON THIS RESOLUTION IS TO
APPROVE THE GENOCIDE CURRENTLY
GOING ON, TO APPROVE THAT IT IS
OKAY TO KILL THESE CHILDREN. AT
WHAT POINT DO WE SAY NO? THE
REALITY RIGHT NOW IS TO VOTE NO
ON THIS AMENDMENT TO END THE
WARRANT GET THE CEASE-FIRE
GOING. THE BLOOD IS ON YOUR
HANDS IF YOU SAY NO. AT WHAT
POINT -- CHILDREN SHOULD
MATTER. IT IS A SHAME.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SONJA.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE - LOW
VOLUME]. TWO WEEKS AGO, I
CALLED IN AND ASK YOU TO VOTE
YES ON THIS RESOLUTION AND NOT
WATER IT DOWN BUT NONE OF YOU
WERE EVEN WILLING TO SECOND THE
MOTION TO DISCUSS IT. THE
ANTIWAR MOVEMENT IS NOTHING BUT
GROWING. IT WILL GET BIGGER AND
YOU ARE TOO COWARDLY TO SHOW
ANY LEADERSHIP. WE ARE HERE
BECAUSE WE ARE SICKENED BY THE
DEVASTATION PALESTINIANS ARE
SUFFERING DUE TO THIS BOMBING
CAMPAIGN BY ISRAEL, FUNDED BY
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND OUR TAX
DOLLARS. I WANT PEOPLE
LISTENING TO KNOW THAT IT IS
REALLY CLEAR TO ME THAT THE
DEMOCRATS PUT THIS GAZA
RESOLUTION ON AT THE END OF THE
AGENDA BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE
TOOK TIME OFF TO BE HERE AND
THEY WOULD RATHER WE ARE NOT
HERE WHEN THEY VOTE ON THIS . I
AM ALSO DEEPLY DISTURBED THAT
THERE IS A NEW SUBSTITUTE
RESOLUTION THAT FAILS TO DEMAND
AN END TO THE OCCUPATION AND
VERY SUPER IMPORTANTLY, THE END
OF MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL TO
THE TUNE OF $3.8 BILLION EVERY
YEAR. ALL OF THIS IS SO
PROFOUNDLY UNDEMOCRATIC. VOTE
YES ON THE RESOLUTION NOW. NO
WATERING DOWN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE BEEN HERE IN THIS
COUNTRY FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
>> SIR SIR. I DON'T WANT TO
HAVE TO ASK SECURITY. PLEASE
WAIT YOUR TURN. WE NEED TO GO
TO THE REMOTE FOLKS WHO ARE ON
THE LINE.
>> YOU ARE ON THE LIST. WE WILL
CALL YOU. THANK YOU.
>> OUR FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS
GRACE SMITH.
>> THERE YOU ARE.
>> I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT
3 AND I WILL BE COMMENTING ON
THE PROPOSED IMPACT FEE. I
MOVED TO SEATTLE SIX YEARS AGO.
ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN
SEATTLE, I HAVE BEEN HEARING
THAT HOMELESSNESS IS A CRISIS.
HOMELESSNESS IS AN EMERGENCY
AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT HOMELESSNESS.
HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING
PROBLEM. THE STUDIES SHOW THAT
THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING
AT ALL PRICE POINTS, NOT JUST
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THE
PEOPLE FOCUS ON. WE ALSO KNOW
THAT INCREASING FEES DECREASES
THE AMOUNT OF HOUSING BUILT.
AFTER SIX YEARS OF LIVING IN
SEATTLE, I REALIZED THAT THE
REASON SEATTLE NEVER MAKES MUCH
PROGRESS ON HOMELESSNESS IS
THAT THE SEATTLE KEEPS PASSING
BILLS LIKE THIS IMPACT FEE.
VOTE NO ON IMPACT FEES AND
BEGIN TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS ON
HOMELESSNESS. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
LINDSAY OSOWSKI.
>> LET'S SEE IF SHE -- GO
AHEAD. GO AHEAD, LINDSAY.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN.
>> GREAT. I NAME IS LINDSAY AND
I LIVE -- I URGE THE COUNCIL
TO SUPPORT AND VOTE TO APPROVE
RESOLUTION 32118 AND CALL FOR A
CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA AND END THE
OCCUPATION . AS A DISABLED
JEWISH PERSON, AND HOW CRUCIAL
IT IS TO SUPPORT MARGINALIZED
AND OPPRESSED GROUPS. THE
PALESTINIANS DESERVE SUCH
SUPPORT FROM THE COUNCIL. IF WE
DON'T ACT NOW DURING AN ACTIVE
GENOCIDE, WHEN WILL THE COUNCIL
EVER SPEAK UP FOR OPPRESSED
PEOPLE? WE URGE YOU TO
REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENTS WHO
YOU ACTUALLY SERVE. OTHERWISE ,
WE DON'T LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY.
WHEN WE SPEND MORE MONEY TO THE
STATE OF ISRAEL WHEN THE PEOPLE
OF THIS CITY ARE ACTIVELY
STRUGGLING TO LIVE DAY TO DAY?
I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER WHERE WE
CAN FIND A WAY TO USE HIS MONEY
TO FUND CRUCIAL HEALTHCARE
SERVICES AND OTHER NECESSARY
SERVICES. I AM DISGUSTED BY
YOUR CONTINUED SILENCE ON THIS
ISSUE AND URGE YOU TO USE YOUR
VOICES FOR REAL CHANGE AND NOT
COMPLACENCY. YOUR INACTION DOES
NOT REPRESENT JEWISH VALUES.
CEASE-FIRE NOW.
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
MUSTAPHA.
>> HELLO. I AM ASKING THE CITY
COUNCIL TO PLEASE VOTE YES ON
THE RESOLUTION FOR GAZA. THE
UNITED STATES IS FUNDING THE
BOMBING OF GAZA RIGHT NOW. THE
MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WANT A
CEASE-FIRE. 80% OF DEMOCRATS
WANT A CEASE-FIRE. WHY SHOULD
OUR TAXES BE USED TO FUND A WAR
WE ARE AGAINST? THE CITY
COUNCIL COULD SEND A CLEAR
MESSAGE TO OUR FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT THAT WE MATTER. WE
ARE RAISING OUR VOICES. WE ARE
ASKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
TO HEAR THE CALL OF THE PEOPLE
IN THIS DEMOCRACY AND I ALSO
WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT
OUR COUNTRY HAS ITS OWN HISTORY
OF PEOPLE COMING TO THIS LAND
AND AFTER VIOLENT STRUGGLES,
FINDING AND SURVIVING
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGH
RESERVATIONS. YOU CAN SEE THE
NAMES OF THESE PEOPLE
EVERYWHERE . LET'S NOT BE
COMPLICIT IN RECEIVING THE SAME
HISTORY ALL OVER AGAIN. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM HERE ON
BEHALF OF COMMUTE SEATTLE. I AM
HERE TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERN
WITH THE AMENDMENT TO ENABLE
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES. A
LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN TO
THE HOUSING IMPACT BUT I WILL
SPEAK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR
A MOMENT. OR SEATTLE COMMUTE
SURVEY DATA SHOWS THAT
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ADVANCES
OUR TRANSPORTATION AND GOALS BY
PRODUCING SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES
OR HOMES THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE
CITY. THOUGH THE TRANSPORTATION
ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZES THAT
IMPACT FEES CAN BE A VALUABLE
TOOL FOR TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENTS BUT BY
DISCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT IN THE
CITY AND PUSHING NEW RESIDENCE
FURTHER INTO THE SUBURBS,
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES
COULD WORK AGAINST THE CITY'S
TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE
GOALS AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO
INCREASE TRANSPORTATION
IMPACTS. FINALLY, THIS PROCESS
COULD BE ALIGNED WITH THE
SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN AND
FUTURE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
DISCUSSIONS AND NOT INCORPORATE
OUTDATED PLAYERS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HASSAN.
THERE YOU GO.
>> SORRY. I AM A MEMBER OF THE
MUSLIM AMERICAN CONSOLE AND I
AM HERE TO SUPPORT THIS
RESOLUTION. I DEMAND THAT ALL
DEMOCRATS VOTING YES ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION WITHOUT WATERING
DOWN. PUT IT ON THE TOP OF THE
AGENDA . AS YOU ALL KNOW,
GENOCIDE IS GOING ON. STOP THIS
GENOCIDE. DON'T BE COMPLICIT IN
THE GENOCIDE. PEOPLE ARE DYING
. GAZA HAS BECOME A GRAVEYARD
OF CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THE
UNITED NATIONS. THERE IS NO
MEDICINE. THERE IS NO WATER TO
DRINK. PEOPLE ARE DYING WITHOUT
FOOD AND WATER IN MEDICINE.
HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN BOMBED
USING OUR TAX DOLLARS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS IAN
WARNER.
>> HELLO COUNCIL. IAN WARNER.
PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR .
TESTIFYING IN OPPOSITION OF THE
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT BE. THANK
YOU FOR TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT
TODAY.'S THE COUNCIL IS AWARE,
TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
INFRASTRUCTURE ARE
INTERDEPENDENT AND BOTH ARE
CRITICAL ELEMENTS OF A LIVABLE
AND AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE
SEATTLE. THE RESEARCH TELLS US
THE IMPACT FEES ARE OFTEN
ILL-SUITED TO FIT THE COMPLEX
NEEDS OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT LIKE
SEATTLE. MOST TRANSPORTATION
IMPACTS CAN AND SHOULD BE
MITIGATED BY INCREASING
RELIANCE ON TRANSIT . TO THE
IDEA THAT OTHER CITIES HAVE
IMPACT FEES, THOSE COMPARISONS
BETWEEN SMALLER CITIES AND
SEATTLE ARE NOT APPLES TO
APPLES. IN FACT, COMPARATIVELY,
SEATTLE ALREADY CHARGES
DEVELOPMENTS MORE THAN OTHERS
IN THE REGION. IMPACT FEES,
WHEN COMBINED WITH MH APS WILL
BE SEATTLE ONE OF MOST
EXPENSIVE CITIES IN OUR STATE.
WE WOULD ASK THAT COUNCIL
REJECTED OPTION OF COUNCIL
12063.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT REMOTE
SPEAKER IS ABBY BROCKMAN. ABBY?
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCILMEMBERS. I AM A JEWISH
CHAPLAIN DISTRICT 2, ASKING YOU
TO SUPPORT THE AMENDED VERSION
OF THIS RESOLUTION. IT CALLS
FOR AN URGENT CEASE-FIRE IN
GAZA, RELEASE OF HOSTAGES AND
PROVISION OF HE MILITARY AND
AID. WHILE SOME POWERFUL
MAINSTREAM JEWISH INSTITUTIONS
AND LEADERS ARE AGAINST IT
UNDER LOBBYING WITH DANGEROUSLY
MISSION FORMED ACCUSATIONS OF
IT INFLAMING ANTI-SEMITISM,
THEY DO NOT FULLY REPRESENT OR
SPEAK TO THE DIVERSE SEATTLE
JEWISH COMMUNITY, MANY WHO WERE
SUPPORTED IT. OUR VOICES IN
SUPPORT OF AT THE LINE WITH
WIDESPREAD CALLS TO ISRAEL FOR
EVERYTHING LISTED IN THIS
AMENDED RESOLUTION. ISRAELIS
KNOW THAT THIS LEVEL OF
INDISCRIMINATE BOMBING WAS
DESCRIBED AS MIGHTY VENGEANCE
AND ENDANGERS FOUR THINGS, THE
HOSTAGES THEMSELVES, INNOCENT
PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS AND THE
REPUTATION OF ISRAEL AS A
SOVEREIGN NATION BOUND BY
INTERNATIONAL LAW.
>> THANK YOU. I AM SORRY.
PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE CHIME.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MANNY
CYPHERS.
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> I SERVE AS THE REGIONAL
DIRECTOR FOR THE
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE IN
SEATTLE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO
ON MEASURES CONSIDERED TODAY
REGARDING THE CONFLICT BETWEEN
ISRAEL AND HAMAS. AS AN
ORGANIZATION FIGHTING AGAINST
THIS, WE HAVE SEEN HOW
CENTRISTS IN THE MIDDLE LEAD TO
INCREASED ANTI-SEMITISM AT
HOME. SINCE OCTOBER 7 IN
SEATTLE, WE HAVE SEEN A
DRAMATIC INCREASE IN
ANTI-SEMITISM. JEWISH
INSTITUTIONS ARE RECEIVING
HATEFUL VOICE MESSAGES, THEY
HAVE RECEIVED SUSPICIOUS
LETTERS WITH POWDERY WHITE
SUBSTANCE IS. VANDALISM OF
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER'S AND
INSTITUTIONS, VANDALISM OF
BUSINESSES AND ANTI-SEMITIC
BULLYING AT SCHOOL. WE ASK YOU
TO NOT BRING ANY MEASURE
RELATED TO THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
OR ANTI-SEMITISM FORWARD UNTIL
THERE HAS BEEN MEANINGFUL
CONSULTATION WITH INSTITUTIONAL
LEADERSHIP. WE ARE DEVASTATED
BY THE LOSS OF ISRAELI AND
PALESTINIAN LIFE . INSTEAD OF
CREATING FOREIGN POLICY, WE
WANT OUR ELECTED LEADERS TO
ENGAGE IN THOUGHTFUL DIALOGUE,
CREATE COMMUNITY AND FOCUS ON
RISING HATE.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS COLIN CHRISTOPHER. COLIN?
>> MAY I GO? MY NAME IS COLIN.
DIAMOND DISTRICT TO BOATER --
BOATER. WE WILL GATHER AROUND
TABLES WITH LOVED ONES TO BREAK
BREAD, REJUVENATE, SHARE
LAUGHTER, SHED TEARS. OVER 2
MILLION PALESTINIANS IN GAZA
WILL ALSO GATHER WITH THE
INTENT TO SHED TEARS. BREAKING
BREAD IS UNLIKELY. THERE WAS
NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT 6000
CHILDREN'S LIVES BEING CUT
SHORT. REJUVENATION IS A
THOUGHT WHERE ONE CAN SMELL
GENOCIDE IN THE AIR. I AM
FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO KNOW
WHAT GENOCIDE SMELLS LIKE. I
WOULD IMAGINE IT IS HARD TO
FORGET. NO ONE ON THIS COUNCIL
FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THIS. I
AM ASKING YOU TO TRANSFORM YOUR
DISCOMFORT INTO ACTION. WE HAVE
INTEGRITY WITH FEELINGS, WORDS
AND ACTIONS. VOTE FOR
RESOLUTION 32110.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH
JAMES. THIS IS THE END OF THE
REMOTE LIST, THE 10 SPEAKERS.
SARAH JAMES.
>> THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING
THIS MUCH-NEEDED RESOLUTION. I
DEMAND THAT THE COUNCIL
DEMOCRATS VOTING YES ON THIS
RESOLUTION WITHOUT WATERING IT
DOWN, ENDING MILITARY FUNDING
FOR ISRAEL IS VITAL AND IT WILL
TAKE DEMOCRATS PUSHING AGAINST
THEIR OWN PARTY, DEMANDING THAT
INSTEAD OF SPENDING BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS ON WAR, WE FUND THINGS
THAT WORKING PEOPLE ACTUALLY
NEED. WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY
INTO SCHOOLS, INFRASTRUCTURE,
HOUSING. MANY PEOPLE IN THIS
MEETING HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE
NEED FOR EXPANSION AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN SEATTLE
ON THE CRISIS OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IN SEATTLE. STAND
AGAINST YOUR PARTY AND DEMAND
THAT WE SPEND MONEY WHERE IT IS
NEEDED AND NOT ON WAR. IT IS
ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL THAT
THIS MEETING STARTS OUT WITH A
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND YET
THIS COUNCIL CANNOT STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS
PALESTINIANS AND DEMAND A
CEASE-FIRE . HOW HOLLOW ARE
THESE WORDS TO YOU? THESE WORDS
YOU START EVERY MEETING WITH.
HOLLOW ARE THEY?
>> MADAM CLERK, ARE WE GOING TO
OUR 10 IN-PERSON FOLKS NOW?
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE
IN-PERSON SPEAKERS. THE FIRST
IN-PERSON SPEAKER IS JAMES
RIVER FOLLOWED BY PRESTON.
>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. I AM SPEAKING ON THE
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION WHICH I
PROPOSE TO ADOPT WITHOUT -- I
AM GOING TO START OUT A LITTLE
BIT DIFFERENTLY. TOM LEAR WAS A
MUSICIAN IN THE 60s AND 70s WHO
WAS FAMOUS FOR DOING POLITICAL
CONTENT, MUSIC PROGRAMS ON HIS
PIANO. HE WAS FAMOUS FOR
WRITING WHO IS NEXT WHICH IS
ABOUT ISRAEL GETTING BOMBED. HE
WAS ASKED, REPORTEDLY , WHY HE
HAD STOPPED WRITING HIS MUSIC.
HE SAID WHEN HENRY KISSINGER
GOT THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE -- IT
WAS POINTLESS. NOT COMEDY.
OKAY. OH, DEAR. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PRESTON
FOLLOWED BY MADDIE.
>> THE LAST TWO, THOUSANDS MORE
GAZANS, MOSTLY WOMEN AND
CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BRUTALLY
KILLED. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS,
GAZA CONTINUED TO NEED FOOD,
WATER, FUEL IN THE FACE OF AN
INHUMANE SIEGE. THE ISRAELI
MILITARY HAS UNAPOLOGETICALLY
ATTACKED, COLLAPSING HOSPITALS
FULL OF CIVILIAN SEEKING
REFUGE. THEY CONTINUE TO RAIN
DOWN ON NC OPEN-AIR PRISON THE
SIZE OF SEATTLE IN TWO WEEKS
AGO, WHAT DO THE DEMOCRATS ON
THE CITY COUNCIL CHOOSE TO DO?
NOT ONLY NOTHING, LESS THAN
NOTHING. IT DOES NOT EVEN CARE
FOR THE SAFETY OF ISRAELI
PEOPLE. NOW, THESE DEMOCRATS
ARE TRYING TO PLAY CREDIT FOR
OUR ANTIWAR MOVEMENT BY CALLING
IS ADDRESS THE COURT CAUSES OF
U.S. MILITARY FUNDING. HAS THIS
RESOLUTION NOW AND PASS IT IN
FULL.
>> MADAM CLERK, BEFORE WE GO
ANY FURTHER -- MADAM CLERK?
BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, I
UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S PASSIONS
AND CONCERN. I APPRECIATE IT
BUT WE WANT TO GET AS MANY
PEOPLE AS WE CAN TO SPEAK
REMOTELY AND IN CHAMBERS.
>> THEY HAVE CALMED DOWN. NOW
WE HAVE MADDIE AS A SPEAKER WHO
HAS BEEN -- I JUST WANT TO
MENTION THAT WE HAVE TWO
MICROPHONES SO THE OTHER PERSON
CAN LINE UP OVER HERE.
>> BEFORE WE BEGIN, FOR THOSE
OF YOU THAT ARE THERE AND THOSE
OF YOU THAT HAVE CALLED IN, I
UNDERSTAND, WE DO. I WOULD LOVE
TO GO BEYOND 3:00 AND GET MORE
SPEAKERS IN HERE TODAY FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT. THE MORE YOU
HOLD IT UP AND WE CAN GET TO
THE OTHER FOLKS ON THE LINE TO
SPEAK TO THE OTHER NINE
MATTERS. WITH THAT, MADAM
CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE NEXT TWO
SPEAKERS.
>> MY NAME IS MADDIE AND I'M
HERE TO DEMAND THAT THE
DEMOCRATS PASS COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S STRONG RESOLUTION
CALLING TO A CEASE-FIRE, THE
END TO U.S. MILITARY'S
MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT
AND THE SLAUGHTER OF
PALESTINIANS WHICH SHOULD BE
THE FIRST ITEM ON TODAY'S
AGENDA, NOT THE LAST. IF THIS
RESOLUTION UNFORTUNATELY HAS
LITTLE CHANCE OF PASSING, IT IS
DUE TO THE TREACHERY OF THE
DEMOCRATS ON CITY COUNCIL WHO
REFUSED TO EVEN THE SECOND THIS
RESOLUTION WHEN IT WAS PUT
FORWARD ON NOVEMBER 7. IT IS
NOT BECAUSE THERE IS A LACK OF
SUPPORT FROM THE WORKING-CLASS.
YOUR CONTINUED BETRAYAL
REAFFIRMS THAT IF WE EVER WANT
TO SEE AN END TO IMPERIALIST
WAR FUNDED BY OUR TAX DOLLARS,
WE NEED A NEW PARTY THAT
ACTUALLY REPRESENTS WORKING
PEOPLE. THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT AND THANK
YOU TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS
AND THE WORKING PEOPLE WHO HAVE
FOUGHT FOR THIS RESOLUTION,
UNLIKE THE DEMOCRATS ON THIS
CITY COUNCIL. VOTE YES ON THIS
RESOLUTION WITHOUT WATERING IT
DOWN.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LANA
FOLLOWED BY GREG. ON A? --
ALANNA ?
>> I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT
3. I AM A JEWISH RUSSIAN
ISRAELI AMERICAN . I CALLED IN
TWO WEEKS AGO AND I WAS REALLY
DISHEARTENED TO SEE THAT THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DID THE
PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE AND DID NOT
EVEN BRING THE RESOLUTION TO
VOTE. I AM GLAD THEY FOUND
THEIR CONSCIOUS NOW TO AT LEAST
CALL FOR CEASE-FIRE BUT THAT IS
NOT ENOUGH. I THINK IT IS
EVIDENT THAT FOR ANY PEACE TO
RESOLVE, TO COME TO PASS, WE
NEED TO STOP FUNDING THE
ISRAELI MILITARY AND END
OCCUPATION. I CALL ON ALL THE
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PUT THE
PARTY LINE ASIDE AND JUST VOTE
FOR HUMANITARIAN REASON. WE
CANNOT CONTINUE THE WAY IT IS.
CEASE-FIRES AT A MINIMUM. I
PROPOSE TO ACCEPT THE
RESOLUTION AS IT IS WITHOUT
WATERING IT DOWN. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE
FOLLOWED BY TOM BERNARD.
>> MY FATHER WAS A WORLD WAR
II VETERAN. MY BROTHER IS
JEWISH. I GREW UP IN A
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR COMMUNITY IN
THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. THE
ISRAELIS ARE WELL AWARE OF THE
HISTORIC ANTICIPATES OF WHAT
THEY ARE PULLING. WHEN I WAS A
CHILD, A PARTICULAR VIOLENT
ZIONIST GAVE ME A BOOK TO READ
CALLED THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS
NOW. THE MORAL OF THAT IS -- I
JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I
HATED YOU. THE ISRAELIS ARE
WELL AWARE THAT BY WHAT THEY
ARE DOING IN GAZA, THEY ARE
HUMILITY -- HUMILIATING THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS TOM BERNARD FOLLOWED BY JOE
.
>> MY NAME IS TOM BERNARD AND I
AM A 30 YEAR RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY
CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE IN GAZA
BEFORE POLITICIANS OF GOOD
CONSCIOUS SPEAK UP BUT I AM
SURE WE PASSED IT. THE PICTURES
AND VIDEO SHOWING THE RESULTS
OF ISRAEL'S ASSAULT ON THE
PEOPLE OF GAZA SHOULD HORRIFY
US ALL. IT IS PAST TIME TO
RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A SERIES
OF ONGOING WAR CRIMES.
PARTICULARLY THE ASSAULTS ON
GAZA HOSPITALS ARE HEINOUS. THE
UNDERGROUND COMMAND BUNKERS
UNDERNEATH THE HOSPITALS ARE
BEING INCREASINGLY EXPOSED TO
THREAD THEIR LIES. THEY HAVE
THE TIGHT FOOTPRINT OF THE
HOSPITAL ITSELF. ISRAEL IS NOW
ABOUT TO DO THE SOUTHERN PART
OF GAZA WHAT IT HAS DONE TO THE
NORTH. FORGET THE MENTALITY OF
THE SO-CALLED POSITIVES. END
THE OCCUPATION. CEASE-FIRE!
>> CEASE-FIRE NOW!
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TEED UP.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOE. I
AM A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND
MEMBER OF AND SCA , SPEAKING A
PERSONAL CAPACITY. THANK YOU
SOCIALIST CITY COUNCILMEMBER
KSHAMA SAWANT FOR PUTTING
FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION.
DEMOCRATS, YOU HAVE A SIGNED TO
CHOOSE TODAY AMIDST THIS
GROWING INTERNATIONAL ANTIWAR
MOVEMENT. MOVEMENT IN THE
UNITED STATES URGENTLY NEEDS TO
DISCUSS THE STRATEGY TO END THE
WAR AND END U.S. FUNDING FOR
THIS AND OTHER WARS IN THE ERA
OF THE NEW COLD WAR. WHEN HE TO
DISCUSS BUILDING A NEW
WORKING-CLASS , ANTIWAR,
ANTI-IMPERIALIST PARTY. THE
LABOR MOVEMENT NEEDS TO
ORGANIZE PROTESTS OF THE RANK
AND FILE AND STRIKE ACTION TO
TAKE THE MOVEMENT FORWARD.
CRUCIAL TACTIC IS WORKERS
REFUSING TO MANUFACTURE OR
TRANSPORT WEAPON SHIPMENTS TO
ISRAEL . FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNION
MACHINIST AND AEROSPACE
ENGINEERS AT BOEING COULD DO
THIS AND IT WOULD HAVE A
MASSIVE IMPACT ON THE WAR. THE
$106 BILLION BIDEN WANTS TO
SPEND ON WARS ACROSS THE WORLD
SHOULD BE SPENT ON THE URGENT
NEEDS OF WORKING AND POOR
PEOPLE INCLUDING LIVING WAGES,
HEALTHCARE, FUNDING FOR PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SHOUT OUT TO THE PEOPLE'S
BUDGET MOVEMENT FOR FUNDING
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. END THE
OCCUPATION.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP, SIR.
>> THANK YOU SIR.
>> TURN OFF THE MICROPHONE.
HERE WE GO. TURN IT OFF. NO
MORE SPEAKERS. HOLDUP. WE
REALLY WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. IT IS NOT
ALL ABOUT YOU. OTHER PEOPLE
WANT TO SPEAK TODAY AND GIVE
PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> THEY CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING YOU
ARE SAYING.
>> MADAM CLERK, I AM GOING TO
LOOK TO YOU TO WHETHER OR NOT
WE SHOULD TAKE A FIVE MINUTE
RECESS.
>> IT IS ALMOST 3:00. LET'S
CALL A FEW MORE SPEAKERS.
>> BEFORE WE CALL THOSE TWO
SPEAKERS --
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION, I
WILL NOT BE SPEAKING OVER THE
PEOPLE THAT ARE YELLING. IT IS
JUST TOO HARD.
>> I UNDERSTAND.
>> LET'S DO THIS. MADAM CLERK?
>> PRESIDENT JUAREZ , I DON'T
THINK THIS IS A CALL FOR RECESS
BECAUSE THESE ARE ORDINARY
PEOPLE. THESE ARE THE
CONSTITUENTS OF ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVES. THEY
ABSOLUTELY HAVE THE RIGHT AND
THE MORAL AND POLITICAL
RESPONSIBILITY TO SPEAK UP. I
DO SYMPATHIZE WITH LINDA THAT I
AM HAPPY TO READ THE NAMES OUT.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM READING NAMES
OUT.
>> WE HAVE THIS. I AM NOT
TRYING TO SHUT ANYONE DOWN OR
TAKE ANYONE'S RIGHT TO SPEAK. I
AM ASKING FOR BASIC DIGNITY TO
LET OTHER PEOPLE SPEAK SO WE
CAN GET THROUGH MORE PEOPLE SO
WE CAN HEAR FROM EVERYBODY. IT
IS NOW 3:00. NOBODY IS TAKING
WAY TO BUDDY'S RIGHT
-- SORRY .
>> TOUGH CROWD.
COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME TODAY. I AM JEWISH
AND ISRAELI. SINCE OCTOBER 7 I
AM NOT THE SAME PERSON. ANY
HUMAN IMPACTED BY THESE EVENTS
WOULDN'T BE. TODAY WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT THE RESOLUTION
-- BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA .
WITHOUT GOING INTO ANY
OPINIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO STICK
TO THE FACTS, AND BY FAX I
DON'T MEAN HOW MANY PEOPLE DIED
ON EACH SIDE. I WANT TO BRING
YOU A LITTLE BIT CLOSER WHERE
WE ACTUALLY STAND. THE CITY OF
SEATTLE , EVEN THOUGH WE ARE
7000 MILES AWAY, ON OCTOBER 7,
LIFE HAS CHANGED FOR US. SINCE
OCTOBER 7 , THERE IS A RISE IN
ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS STILL IN
SEATTLE, WHETHER IT IS
ESPECIALLY PACKAGES IN
SYNAGOGUES, ANTI-SEMITIC SIGNS
HANG IN NEIGHBORHOODS, AND
THE KIDNAPPING OF ISRAELI
VICTIMS HAS BEEN TONED DOWN .
SO WHAT IS A BETTER USE OF THE
COUNCIL TIME HERE? WOULD IT BE
CONDEMNING A WAR THAT IS 7000
MILES AWAY ARE TAKING CARE OF
YOUR SEATTLE CONSTITUENTS.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MOHAMMED
ANSARI.
>> JUST WAIT. I DON'T EXPECT
YOU TO SPEAK OVER THEM , MADAME
CLERK.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MOHAMMED
ANSARI.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I URGE YOU
TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION TODAY
TO ADD SEATTLE'S VOICE TO THE
WORLDWIDE CHORUS ADDING FOUR
CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA. THE LONDON
INSTITUTE FOUNDED BY A
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR HAS CALLED
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GAZA
GENOCIDE. THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY TO PROTECT
JOURNALISTS SAID THIS IS THE
DEADLIEST MONTH FOR JOURNALISTS
SINCE THEY STARTED TRACKING
STATISTICS. PAYMENT OF
ORDINANCES DROPPED ON AREAS
SMALLER THAN SEATTLE IS 2.5
THAT DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA.
INNOCENT CHILDREN HAVE DIED.
THE FACT IS THAT THIS MASS
SLAUGHTER AND GENOCIDE IS
PLAYING OUT IN REAL TIME IN
FRONT OF US ON OUR PHONES AND
TVs. THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION
FOR THIS. IS NOT ACCOMPLISHING
ANY SECURITY GOALS. IT IS MASS
MURDER COMMITTED WITH IMPUNITY.
LET US STAND ON THE RIGHT SIDE
OF HISTORY DEMAND AN END TO IT,
AND END TO GENOCIDE UNFOLDING
BEFORE OUR EYES USING WEAPONS
PAID FOR BY AMERICAN TAX
DOLLARS. WE SHOULD NOT BE
FUNDING THE GENOCIDE OR THE
OCCUPATION PICK ASK YOU TO VOTE
YES ON SAWANT'S RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, IT IS NOW
3:00 AND WE HAVE 58 IN PERSON
AND 78 REMOTE REMAINING.
>> OKAY. LET'S DO 10 REMOTE,
THEN.
>> OUR FIRST REMOTE SPEAKER IS
HANNAH ANDREA'S.
>> HI, THIS IS HANNAH ANDREA .
>> YES . HANNAH? YOU CUT OUT.
WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. SO, WE
HAVE PAUSED THE TIME. I SEE YOU
ARE NOT ON MUTE. MAY BE THE
CALL DROPPED?
>> WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT
SPEAKER AND THEN COME BACK TO
HANNAH?
>> CAN WE DO THAT --
>> THERE SHE IS. ARE YOU BACK,
HANNAH?
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? YEAH, CAN
YOU HEAR ME?
>> YOU DROPPED OUT. HE DROPPED
OUT. HE DROPPED OUT FOR A
MINUTE. GO AHEAD.
>> APOLOGIES. I AM HANNAH, A
CONSTITUENT IN DISTRICT 3. I
URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THE
RESOLUTION FOR AN IMMEDIATE
CEASE-FIRE TO END ALL MILITANT
FUNDING, AND TO PUT IT AT THE
TOP OF THE AGENDA. I WANT TO
MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE DO
CONDEMN ANTI-SEMITISM, BUT WE
MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE GENOCIDE
THAT IS OCCURRING. TOO MANY
PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES,
HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN HAVE DIED.
THAT'S IMPORTANT , AND I WANT
TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I WILL
NOT VOTE FOR YOU IN THE NEXT
ELECTION CYCLE, AND I WILL
MOBILIZE OTHER VOTERS TO DO THE
SAME IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE
COMPLACENT IN THE GENOCIDE,
THE MURDER OF CHILDREN IN GAZA.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, HANNAH.
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
ZACHARY ZIMMERMAN.
>> THACKERAY , STAR SIX.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HELLO. I AM AN EDUCATOR AND
A RENTER IN ZIP CODE 98125. I'M
CALLING TO DEMAND THAT YOU VOTE
YES ON COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
FULL VERSION OF RESOLUTION
32118 . THERE IS CLEARLY
INTERNAL DEBATE OVER WHICH OF
THESE TWO VERSIONS BEST
CAPTURES THE NEED FOR FULL
THROATED CONDEMNATION OF
ISRAEL'S OCCUPATION OF
PALESTINE AND THE U.S. ROLE IN
FUNDING ISRAEL'S MILITARY, AND
WHICH SEEMS POLITICALLY
EXPEDIENT DESPITE NOT
ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES.
THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHERS IN
THIS MEETING THAT HAD MADE IT
ABUNDANTLY CLEAR WHICH VERSION
THEY SUPPORT AND I ECHO THEM.
MY QUESTION TO YOU IS HOW MUCH
MORE DESTRUCTION ARE YOU
WILLING TO TOLERATE WHILE YOU
DELIBERATE AND DELAY. PEOPLE IN
PALESTINE AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS
HERE IN SEATTLE ARE DIRECTLY
AFFECTED BY YOUR DECISION, SO I
URGE YOU TO REPRESENT THE
VIEWS OF THOSE WHO COMMENTED
HERE TODAY AND YOUR OTHER
CONSTITUENTS AND VOTE YES ON
RESOLUTION 32118 IMMEDIATELY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
SABRINA TODAY.
>> THERE SHE IS. THERE YOU GO.
HELLO? YOU CAN START. YES.
YOU JUST PUT YOURSELF ON MUTE.
STAR SIX AGAIN. THERE YOU GO.
YES.
>> OKAY. SORRY ABOUT THAT. I'M
SPEAKING AS A PALESTINIAN
AMERICAN MUSLIM WOMAN WHO HAS
FAMILY IN PALESTINE AND I'M
HOPING WE CAN ALL CENTER
PALESTINIAN VOICES IN PUBLIC
COMMENT AS WE AND OUR FAMILIES
ARE DIRECT THE IMPACTED BY
THIS VOTE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE
YES TO A CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION,
AND I APPRECIATE THE MULTIPLE
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE ALREADY
CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE
CEASE-FIRE IN THE LAST TWO
WEEKS. WE AS PALESTINIANS ALSO
DON'T WANT TO BE TARGETED OR
KILLED OR HARASSED AND WE KNOW
THAT A CEASE-FIRE IS CRUCIAL TO
THE SAFETY OF ALL OF OUR
COMMUNITY. FOR THIS REASON I
WOULD HOPE THAT THE ADL VERGING
YOU TO VOTE NO, THEY WOULD URGE
THE COUNCIL TO VOTE YES, IF
THEY TRULY ARE DEVASTATED FOR
THE KILLING OF PALESTINIANS,
THEY SHOULD STAND AS THOUSANDS
OF JEWISH FOLKS ARE STANDING
WITH PALESTINIANS TO CALL FOR A
CEASE-FIRE TO END THE
INDISCRIMINATE BOMBINGS. I
SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION TO DO
THAT, BECAUSE IT IS MY FAMILY,
MY COMMUNITY , AND ARE PEOPLE
WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF THESE
INDISCRIMINATE BOMBINGS.
>> THANK YOU , SABRINA.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JESSE
ROTH.
>> HI THERE. MY NAME IS JESSE
ROTH. I AM A CONSTITUENT FROM
-- HILL. I AM CALLING TO ASK
THE COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
RESOLUTION 32118. I
LISTENING TO PALESTINIAN
COMMUNITY MEMBERS SUPPORT
WHATEVER SHOULD PASS TODAY
BECAUSE A CEASE-FIRE MUST PASS
IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER , I'M
GOING TO CALL ON COUNCILMEMBERS
WHO HAVE NOT SIGNED ONTO
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LEADER
HERE. YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
TO DO SOMETHING UNCOMFORTABLE ,
AND TO FORCE SEATTLE TO BE A
LEADER IN DEMANDING A FREE
PALESTINE , AND NOT JUST
STOPPING THIS IMMEDIATE CRISIS,
BUT STOPPING THE NEXT ONE. I
HOPE YOU WILL ALL SUPPORT THAT
RESOLUTION , AND THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
>> NEXT, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS
PRESENT RISHA. STAR SIX.
THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD
AFTERNOON, COUNCILMEMBERS. I
AM THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS FOR -- I'M HERE TODAY
TO URGE YOU TO OPPOSE THE
ADOPTION OF TRANSPORTATION
IMPACT FEES IN SEATTLE. YOUR
VOTE TODAY IS A SUBSTANTIAL
VOTE AND SHOULD NOT BE BASED ON
TODAY'S REALITY. UNFORTUNATELY
BOTH OF THE PROPOSAL AND THE
PROJECT -- FIVE OR SIX YEARS
AGO. SOME OF THE PROJECTS ON
THE LIST WEREN'T EVEN BUILT OR
FUNDED FROM OTHER SOURCES.
PASSING THIS OUTDATED LIST
MEANS THE CITY HAS TO GO BACK
AGAIN NEXT YEAR AND PASS
ANOTHER AMENDMENT PROJECT LIST
AND THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT
SAYS LOCAL CODE NEEDS TO MATCH
THE LOCAL POLICIES, SO IF YOU
CHANGE THE PLAN TO INCLUDE
IMPACT FEES , THEN THE CODE
WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW SUIT. MAKE
NO MISTAKE YOU ARE MAKING A
POLICY CHOICE TODAY. WE ARE
CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ONGOING
INFLATION AND ECONOMIC
VOLATILITY. ECONOMIC --
TRANSPORTATION -- WHICH IN TURN
WILL REDUCE FUNDS USED FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS AUDREY KOVNER.
>> AUDREY? STAR SIX. I KNOW
YOU ARE THERE. THERE YOU GO.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS AUDREY
KOVNER AND AM CHAIR OF THE
JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS
COUNCIL OF THE JEWISH
FEDERATION OF GREATER SEATTLE
AND I AM HERE REQUESTING THAT
THE COUNCIL NOT PUT FORWARD
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION. LIKES THE
PROPONENTS OF THE RESOLUTION
-- DEVASTATED BY THE
HUMANITARIAN IMPACT OF THE
HAMAS WAR. KNOW LIVES SHOULD
BE TAKEN THIS WAY , AND WE ARE
ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT
ANTI-SEMITISM, ISLAMOPHOBIA,
AND ANTI-PALESTINIAN HATE
CRIMES. WHILE WE BELIEVE
COUNCILMEMBERS GENUINELY
MAINTAIN AN OPPOSITION TO THE
TRAUMA, THERE ARE SEVERAL
REASONS WE VOTE AGAINST IT.
FIRST, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT
THE VIEWS OF THE KEY
CONSTITUENTS IMPACTED BY THE
WAR, THE SEATTLE JEWISH
COMMUNITY, AND SECOND THE
LANGUAGE OF THE RESOLUTION IS
OFTEN INACCURATE REFLECTIONS OF
FACTS. NO ONE SPEAKING ON
BEHALF OF THE SEATTLE JEWISH
COMMUNITY , NO RABBI TO OUR
KNOWLEDGE, RABBI, EXECUTIVE,
OR OTHER LEADER --
>> PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE 10
SECOND TIMER.
>> THAT'S NOT HELPFUL. MADAME
CLERK, I'LL HAVE YOU TELL ME
WHEN TO CALL THE NEXT ONE.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
>> STAR SIX. THERE YOU GO.
>> HI , I AM A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 3 CALLING TO URGE
VOTING YES ON THE CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION WITH NO WATERING
DOWN , WITH NO ADDITIONAL
WEAPONS OR FUNDING TO THE
ISRAELI MILITARY. INTERNATIONAL
RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS ARE CLEAR.
WE ARE WITNESSING WAR CRIMES
AND MASS GENOCIDES THAT HAVE
ALREADY RESULTED IN THE DEATH
OF MORE THAN 12,000
PALESTINIANS, MORE THAN 6000 OF
WHICH ARE CHILDREN. HIS
CONFLICT DID NOT START ON
OCTOBER 7. THE PALESTINIANS
HAVE BEEN SUBJECT OCCUPATION
AND WAR CRIMES FOR OVER 70
YEARS -- UNACCEPTABLE. I WANT
TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT WILL
NOT VOTE -- AND WILL MOBILIZE
OTHER VOTERS TO DO THE SAME AS
THEY CONTINUE -- THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ROBERT
SINGLETON.
>> ROBERT .
>> HI THERE. MY NAME IS ROBERT
SINGLETON AND I AM THE -- TODAY
I AM ONCE AGAIN ASKING YOU TO
NOT IMPOSE THE REGRESSIVE
NETWORK COMPANY FEE AND THE
DELIVERY SERVICES IN SEATTLE AS
A FURTHER ADD TO THE COST OF
GETTING BASIC GOODS AND FOODS.
ITEMS -- MANY PEOPLE CANNOT
PHYSICALLY TRAVEL TO EVERY
LOCATION TO PROVIDE FOR BASIC
NEEDS. PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE
SERVICE INDUSTRY OR WORK
MULTIPLE JOBS CANNOT MAKE IT TO
A STORE OR RESTAURANT IN
PERSON. DIFFERENT ABILITIES --
DELIBERATING SERVICES CAN BE A
VALUABLE LIFELINE, AND WORKING
FAMILIES JUSTIFIABLY DON'T
ALWAYS WANT TO GO OUT FOR EVEN
MORE ERRANDS AFTER A LONG DAY.
ATTACKING THESE SERVICES --
COST OF LIVING IN AN ALREADY
EXPENSIVE CITY, AND THE IMPACTS
ARE FELT MOST BY THOSE ALREADY
STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
PLEASE DO NOT IMPOSE ADDITIONAL
COSTS ON SEATTLE RESIDENTS --
ENFORCING LABOR RESTRICTIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS STAR
PARKER.
>> STAR . THERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO MY NAME IS STAR
PARKER. I'M JEWISH. I HAVE A
MASTERS DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
AND EDUCATION WORK AS A
KINDERGARTEN TEACHER. AT THE
UPPER 30,000 PEOPLE THAT HAVE
BEEN KILLED IN GAZA, MORE THAN
5000 ARE CHILDREN. 9000
CHILDREN HAVE BEEN WOOED AND,
AND ALL GAZANS ARE NOW AT RISK
OF STARVATION. RESEARCH
CONCLUDES THAT WAR TRAUMA LEADS
TO LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES ON
THE PSYCHE OF CHILDREN. THE
MARK PROLONGED THE CONFLICT,
THE MORE SEVERE THE SYMPTOMS.
WHILE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A
RESOLUTION PASSED THE CALLS TO
AN END FOR IS REALLY OCCUPATION
AND OUR TAX DOLLARS -- I ALSO
SUPPORT THE AMENDED RESOLUTION
IN ORDER TO MEET THE MOST
IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A
CEASE-FIRE AND HUMANITARIAN
AID. THIS IS NOT COMPLICATED. I
ASSURE YOU THAT EVEN MY
KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS WOULD
EASILY DETERMINE THAT WHAT IS
HAPPENING IS WRONG AND MUST
STOP NOW. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE
VOICES OF THOUSANDS OF
PALESTINIANS, THEIR ALLIES IN
SEATTLE, AS WELL AS A MAJORITY
OF AMERICANS, AND USE THE POWER
THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN HIS
REPRESENTATIVES TO PASS A
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION NOW, NOT
IN OUR NAME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS --
>> PUSH STAR SIX. I SEE HIS
TILE. HELLO? MAYBE WE CAN
WAIT ANOTHER MINUTE. MADAME
CLERK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME
BACK TO THEM? THERE. GOOD JOB.
THERE YOU GO.
>> PERFECT. ALL RIGHT, THANK
YOU. FIRST OFF, CEASE-FIRE NOW
. I SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.
THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN DONE TWO
WEEKS AGO. TWO WEEKS AGO, IF IT
HAD BEEN DONE, AND WE HAD AN
IMPACT BECAUSE WE ARE SEATTLE,
WE LIKE TO PUSH TOWARDS
EVERYTHING HUMANITARIAN. WE ARE
A LEADER IN EVERYTHING
HUMANITARIAN. WE COULD BE
DOING THIS RIGHT NOW. IF WE DID
IT TWO WEEKS AGO, WE MAY HAVE
MADE AN IMPACT I MAKING LESS
CHILDREN DIE, AND LESS ORGANS
AND LIMBS ALL OVER THE PLACE
UNDER THE RUBBLE . I DON'T KNOW
HOW YOU CAN ACCEPT SEEING ALL
OF THESE IMAGES AND NOT DOING
ANYTHING ABOUT IT. FAMILIES
HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. FULL
FAMILIES. WE ARE A PROGRESSIVE
STATE, AND WE SHOULD BE ASKING
FOR A CEASE-FIRE. IF YOU USE
THE MONEY FOR MAKING AMERICA
BETTER, THAT IS A BETTER WAY OF
USING THE MONEY, INSTEAD OF
SENDING IT OVER TO KILL PEOPLE
OVER AND OVER. CEASE-FIRE NOW.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE NEXT
10 IN PERSON SPEAKERS, AND THE
FIRST PERSON IS SIOBHAN PACKER
-- THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
JEREMY VOSS .
>> ARE THEY BOTH UP AT THE
PODIUM?
>> YES THEY ARE.
>> GREAT.
>> HELLO, I AM A STUDENT AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON AND AN
ACTIVIST WITH WORKERS STRIKE
BACK. I DEMAND ALL DEMOCRATS
VOTE YES ON COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S RESOLUTION FOR A
CEASE-FIRE. THE SERIOUS PROBLEM
WITH THE MOSQUEDA, AND OTHER
SO-CALLED LEADERS, WHO COOKED
UP A WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION
BEHIND-THE-SCENES. THE
SELF-APPOINTED LEADERS -- DO
NOT SPEAK FOR THE RANK-AND-FILE
OF THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT, NOR DO
THEY SPEAK OF THE NEEDS FOR
GAZA ON THE WEST BANK AND EAST
JERUSALEM WHO ARE UNDER ATTACK.
HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIANS AND
OTHER WORKING PEOPLE AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE
SUPPORTED SAWANT'S RESOLUTION.
SOME OF THESE LEADERS SAY THEY
SUPPORTED SAWANT'S RESOLUTION
BUT WORKED WITH THE DEMOCRATS
ON THE WATERED DOWN RESOLUTION
BECAUSE SAWANT'S RESOLUTION HAS
LITTLE CHANCE OF PASSING. I
DISAGREE WITH THE STRATEGY OF
ADMITTING DEFEAT BEFORE IT HAS
BEGUN -- SAWANT AND THE
WORKING PEOPLE HAVE WON --
WHAT WAS CONVENIENT FOR THE
DEMOCRATS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS JEREMY . I AM
DESCENDED FROM GERMAN AND
IRAQI JEWS BOTH OF WHICH FLED
GENOCIDE. I GREW UP IN THE SUET
PARK COMMUNITY. SIMPLY BY BEING
JEWISH, I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC
RIGHT TO IMMIGRATE TO ISRAEL
GET CITIZENSHIP AND VOTE, YET
PALESTINIAN REFUGEES, EVEN
THOSE BORN THERE, CANNOT
RETURN HOME BECAUSE THEY
SUPPOSEDLY POSE A DEMOGRAPHIC
THREAT TO ME. AS THE OCTOBER 7
HAMAS ATTACKS SHOW THEM OF THE
SYSTEM OF APARTHEID AND
OCCUPATION WILL NEVER KEEP ME
OR MY ISRAELI FAMILY SAFE, LET
ALONE PALESTINIANS, AND NEITHER
WILL MURDERING 17,000 OF THEM ,
OVER 90% OF WHOM ARE CIVILIANS,
AND DISPLACING 1.7 MILLION. IN
FACT , EQUATING THIS VIOLENCE
WITH MY JEWISH COMMUNITY THROWS
US UNDER THE BUS OF CORPORATE
PROFITS. I REMIND YOU THAT THE
JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS
COUNCIL DOES NOT REPRESENT JEWS
AS WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY OF US
TESTED AGAINST VINCE. ONLY
PIECE BRINGS SECURITY, AND ONLY
AN END TO THE OCCUPATION BRINGS
PEACE. VOTE FOR --
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BOB
LAWRENCE FOLLOWED BY EVA MATZ.
>> HI, CANCEL. BOB BARNES.
I'VE BEEN HEARING SEATTLE
UNOCCUPIED LAND SINCE 1972. I
SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION, THE
FULL RESOLUTION , BECAUSE THERE
IS NOT GOING TO BE A CEASE-FIRE
UNTIL WE CUT OFF MILITARY AID.
HOWEVER , LET'S DO THAT, BUT
WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE WILL BE
BACK. I WANT TO JUST TAKE US
BACK A FEW YEARS WHERE THE
FIGHT FOR 15 CAMPAIGN. A LOT OF
US KNEW $15 WAS NOT ENOUGH
MONEY, BUT IT WAS A START, AND
WE FOUGHT , AND WE'VE GOTTEN IT
HIGHER. IF WE HAVE TO, WE WILL
DEAL WITH JUST A CEASE-FIRE.
THAT'S A PRETTY BIG DEAL IN
THIS ROOM, OUT OF THIS ROOM. IF
THAT IS ALL WE CAN TAKE WE WILL
TAKE IT, BUT WE WILL FREAKING
BE BACK. CEASE-FIRE NOW. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. OUR NEXT
SPEAKER IS EVA MATZ, FOLLOWED
BY ANDREW MENDE.
>> MY NAME IS EVA MATZ. I MET
NURSING STUDENT AND A HOME CARE
WORKER AND I'M A MEMBER OF --
HERE TO DEMAND THAT CITY
COUNCIL DEMOCRATS VOS VOTE YES
ON SAWANT'S RESOLUTION WITHOUT
WATERING IT DOWN.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ HAS MADE
REPEATED APPEALS FOR US TO BE
DIGNIFIED. I DON'T THINK THAT
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE A SENSE OF
PROPORTION OF WHAT IS HAPPENING
RIGHT NOW , WHY WE ARE SO
OUTRAGED. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE
SPOKEN ABOUT THE HORRORS IN
GAZA, PEOPLE DYING EVERY DAY.
YESTERDAY PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS
SAID THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN
COUNT THE DEAD BECAUSE OF THE
COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. THIS IS
HORRIFYING TO SEE IS A
HEALTHCARE WORKER , AS A
HEALTHCARE STUDENT, BUT JUST AS
A HUMAN BEING . THAT IS WHY WE
ARE SO MAD, THAT TWO WEEKS AGO
COUNCILMEMBERS REFUSED TO EVEN
SECOND COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION , AND COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ, MOSQUEDA, THEY'VE
WORKED TO WATER DOWN THIS
RESOLUTION. WE NEED TO END THIS
OCCUPATION. WE NEED TO END
FUNDING FOR ISRAEL'S WAR
CRIMES. NO MORE EXCUSES.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANDREW
-- FOLLOWED BY ALEX OLSON.
>> HELLO. I'M ANSWER. WHAT
HAMAS DID ON OCTOBER 7 WAS
TERRIFIC AND VIOLENT, BUT IT
WAS VERY PREDICTABLE. LIKE
CONDITIONS OF PALESTINIANS IN
GAZA ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO ARE
ALSO HORRIBLE AND VIOLENT. THEY
HAVE NO ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY
OR CLEAN WATER AND ARE SUBJECT
TO STARVATION. IF YOU
SUBJUGATE PEOPLE TO HORRIFIC
CONDITIONS, THEY WILL
EVENTUALLY PUSH BACK VIOLENTLY.
IT IS INEVITABLE. THE
CONDITIONS IN GAZA ARE FORCED
TO DO THE BRUTAL ACTIONS OF THE
ISRAELI APARTHEID STATE AND THE
RELENTLESS BOMBING CAMPAIGN
THEY HAVE ENGAGED IN. THE
CITIZENS OF GAZA ARE DEMONIZED
AND TREATED LIKE TRASH. WE
MUST ADVOCATE FOR A CEASE-FIRE
IN GAZA RIGHT NOW. THEY AGREED
TO A CEASE-FIRE IN THE PAST AND
THERE IS NO REASON TO ASSUME
IT'S UNATTAINABLE NOW. WE MUST
END ALL MILITARY FUNDING TO
ISRAEL NOW. WE MUST PRESSURE
THE ISRAELI STATE TO ENGAGE IN
HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION SO THAT
MORE LIVES MUST NOT BE LOST. WE
MUST PRESSURE THE ISRAELI STATE
TO END THE WAR ON GAZA. FOCUS
-- YES ON THIS RESOLUTION
WITHOUT WATERING IT DOWN. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> SORRY , WITH THE CLERK'S
PERMISSION , MY OFFICE HAS
LEARNED THAT A COMMUNITY
MEMBER -- HAS SIGNED UP TO
SPEAK IT NEEDS TO LEAVE SOON.
SO YOU CAN COME TO SPEAK IF
YOU ARE HERE. DO WE --
>> MADAM CLAIRE, IS THAT A
POSSIBILITY?
>> SORRY, I DID THAT WITH
LINDA'S PERMISSION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN YOU HEAR
ME OKAY?
>> WE CAN.
>> HI, EVERYONE. THIS IS MY
FIRST TIME IN THIS BUILDING
AND ON MY WAY HERE I SAW A SIGN
THAT SAYS "BLACK LIVES MATTER."
I'M CURIOUS WHEN YOU SAY BLACK
LIVES MATTER, DO YOU
INTELLECTUALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT
BLACK PEOPLE WENT TO? TO
UNDERSTAND THE REALITY OF
APARTHEID INTERIM CROW LAWS.
YOU KNOW LIKE THE REST OF THE
WORLD KNOWS THAT ISRAEL IS AN
APARTHEID -- APARTHEID
COLONIAL SEDIMENT? AND IF YOU
DO IN FACT KNOW THESE FACTS,
THEN DON'T LIE TO US. SAY IT
WITH YOUR CHEST. IF YOU WANT TO
JOIN HANDS WITH RACIST THEN YOU
ARE RACIST. IF YOU KNOW THAT
-- IF YOU KNOW THAT THEY'VE
LOBBIED TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO
BOYCOTT ISRAEL AND OVER HALF OF
THE U.S., AND WASHINGTON STATE
IS NOT AMONGST ONE OF THOSE
STATES, I MIGHT SAY , THEN WE
KNOW IT ISRAEL IS. WE KNOW
ISRAEL IS A RACIST AND VIOLENT
SEDIMENT, SO WE ASK OF YOU TO
DO BEST FROM RACISM AND
REINVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED. VOTE
YES TO COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION AND DEMAND A
CEASE-FIRE AND PUT AN END TO
THE OCCUPATION AND MOVE IT TO
THE TOP OF THE AGENDA. MAYBE
AFTER THAT WE WILL HAVE MONEY
FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND
HEALTHCARE FOR THE REST OF US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALEX
OLSON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON . MY NAME IS
ALEX OLSON FROM DISTRICT 6 AND
I AM HERE TO DEMAND THE CITY
COUNCIL DEMOCRATS SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION. THE
CONTENT IS NOT INFLAMMATORY.
THE WAR ON GAZA IS INFLAMMATORY
INTO CONDONE IT IS MORAL AND
UNCONSCIONABLE. THE ISRAELI
GOVERNMENT THAT THE U.S. PROPS
UP WITH MILITARY AID IS NOT IN
THE INTEREST OF THE ISRAELI
PEOPLE AND SUPPORT FOR THE
ORDINARY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL DOES
NOT TRANSLATE INTO SUPPORT FOR
THE BRUTAL WAR. THE SHAMEFUL
DECISION FOR THE COUNCILMEMBERS
TO NOT EVEN SECOND IS
NECESSARY RESOLUTION AT ITS
INTRODUCTION SHOWS THE
UNWILLINGNESS OF THE PARTY TO
REPRESENT A VAST MAJORITY OF
AMERICANS, DEMOCRATS, AND
SEATTLEITES WHO SUPPORT HIM
IMMEDIATE THIS -- CEASE-FIRE IN
GAZA. -- TO STAND AGAINST THE
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S CHOICE
TO SPEND OUR MONEY ON A STATE
OF TERRORISM AND THE WAR
AGAINST THE CIVILIAN POPULATION
INSTEAD OF IMPROVING THE LIVES
OF WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS TO
END YOUR SHAMEFUL SILENCE --
YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT
US, BUT YOU WON'T EVEN SHOW
YOUR FACES. THERE IS NO EXCUSE
FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN SUPPORT
FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND REST
ASSURED WE WILL DEMAND AN
EXPLANATION AND --
>> YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT, SIR. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS -- AND
THEY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY --
>> THANK YOU .
>> AND I DON'T SEE ANYBODY
COMING UP TO THE PODIUM , SO WE
WILL CALL IN THE NEXT SPEAKER ,
WHO IS -- BURNS.
>> I AM AN ETHNIC ARMENIAN.
TWO MONTHS AGO , COUNCILMEMBERS
MAY KNOW, THE 120,000 ARMENIAN
RESIDENTS OF THE REGION HAVE --
WERE ETHNICALLY CLEANSED AND
FORCED UNDER A MONTH-LONG
BLOCKADE OF THEIR ONLY , ROAD,
UNDER THE GUISE OF
ANTITERRORISM. IN LIGHT OF
THAT, THE U.S. SENATE VOTED
LAST WEEK TO TEMPORARILY END
-- TO AZERBAIJAN. I KNOW FOR MY
RELATIVES AND THE SUFFERING
THAT FOREST RELOCATION AND
OCCUPATION CAUSES, AND
PALESTINIANS ARE EXPERIENCING
THAT SUFFERING 1000 FOLD. IT
MAY SOUND UNRELATED, BUT MY
POINT IS THAT IF THE U.S.
SENATE CAN RESOLVE AGAINST
MILITARY FUNDING FOR A
COMPARABLY LESS BLOODY
ATROCITY, THEN YOU HAVE NO
EXCUSE. -- PROCEDURAL EXCUSES
DO YOU OPPOSE THE U.S. IS
FUNDING OF THIS SLAUGHTER OR
NOT. IT IS REALLY AS SIMPLE AS
THAT . SO I AND MANY OTHERS
ARE DEMANDING A YES VOTE ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION AS OPPOSED TO THE
WATERED-DOWN ONE AND WE DEMAND
THAT IT BE MOVED FIRST IN THE
AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
>> HI . I AM A TECH WORKER AND
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION AND DEMAND THAT THEY
PASSED WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONS
OR DELAYS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS
OF CHILDREN DYING IN GAZA EVERY
DAY AND IT NEEDS TO STOP. WE
NEED A CEASE-FIRE RIGHT NOW,
BUT THE HISTORY OF CEASE-FIRES
BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS SHOWS
THAT CEASE-FIRES ARE INVARIABLY
VOTED BY ISRAEL. THE MOST
NOTABLE CASE WHEN ISRAEL BROKE
A FIVE MONTH-LONG CEASE-FIRE ON
ELECTION DAY 2008 WHEN THE
WORLD'S ATTENTION WAS FOCUSED
ON BARACK OBAMA TO INITIATE A
KILLING SPREE CALLED -- THIS
HISTORY WILL CONTINUE TO
REPEAT UNLESS THE ROOT CAUSES
OF THIS ISSUE ARE ADDRESSED.
THAT MEANS AN END OF ISRAELI
OCCUPATION AND AN END OF U.S.
MILITARY SUPPORT TO ISRAEL.
PLEASE VOTE FOR THE FULL
VERSION OF THE RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> MADAM CLERK. CAN YOU HEAR
ME?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, WE ARE
NOW AT 3:30.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO CUT
HERE ATTENTION. CAN YOU GIVE ME
AN IDEA OF HOW MANY FOLKS ARE
SIGNED UP AND HOW MANY ARE LEFT
ON REMOTE?
>> WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 48 IN
PERSON AND APPROXIMATELY 68
REMOTE.
>> OKAY. WE WILL GO EVERYONE
FOR 15 MORE MINUTES , AND LET'S
SEE WHERE WE ARE AT THEN. LET'S
KEEP TRADING OFF 10 AND 10 FOR
ONE MINUTE.
>> I CAN'T HEAR YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. I'M SORRY.
>> OKAY. LET'S SET A MOMENT
UNTIL PEOPLE ARE QUIET SO WE
CAN MOVE ON ON THE CALENDAR. WE
HAVE 10 ITEMS. WHENEVER YOU ARE
READY, MADAM CLERK.
>> OKAY, SO WE WILL CONTINUE
FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES?
>> YES.
>> OUR NEXT IN PERSON SPEAKER
IS DOMINIC WOLFGANG WALLACE.
>> HELLO. I AM DOMINIC WOLFGANG
WALLACE, A RESIDENT OF SEATTLE
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I AM
HERE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION
PROVIDED BY COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT . I DEMAND ALL OF YOU
SO-CALLED PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS
VOTE YES ON THE RESOLUTION
WITHOUT ANY WATERING DOWN. I
HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH
MOSQUEDA , HERBOLD AND JUAREZ
WHO COOKED UP A RESOLUTION
BEHIND-THE-SCENES TO WATER DOWN
THE DEMAND TO END THE U.S.
FUNDING AND OCCUPATION OF
PALESTINE. THE ISRAELI STATES
OCCUPATION IS ENABLED BY
BILLIONS OF U.S. DOLLARS EVERY
YEAR, AND IT NEEDS TO END
BECAUSE IT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF
THE CRISIS. NO CEASE-FIRE WILL
LAST AS LONG AS THE OCCUPATION
EXISTS AND THAT OCCUPATION
CANNOT BE ENDED UNLESS IT'S
BACK BONE U.S. FUNDING IS
ENDED. THE YIELD THE REST OF MY
TIME.
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE
REMOTE SPEAKERS NOW. THE NEXT
REMOTE SPEAKER IS DEBORAH
NEIMAN'S.
>> DEBORAH? YEAH. GO AHEAD,
DEBORAH. YOU JUST MUTED
YOURSELF. UNMUTE . STAR SIX.
THERE YOU GO. YOUR GOOD.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.
I NAME IS DEBORAH NEIMAN. I MET
JEWISH CONSTITUENT OF
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN AND
DISTRICT 4. I'M CALLING IN
TODAY TO STRONGLY URGE YOU TO
PASS THE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR
A CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA NOW. THERE
IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THE
COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT OF AN
ENTIRE POPULATION,
INDISCRIMINATE KILLING OF
CIVILIANS, THE DENIAL OF FOOD,
WATER, SANITATION, OR MEDICAL
CARE TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
YOU MAY HEAR VOICES TODAY THAT
ACCUSE YOU OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN
TAKING THIS COURAGEOUS ACTION
TO CONDEMN THE CRIMES OF
ISRAELI MILITARIES. JEWS
EVERYWHERE ARE -- I THINK A BE
FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. THE
ACTIONS OF ISRAEL FAR FROM
INCREASING JEWISH SAFETY AS
THEY CLAIM MAKES JEWS AROUND
THE WORLD LESS SAFE. THE
REPRESSION OF PALESTINIANS HAVE
NOT RESULTED IN PEACE IN THE
REGION IS ONLY A POLITICAL
PROCESS CAN BRING THAT ABOUT.
ALL PEOPLE THERE DESERVE TO
LIVE IN PEACE, EVERYONE.
PLEASE VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION
TODAY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
>> STAR SIX. THERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HI . I AM A MEMBER OF THE
COALITION OF SEATTLE AND
AMERICANS. I'M HERE TO STRONGLY
URGE YOU FOR A CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION AND GAZA -- WE
CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY MORE
TIME AND LET ANYWAY CHILDREN
AND CIVILIANS GET KILLED IN
THIS INHUMANE, UNJUST , AND
LOPSIDED WATER. THE WHOLE
WORLD HAS BEEN WATCHING THE
DEVASTATION CAUSED BY ISRAEL
WITH FULL SUPPORT BY THE UNITED
STATES. AT THIS POINT ISRAEL IS
CONDUCTING A GENOCIDE ON
PALESTINIANS AND WE CANNOT BE
SILENT ANYMORE. WE SHOULD DO
WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO STOP THIS
FROM CONTINUING. I STRONGLY
URGE YOU -- THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS --
>> STAR SIX. THERE YOU GO.
THANK YOU . YES WE CAN.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME
DOES NOT MATTER. THE NAMES
THAT MATTER ARE ONE OF THE OVER
6000 CHILDREN THAT HAVE DIED SO
FAR IN THIS WAR. I WANT THE
COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT IF THEY
COULD -- WANT YOU TO WORK FOR
THE CEASE-FIRE. THEY WOULD WANT
YOU TO WORK FOR THE END OF
THIS OCCUPATION. PLEASE LISTEN
TO THE VOICES OF ALL OF US WHO
ARE PRESENT HERE -- ALL OF US
WHO ARE PROTESTING EVERY DAY --
AS WELL IS THE MAJORITY OF
AMERICANS. PLEASE PASS THE
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION NOW .
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS NOAH SCHWARTZ.
>> HELLO?
>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> OKAY. CALLED ON ONE SECOND .
ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON,
COUNCIL. MY NAME IS NOAH
SCHWARTZ. MY PRONOUNS ARE
C/DAY. I AM A CRT EXPERT AND A
PHD CANDIDATE FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON.
LISTEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO,
WE HAVE TO CONDEMN WHAT IS
GOING ON. IT IS AN ACTUAL
GENOCIDE. IN ORDER FOR THE
GENOCIDE TO STOP, THE
OCCUPATION NEEDS TO END, AND
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE NO
LONGER, WE SHOULD NO LONGER
RECOGNIZE ISRAEL AS BEING PART
OF A JEWISH STATE, AND OTHER
JEWS WHO ARE LIVING IN ISRAEL,
THE NEED TO GO HOME IF THEY
ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PEACE. YOU
KNOW THIS. I KNOW THIS.
EVERYBODY ON THE COUNCIL KNOWS
AND AGREES WITH ME ON THIS.
WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS
AN ACT OF PURE GENOCIDE, OKAY?
YOU KNOW, MY WIFE, ALL RIGHT,
SHE'S A DRAG QUEEN -- SHE
TAUGHT KINDERGARTEN IN THE
AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
DISTRICT OUT IN TEXAS. THEY
FIRED HER -- MY WIFE IS BEING
GENOCIDE IT JUST LIKE THE
PALESTINIANS IN GAZA. HONESTLY
I FEEL SAFER, ME AND MY WIFE,
BEING IN GAZA --
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER
IS --
>> HELLO?
>> HELLO. YOU ARE ON.
>> HI. I LIVE IN SEATTLE. AS A
PALESTINIAN AND MARY CAN I VOTE
YOU -- WITHOUT WATERING IT
DOWN. -- ESCALATING VIOLENCE
IN THE WEST BANK -- DOUBLE
STANDARD THAT HAS SHATTERED
-- PAINFUL REALITY -- WE
DON'T EVEN KNOW THE CURRENT
NUMBER OF DEATHS AS PEOPLE ARE
STILL PULLING THEIR FAMILIES
FROM UNDER RUBBLE. IT'S BEYOND
DISPOSAL -- DIPLOMACY --
DENIAL OF THIS RESOLUTION
ANTI-SEMITIC. -- HAVE TO
REPRESENT THE PEOPLE AND CHOOSE
THE PATH OF JUSTICE STARTING
WITH THE CEASE-FIRE FOR
HUMANITY'S SAKE AND A CHANCE
FOR PALESTINIANS TO LIVE
FREELY. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT
THING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE SELENA. OUR NEXT
SPEAKER IS -- OH GOSH. I'M
GOING TO SPELL YOUR LAST NAME .
AJC B -- OH GLU.
>> HELLO?
>> YES. I AM TURKISH , I AM
MUSLIM , AND I HAVE BEEN AN
AMERICAN CITIZEN FOR OVER 40
YEARS LIVING IN THE UNITED
STATES. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL
FOR A CEASE-FIRE, AND I WOULD
LIKE TO HAVE THE FULL
RESOLUTION PASSED . I WOULD
LIKE TO ASK YOU ALL , HOW WOULD
YOU FEEL IF THE JEWS CAME INTO
WASHINGTON , A -- A COUNTRY
AS BIG AS WASHINGTON, AND THEY
SAID YOU ALL HAD TO MOVE OUT TO
CAMPS, LIVE IN TENTS, LIVE IN
CONCENTRATION CAMPS ,
CONCENTRATED AREAS WITH BARBED
WIRES AND STONE WALLS AROUND
YOU IN A SPACE AS SMALL AS
GAZA, AND IF YOU DON'T WANT TO
LIVE , JUST GO INTO THE PACIFIC
OCEAN. HOW WOULD WE FEEL IF
THEY TOOK OUR HOMES , OUR
VILLAS, OUR LAND, OUR GARDENS.
WE NEED TO STOP -- THIS IS NOT
A WAR. THIS IS JUST PEOPLE --
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
>> WE DON'T SEE MOHAMMED'S
TILE. I MEAN, I'M SORRY.
>> THE PERSON AFTER THAT IS
KERRY CONKLIN.
>> KERRY ? THERE SHE IS.
KERRY?
>> MY NAME IS KERRY CONKLIN. I
AM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, A
PROUD PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN. I
BELIEVE EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS
INHERENTLY SACRED. I AM IN
SUPPORT OF ANY RESOLUTION
WHICH CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE. A
GAZAN FAMILY WHOSE 2-YEAR-OLD
TODDLER RECEIVED LIFE-SAVING
HEART SURGERY BECAUSE OF THE
ADEQUACY OF MY JEWISH FRIEND IN
ISRAEL LOST THEIR ENTIRE
NEIGHBORHOOD TO ISRAELI BOMBS
LIKE OVER 1 MILLION OTHER
GAZANS. THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED
TO WALK TO SOUTHERN GAZA WITH
THEIR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN ONLY
TO ENCOUNTER COUNTLESS DEAD
BODIES AND BODY PARTS, BEING
SHOT AT BY SOLDIERS, ONLY TO
ARRIVE TO NO FOOD, WATER, OR
SHELTER. IF WE WANT TO
CONTINUE TO LEAD OUR REGION AND
COUNTRY WITH AN EXAMPLE OF OUR
HUMANITY, WHICH INCLUDES OUR
PALESTINIAN AND JEWISH BROTHERS
AND SISTERS, THE CITY COUNCIL
MUST FIGHT THE RISE OF
ANTI-SEMITISM AND ISLAMOPHOBIA
CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE AND
END TO THE VIOLENCE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU .
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MOHAMMED
NISAR.
>> I DON'T -- THERE WE ARE.
MOHAMMED ?
>> HI, MY NAME IS MOHAMMED
NISAR OF CAPITOL HILL IN
DISTRICT 7. IT IS SICKENING AND
DISGUSTING TO SEE OUR TAX
DOLLARS FUNDING ISRAEL'S
VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND
INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND
COMMITTING WAR CRIMES DAY BY
DAY. I SUPPORT COUNCILMEMBER
SAWANT'S RESOLUTION WITHOUT
WATERING IT DOWN. END THE
OCCUPATION NOW AND INVEST THE
MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITY. GAZA
IS 25 MILES LONG BY SIX MILES
WIDE . THERE IS NO SAFE PLACE
IN GAZA NOW. THERE IS NO WATER,
MEDICINE, FOOD. BABIES ARE
DYING , AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE
TARGETED AND KILLED. IT'S FOR
US TO STOP THIS NOW.
ANTI-VIOLENCE IS NOT
ANTI-SEMITISM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS McCANNA
PARDONS.
>> McCANNA , IT IS STAR SIX .
THERE YOU ARE.
>> HELLO? THANK YOU. I AM A
MEMBER OF DISTRICTS FOUR, A
CHILD CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST ,
AND A JEWISH MEMBER OF THE
COMMUNITY IN SEATTLE, AND I
DEMAND THE DEMOCRATS VOTE YES
ON COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION WITHOUT WATERING IT
DOWN AND MOVE IT TO THE TOP OF
THE AGENDA. THE CHIEF OF THE
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AS A
CHILD IS KILLED ON AVERAGE
EVERY 10 MINUTES IN GAZA. WE AS
A COMMUNITY ARE NOT EVEN
DIRECTING FUNDS AND RESOURCES
TO ON CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH.
WE ARE RANKED 40th IN THE
NATION FOR CHILD MENTAL HEALTH
RESOURCES AND ACCESS, WHICH IS
A DISGRACE GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF
WEALTH THAT EXISTS IN
WASHINGTON AS A STATE. WE NEED
TO DIRECT FUNDS TO OUR OWN
COMMUNITY AND NOT FUEL THE
GENOCIDE OF THE PALESTINIAN
PEOPLE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RAY
LeVINE.
>> STAR SIX, RAY. I SEE HIS
TILE. RAY? THERE YOU GO. RAY
? MAY , YOU ARE ON. SO, RAY
IS ON MUTED, BUT I DON'T KNOW
IF RAY KNOWS THAT IT IS THEIR
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. RAY?
>> SHALL WE MOVE ON?
>> WELL YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT
IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH RAY. I,
I AM CONCERNED THAT RAY IS NOT
MUTED AND DOESN'T KNOW IT. IF
WE MOVE ON, CAN RAY STAY ON THE
LINE? WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE
MINUTES TO GO.
>> I AM HERE SPEAKING. CAN YOU
HEAR ME NOW?
>> YES.
>> SORRY. I WAS SPEAKING. I
DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. HI.
MY NAME IS RAY LeVINE. I LIVE
IN THE SEATTLE DISTRICT 3. I'M
JEWISH AND MEMBERS OF MY
EXTENDED FAMILY WERE KILLED IN
THE ATTACKS ON THE COUPLETS ON
OCTOBER 7. I MOURN THEIR LOSS
COME ABOUT ONE WAR CRIME DOES
NOT JUSTIFY COUNTLESS MORE.
THERE IS NO MORAL OR LEGAL
BASIS FOR ISRAEL'S
INDISCRIMINATE BOMBING AND
MASS KILLING OF PALESTINIANS A
SENSE OCTOBER 7. MORE STRONGLY
THAN EVER IMA I AM CALLING FOR
A CEASE-FIRE TO STOP THE
BLOODSHED IN GAZA. I'VE BEEN
CALLING ON MY CONGRESSMAN ,
ADAM SMITH, AND BOTH SENATORS
TO JOIN THIS CALL, AND SO FAR
THEY ARE REFUSING. YOUR VOICE
IS A SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL
SPEAKING FOR SO MANY OF US
SEATTLE RESIDENTS OF ALL FAITHS
WOULD MEAN SO MUCH. I URGE ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER
TO PASS A CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, RAY .
>> SO, IT IS 3:46. MADAM
CLERK , CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT
THE COUNT IS FOR FOLKS IN
CHAMBERS AND ONLINE?
>> APPROXIMATELY 62 IN PERSON
AND 29 REMOTE, AND THE TIME IS
3:46.
>> WE ARE GOING TO GO UNTIL
4:00, AND SO , DO WE MOVE OVER
, IN CHAMBERS NOW?
>> OKAY. LET'S DO THAT AND
LET'S GO TILL 4:00 , AND PUBLIC
COMMENT WILL END AT 4:00.
>> OKAY. ARE IN CHAMBER PERSON
IS CARL DYER FOLLOWED BY SAM.
>> I AM HERE TO DEMAND THAT ALL
CITY COUNCIL DEMOCRATS VOTE YES
ON COUNCILMEMBERS SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION. BUT THIS FIRST ON
THE AGENDA AND THEN ATTEMPT TO
DISTRACT US. DON'T THINK THAT A
TOOTHLESS RESOLUTION WILL
SATISFY -- BY PLANNING TO
INTRODUCE A COMPETING
RESOLUTION YOU'VE SHOWN THAT
THE PRESSURE FROM THE PEOPLE
CAN HAVE SOME EFFECT, BUT BY
CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE
WITHOUT CALLING FOR AN END TO
U.S. MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL,
YOU WOULD BE TRYING TO HAVE IT
BOTH WAYS, CLAIMING TO BE
PRO-PEACE WHILE TURNING DOWN
THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A REAL
AND ACTIONABLE CALL TO STOP
SPENDING OUR TEXT DOLLARS ON
BOMBS AND BULLETS TO BE USED
AGAINST GAZAN CIVILIANS.
AMERICAN MONEY AND WEAPONS ARE
THE BEDROCK OF THE BRUTALITY
WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST WEEKS
AND THE DECADES OF APARTHEID
CONDITIONS IN GAZA.
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION CALLS FOR AN END TO
THE OCCUPATION, AN END TO THE
VIOLENCE, AND AN END TO THE
CONDITIONS THAT GENERATE THE
VIOLENCE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS -- I'M
NOT SEEING ANYBODY APPROACH THE
PODIUM, SO I WILL MOVE ON --
>> COMING .
>> THANK YOU.
>> I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCILWOMAN SAWANT'S ORIGINAL
RESOLUTION FOR A CEASE-FIRE
AND END OF OCCUPATION. I AM A
PHYSICIAN AT A LOCAL SEATTLE
PUBLIC HOSPITAL. I AM HERE
BECAUSE BEING ABLE TO LEAVE THE
HOSPITAL AND GO HOME SAFELY AND
BE ABLE TO CARE FOR PATIENTS
PEACEFULLY AND IN COMFORT IS
SOMETHING THAT HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS IN GAZA WERE NOT ABLE
TO DO AS THEY WERE ATTEMPTING
TO REFILL THEIR OATH TO
HUMANITY BY CARING FOR THEIR
PATIENTS. THEIR PATIENTS WERE
NOT PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE
GROUPS. THESE WERE INNOCENT
PEOPLE . IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING
IN A SEATTLE HOSPITAL. WOULD
YOU GUYS AGREE TO DISAGREE
THEN? THESE PEOPLE WERE KILLED
AS A RESULT OF ISRAEL'S SIEGE
ON GAZA. NOT JUST DIRECTLY BY
GUNS AND BONFIRE, BUT THE LACK
OF ELECTRICITY AND FUEL AND
LACK OF HUMANITARIAN AID IS
GOING TO LEAD TO DEBTS DOWN THE
LINE DUE TO LACK OF
LONGITUDINAL CARE AND LACK OF
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND WATER
AND FOOD. YOU GUYS HAVE A
PLATFORM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
HERE. PLEASE USE YOUR PLATFORM
AND OPPORTUNITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY ARE CITIZENS TO
SUPPORT THE CEASE-FIRE.
>> THANK YOU . YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU, SARAH.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
FOLLOWED BY BRANDON AND.
>> THAT WAS ME.
>> HI . THIS IS MORALES FROM
YOU DEB , DISTRICT 2. I HAVE
BEEN UNDER -- MEDICAL STRESS
FOR THE LAST WEEK OR TWO , AND
HAVING SLEEP DIFFICULTIES , AND
YET I STILL COME OUT HERE TODAY
, UNLIKE EIGHT OUT OF THE NINE
COUNCILMEMBERS, BECAUSE WE NEED
TO FUND OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES
SUCH AS PUBLIC HEALTH CARE,
PUBLIC EDUCATION, PUBLIC
HOUSING, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
, BUT OUR TAX MONEY GOING TO
FUND THE WAR OVERSEAS IS A
GREAT DISGRACE , AND WE NEED TO
REDIRECT OUR ATTENTION HERE
-- OUR FIGHT HERE. AN INJURY
TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL.
>> THANK YOU, SIR .
>> ERROR NEXT PERSON IS
MOHAMMED -- FOLLOWED BY EMOND
RAMADA .
>> HI. MY NAME IS MOHAMMED. I
CAN NAME MANY OF THE
ATROCITIES ISRAEL HAS
COMMITTED AGAINST PALESTINIANS.
SINCE 1948 , THERE YOU WILL
SEE ALL THE WAY TO TODAY, GAZA
2023 , AND WE CALL THIS
SELF-DEFENSE, OR MANY OF US
CALL IT SELF DEFENSE , BUT IT
IS ACTUALLY A DELIBERATE
MASSACRE OF INNOCENT
PALESTINIAN LIVES. I HAVE A
BOY NAMED YUSUF, 21 YEARS OLD.
HE IS THE SON OF A FRIEND OF
MINE IN GAZA -- HE WAS TARGETED
BY A MISSILE ATTACK FROM --
I'M SORRY , FROM AN AIRCRAFT ,
THAT KILLED HIM. AFTER SO MANY
COMMUNICATIONS WITH MY FRIEND,
HE DECIDED TO LEAVE WITH HIS
KIDS AND HIS WIFE , LEAVING
BEHIND HIS DISABLED DAD AND
HIS AILING MOTHER AND BROTHER
WHO CANNOT TAKE THIS JOURNEY.
THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF
MANY OF THESE DAILY SUFFERINGS
OF PALESTINIANS IN GAZA AND
PALESTINE EVERYWHERE . YOU
SHOULD VOTE FOR THE CEASE-FIRE
RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, SIR .
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
RAMADAN, FOLLOWED BY -- OKAY.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO HANNAH --
>> HELLO, I AM AN ACTIVIST WITH
WORKERS STRIKE BACK. I THINK
IT SEEMS CLEAR WHY THE
DEMOCRATS HAVE PUT OUR CAUSE I
RESOLUTION LAST ON THE AGENDA.
I KNOW THAT HUNDREDS OF US HAVE
TAKEN TIME OFF OF WORK OR
SCHOOL TO COME TO CITY HALL,
AND THEY WANT MOST OF US GONE
WHEN THEY ACTUALLY VOTE. THAT
IS HOW FAR THE DEMOCRATS
COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY GOES. I
DEMAND THAT OUR RESOLUTION BE
PUT FIRST ON THE AGENDA.
FURTHERMORE, MOSQUEDA,
HERBOLD, AND JUAREZ HAVE
BROUGHT A SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION
THAT IS VERY WATERED-DOWN, VERY
WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION OF
SAWANT'S RESOLUTION. EVERYONE
SHOULD VOTE ON SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION INSTEAD . THERE
RESOLUTION, THE ONE WE ARE NOT
HERE FOR TODAY, FAILS TO CALL
FOR AN END TO THE OCCUPATION.
IT ALSO FAILS TO CALL AN END
TO THE U.S. MILITARY AID TO THE
U.S. ISRAELI STATE. THESE ARE
NOT SECONDARY ISSUES. THE
OCCUPATION THE U.S. MILITARY
FUNDING THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE
EVERETT CAUSES OF THE DECADES
LONG BLOODY CONFLICT WHICH HAS
SEEN MULTIPLE TEMPORARY
CEASE-FIRES.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. LET'S
TAKE A PAUSE SO OTHER PEOPLE
CAN SPEAK.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LEO WHO
FOLLOWED BY ILA HAMMOND.
>> HELLO. I DEMAND THAT ALL
COUNCILMEMBERS VOTE YES ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION WITHOUT COMPROMISE.
YOU MUST STAND ON THE RIGHT
SIDE OF HISTORY. FAILING THIS,
SHAME ON YOU. SHAME ON YOU FOR
YOUR COWARDICE AND FOR
ENABLING A GENOCIDE. HOW MANY
MORE TIMES MUST WE LOOKING BACK
SAY NEVER AGAIN TO GENOCIDE .
IT IS TIME TO SAY NO, NOW. NO
TO GENOCIDE. NO TO OCCUPATION.
NO TO MILITARY FUNDING TO
ISRAEL.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
HAMMOND, FOLLOWED BY LAYLA --
>> THANK YOU.
>> I AM PALESTINIAN . MY
FAMILY FLEE TO PALESTINE ,
JERUSALEM IN 1948 AND NEVER
CAME BACK. THIS IS THE STORY OF
MY FRIEND IN GAZA. SHE FLED
FROM NORTH GAZA TO SOUTH GAZA
SEEKING REFUGE FOR HER FAMILY .
WHEN I CALLED HER EARLIER THIS
MONTH, SHE SAID WE SLEEP EVERY
DAY THINKING OUR NAME WILL BE
THERE IN THE NEWS THE NEXT DAY.
WE WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, WE
BREATHE AGAIN -- [ SPEAKING IN
A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] ,
PRAISE TO GOD WE ARE STILL
ALIVE. THESE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR
DREAMS. THEY HAVE THEIR LIFE
TO LIVE, THEIR KIDS TO FEED.
ALL THEIR KIDS, THEY SLEEP WITH
NO FOOD. SHAME ON YOU . YOU
STAND ON THE WRONG SIDE OF
HISTORY. YOU NEED TO STOP THIS
GENOCIDE FOR MY PEOPLE. MY
PEOPLE FIGHT FOR THEIR
OCCUPATION FOR THE LAST 75
YEARS , SO WE NEED TO STAND ON
THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
>> I AM A PALESTINIAN AMERICAN.
I HAVE FAMILY WITHIN ISRAEL'S
BORDERS, AND I HIM HERE ASKING
THAT YOU UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A
RESOLUTION FOR A CEASE-FIRE
TODAY. IT'S INCREDIBLY
FRUSTRATING THAT IT HAS TAKEN
THIS CANCEL THIS ON TO MAKE A
BASIC DEMAND FOR CEASE-FIRE.
IT'S ALSO FRUSTRATING THAT THE
COMMUNITY, THE PALESTINIAN
COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ASKED TO
CURB OR ASK FOR EQUAL RIGHTS,
TO CURB OR ASK FOR BASIC HUMAN
RIGHTS, AND ESSENTIALLY BEG YOU
TO STAND UP FOR A CEASE-FIRE.
WHILE THIS RESOLUTION ADDRESSES
THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE
AND ASKS FOR WHAT MANY OF US
PALESTINIANS WANT , FOR THE
SAKE OF THE PEOPLE UNDER ATTACK
WHO WILL BE MURDERED TODAY,
AND WHO WILL BE MURDERED
TOMORROW, A CEASE-FIRE IS THE
BARE MINIMUM YOU SHOULD DO
TODAY TO SUPPORT THEM. I'M
ASKING ARE YOU AT LEAST WILLING
TO DO THAT, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS --
FOLLOWED BY --.
>> HELLO. I AM A RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE. I AM ALSO A
PALESTINIAN. MY FRIEND WAS
KIDNAPPED YESTERDAY BY THE IDF
AS HE WAS TRAVELING TO SOUTH
GAZA. HE IS A POET . A FEW DAYS
AGO HE WROTE, WINTER IS COMING
AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
CLOTHES. MORE DEATH , MORE
DISTRACTION, WHO CAN STOP THIS,
PLEASE STOP THIS. WE CAN STOP
THIS EVERY DAY BOEING PLANES
AND SHIPS ARE CARRYING WEAPONS
THAT ARE KILLING PEOPLE LIKE
HIM. OF SEATTLE DOES NOT SPEAK
OUT, WE ARE COMPLICIT AND WE
MUST CALL FOR A CEASE-FIRE AND
AND TO OCCUPATION. THERE ARE
OVER 4000 PEOPLE STUCK UNDER
RUBBLE. WITH NO FIELD WE CAN
EXCAVATE THEM AND RESCUERS ARE
ONLY HEARING THE SCREAMS. WHAT
ABOUT THESE PEOPLE UNDER
RUBBLE IS SO SCARY THAT THE
WESTERN WORLD CONSPIRES
AGAINST THEM? WHAT IS SO SCARY
ABOUT US THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN
COME HERE? CEASE-FIRE NOW.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. I AM AN
ARAB-AMERICAN. I AM A PHD
CANDIDATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON. I AM ONE OF THE
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HERE TODAY
TO SUPPORT THE COUNCILMEMBERS
RESOLUTION AGAINST THE WAR ON
GAZA AND THE PATH OCCUPATION
OF PALESTINIAN LAND. I WONDER
IF YOU ARE LISTENING BECAUSE I
CAN'T SEE HER FACE. OUR
SIBLINGS IN PALESTINE ARE
FACING -- AND IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WHOLE
WORLD TO REFUSE DISPLACEMENT
AND GENOCIDE NOW. THIS IS SUCH
A DIRE TIME IN THE HISTORY OF
HUMANITY. I AM HERE TODAY
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TELL MY
CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN THAT
I DID NOTHING WHEN THOUSANDS
OF OUR GAZAN SIBLINGS WERE
BEING SLAUGHTERED. YOU HAVE
THE CHANCE NOW TO SHOW YOUR
CONSTITUENTS THE WORLD , AND
GENERATIONS TO COME WHAT YOU
DID WHEN GENOCIDE WAS OCCURRING
IN GAZA. WE WILL NOT FORGET.
FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL NOT
FORGIVE. VOTE YES ON
COUNCILMEMBER SAWANT'S
RESOLUTION WITHOUT WATERING IT
DOWN. CEASE-FIRE NOW.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> THE EIGHT CALENDARS
ADOPTED.
>>> MOVING ON TO THE ADOPTION
OF THE AGENDA. AND WE ARE JUST
GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL
EVERYBODY CAN SETTLE DOWN.
>> I KNOW JUST COUNCILMEMBER,
LET ME GET THERE, I KNOW WHAT
YOU WANT TO DO, GIVE ME A
MOMENT AND NOW, IS THERE AN
OBJECTION TO THE AGENDA
COUNCILMEMBER, I BELIEVE YOU
HAD SOMETHING?
>> THANK YOU PRESIDENT WAREZ,
TO ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I
MOVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA BY
MOVING ITEM 10, THE RESOLUTION
TITLE A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING
THE ISRAELI MILITARY ASSAULT
ON THE PEOPLE OF GAZA URGING AN
IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE,
HUMANITARIAN AID IN EXCHANGE OF
HOSTAGES AND PALESTINIAN
LANDS, AND AFFIRMING
OPPOSITION TO ISLAM OF WILL BE
A AND ANTI-SEMITISM, URGING THE
U.S. CONGRESS TO END ALL
MILITARY FUNDING TO ISRAEL TO
BE THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA
FOR ITEM 1. WE HAVE SEEN FROM
PUBLIC COMMENT THE
OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE
PEOPLE HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WHO TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY
AND TOOK A BREAK FROM WORK, AND
SCHOOL, AND FAMILY DUTIES, AND
SACRIFICED AND THAT
RESOLUTION. AND THE BUDGET
CUT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND
STILL PASSING THE BUDGET, AND
THE WORKING NEEDS ANYWAY, THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET HAS BEEN
FIGHTING, THE POINT IS THAT THE
BUDGET IS ALSO AT THIS POINT AN
ISSUE THAT WAS VOTED ON AND
SPOKEN ABOUT OVERWHELMINGLY IN
THE COMMITTEE, THERE IS NO
MYSTERY AT THIS POINT ABOUT THE
BUDGET VOTES AND HOW THEY WILL
GO TODAY IN FACT IF THE CITY
WERE TO VOTE DIFFERENTLY, THEN
SEATTLE WOULD NOT HAVE A LEGAL
BUDGET UNDER STATE LAW, AND THE
BALANCE, AND FUNDAMENTALLY
CEREMONIAL, I URGE COUNCIL
MEMBERS TO RESPECT COMMITTEE
MEMBERS AND WORKING PEOPLE WHO
CAME HERE TODAY TO URGE THE
COUNCIL TO PASS A RESOLUTION
OPPOSING THE HORRORS IN GAZA ,
AND THE OCCUPATION AND U.S.
MILITARY FUNDING AND TAKE THE
ISSUE UP FIRST ON THE AGENDA.
I DON'T EXPECT THE DEMOCRATS
WILL SUPPORT THIS MOTION,
THOUGH I AM HAPPY TO BE
PLEASANTLY SURPRISED, BUT MY
MESSAGE TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS
IS, IF THE DEMOCRATS DON'T
SUPPORT THIS MOTION, THEN I
REALLY URGE YOU ALL IF
POSSIBLE, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE,
IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU ALL ARE
HERE AS WITNESS FOR WHAT
HAPPENS DURING WHEN THE
RESOLUTION IS VOTED ON.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER. A
MOTION TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO
MAKE ITEM J, ADOPTION OF THE
RESOLUTION TO MAKE IT ITEM
AGENT OR COMMITTEE REPORTS
UNDER THE BEST BUY BEFORE THE
CURRENT NUMBER 1, COUNSEL BILL
12635, TRANSPORTATION IN FACT
-- IMPACT FEES, WITH THAT IS
THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A
SECOND TO THE MOTION?
>> ARE YOU AT THE --
>> THE MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF
A SECOND. LET'S MOVE ON AND
THE AGENDA. WITH THAT, THE
OBJECTION HAS BEEN NOTED WITH
NO SECOND, THE AGENDA WILL BE A
DOCTOR -- ADOPTED. LET'S MOVE
ON. WE ARE AT THE CONSENT
CALENDAR, THERE ARE MANY ITEMS
ON HERE, I'M GOING TO TEED UP
AND ALLOW THE COUNCIL MEMBER TO
SAY A FEW WORDS, WE HAVE A
CONSENT CALENDAR IN FRONT OF
US, THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER
7, AND 71 ZERO, 120 AND 711,
AND WE HAVE UNDER THE SELECT
BUDGET COMMITTEE.
>> WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
>> LET'S TAKE A PAUSE. AT
THIS JUNCTURE MADAME CLERK, I
APOLOGIZE, I'M GOING TO LOOK
TO YOU, WOULD YOU LIKE US TO
TAKE A 5 MINUTE RECESS OR TELL
ME WHEN WE CAN GO FORWARD?
>> WE JUST CAN HEAR YOU.
>> WE WILL TAKE A 5 MINUTE
RECESS.
>> WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE
CAN HEAR YOU.
>> WE ARE NOT THERE YET.
>> VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS
GOING
>> WE ARE TO MOVE ON THE
AGENDA. MADAME CLERK .
>> WE STILL CANNOT HEAR YOU.
>> CAN WE TAKE A 5 MINUTE
RECESS MADAME CLERK I THINK
THAT WOULD BE WISE?
>> LET'S DO THAT. FOR FIVE
MINUTES.
>> PRESIDENT I WOULD URGE
MEMBERS -- WE ARE NOW IN
RECESS.
>>> BACK ON THE RECORD, UNDER
THE CONSENT CALENDAR, THE
COMMITTEE WHICH ALL MEMBERS ARE
MEMBER OF CORRELATING COUNCIL
BILLS, ONE RESOLUTION THREE
CLERK FILES, ALL OF THESE ARE
RELATED TONIGHT ITEM NUMBER 7
ON THE AGENDA REGARDING
ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET. BEFORE
WE GO TO THE NEXT PART, WHERE
I'VE ASKED MEMBERS TO MOVE
ANYTHING, COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA IS ASKED IF SHE CAN
SPEAK TO THE CONSENT
CALENDAR.
>> CLIFF EDUCATION TO COLLEGE,
3-24, THIS CONSISTS OF THE
CONSENT CALENDAR, 22 PIECES
OF LEGISLATION NEEDED TO
BALANCE A BUDGET, INCLUDING
ITEMS WITH A UNANIMOUS VOTE BY
THE BUDGET COMMITTEE,
CONSISTENT WITH THE RULES, ON
WHICH ITEMS CAN BE ON THE
AGENDA, THE PIECES OF
LEGISLATION WHICH WERE ABLE TO
BE ACTED UPON PRIOR TO THE
PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET
ORDINANCE. I WANTED TO
CLARIFY, THERE'S NOTHING IN
HERE THAT SHOULD BE
CONTROVERSIAL, PHIL RECEIVED A
UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE, WE WILL TAKE A VOTE
ON A PIECES OF LEGISLATION
INCLUDING THE SPECIFIC ITEM,
NUMBER 7, RELATED TO THE 127
AMENDMENTS THAT INCLUDE IN THE
2024 COUNTERPARTS, MID ANNUAL
BUDGET, UP FOR DISCUSSION AN
INDIVIDUAL VOTE, IT IS NOT PART
OF THE PROCESS HERE, AGAIN
ITEMS 3-24 ON THE CONSENT
CALENDAR, BECAUSE THEY WERE
UNANIMOUS IN THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU. AND SEEING THAT
NO ONE WAS REMOVE ANYTHING, I
MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT
CALENDAR, IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. MOVED AND
SECONDED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT
CALENDAR. WITH THAT AS IS,
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROAD ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
CONSENT CALENDAR?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA AYE
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON.
>> AYE COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN AYE COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS AYE
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD AYE
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS AYE
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES AYE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ AYE
NINE IN FAVOR NOT OPPOSED. AND
IT IS ADOPTED, PLEASE AFFIX MY
NAME ON THE MINUTES, AND
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THAT
INTO CONTEXT ABOUT WHAT'S IN
THE CONSENT CALENDAR. MOVING
ON TO COMMITTEE REPORTS, WE
HAVE 19, READ ITEM NUMBER 1
INTO THE RECORD.
>> 120 35, AMENDING THE PLAN
TO INCORPORATE CHANGES RELATED
TO TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
PROGRAM PROPOSED TO -- AS
PART OF THE 2022-23 ANNUAL
AMENDMENT PROCESS, IT WAS
DISCUSSED IN COMMITTEE.
>> I MOVED TO PASS 120635,
WAS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> MOVED AND SECONDED TO PASS
THE BILL, THIS IS FOR COUNCIL
MEMBER PEDERSEN, AND MY
UNDERSTANDING IS THAT COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD WILL TEED UP
FOR CONVERSATION.
>> THANK YOU. CAN I START WITH
AN AMENDMENT. IF I MAY?
>> GO AHEAD, I WAS READY FOR
YOU TO MOVE IT. I WILL DO THE
MAGIC WORDS AFTERWARDS.
>> I MOVED TO AMEND COUNCIL
BILL 1206 35 AS AMENDED. ON
THE AGENDA.
>> MY PART IS, CAN WE MOVE THE
BILL BEFORE WE MOVE THE
AMENDMENT?
>> I THOUGHT SHE DID.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MOVE AND SEND IT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN
SECONDED. OKAY. AND COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD MOVED TO MENTA,
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
ADOPT AMENDMENT ONE IS PRESENT
ON THE AGENDA, AND AGAIN,
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD IS
SPONSORED OF THE AMENDMENT.
>> IT WOULD RETURN THE LANGUAGE
IN THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
POLICY T 10.7, TO CONSIDER USE
OF, FROM WHAT WAS IN THE
PROPOSED BILL FROM USE. THE
NET EFFECT WOULD BE TO MAINTAIN
LANGUAGE,
>>> INCENTIVIZE INVOLVEMENT,
HOW SHOULD BE COLLECTED, NOT
QUESTION FOR TODAY, WILL BE
ABLE TO PASS A COMPANY HAS A
PLAN AMENDMENT, AND SEPARATE
FUTURE ACTION, AND IS ALIGNED
WITH THE PROCESS, AND IN PAST
DELIBERATE, TRANSPORTATION
IMPACT FEE, AND THE COMP PLAN
TWO TIMES PER YEAR, ONCE ON
THAT PROCESS AND THEN ON IN THE
ALTERNATIVE DURING THE BUDGET
PROCESS. DURING THE ANNUAL
COMP PLAN, AGREEING ON THE
REQUEST NOT TO CONSIDER ANY
PLAN AMENDMENT, AND WE'VE
AGREED TO DO THAT, AND
AGREEING TO DO THAT WE LOST
OUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO
DISCUSS THIS AMENDMENT, THAT
WE VOTED ON, A COMMITMENT IN
THE PROCESS -- PROMISE 4
RESOLUTIONS, DURING THE
PROCESS CONSISTENT WITH STATE
LAW, THE ONLY TIME THIS YEAR
THAT WE CAN HEAR THE AMENDMENT,
IN ORDER TO ACT ON IT THIS
YEAR, THE COUNCIL IS REQUIRED
TO VOTE BY NOVEMBER 21 ALONG
WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET,
AND THE PLUG THAT MY PUBLIC
HEARING HAD TO TAKE PLACE
BEFORE THE COUNCIL COULD VOTE,
IT'S A SUMMARY OF WHAT HAS
BEEN GOING ON THIS YEAR. AS
FAR AS SOME OF THE HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND, AND LATE 2014
THEY AUTHORIZE THE
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES,
LATE 2014 THE COUNCIL ADOPTED
THE BUDGET ACTION, FUNDING
$300,000 FOR EVALUATION OF
IMPACT FEES, SPONSORED BY
BAGSHAW, BURGESS AND RASMUSSEN.
2013, THE RESPONSE RELATED
WORK PROGRAM FOR PARTS AND
TRANSPORTATION, AND THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT, PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC
SCHOOL, WERE CONTINUED IN 2016
LEADING TO A FIRST AMENDMENT
LATER THAT YEAR. AND
TWENTYSOMETHING COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION FOR IMPACT FEES,
WE MADE A COMMITMENT THAT THE
CITY WOULD CONSIDER USING THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND LIST OF
PRIORITY TRANSPORTATION,
INCLUDING TRANSIT, PEDESTRIAN,
BIKE SAFETY AND RIDGE PROJECTS.
WE COULD CONSIDER FUNDING
WITH THE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT
FEE IF THE PROGRAM WITH
LEGISLATION IMPACTING --
POINTING THAT WAS ADOPTED
LATER. 2018 WAS A STUDY THE
THRESHOLD DETERMINATION, THE
SEQUEL DETERMINATION REMANDED
IT TO COUNCIL, IN OCTOBER
2019 AND THEN COUNCIL STATED
THE COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC BY
PASSING ADDITIONAL RESOLUTIONS
IN 2020, 2021 AND 2022. WE'VE
SEEN THE LETTERS FROM GROUPS
LIKE FOR EXAMPLE SEATTLE FOR
EVERYONE, SAYS AN APPROACH TO
CONSIDER TRANSPORTATION IMPACT
FEES SHOULD SYNCHRONIZE WITH A
TRANSPORTATION REVENUE STRATEGY
WITH THE SEATTLE MOVE LEVY.
AND SUPPORT WITH THIS TODAY, IT
WOULD ALLOW FOR THIS
CONSIDERATION, OF
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES
TOGETHER WITH CONSIDERATION OF
THE MOVE LEVY. I AGREE THAT
THE COST TO DEVELOP HOUSING
SHOULD BE HEAD OF ANY
CONVERSATION ABOUT FUTURE
IMPACT FEE PROPOSALS THAT'S
WHY I ASKED CENTRAL STAFF TO
DEVELOP IT, THE COST OF
HOUSING PRODUCTION, AND
SEARING WITH THE PUBLIC, USED
IT FOR EXAMPLE FOR AN
ILLUSTRATION BASED ON THE
AVERAGE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT
FEE IN WESTERN WASHINGTON.
CONTRARY TO WHAT WE HAD HEARD
IN PUBLIC COMMENT, THE
CHARTS, ALTHOUGH IT DOES
INCLUDE PERMANENT FEES, SHOWS
THE TOTAL COST OF HOUSING ,
KIRKLAND, OR PORTLAND, AND
DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF
HOUSING, EITHER SIMILAR I CAN
READ AND OR SUBSTANTIALLY
LOWER. AGAIN THESE ARE ALL
CONVERSATIONS IN ORDER TO HAVE,
AND DELIBERATE NEXT YEAR, WE
DO NEED TO TAKE THIS PROCEDURAL
VOTE TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR
CONVERSATIONS BY ADDING
PROJECTS INTO THE COST PLAN
WITH THE REFERENCE TO THE
POTENTIAL EXEMPTIONS OF A
TEACHER IMPACT FEE IF ONE IS
ENACTED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD, I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR,
ANY COMMENTS BEFORE US BEFORE
WE GOING TO VOTE? I DO NOT SEE
ANY. I DO, COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT I WILL OF COURSE VOTE
YES TO THEM IN THE CONFERENCE
OF PLAN, WHICH IS A LEGALLY
REQUIRED BUREAUCRATIC WHO TO
ALLOW A VOTE ON CORPORATE
DEVELOPER IMPACT FEES, THE
DEMOCRATIC ASTONISHMENT HAS
YEAR AFTER YEAR USED BACK ROOM
MANEUVERS TO PREVENT
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT FEES ARE
HAVING A VOTE AND FOR YEARS
THEY REFUSED TO HAVE THE CPA
REVIEW, I DISAGREE WITH THE
PEOPLE WHO SPOKEN PUBLIC
COMMENT ON THIS BILL, AFTER
YEARS OF REFUSING TO CONDUCT A
REVIEW, THIS PAST SEPTEMBER
WHEN THE REVIEW WAS FINALLY
COMPLETE, COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS CANCELED THE LEGALLY
REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING, THIS
IS A NECESSARY STEP BUT THERE'S
NO BILL TO MAKE BIG DEVELOPERS
PAY FOR THE STRAIN THEY PUT ON
THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. THE
SEATTLE MOBILITY COALITION HAS
REPEATEDLY SUED TO DRAG OUT
EVERY BUREAUCRATIC STEP,
THEY'RE CURRENTLY DEMANDING TO
APPEAL THE PREVIOUS APPEAL, AND
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF
TAXING BIG CORPORATE
DEVELOPERS. THOSE WHAT THEY ARE
TALKING ABOUT, IT HAS NO
WEBSITE, DAHMIR BISHOP, A
LEGAL FICTION USED BY CORPORATE
INTEREST TO SUE THE CITY TO
STOP IMPACT FEES AND NOTHING
ELSE, THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION
ABOUT THIS BEING JUST A BENIGN
TECHNICAL VOTE HERE IN PUBLIC,
THIS FALL WE WERE
REPRESENTATIVES OF
MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT,
DOWNTOWN INVESTMENT,
REPRESENTING MULTIMILLIONAIRES
AND DONORS, WAX ELOQUENT ON
HOW IT WILL HARM AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, IT IS ORWELLIAN AND
DISGUSTING, THESE WEALTHY
ELITES ARE PROFITING OFF OF
MAKING HOUSING UNAFFORDABLE AND
THEY HAVE THE BREATHTAKING OFF
-- AUDACITY TO LIE BY SAYING
IF WE HAVE TO PAY TINY IMPACT
FEE TO HELP BUILD
INFRASTRUCTURE IT WILL HALT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT IS A
LIE, THEY SAID A PUBLIC
HEARING WAS RUSHING THE BILL,
WHICH IS FRANKLY HILARIOUS, IT
HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR A DECADE,
I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR DECADES
AND I'VE SEEN IT. MAKING IMPACT
FEES A LEGAL OPTION. TO BE
CLEAR, I DON'T BELIEVE THE
POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT WILL
HAVE THE COURAGE TO LEVY
IMPACT FEES ON CORPORATE
DEVELOPERS, BUT IT IS SOMETHING
THAT WORKING PEOPLE CAN DEMAND.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT. COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO READ JUST
A SMALL PART OF A LETTER THAT
WE RECEIVED FROM ORGANIZATIONS
THAT DO HAVE WEBSITES,
SETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT CHAMBER,
HOUSING DEVELOPING CONSORTIUM,
SEI YOU HEALTHCARE CONSORTIUM
1199, THERE SOMETIMES STRANGE
BEDFELLOWS BUT THEY WROTE A
LETTER STRONGLY OPPOSING
LEGISLATION THE REASON IS THEY
BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL
INCREASE THE COST OF HOUSING.
IT SAYS, FINALLY, AND MOST
IMPORTANT WERE DEEPLY CONCERNED
ABOUT THE IMPACT OF
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES ON
THE PRODUCTION OF HOUSING. ARE
THREE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN
WORKING COALITIONS TO INCREASE
HOUSING PRODUCTION THE REGION.
WORSE TO PASS MULTIPLE PIECES
OF LEGISLATION IN OLYMPIA TO
MAKE IT EASIER AND WE ARE
SUPPORTING AGGRESSIVE CHANGES
TO ALLOW MORE HOUSING AND
WORKING CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS
AT THE OFFICE OF HOUSING GOT AS
DCI, AND REDUCING BARRIERS,
AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY WORKING TO
PASS THE SEATTLE HOUSING LEVY
LATER NEXT MONTH. THAT IS WHY
WE OPPOSE ANYTHING THAT WOULD
MAKE IT HARDER OR MORE
EXPENSIVE TO BUILD MORE HOUSING
OF ANY TYPE. NOW WAS NOT THE
TIME TO DEVIATE FROM APRIL
HOUSING STRATEGY, WE ASK YOU
TO VOTE NO ON TRANSPORTATION
IMPACT THESE. WE CAN DEBATE I
TEND TO GO WITH THE EXPERTS IS
WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY, THAT'S
WHAT GIVES ME PAUSE ON THIS
LEGISLATION, IN ADDITION TO
THE QUESTION ON WHETHER IT IS
TRULY PROCEDURAL, ETC., I HAVE
NOT SPOKEN TO THIS MEASURE IN
A PUBLIC MEETING BEFORE AND I
JUST WANT TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE
COMING UP. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
NELSON. COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES? MAKER THANK YOU
COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WANT TO
-- I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING
THIS RIGHT NOW BUT I WANT TO
SHARE A BIT ABOUT WHY, WITHIN
THE NEXT TWO YEARS, IN MY
DISTRICT WE WILL SEE THE JEGEN
SPARKLING STATION, OPEN, AND
IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT, THERE
ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
UNITS GOING ON NORTH REGNIER,
I'M GLAD THAT IS HAPPENING,
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE
HOUSING WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
TO THE STATION BUT THE AREAS
BETWEEN THE HOUSING ON THE
STATION, WE WILL NOT HAVE
SIDEWALKS, THERE'S NO PLAN TO
MAKE SURE THEY ARE APPROVED.
EVERYONE OUR CHILDREN AND
OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO
BUILD A FREQUENT TRANSIT, WE
WANT PEOPLE TO OPT FOR WALKING
OR BIKING, TRANSITS OF DRIVING
AND MAKE SURE THE
INFRASTRUCTURE IS STILL IN
PLACE. AND WE ARE EXPECTING
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO LIVE AND
MOVE THROUGH THE AREA, AN AREA
THAT IS ALREADY VERY DANGEROUS
FOR FOLKS. WITHOUT BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION. IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT WE BEGIN THIS
CONVERSATION, AND NEXT YEAR WE
HAVE FOUR DIFFERENT
OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE
CONDITIONS THAT NORTH REGNIER
IS EXPERIENCING AND DRUG
SEATTLE -- THROUGHOUT SEATTLE
. THE NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY ADVOCATES, FORMER
S.RICHTER AND MAYOR,
INCREASING SIDEWALKS WE BUILD,
WE CAN PASS THE TRANSPORTATION
LEVY, FOR EQUITABLE MOBILITY,
MEANING THAT MORE BALANCED
INVESTMENTS IN A CONNECTIVE
EFFORT OF SIDEWALKS WITH
PEDESTRIAN ZONES AND OTHER SAFE
PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO WALK, BIKE
AND RULE, WE CAN PASS MY
CONNECTED COMMITTEES
LEGISLATION THAT I DEVELOPED
WITH 35 COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD CUT
RED TAPE AND BRING EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT AND MORE TO THE
COMMUNITY. AND PASSING MORE
AMBITIOUS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
TO BUILD A SEATTLE WITHIN REACH
WHERE EVERYONE CAN REACH AND
THEY CAN AFFORD WITH ACCESS TO
SERVICES AND CHILDCARE AND
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAKES IT
SAFE AND COMFORTABLE TO
NAVIGATE THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE
CAN INCLUDE IMPACT FEES AND
THAT COMPREHENSIVE UPDATE NEXT
YEAR. AND I DO THINK THAT WILL
BE IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SOCIAL
HOUSING WE'VE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS
AND PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
PROVIDE THE HOUSING WE NEED ON
THE TIMELINES AND THE COST
THAT CAN MAKE THEM ABUNDANT. I
DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
CONVERSATION, I DO WANT TO SEE
US INCLUDE THIS AND I THINK
IT'S A CONVERSATION WE NEED TO
HAVE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF
LARGER , BRANDS A PLAN WE ARE
DOING NEXT YEAR, SO I WILL NOT
BE SUPPORTING IT NOW AND I WILL
COMMIT THAT THIS IS A
CONVERSATION THAT I THINK WE
NEED TO PASS AND BEGIN THE
DRAFTING OF THE MENTATION
LEGISLATION AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES. COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN?
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO THINK
THE COSPONSOR, COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD AND SUBTLE STAFF,
BOTH OF WHOM HAVE WORKED ON
THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A DECADE,
THE DIRECTOR OF THE DISABILITY
MOBILITY INITIATIVE WROTE TO
US AND SAID SEATTLE WAS FAR
BEHIND THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SIDEWALKS, THE DISABILITY
MOBILITY INITIATIVE SUPPORTS
THE CITY COUNCIL EXPLORING
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES AS
A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF THE AND IS
THERE'S THAT NECESSITY , LET'S
GET THOSE SIDEWALKS WE'VE BEEN
TALKING ABOUT BILL, WE NEED
THE FUNDING TO DO THAT. AND
SPEAKING OF ADVOCACY GROUPS,
WE WERE TAKING CARE OF A KEY
CONCERN THEY RAISE, THE WORD
CONSIDER, AND THE AMENDMENT,
AND COLLEAGUES THERE'S NO NEED
TO DECIDE BASED ON ADVOCACY
GROUPS ALONE. WE CAN AND
SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER OUR
CONSTITUENTS, A STATISTICALLY
VALID SURVEY OF 1000 RESIDENTS
IN EVERY DISTRICT CONDUCTED BY
PROFESSIONAL POLLING FIRM
CONFIRMED WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW,
75% SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION
FEES, WE ARE ONE MORE HOUSING,
PROPERTY TAXES ARE ALSO THE
COST OF HOUSING FOR MULTIFAMILY
AND SENIORS ON A FIXED INCOME.
PROPERTY TAXES KEEP GOING IF
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PROPERTY
TAX. THE BOARD APPROVED THE
DISCUSSION BUT THERE HAS BEEN A
A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND
MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE
LEGISLATION. BUT AS THE SEATTLE
TIMES POINTS ARE CORRECTLY,
QUOTE, THE BILL TO BE DECIDED
ON NOVEMBER 21 BY THE CITY
COUNCIL DOES NOT ENACT TRANSFER
STATION IMPACT FEES, IT'S
SIMPLY AMENDS THE SEATTLE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO SHOW HOW
THE FEES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED
SHOULD THE COUNCIL CHOOSE TO
ADOPT THEM IN THE FUTURE. WITH
SEATTLE TIMES ALSO POINTED OUT
THE DECADE OF DELAY, SHE MAY
HAVE CONSIDERED THEM SINCE
2014, AND IT IS PAST TIME FOR
ACTION. THE DECADE OF DELAY
HAS BEEN MORE DIRE, BECAUSE IF
YOU DON'T ADOPT THE CEMENTED
TODAY THERE SADLY NOT ENOUGH
TIME FOR THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS
TO JUMP THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS
AGAIN TO HAVE THE OPTION
AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC'S
BENEFIT. BECAUSE YOU NEED TO
CRAFT THE PROGRAM IN THE FIRST
QUARTER OF THE NEXT YEAR OR SO
TO HAVE IT READY AS A COMPANION
COURSE, ALONG WITH THE
PROPERTY TAX MEASURE FOR
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, THE
COUNCIL NEEDS TO APPROVE IN
JULY FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.
SO YOU'RE NOT JUST KICKING THE
CAN DOWN THE ROAD, YOU'RE
CRUSHING THE CANDIDATE UNTIL
THERE IS NOTHING LESS BUT A BIG
PROPERTY TAX FOLLOWING IN THE
FOOTSTEPS OF OTHER BIG PROPERTY
TAX IS NOT CONCERNED WE WILL
BE LOOKED BACK NEXT YEAR WITH
REGRETS HOPING YOU WOULD
PRESERVE THE OPTION, RATHER
THAN SLAMMING SHUT UP AND
DIVERSIFICATION OF FUNDING
OPTIONS. SAYING THAT ANOTHER
TIME WOULD BE BETTER, DOESN'T
HOLD WATER, BUT IF YOU VOTE YES
TO MAKE THE TEST POSSIBLE ?
WELL, THERE'LL BE TIME TO
CRAFT IT HOWEVER THEY SEE FIT.
IN ADDITION TO RESENTING LOW
INCOME HOUSING, YOU CAN INSERT
ECONOMIC TRIGGERS DURING TOUGH
ECONOMIC TIMES. DON'T HAS
PROVIDED A SPREADSHEET TO SHOW
HOW THEIR RETURN ON EQUITY
WOULD NOT CANCEL, THERE'S NOT
A FEE AMOUNT TO DEBATE YET
BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO PASS THIS
PROCEDURAL COMPLIMENT THAT
AMENDMENT HURDLE SO YOU CAN
HAVE THE DEBATE. SO YOU CAN
TAILOR THE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS
ECONOMIC CONCERNS. BECAUSE YOU
CAN DO THAT, THE CONCERN ABOUT
THE MARKET DOESN'T HOLD WATER.
SO COLLEAGUES, LET'S LEAVE IT
UP TO THE NEXT COUNCIL, AND THE
WAY TO GIVE THE OPTION IS TO
GIVE THEM THE OPTION. ADOPTING
THE LEGISLATION HERE AND NOW,
YOU'RE ACTUALLY SHUTTING OFF
THE OPTION AND MAKING A CHOICE
FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL THAT THEY
HAVE NO CHOICE. GIVE THEM A
CHOICE IN A CHANCE AND VOTE YES
ON THIS LEGISLATION.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN. COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS? BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING
TO SEE ANYTHING BECAUSE OF
ALREADY SAID THINGS MANY TIMES
OVER, BUT I'VE BEEN MOVED TO
SPEAK BECAUSE OF HAVE
DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDINGS OF
WHAT THE PROCEDURES ARE THEN
SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES, WHICH
IS THAT THIS IS NOT A
PROCEDURAL VOTE, THIS WOULD BE
A PROCEDURAL VOTE IF THERE WAS
A DRAFT ORDINANCE OR A FINAL
WAY ORDINANCE PAIRED WITH THE
BILL. WE HEARD LAST WEEK IF WE
WANT TO AMEND THE 2010 PROJECT
LIST THIS BILL, WHICH INCLUDES
PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY
COMPLETE, WE WOULD HAVE TO PASS
A NEW BILL FOR THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. THE BEST
WAY TO DO IT IS TO PASS THE
UPDATE AT THE SAME TIME AS THEY
MIGHT AS A DRAFT FEE ORDINANCE
OR THE FINAL FEE ORDINANCE, IN
THE SAME WAY WE DID FOR THE
INDUSTRIAL MARITIME ORDINANCES
THAT WAS DISCUSSED. REGISTRY
THAT WE CAN DISCUSS RATES,
BEST PRACTICE IN MY PERSPECTIVE
IS TO DO BOTH AT THE SAME
TIME. OTHER STATEMENTS MADE
WITH THE PASSAGE THIS SUMMER
WITH INDUSTRIAL MARITIME,
THOSE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AMENDMENT OR PAST, THE
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEES WERE
STILL BEING REVIEWED BY THE
HEARING MANAGER. STILL YET,
MOST AMENDMENTS WERE DELAYED
FROM THIS YEAR TO NEXT YEAR FOR
A MAJOR UPDATE TO THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. I'M NOT
GOING TO GO INTO THE REST OF
IT, JUST TO SAY THAT I THINK WE
ARE OPERATING WITH DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE SAME
FACTS. AND FOR ME, FOR THIS TO
NOT BE A PROCEDURAL BILL WE
WOULD WANT TO HAVE ALL THE WORK
FROM THE HEARING EXAMINER
FINALIZED AND UPDATE THE
PROJECT LIST AND CREATE A
DRAFT OR FINAL RATE ORDINANCE.
AS I MENTIONED, UPDATING THE
PROJECT LIST WOULD NEED TO
HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT COUNCIL
ANYWAYS, THE FINAL RATE
ORDINANCE WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN
WITHIN THE NEXT COUNCIL AND
THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO PASS
THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
AMENDMENT AS A PACKAGE AT THAT
TIME. SO THANK YOU COLLEAGUES
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
PATIENCE.
>> BEFORE LONG, ANYONE ELSE
BEFORE I SPEAK? I WILL SPEAK
AND COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD WILL
CLOSE US OUT. I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THIS, I WILL BE
VOTING YES, HE SHARED I WILL BE
TAKING THIS POSITION, AS A
LAWYER, IT DOES NOT ESTABLISH
IMPACT FEES, WHICH WOULD NEED
TO BE DONE BY FUTURE COUNCIL,
IT DOES ENSURE, AS TRILLO AND
SAID, IT ENSURES THAT WE
PRESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE NEW COUNCIL, FOR THE PLAN
TO BE ADOPTING IMPACT FEES BUT
NONE WILL BE PROPOSED TODAY,
AND IMPACT FEES LEGISLATION,
NOT UNUSUAL TO SPAN ACROSS
MULTIPLE COUNCILS, IN FACT
PUBLIC CONSIDERATION, AS
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD POINTED
OUT THE CHRONOLOGY, BEING --
BEGAN IN 2014 AND HAS SPANNED
4 COUNCILS IN MULTIPLE MAYORS,
I WILL NOT GO THROUGH THE TIME
ONE HIGHLIGHTS, THANK YOU
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD ON THE
HISTORICAL HISTORY OF THE
LEGISLATION. CONSIDERING
IMPACT FEES, AND 5 COUNTIES IN
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IMPOSE
IMPACT FEES. OTHER
JURISDICTIONS IMPACT FEES, OF
THE 39 CITIES AND COUNTIES,
27, PROVIDE FEES, SUCH AS LOVE
YOU, AND SMALL ONES LIKE --
TODAY'S ACTION AGAIN DOES NOT
ESTABLISH IMPACT FEES, THE NEW
COUNCIL WILL TAKE ANOTHER WING
AND I'M GUESSING I'M SURE THEY
WILL, WHOEVER WILL BE CHAIRING
LAND-USE WILL HAVE A ROBUST
DISCUSSION AND HAVE COMMUNITY
MEETINGS IN PUBLIC, AND
EVERYONE INVOLVED TO SPEAK TO
THAT. SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE TO
THAT, AND THAT THE SPONSORS,
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD, AND
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN, I LET
THEM KNOW I WILL BE SUPPORTING
A, COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD GOT
YOU WANT TO CLOSE US OUT OR ARE
YOU READY FOR A VOTE? FIGURE I
COULD NOT CLOSE US OUT ANY
BETTER THAN YOU DID MET IN
PRISON.
>> I THINK MY STAFF OR THAT,
THEY'RE THE ONES TO KEEP ME
HERE. AND CLERK, WILL YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE COUNCIL BILL AS
AMENDED?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON. WE
CAN NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN?
MAKER YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS
>> NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
>> NO.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> 4 IN FAVOR AND 5 OPPOSED.
>> 4 IN FAVOR AND 5 OPPOSED,
THAT MEANS THE BILL DOES NOT
PASS, IT FAILS. ALL RIGHT. BUT
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE IN THE
FUTURE. WITH THAT LET'S MOVE
ON TO THE REST OF OUR AGENDA.
THE NEXT DELETE MATTERS, HAVE
TO DO WITH THE SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE, SO MADAME CLERK,
WILL YOU READ ITEM NUMBER 2
INTO THE RECORD?
>> REPORT OF THE SLICK BUDGET
COMMITTEE, 706, THE RELATION
OF NETWORK COMPANIES IMPOSING
LICENSING FEE REQUIREMENTS ON
THE NETWORK COMPANIES, CHAPTER
6.700 TO THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL
CODE AND SECTION 3.1 5.007 TO
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE,
WE RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL
PASS AS AMENDED THE CITY
COUNCIL BILL.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD, THE
FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU. SO IT RELATES
TO THE REGULATION OF NETWORK
-- IS I THINK WE DISCUSSED
THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AS WELL AS
IN MY PUBLIC SAFETY AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE, FOR THE
LAST THREE YEARS, A FAST
GROWING SECTOR OF SEATTLE
WORKERS, THAT THEY PASSED FOR
THE MINIMUM COMPENSATION BILL
LAST YEAR, WHEN THE
DISCUSSIONS OF DEACTIVATION
RIGHTS THIS YEAR, I MADE A
COMMITMENT TO MOVE FORWARD AND
THE QUESTION OF FUNDING THE
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AND OTHER
-- DURING DISCUSSION OF THE
APP BASED WORKER DEACTIVATION
RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AND LIFTING
THE BACKGROUND WITH THE OFFICE
OF LABOR STANDARDS WHO NOTED
THEIR ANNUAL CERTIFICATION ON
THE OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS,
FUNCTIONS AND RESOURCES MEMO,
THE OFFICES RESPONSIBLE FOR
ENFORCEMENT OF A WIDE WEB OF
WORKER PROTECTIONS THAT COVER
34,000 EMPLOYERS AND ALMOST
600,000 EMPLOYEES, AND 19 OF
34 EMPLOYEES, AND TAKING IT UP
ON SEATTLE'S LEADERSHIP IN
BUILDING THIS PROTECTION FOR
APP BASED WORKERS. MUST'VE DUSH
MUCH OF THE POLICY HAS BEEN
FOCUSED ON THAT, I AM
DOMESTIC WORKERS AND
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.
TIME-CONSUMING AS FEW
JURISDICTIONS HAVE TACKLED
SUCH INITIATIVES. CONSEQUENTLY
ON THE ROADMAP, RATHER THAN
RELYING ON THE EXPERIENCE OF
OTHERS,". WE KNOW THAT OLS
EXISTS, TO CENTER THE NEEDS OF
THE MOST VULNERABLE WORKERS,
AND ANY LAW BY THE OFFICE OF
LABOR STANDARDS TO ADDRESS
ECONOMIC DISPARITIES.
THOUGHTFUL ADMINISTRATION OF
AT BASED WORKER DEMONSTRATION,
IS TO SLOWLY JUSTICE, GENDER
PARITY AND RACIAL EQUITY. THE
LEGISLATION ITSELF IS A $.10
PER DELIVERY FEE, IF THE APP
BASED PLATFORM CHOOSE TO PASS
ON TO CUSTOMERS, WHICH THEY
DON'T HAVE TO DO, IT WILL COST
SOMEBODY WHO GETS A WEEKLY
DELIVERY OF MIXED GROCERY AND
NON-GROCERY ORDERS A TOTAL OF
FIVE DOLLARS , $5.20 PER YEAR.
EXPLICITLY EXCLUDES ORDERS
WITH ALL GROCERIES. A
FANTASTIC LETTER WE RECEIVED
FROM THE WORKPLACE JUSTICE LAB
AT RUTGERS, IT DESCRIBED THE
OFFICE OF LABOR STANDARDS AS
ONE OF, IF NOT THE MOST EFFECT
LOCAL AGENCIES IN THE UNITED
STATES. THEY HAVE RECOVERED
NEARLY $14 MILLION FOR APP
BASED WORKERS WHOSE RIGHTS HAVE
BEEN VIOLATED, INCLUDING $3.3
MILLION AND WORKERS WHO ARE
UNDERPAID BUT UBER EATS, 1.6
MONTH -- 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS,
FOR 600 WORKERS AFTER DOORDASH
VIOLATED PAID SICK AND
SAFETY WORLDS, AND FOR 4000
WORKERS AFTER GRUB WORKER
VIOLATED THOSE ACTIONS. THE
FUNDING THEY NEED TO HAVE WORK
FOR OTHERS IN THE POCKETS FOR
WORKERS, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO
CHECK OUT THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT
DASHBOARD, ALMOST 77,000
WORKERS HAVE RECEIVED
FINANCIAL PENALTIES RESULTING
FROM THE OFFICE OF LABOR
STANDARDS WORK, AND THE
ENACTMENT IN 2014. THAT IS
IMPRESSIVE STUFF AND I'M
EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT
THEM FURTHER WITH THIS
LEGISLATION. THAT ENCOURAGE OR
SUPPORT, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD, I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR
TO COLLEAGUES, ANYONE ELSE
HAVE COMMENTS BEFORE WE GO TO
VOTE? NOT SEEING ANY, WILL
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD, I WILL BE SUPPORTING
THIS, THE PUBLIC SHOULD
PROBABLY KNOW YOU HAVE WORKED
SO HARD ON THIS, MET WITH SONY
PEOPLE AND STAKEHOLDERS WE
CHANGE THE LANGUAGE AND GREAT
ROBUST DEBATE AS COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA LIKES TO SAY
DURING THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. I
SEE COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA IS
ONLINE, DID YOU WANT TO SAY
SOMETHING ? BIGGER YOU SAID IT
WILL, I WANTED TO ECHO THE
COMMENTS OF APPRECIATION AND
ACKNOWLEDGES WELL FOR THE
RECORD COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
OFFICE LONG HISTORY AND
SUCCESSFUL TRACK RECORD ON
IMPROVING LABOR STANDARDS , AS
WE IMPROVE POLICY WE HAVE TO
MAKE SURE THERE IS THE FUNDING
TO DO EDUCATION AND
ENFORCEMENT. AND ALSO THOSE
EMPLOYERS PLAYING BY THE RULES
AS WELL, AND THROW YOUR TIME
ON COUNCIL, SPECIFICALLY WAS
LEGISLATION, ANOTHER GOOD
EXAMPLE OF ADVANCING STRONG
LABOR PROTECTION FOR OUR MOST
VULNERABLE WORKERS AND
SUPPORTING THE OFFICE AND DOING
IMPORTANT EDUCATION AND
OUTREACH.
>> THANK YOU, I WANTED TO ADD
ONE MORE THING, BECAUSE COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD AND I WILL NOT
BE HERE NEXT YEAR, YOU ARE
IT'S RENTAL ALONG WITH GONZALEZ
A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, TMC,
THAT TOOK A TON OF STAKEHOLDER
WORK, GOING BACK AND FORTH,
MEETING COMPANIES AND TRYING TO
MEET NEEDS, ALWAYS HAVING A
NORSTAR AND MAKING SURE THAT
LABOR AND WORKING PEOPLE WHO DO
THIS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY NOT
TO BE EXPLOITED AND AN OFFICE
THAT IS FULLY FUNDED TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE CAN REGULATE, FOR
HARD WORK, ANYTHING ELSE
BEFORE WE GO TO VOTE? I'M NOT
SEEING ANYTHING, AND DO
EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY,
YORTY SAID IT DID YOU?
>> WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL
THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
AYE COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON
CLICK
>> NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS YES
.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES?
BIGGER YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> 7-2.
>> THANK YOU. THE BILL PASSES
IN THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT,
PLEASE AFFIX IT TO MY DESK MY
SIGNATURE ON MY BEHALF, WELL
DONE. CONGRATULATIONS. ITEM
NUMBER 3, WILL YOU PLEASE READ
IT INTO THE RECORD? 120701,
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AMENDING ONE
6-POINT ONE TO ONE OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE TO SET
NEW LIMITS ON PARKING RATES AND
PARKING PAYMENT DEVICES, THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THEY PASS
AS AMENDED THE COUNCIL BILL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN THANK YOU,
COLLEAGUES, THIS IS SIMPLY THE
UPDATES AND THE RATES FOR
STREET PARKING CHARGED BY THE
SEATTLE DEPARTMENT
TRANSPORTATION. A SPONSOR OF
THE LEGISLATION IS I TRANSFER,
DATA-DRIVEN METHODOLOGY FOR
PERIODICALLY FOR STREET
PARKING, IT IS PART OF THE
OVERALL BUDGET, THEY REQUEST
ADOPTION OF THE LEGISLATION,
ALREADY PASSING THE BUDGET
COMMITTEE BY A WIDE MARGIN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR GETTING TO
THE POINT. ITEM NUMBER 3.
>> I WILL BE VOTING NO ON
INCREASING THE PARKING
MEASUREMENT PARKING METER FEES
AS I DID LAST WEEK, CAME FOR
A VOTE IN COMMITTEE, PARKING
METERS ARE NOTHING BUT AN
EXTREMELY REGRESSIVE TAX, THE
AMOUNT FOR PARKING NO MATTER
WHAT THE INCOME IS, LOW INCOME
AND WORKING-CLASS AND POOR
PEOPLE THE HARDEST AND A
SITUATION OF PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION, DEMOCRATS
LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE REFUSED
TO TEXT BIG BUSINESS AND THE
WEALTHY TO EXPAND PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION, BOASTING A
MINIMUM RATE FROM $.50 TO A
DOLLAR AND THE MAXIMUM RATE
FROM FIVE DOLLARS TO EIGHT
DOLLARS. THAT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE
RICH PEOPLE BUT FOR -- NOT
GOOD FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE, I
WILL BE VOTING NO.
>> A TEXT FROM MY GRANDSON,
WHO IS 1.
>> REFEREE: LET'S MOVE ON. IS
THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU
ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO SAY
BEFORE WE GO TO A VOTE? IT
LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOOD. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE
OF THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
TRENT HENDRICK
>> AYE COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT
NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> EIGHT IN FAVOR AND ONE
OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR WILL SIGN
IT, PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE
TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY
BEHALF. ITEM NUMBER 4. MADAM
CLERK, CAN YOU READ INTO THE
RECORD?
>> COUNCIL BILL 120683,
RELATING TO CONTRACTING
INDEBTEDNESS, AUTHORIZING AND
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE AND
SALE OF LIMITED TEXT GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS TO PAY OR
REIMBURSE ALL OR PART OF THE
COST OF VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF THE
CITY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM. THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL PASSED THE BILL.
>> THANK YOU FOR READING THE
SHORT TITLE, THANK YOU FOR
CATCHING THAT FOR ME. COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> THANK YOU. COLLEAGUES, AS
YOU HEARD, THE LEGISLATION THAT
IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE
MULTIPURPOSE LT GEO BOND, THE
ORDINANCE THAT PROVIDES THE
LEGAL AUTHORIZATION UP TO 80
4.2 MILLION DOLLARS OF LIMITED
TEXT GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
AS ASSUMED IN THE 2024 --
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM,
AS COLLIES WILL REMEMBER DURING
THE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS I
RAISED A NUMBER OF CONCERNS
ABOUT THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF
NOT HOLDING EMPLOYERS
ACCOUNTABLE, IN PARTICULAR THE
CONCRETE EMPLOYERS NOT COMING
TO THE TABLE IN GOOD FAITH AND
NEGOTIATING WITH MEMBERS OF
THE TEAMSTER UNIONS AND THOSE
WHO WORKED IN THE CONCRETE
INDUSTRY, AS THEY TOOK TO THE
STREET WEEK AFTER WEEK TO
DEMAND A FAIR CONTRACT. I'M
HOPEFUL THAT THE LEGISLATION
THAT WE'VE ADVANCED AS PART OF
THE BUDGET THAT CREATES A
CONTRACTING POLICY, BA ON HIS
CONTRACTING POLICY AND ONE THAT
LOOKS AT WAYS TO ENSURE THAT
THERE IS COMPREHENSIVE
OVERSIGHT OF THE POLICY, THAT
WE CAN ENSURE FUTURE
NEGOTIATIONS WITH ENTITIES LIKE
THOSE ENTITIES, THEY HAVE A
WAY TO HOLD THEM HARMLESS,
MUCH LIKE THE SANITATION
EXPERIENCE, TO ENSURE THAT THE
-- IF THERE IS NOT COMING TO
THE TABLE GOOD FAITH, IT IS
ULTIMATELY UP TO THE COMPANY
WORTH WHETHER IT'S DELAYS IN
PRODUCTS OR ADDITIONAL COSTS
AND MATERIALS. THE CONTRACTOR
POLICY THAT INSURES THAT TYPE
OF BEHAVIOR THAT WE SAW FROM
THE EMPLOYERS THAT RESULTED IN
DELAYS AND NOT RESOLUTION IN
FAVOR OF THE WORKERS, SHOULD
NOT BE SOMETHING THAT COMES AT
THE COST OF THE PUBLIC TAXPAYER
OR THE COST OF PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECTS. I DID ABSTAIN AND
VOTE NO ON THE LEGISLATION IN
COMMITTEE AND I WILL BE VOTING
YES TO ADVANCE OTHER
COMPONENTS OF THE CIP TODAY,
WITH A STRONG STATEMENT ASKING
FOR US TO HAVE A RESPONSIBLE
CONTRACTOR POLICY PUT INTO
PLACE, SO THAT FUTURE
SITUATION, AND THE FAILURE OF
THE CORPORATIONS TO COME TO
THE ABILITY, IT ULTIMATELY
COMES, AND A GOOD WAY TO
ENSURE THE CONSUMER SHOULD OF
PUBLIC DOLLARS IN LABOR
NEGOTIATIONS ARE WITH THE
ADDRESS, AND THANK YOU VERY
MUCH MADAME PRESIDENT AND I
WILL BE VOTING YES.
>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO OPEN
THE FLOOR ARE THERE ANY
COMMENTS FROM THE COLLEAGUES ?
>> OKAY WITH THAT? GOOD ON
CLOSING COMMENTS. WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE OF
THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
BIGGER NELSON?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN
YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NOT OPPOSE,
MADAM CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION,
MOVING TO ANOTHER FIVE, PLEASE
READ THAT INTO THE RECORD.
>> COUNCIL BILL 119950,
RELATING TO TAXATION,
INCREASING THE TAX RATES OF THE
PAYROLL EXPENSE TASKS -- TAX
IMPOSED ON PERSONS ENGAGING
BUSINESS IN SEATTLE, AMENDING
SECTION 5.38 .030 OF THE
SEATTLE MISA POOL CODE, THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL PASS AS AMENDED.
-- MUNICIPAL CODE.
>> THIS LEGISLATION INCREASES
THE TAX RATE ON AMAZON TAX,
THE LARGEST CORPORATIONS AND
WEALTHIEST PEOPLE THE CITY, BY
TINY FRACTION TO RAISE AN
ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION PER
YEAR TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH
COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS
IN SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. A
HUGE VICTORY FOR THE BUDGET
MOVEMENT. WHICH MY OFFICE
INAUGURATED IN 2014,
MOBILIZING COMMUNITY MEMBERS
AND UNION MEMBERS WORKING
PEOPLE TO WIN TENS OF MILLIONS
OF DOLLARS, FOR SOCIAL HOUSING
RENTAL PROTECTIONS.
IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS OF
LIVING, AMAZON JUST TRIPLED
ITS PROFITS. AND JUST DOUBLED
AND REPORTING RECORD
PROFITS, BILLIONAIRE
SHAREHOLDERS. AND PUBLIC
SECTOR WORKERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL
WORK STUDENTS CAN BEGIN TO GET
THE BASIC NEEDS MET. IT'S NOT
GOING TO FULFILL ALL THE NEEDS.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND DOZENS OF
STUDENTS, PROVIDED OVERWHELMING
TESTIMONY DURING THE BUDGET,
PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT THE NEED
FOR SEATTLE STUDENTS. AFTER
THE TRAGEDY AT INGRAM HIGH
SCHOOL THIS ISSUE WAS HEAVILY
FEATURED IN THE NEWS, BUT THE
LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL
WORKERS HAS NOT GONE AWAY,
CURRENTLY ONE THERAPIST PER
1300 STUDENTS ON AVERAGE IN
OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, SHOCKING
AND UNACCEPTABLE. AND 20% OF
THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORT
SERIOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT SUICIDE,
AND RATES ARE EVEN HIGHER,
AND IN AMONG BLACK YOUTH,
SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING
CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG PEOPLE
AGE 50-24 THE UNITED STATES.
TOO FUN THE $29, INCREASING THE
AMAZON TAX BY VERY SMALL
AMOUNT. THANK YOU TO STUDENTS
AND COUNSELORS FOR ORGANIZING
WITH THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
CAMPAIGN TO WIN THE FUNDING AND
THINKING TO THE RANK-AND-FILE
MEMBERS OF THE SEATTLE
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, AND
OTHER EDUCATOR UNIONS OF THE
LIKE THE NORTH SHORE EDUCATION
UNION, AND PUBLIC SCHOOL
STUDENTS AND FOR THIS AMAZON
TAX INCREASE. THIS IS HIS
STORE, THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE
THE INCREASE, TO THE FIRST
TIMES IN 2020 AS PART OF THE
GEORGE FLOYD MOVEMENT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WORK ON THIS. I WILL BE
SUPPORTING THIS AND I
APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS
YOU HAVE OFF-LINE REGARDING THE
LEGISLATION. WITH THAT I'M
GOING TO OPEN THE FLOOR TO MY
COLLEAGUES AND SEE IF ANYONE
ELSE WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT
BEFORE WE GO FOR A CLOSING
REMARK AND THEN HE VOTE.
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD QUICK
>> THANK YOU MADAME PRESIDENT.
FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD,
THE NEED HAS BEEN WELL
ESTABLISHED, FOR MENTAL
HEALTH, COUNSELORS AT SEATTLE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I DON'T THINK
I NEED TO SPEAK TO THAT NEED,
IT IS GREAT AND WE KNOW OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AT RISK. WHAT
I WANTED TO SPEAK TO IS THE
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE THAT
THIS COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED
IN THIS EFFORT. THE SEATTLE
STUDENT UNION IS FIGHTING TO
ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS. THEY
WORK THROUGHOUT THE CITY
UNITING THOSE IN THE NORTH END
WITH THOSE IN THE SOUTH AND.
AND WORK ON ISSUES RANGING FROM
ABORTION RIGHTS, CLIMATE
JUSTICE, COVERT SAFETY, MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT, BLACK LIVES
MATTER, GUN CONTROL, AND WE
KNOW THE WAY THAT WE BUILD OUR
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGE --
INCREASED ACTIVISM IN THEIR
INCREASED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS
BY MAKING SURE THAT THEIR
EFFORTS ARE EFFORTS THAT HAVE
POSITIVE OUTCOMES LIKE THE ONE
THAT WE HAVE TODAY. GRASSROOTS
ORGANIZING STRIVES TO BUILD
FROM SCRATCH, DEVELOPING NEW
LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZING THE
UNORGANIZED, AND MAKING SURE
THE PROCESS IS ONE WHERE PEOPLE
COLLECTIVELY ACT IN THE
INTEREST OF THE THESE. AND I'M
REALLY EXCITED THAT THIS
COUNCIL IS SUPPORTING THAT
EFFORT AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE,
BECAUSE IT WILL SERVE US WELL
IN OUR FUTURE WHEN WE HAVE
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVELY
ENGAGED WITH CIVIC GOVERNMENT
AND THEY ARE DOING SO BECAUSE
THEY'VE HAD POSITIVE
EXPERIENCES AS A RESULT OF
THEIR ENGAGEMENT, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD. ANY MORE COMMENTS
BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD TO A
VOTE? NOT SEEING ANY, COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT, ANY CLOSING
REMARKS?
>> NO I DON'T, THANK YOU.
>> CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE
OF THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA AYE
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> THAT IS SIX IN FAVOR AND 3
OPPOSED. THAT MEANS THE BILL
PASSES. THE CHAIR WILL SIGN
IT, PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE
TO THE LEGISLATION ON MY B HAS
-- MY BEHALF. ITEM NUMBER 6.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ IT
INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 6, 32114,
AMENDING 31334, ESTABLISHING
THE CITY COUNCIL INTEND TO FUND
THIS SEATTLE CITY EMPLOYEES
RETIREMENT SYSTEM AS INFORMED
BY THE JANUARY 1 2023
ACTUARIAL STUDY. THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS THAT CITY COUNCIL
ADOPT AS AMENDED THE
RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA?
>> THANK YOU MADAME PRESIDENT,
COLLEGE THIS RESOLUTION
ESTABLISHES THE CITY COUNCIL'S
INTENT TO FUND THE SEATTLE CITY
EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM AS
INFORMED BY THE GENERALLY FIRST
2023 ACTUARIAL STUDY. I KNOW
THERE WAS SOME AMENDMENTS THAT
ADJUSTED THE CONTRIBUTION TO
THE RATE, AND WHILE I HAD
CONCERNS WITH THE REDUCTIONS,
AT THIS JUNCTURE I WILL STILL
BE VOTING YES AS IS PART OF THE
BALANCED PACKAGE THAT ADVANCED
OUT OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I WILL OPEN THE FLOOR TO
COLLEAGUES, ANY COMMENTS BEFORE
WE MOVED TO A VOTE?
>> I DO NOT SEE ANY, GOOD ON
CLOSING COMMENTS? BECAUSE
THAT'S CORRECT.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION?
>> MADAM CLERK?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
QUICK
>> AYE COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON .
>> AYE COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT.
>> NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
QUICK
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES ?
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> 7 IN FAVOR AND 2 OPPOSED.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED, THE
CHAIR WILL SIGN IT, PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF. WILL
THE CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE
OF ITEM 7 IN THE RECORD, WE'VE
BEEN WAITING FOR. A DRUM ROLL.
>> 120708, ADOPTING A BUDGET,
INCLUDING A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM AND POSITION
MODIFICATIONS FOR THE CITY OF
SEATTLE FOR 2024 AND CREATING
POSITIONS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL
SERVICE, ALL BY A TWO THIRDS
VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT CITY
COUNCIL PASS AS AMENDED THE
COUNCIL BILL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU MADAME PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK WE'VE
DONE, THE 2024 CALENDAR
BUDGET, WHAT THIS LEGISLATION
IN FRONT OF US, A COMPILATION
OF ALL THE HARD WORK THAT THE
COUNCIL HAS DONE WITH COMMUNITY
OVER THE LAST NINE WEEKS.
WE'VE HAD A TREMENDOUS
OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY ADVANCE
OUR PRIORITIES BUT TO ENSURE
THOSE PRIORITIES WERE ROOTED
IN COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AND
DRIVEN BY THE CONVERSATIONS WE
HAD WITH RESIDENTS AND DECODERS
AND SPECIFICALLY CENTERING
INVESTMENTS WITH THE MOST
VULNERABLE. I MADE A TON OF
COMMENTS YESTERDAY INCLUDING A
BUNCH OF THANK YOU'S SO I WILL
HOLD OFF FOR MAYBE SOME
CLOSING COMMENTS TO CLOSE US
OUT TODAY, AND I JUST WANTED
TO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HAS
GONE THROUGH THIS BOTH FROM
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL BUT
SPECIFICALLY HAVING THEM LIFT
UP AND PRIORITIZE INVESTMENTS
FROM UNITY . I APPRECIATE THE
HARD WORK THAT HAS GONE THROUGH
THIS AND THE 50 OR SO NAMES WE
READ YESTERDAY, PEOPLE WE
APPRECIATE WHO MADE THE PROCESS
POSSIBLE.
>> I THINK YOU ARE ON MUTE.
>> I WAS SAYING THINGS SO MUCH,
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH MANY BUDGET
CYCLES, THANK YOU, IT'S YOUR
LAST ONE, BUT COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD HAS HER HANDOUT.
>> THANK YOU, I JUST WANT TO
START OFF WITH THINKING THE
MAYOR FOR INCLUDING A 2% DOWN
PAYMENT ON CLOSING THE 7% PAY
PENALTY GAP FOR FRONTLINE
HUMAN SERVICES PROVIDERS AS
WELL AS ALMOST ENTIRELY
FUNDING THE INFLATIONARY
ADJUSTMENTS. THIS IS JUST SO
IMPORTANT, AND I WANT TO THINK
THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO
SUPPORTED HUMAN SERVICE
PROVIDER WAGE INCREASES, TO
KEEP UP WITH INFLATION AS WELL
AS ADDRESS THE PAY PENALTY GAP
TO ENSURE THAT THEY DON'T FALL
BEHIND AND CONTINUE THEIR
LIFESAVING MISSION CRITICAL
CARE WORK. I WANT TO ALSO
APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE
FUNDED NOT JUST CREATED THE
FEE, FUTURE TO IN THE FUTURE
FUND THE F BASED WORK BUT IN
THE SHORT TERM FUNDING FOR FAS
AND OLS TO IMPLEMENT THE
APP-BASED WORKER DEACTIVATION
RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AND THE
FUNDING INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET
FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
AND FOR FRONTLINE
COMMUNITY-BASED CRISIS
RESPONDERS, WHO ARE DOING
TRAUMA INDUCING WORK, WITH
VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND
FINDING THEMSELVES , FRIENDS
AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO BE
VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE. IN
THAT SAME VEIN I WANT TO
APPRECIATE THE FUNDING FOR
INCREASING THE REACH OF A GUN
VIOLENCE REDUCTION PROGRAM
THAT PROVIDES WRAPAROUND
SERVICES, VICTIMS OF GUN
VIOLENCE AND THEIR FAMILIES,
IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE
LIKELIHOOD OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT
AND VIOLENCE. AND ALSO
FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE OFFICE
OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND
THE OFFICE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
IN THEIR EFFORT TO SUPPORT
CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING. AND I
WOULD LIKE TO THINK THE BUDGET
CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
FOR SHEPHERDING US THROUGH THE
PROCESS WITH ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL
CONCLUSION TO THE BUDGET, TO
ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE
MOST. THANK YOU AS WELL TO
ALL OF CENTRAL STAFF,
INCLUDING DIRECTOR HANDY ANDY
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, AND FOR THE
ITEMS THAT I SPONSORED, I WANT
TO THINK GREG DOS, AND GORMAN,
AND NAUSEA, THANK YOU TO THE
STAFF IN MY OFFICE, NO
ALDRICH, CHRISTINA, SONNY, AND
ELIZABETH. AND THANK YOU TO
OUR CLERKS TEAM FOR HELPING US
TO MANAGE THESE MEETINGS, AND
MILIA, LINDA, WE DEEPLY
APPRECIATE YOU. AND IS WELL,
KEEPING THE MATERIALS
ACCESSIBLE, AND THE MEDIA TEAM
FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT. AND
THEY SET UP THEIR TO JOSEPH,
DANA, AND JESSE, I KNOW HAVE I
HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMEONE, I'M
SORRY, MOST OF ALL I WANT TO
GIVE MY THANKS TO THE HUNDREDS
AND MAYBE THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC FOR ENGAGING IN
THIS PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THIS
COUNCIL IS TENDING TO THE
GREATEST NEED OF THOSE WITH
THE LEAST FIRST, AS THIS IS MY
LAST BUDGET PROCESS ON THE
COUNCIL, IT WILL BE A MEMORY
THAT I HOLD DEAR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD. I WILL HAVE WORDS AS
WELL BUT I WILL LET COUNCIL
MEMBER MORALES GO.
>> YES, THANK YOU. THANKS
EVERYONE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE
A LOT OF THANK YOU'S, AND I
KNOW YOU LOVE THAT COUNCIL
PRESIDENT. [ LAUGHTER ] I WANT
TO REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK
THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO,
PARTICULARLY SUPPORTING
PRIORITIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF
DISTRICT 2. WE WERE ABLE TO
SUPPORT CULTURAL PRESERVATION
AND THE ARTS WITH COMMUNITY
GRANT PROGRAMS IN THE ARTS
CENTER, RECOGNIZING PRESERVING
LEGACIES OF CHARITIES COLOR,
CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE CARE,
WHETHER IT WAS FOR AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH
PROGRAMS AND GREATER COMMUNITY
CARE BY SUPPORTING PAY FOR
DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDERS AND
GREATER ACCESS SECURITY.
IMPROVE SAFETY FOR DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE SERVICES, AND MORE
REPORTING ON VIOLENCE
PREVENTION. AND COMMUNITY
WELL-BEING, A TRANSITION IN
COLLABORATION WITH THE
COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE TO ENSURE
THAT THE WORK OF OUR COMMUNITY
WEALTH BUILDING IN SEATTLE IS
DONE THE RIGHT WAY, AND BY THAT
I MEAN REALLY ENGAGING WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE GOT
SUPPORT FOR SAFER STREETS FOR
KIDS, KIDS FROM KINDERGARTEN UP
TO HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTION FROM
TRAFFIC VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS
AND MORE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND
DEMOCRATIZING ACCESS TO POWER
BY ALLOWING RESIDENT TO RESHAPE
THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS. SUPPORT FOR
OVER HALF THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE
RENTERS BY GIVING THE CITY A
BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO ENFORCE
CIVIL RIGHTS HABITABILITY LOSS
AND UNIVERSALLY AVAILABLE
PUBLICLY OWNED HOUSING, BY
FULLY FUNDING THE FIRST 18
MONTHS OF OPERATION OF THE
SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER. AS WE KNOW THIS HAS
BEEN THE BEGINNING OF A HARD
CONVERSATION THAT COUNCIL WILL
HAVE NEXT YEAR. SO WE ALSO
TRIED TO SET THE TABLE FOR THE
DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT GOOD
GOVERNANCE LOOKS LIKE, AND
WHAT GREATER TRANSPARENCY LOOKS
LIKE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, BY
WORKING TO RESOLVE THE DEFICIT
ISSUE, PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR
A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO ONBOARD
THE MANY NEW COUNCILMEMBERS
THAT WERE GOING TO HAVE ON
BOARD HERE. I AM PROUD FOR THAT
SUPPORT I WANT TO THANK MY
COLLEAGUES FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF
THESE PRIORITIES.
>>> I WANT TO HAVE A FEW THANK
YOU'S TO GRASSROOTS
ORGANIZATIONS AND WORKERS WHO
ENGAGE WITH HER OFFICE AND WITH
COUNCIL WHILE SERVING THE
DIVERSE DISTRICT 2, I WANT TO
THINK THE MUSEUM, WHO WORKED
TO MAKE POSSIBLE MANY OF THE
ARTS PROGRAMMING AND PROJECTS
WE FUNDED, THE SEATTLE ARTS
COMMISSION FOR THEIR EFFICACY
FOR MORE FUNNY FOR COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS OF THE AFRICAN
CULTURAL ARTS CENTER FOR
CREATING SPACE FOR BLACK
ARTISTS, AND A HOME FOR
INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING HERE
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DOES
-- DEDICATION TO SERVING THE
FIRST GENERATION LATINO
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THE
COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE, TO THE
UN AND OED FOR THE
CORROBORATION, AND CHANGING
LIVES THE DOMESTIC WORKERS
COALITION, I WANT TO THANK ,
TIRELESS ON BEHALF OF WORKERS,
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
YOU NEXT YEAR. AND AGAIN TO
OED FOR YOUR COLLABORATION,
FINDING A SOLUTION TO PROVIDE
ENHANCED CLEANING SERVICES IN
THE CID, FOR THE BUSINESSES AND
NIGHT MARKETS, AND I WANT TO
THINK THEIR DEDICATION FOR
APPLICATIONS FOR -- FOR CID .
>>> SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD
GREENWAYS, GREATER VALLEY, THE
AMOUNT
>> HUB ALLIANCE AND THE ACTION
COALITION FOR FIGHTING TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE STREETS AROUND
THE FIVE SOUTH END SCHOOLS
ALONG HENDERSON ARE SAFE AND
COMFORTABLE, FOR THE STUDENTS
AND FAMILIES WHO WALKED TO
SCHOOL THERE. I DO WANT TO
THINK COUNCILMEMBERS PEDERSEN,
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA. AND
COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
DEMOCRACY NICK SCOTT INVESTING
ENERGY IN WORKING WITH THE CITY
OF SEATTLE TO BUILD A DIALOGUE
BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
THE CITY ITSELF. THE LOW
CENTER IN THE SEATTLE RENTERS
COMMISSION, FOR YOUR UNWAVERING
MOVEMENT TO KEEPING PEOPLE
SAFELY HOUSE, WHILE ALSO
FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THAT
LANDLORDS DO ACT IN GOOD FAITH
WITH THEIR TENANT. AND TO THE
OVERSIGHT BOARD, HOPING TO
COUNCIL WITH EQUITABLY SEWED
IN DISTRICT 2 AND 5 ARE NOT
BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE
CLIMATE CATASTROPHE.
>>> FINALLY THE CONSTITUENTS,
ALL COMMITTEE PARTNERS AND CITY
STAFF ESPECIALLY CENTRAL STAFF
IN THE 134 MEMBERS OF THE WAS
THAT OF DEPARTMENT INCLUDING MY
OWN STAFF, ALEXIS, EVELYN,
DEVON. AND DESPITE PUBLIC
CYNICISM AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
AND WE KNOW THAT IT IS HIGH
RIGHT NOW, ALL OF YOU KEEP
WORKING TO MAKE THE
COMMUNITIES BETTER, BECAUSE
YOU JUST CAN'T HELP IT, SO
THANK YOU. FINALLY I DO WANT TO
THINK COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
FOR THIS PROCESS GOT BEEN
INSTRUMENTAL FOR THE COUNCIL
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE
INVESTING IN ALL THE CORE NEEDS
OF THE CITY AND ALL THE
RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS, AND I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP. IN MY FOUR YEARS
PARTICIPATING IN THE BUDGET
PROCESS. SO THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON?
>> THANK YOU, THE CAT IS OUT OF
THE BAG, I VOTED YESTERDAY AND
I WANT TO CALL OUT A COUPLE OF
THINGS THAT I'M PARTICULARLY
EXCITED ABOUT. AND PROUD OF,
ONE THING IN PARTICULAR IS MY
PILOT PROGRAM TO ENABLE OUR
SERVICE PROVIDERS TO GET THEIR
CLIENTS RESIDENTIAL OR
INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE
USE DISORDER TREATMENT THE
MOMENT THEY MAKE THAT
LIFESAVING DECISION. IS A
SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT A NEW
APPROACH TO REMOVING BARRIERS
TO ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
TREATMENT, AND I THINK YOU FROM
THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR
VOTING FOR THIS UNANIMOUSLY. I
REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR
WILLINGNESS TO TRY A DIFFERENT
MODEL. AND IF IT WORKS GREAT,
SCALABLE, AND IF IT DOESN'T WE
TRIED. THANK YOU. I'M
PARTICULARLY PROUD OF THE
INVESTMENTS WE MADE IN JULY
AS CHAIR OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, 32099 , SAYING
THE RECOGNITION OF THE
BENEFITS THAT A STRONG AND
INCLUSIVE LOCAL ECONOMY
CONFERS ON SEATTLE RESIDENTS
AND BUSINESSES ALIKE AND
ENDORSING THE OFFICE OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS FUTURE OF
SEATTLE ECONOMY INVESTMENT
AGENDA, THAT WAS A COMMUNITY
DRIVEN FRAMEWORK FOR INCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC GROWTH. THAT
FRAMEWORK GUIDED MORE THAN $31
MILLION OF INVESTMENTS IN THE
ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION
SPENDING CATEGORY OF THE
PAYROLL EXPENSE TAX JUMPSTART
FUND, INCLUDING NEW FUNDING TO
SUPPORT THE MAYOR'S DOWNTOWN
ACTIVATION FUND, NEW FUNDING
FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC
RECOVERY, WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL
AVAILABILITY COMMERCIAL WEALTH
BUILDING. I KNOW IT IS A
RELATIVELY TINY AMOUNT IN THE
GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS BUT I AM
REALLY PLEASED THAT THIS
INCLUDES $20,000 TO SUPPORT
THE WORK OF THE NEW SEATTLE
FILM COMMISSION, AND THE
SEATTLE MUSIC COMMISSION. TO
GET $10,000 EACH, TO BUILD
AWARENESS WITH EACH FOR
OPPORTUNITIES TO FOR PAID WORK
IN PROVIDING IT IN ADDITION TO
OTHER ACTIVITIES, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR THAT. AND I'M
PLEASED THAT THIS BUDGET MAKES
SOUND INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC
SAFETY. BY ON-DEMAND TREATMENT
PILOT IS ONE EXAMPLE, NOW
PARTNERS DIVERTING PEOPLE FROM
ARREST OR JAIL ON CHARGES OF
PUBLIC USE, AND PLACES TO
SOMETHING FOR ADDICTION
TREATMENT. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS
SALARY SAVINGS FOR NEW
TECHNOLOGY THAT IF IT LAMENTED
CORRECTLY, HAS THE POTENTIAL
TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE
INCREASED PUBLIC SAFETY IMPACTS
WE ARE SEEING FROM THE
ATTRITION OF OFFICERS FROM THE
POLICE FORCE. SO MY POINT IS,
SEATTLEITES WANT RESULTS AND
THEY WANT US TO TRY NEW
APPROACHES AND USE EVERY TOOL
IN OUR TOOLBOX TO DOUBLE DOWN
ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE MOST
PRESSING TO THEM. IT IS IN
THIS SPIRIT THAT I AM HAPPY TO
ENDORSE THIS BUDGET, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. AND I WANT TO THINK
MY STAFF AND ALSO CHAIR , IT'S
BEEN A LONG FOUR WEEKS OR SO,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
HARD WORK.
>> THANK YOU NELSON. COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT AND THEN COUNCIL
MEMBER PEDERSEN THANK YOU. I
WANTED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY, I WANT
TO THINK ONCE AGAIN ALL THE
WORKING PEOPLE AND SCHOOL
DISTRICT STUDENTS WHO FOUGHT
ALONGSIDE THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
CAMPAIGN TO WIN $20 MILLION PER
YEAR INCREASE IN THE AMAZON
TAX, HOWEVER AS IN PREVIOUS
YEARS, THE 2024 BUDGET FALLS
FAR SHORT OF THE NEEDS OF
WORKING PEOPLE OF SEATTLE AND I
WILL BE VOTING NO ON THE
BUDGET. AND YOU KNOW, THE
VICTORY THAT WE WON, $20
MILLION INCREASE, THIS ACTUALLY
DEMONSTRATES THAT ALL OF THESE
PROJECTED BUDGET SHORTFALLS
THEY HEAR FROM THE DEMOCRATS
ARE BASED ON MANUFACTURED
SCARCITY PATHOLOGY BY
POLITICIANS WHO PERPETUALLY
REFUSED TO MAKE BIG BUSINESS
PAY ANYTHING CLOSE TO THEIR
FAIR SHARE, THEN WHEN THEY ARE
PASSING THIS GROSSLY INADEQUATE
BUDGET, AS YOU WILL SEE, THEY
WILL PAT EACH OTHER ON THE
BACK ENDLESSLY AND CONGRATULATE
EACH OTHER.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> I MEAN, I WAS THEY DON'T
HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE
THINGS THAT ARE ON THE BUDGET,
WE NEED TO GET TO THE GAZA
RESOLUTION VOTE. BUT VERY
QUICKLY, IF YOU LOOK AT PUBLIC
SECTOR WORKERS IN THE COALITION
OF CITY UNIONS, THEY HAVE BEEN
FIGHTING FOR MONTHS FOR A
BARE-BONES FAIR CONTRACT OR
ANYTHING RESEMBLING A
COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE. AFTER
THIS PUNISHING PERIOD OF
INFLATION AND THEY HAVE AGAIN
AGAIN BEEN PRESENTED WITH
CONTRACTS THAT FALL FAR SHORT
OF THE RATE OF INFLATION. THAT
MEANS IN REAL TERMS, EVEN
THOUGH ON PAPER THEY'RE GETTING
A WAGE INCREASE, THEY ARE
GETTING A WAGE CUT DUE TO
INFLATION. THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT WOULD RATHER CUT
THE PAY OF ESSENTIAL CITY
WORKERS THAN TAX BIG BUSINESS.
MY PEOPLE HEARD ABOUT THE
PARKS DEPARTMENT OF THE
SERVICES THEY CAN'T PROVIDE
BECAUSE OF UNFUNDED POSITIONS
THREE YEARS OF AUSTERITY BUDGET
IS VERY IS FUNDAMENTALLY THE
SAME. DON'T LISTEN TO THESE WE
TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT THE
BUDGET IS. AND USES THE TAX
FUND, INTENDED FOR THE GREEN
NEW DEAL TO BACKFILL BUDGET
SHORTFALLS. AGAIN THEY ARE
USING THE STRATEGY OF ROBBING
PETER TO PAY PAUL, ROBBING ONE
SET OF WORKING AND POOR PEOPLE
TO BARELY FUND THE NEEDS OF
ANOTHER SET OF WORKING AND POOR
PEOPLE RATHER THAN TAX BIG
BUSINESS. THAT IS WHY THE
AMAZON TAX THAT WE WON IN 2020
WAS SO PIVOTALLY HISTORIC, AND
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT GOING
FORWARD, WE BUILD INDEPENDENT
MOVEMENTS OF THE WORKING CLASS
TO IN THE VICTORIES , THAT'S
HOW WE HAVE ONE ANYTHING EVER.
AT THE SAME TIME, THESE
PRETENSES OF GREAT BUDGETS
WHILE MOST OF THE CITY'S
SUFFERING, IS A REMINDER THAT
WORKING PEOPLE, COMMITTEE
MEMBERS, MARGINALIZED
COMMUNITIES, WE NEED A PARTY OF
OUR OWN.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
SAWANT, COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN JUST ADDING TO THE
THINK EASIER, BECAUSE I KNOW A
LOT OF WORK WENT INTO THE
BUDGET, AND THANK YOU TO MY
CONSTITUENTS OF THE REST OF THE
GENERAL PUBLIC WHO WATCHED
LENGTHY BUDGET MEETINGS AND
PROVIDED PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT
THE BUDGET IN PERSON, BY PHONE
AND BY EMAIL. I APPRECIATE ALL
OF THE SEATTLE RESIDENTS AND
EMPLOYERS WHO CHOOSE TO BE IN
OUR CITY FOR MAKING THEIR
VOICES HEARD AND FOR PAYING THE
TAX IS AND FEES THAT ENABLE US
TO FUND THIS SOME $20 BILLION
BUDGET. I WANT TO THANK THE
CITY CLERK AND THE DEPUTY
CLERKS, I APPRECIATE THE THANK
YOU'S THAT HAVE GONE OUT TO
THE TEAM AND CENTRAL STAFF.
ALSO TO THE MAYOR'S TEAM, WE
KNOW THE BUDGET STARTS WITH THE
EXECUTIVE BRANCH, OUR CITY
BUDGET OFFICE DIRECTOR, JULIE
ENTERED TEAM, FOR DELIVERING A
SOLID START TO THIS LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH BACK IN SEPTEMBER. AND I
WANT TO THINK THE BUDGET CHAIR
COUNCILMEMBER TODD COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA, MY TEAM,
GABBY, AND HANNAH.
>> THANK YOU , COUNCIL MEMBER
PEDERSEN. LET ME SEE A FEW
WORDS AND THEN AS YOU ALL KNOW
I DON'T LIKE LONG SPEECHES BUT
I AM GOING TO FOR THE FIRST
TIME KIND OF HAVE A BIT OF A
LONG SPEECH. I WANT TO FIRST
AND FOREMOST THANK COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA, THE BUDGET
CHAIR THROUGH LEADING IS
THROUGH STREAMLINING AND
WORKING WITH THE COMMITTEE
GEISHA DEPARTMENT, DANA AND
JOSEPH IN THE WHOLE TEAM, WITH
A WONDERFUL STREAMLINED
APPROACH SO EVERYONE CAN
KEYING WITH A DASHBOARD TO SEE
THE DATES AND TIMES OF VOTING
ON, PUTTING UP THE WINGS
BEHIND THE SCENES IS SO MUCH
WORK THANK YOU FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP, I WILL MISS
WORKING WITH YOU. THE ME ADD A
FEW COMMENTS THAT I'VE ALREADY
TEED UP, BECAUSE AGAIN THIS IS
MY FINAL BUDGET, MY OFFICE HAS
GONE THROUGH 10 BUDGET CYCLES
FIRST TOOK OFF HIS, AND THIS
BUDGET, AS COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD POINTED OUT, I MIGHT
REVIEW THINGS TO A HUMAN
SERVICE WORKER WAGE INCREASE,
1.9 LANE, SUBPOINT FIVE
PERCENT HSD TO MAINTAIN A
COULD WILL PAY FOR HUMAN
SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO DO
OUTREACH AT CABINETS AND THEY
WERE ACROSS THIS GREAT CITY,
THEY ARE CARRYING CAREERS OF
PEOPLE OUT THERE DOING THE HARD
WORK. AND THIS COUNCIL HAS,
AT LEAST AS I'VE BEEN ON IT,
TAKEN THREE OR FOUR TRIES TO
INCREASE THE WAGE, AND FINALLY
GOT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. THE
CITY IS SERVED BY NUMEROUS
HUMAN SERVICES PROVIDERS, AND
JUST TO NAME A FEW BENEFITED
FROM THIS BUDGET CYCLE AND THE
OTHER NINE , SUN GENERATIONS,
OUR FOOD BANK, THINK YOU TO
KELLY WHO PARTNERED WITH THE
HEALTH BOARD, LAST YEAR WE
OPENED THE SECOND CLINIC ON
LAKE CITY WAY FOR INDIGENOUS
BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES, COULD HAVE DONE THAT
WITHOUT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE
BUDGET CHAIR AND COUNCIL,
THANK YOU, AURORA COMMENTS THAT
WORKS WITH WOMEN IN SEX
TRAFFICKING, GETTING THE
TREATMENT AND WORKING WITH
HARBORVIEW, UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON HOSPITAL TO TAKE
CARE OF THE NEEDS. WE STILL
HAVE THE ISSUES ON AURORA AND
LAKE CITY AND ACROSS THE CITY
AND I WANT TO THINK SHARON,
OPERATING THE LAKEFRONT
COMMUNITY HOUSE IN FRIENDSHIP
HEIGHTS ON INDY 5 AND SOON TO
BE ANOTHER TINY HOUSE VILLAGE
COMING. IF SPECIAL THANK YOU
TO MY STAFF AND I WILL COME
BACK TO A FEW MORE, TO SARAH
MAYS AND LAYLA AND MY CHIEF OF
STAFF AND MURPHY. WE ADVANCED
IN EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR THE
CITY'S TRANSGENDERED ON BINARY
AND EMPLOYEES, WHICH HAS NOT
BEEN DONE, MY STAFF WORKED
HARD ON THAT AND THEY BROUGHT
IT TO MY ATTENTION, I WANT TO
THANK YOU, AND NATIVE
AMERICAN VETERANS, PLACING THE
RECOMMENDATION, FOR JOINING US
IN THIS EFFORT, BUT JUST THE
JOHN LEWIS BRIDGE BUT THAT
PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE AND WOMEN, LGBTQ SHOULD
BE RECOGNIZED AND HAVE PLACES
NAMED AFTER THEM ALL THROUGHOUT
THE GREAT CITY. AND 7 MILLION
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRISIS
RESPONSE AND NEARLY 700,000
IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THE
BUDGET EXCLUSIVELY FOR THOSE
STRUGGLING WITH FOOD
INSECURITY. I WANT TO THINK
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AND STRAUSS
AND MOSQUEDA, THAT STUCK WITH
ME THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS,
GETTING THE MONEY IN THE DOOR,
AND LIGHT RAIL ONE, AND WE
WANTED TO BE A WALKABLE
NEIGHBORHOOD, THE INTERBAY
ACTIVATION AND IMPROVEMENT
INITIATIVE TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR
PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO COME TO
LIGHT RAIL TO USE THE COMMUNITY
FACILITY, BUT ALSO NOT HAVING
TO MOVE SEATTLE CITY LIGHTS,
AND ALSO I'M REALLY PROUD OF
THE COUNCIL, THERE HAVE BEEN
TWO CYCLES NOW WHEN YOU HAVE
INVESTED IN NATIVE AMERICAN
YOUTH, TO NOT ONLY RISE ABOVE
FOR SEATTLE, IT MEANS A LOT TO
ME PERSONALLY, IT MEANS TO A
LOT TO INDIGENOUS LED
ORGANIZATIONS, AND WITH THE
CITY OF SEATTLE AND THANK YOU
FOR BEING A PARTNER WITH ME ON
THAT, TAKING MY CALLS, I
APPRECIATE IT. I DON'T THINK
PEOPLE REALIZE HOW HARD YOU
WORK BEHIND THE SCENES. WITH
THAT, IT'S MY LAST CHANCE TO
SAY THESE THINGS, A HUGE THANK
YOU TO DIRECTOR HANDY AND
CENTRAL STAFF AND ALLIE, AND
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR , LORD
HENRY, LEGISLATIVE LEGAL
COUNCIL AND ALL THE STAFF THAT
KEEP OUR AMAZING TEAM, I'VE
NEVER WORKED WITH A FINER
STAFF, WITH KIND PEOPLE,
ALWAYS THERE TO ANSWER
QUESTIONS AND ANALYZE
LEGISLATION. A LOT OF IT
DIFFICULT AND SOPHISTICATED,
OVERLAPPING WITH THE STATE , IT
TAKES A LOT, THEY GIVE IT TO
US, THEY GIVE THE ANALYSIS TO
US, IT'S VERY BALANCED AND I
SO APPRECIATE THAT. AND WILL
MOORE SHOUT OUT HERE. IN THE
OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUDGET
RAINBOW PONY THEY MADE FOR US
DURING THE BUDGET, WE WILL BE
AUCTIONING THAT OFF AT THE END
OF THE YEAR. WITH THAT, I WILL
BE SUPPORTING THE BUDGET, I'M
PROUD OF IT, AND I WANT THE
PUBLIC TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT
THE BUDGET CYCLE, IT ACTUALLY
STARTS IN JULY AND AUGUST, IT
DOESN'T START THE THIRD WEEK IN
SEPTEMBER, AND CONSTITUENTS,
WE TALKED TO OUR COLLEAGUES
AND KEEP TRYING TO GET MOST OF
THE ITEMS INTO THE MAYOR'S
BUDGET AND WORK WITH THE
BUDGET, I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS
BUDGET. THANK YOU. PROBABLY
THE LONGEST THAT I HAVE EVER
SPOKEN. I WILL LET COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA TALK US OUT
AND THEN WE WILL GO TO A VOTE.
>> EKU MADAM PRESIDENT, I
APPRECIATE ALL YOU SAID IN THE
PARTNERSHIP WE'VE HAD OVER THE
YEARS. COLLEAGUES, I HAD QUITE
A BIT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE
BUDGET BUT THANKFULLY YOU HAVE
COVERED IT, YOU'VE COVERED MANY
OF THE COURT INVESTMENTS WE
WORKED ON COLLABORATIVELY, AND
TO ADVANCE OUR COMMUNITIES,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS
TODAY. AS YOU KNOW I HAVE
TRIED TO CREATE A PROCESS THAT
CENTERS THE BUDGET WORK ON
EQUITY, TRANSPARENCY AND
SUSTAINABILITY ESPECIALLY AS I
TRANSITION OUT OF THE BUDGET
CHAIR OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS,
I AM INTERESTED CONCRETIZE AND
ADVANCING POLICIES AND
STRUCTURES WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
WORK ON WITH CENTRAL STAFF IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY
BUDGET OFFICE, IN MANY CASES,
REALLY DRIVEN BY THE DEEP
ANALYTICAL RETHINKING THAT
CENTRAL STAFF IN THE OFFICE HAS
DONE ABOUT HOW WE CAN CREATE A
BUDGET THAT IS ACCESSIBLE AND
DIGESTIBLE FOR MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC IMPORTANTLY, BUT ALSO
AS US. AND THE BUDGET IN THE
CALENDAR YEAR BUDGETS IN FRONT
OF THE COUNCIL. IT HAS BEEN MY
HONOR TO HELP THROUGHOUT THIS
PROCESS, MAINTAINING THE
CITY'S INVESTMENTS ON SERVING
THE MOST VULNERABLE. REJECTING
AUSTERITY ENSURING WE ARE
MAKING GOOD ON THE COMMITMENTS
WE MADE TO COMMUNITIES,
ESPECIALLY THE COMMITMENTS IN
THE PAYROLL TAX AND MAKING SURE
THAT ANY NEW INVESTMENT ARE
ADDING TO ACTIONABLE AND
SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT AND
ESPECIALLY THE COMMITTEE
MEMBERS. WE HAVE WORKED TO
SUPPORT A LIMITS THAT REFLECT
THE VALUES I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL
THE COMMENTS YOU MADE TODAY
THAT THE PACKAGE REALLY BUILDS
UPON THE 2023-24 BIENNIAL
BUDGET PROMISES WE MADE LAST
YEAR AND TRYING TO KEEP TRUE
TOWARDS MOVING TOWARDS BIENNIAL
BUDGETING AND AS SUCH GIVEN THE
INCREASED POPULATION AND
INCREASED NEED AND CONTINUED
HARDSHIP FROM THE CODED
PANDEMIC IN THE INEQUITY WE SEE
IN THE REGION, WE MADE
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS TO
ENSURE THE COMMUNITY WAS MORE
CARED FOR AND HOUSED AND
CONNECTED AND RESILIENT, AND
HEALTHY AND SAFE. WE HAD A
LONG LIST OF THANK YOUSE
YESTERDAY, THE COUNCIL
PRESIDENT AND VICE CHAIR AND
THEY'VE COVERED THOSE THINGS AS
WELL, I WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH WE
APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT
GOES INTO THIS FROM THE
COMMUNITY AND THE STAFF WHO
WORK AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE
THE PROCESS POSSIBLE IN A SHORT
PERIOD OF TIME, A NINE WEEK
TURNAROUND PERIOD IS VERY
SHORT, THANKFUL AND THRILLED
TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU AND
DELIVER THE PACKAGE FOR 2024 AS
WE HEAD OUT TO THE END OF THE
YEAR AND WE WELCOME THE NEXT
YEAR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND
COMMITTEE MEMBERS CAN BE
RELIEVED THAT WE HAVE REALIGNED
THE FUNDING STREAMS WITH THE
PAYROLL TAX AND ENSURE THAT
$20 MILLION WERE RECONFIGURED
TO INVEST INTO THE PRIORITIES
AS PROMISED AND COMMITTED TO
AND INCLUDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING
IN THE GREEN NEW DEAL AND A
COUPLE DEVELOPMENT, ADDING AN
ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION TO THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WAS
INCREASED FOR THE REVENUE
STREAM WE ADDED EVEN MORE.
THAT MEANS THIS BIENNIAL BUDGET
YIELDS A $600 MILLION
INVESTMENT INTO AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, I JUST AFFORDABLE
RENTAL UNITS WITH THREE OR FOUR
RENTAL UNITS AND HE
OPPORTUNITIES MADE POSSIBLE IN
LARGE PART THANKS TO
JUMPSTART, WE'VE REALIGNED AN
ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION BACK INTO
RESILIENCE, FOR WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING AND
SUPPORTING TRAINING AND ART
AND ACTIVATION. ADHERENCE TO
THE SPEND PLAN IS MORE THAN
JUST REALIGNING THE FUNDS
DREAMS, IT'S A WAY TO MAINTAIN
THE TRUST AND THE BUY-IN FROM
THE PUBLIC THAT SUPPORTS THE
JUMPSTART PROGRESSIVE PAYROLL
TAX. WHEN HE AND THE COURTS
AND CONTINUING TO WIN IN THE
COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION, TWO
THIRDS OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
CONTINUING TO SUPPORT JUMPSTART
AND CONTINUE TO RETAIN THE
SUPPORT, IS THE TARGETED
INVESTMENTS THAT IT HAS BEEN
CODIFIED TO SERVE, GREEN NEW
DEAL AND ECONOMIC RESILIENCE.
INVESTING MILLIONS MORE IN
TRINITY HEALTH THROUGH EARLY
INTERVENTION AND UPSTREAM
SOLUTION, ACROSS THE COUNCIL
WE HAVE TAKEN AMENDMENT IDEAS
THAT HELP TO ADVANCE HEALTH AND
GREATER STABILITY AND THE
RISING TRAUMA AND STRESS THAT
COMMITTEE MEMBERS FACE, WE'VE
INVESTED IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY
AND SAFE SPACES THAT SUPPORT
THEM BY PROVIDING SPACES FOR
SOCIAL COHESION, RECREATION
AND ENJOYMENT, THOSE ARE
PUBLIC-HEALTH INVESTMENTS THAT
ARE ACCOMPLISHED, THROUGH THE
ACTIVATION AND ALTERNATIVE
MODES OF TRANSPORTATION HERE
WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO
CLOSE THE GAP FOR CONTRACTS AND
THE PROVIDER PAY INCREASES AND
AS COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD NOTED
IN LARGE PART THE DOWN PAYMENT
MADE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, WE
HAVE UP ON THAT TO ENSURE THAT
CONTRACTS ARE NOT BEING
INADVERTENTLY LEFT OUT OF THE
INCREASES AND WE FULFILLED OUR
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE
ORIGINAL CITY CONTRACTS TO
RECEIVE ADDITIONAL PAY SO THAT
THOSE WORKERS CONSERVE OUR MOST
VULNERABLE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
INVESTING IN FRONTLINE WORKERS
IN THE FIELD IS HOW WE WILL
MAKE SURE THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE
HOUSED, HEALTHY AND RESILIENT.
AND THANK YOU FOR THAT,
ESPECIALLY HERE TODAY PASSING
THE 2024 MID BIENNIAL
ADJUSTMENT PACKAGE, I
RECOMMEND A YES VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, WITH THAT, MADAM
CLERK WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE OF THE PASSAGE OF THE
BILL?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
AYE COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON AYE
COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN FIVE --
AYE COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> TREND -- COUNCIL MEMBER
MORALES YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> 8-1.
>> THE BILL PASSES, WILL THE
CLERK FIX MY SIGNATURE ON MY
BEHALF, WELL DONE AND
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY
COLLEAGUES. MOVING ON WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ THE SHORT
TITLE OF ITEM A TO DO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 8, 120693,
RELATING TO THE LEVY OF
PROPERTY TAXES, FIXING THE RATE
AND/OR AMOUNTS OF TAXES TO BE
LEVIED AND LIVING THE SAME
UPON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY. THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT CITY
COUNCIL PASSES THE BILL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA I WANT TO USE THIS
AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK MY
STAFF, I DIDN'T SEE IN --
SPECIFICALLY I INCLUDED IN THE
LONG LIST, I WANT TO THANK
THEM DIRECTLY, THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF,
THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR.
THANK YOU. AN INCREDIBLE ASSET
TO OUR TEAM AND REALLY HELPING
TO PROVIDE A DIRECT INPUT ON
THE BUDGET AND NOT ON THE
MANAGEMENT. ESPECIALLY ON
PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALMOST
DESPERATE HOMELESSNESS
SERVICES, AND THE CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM. AND THE
FUNDING, DIRECTED TO COMMUNITY
SAFETY. WITH THAT MADAM
PRESIDENT, ITEM NUMBER EIGHT,
COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE 2024
LONG PROPERTY TAX ORDINANCE.
IMPOSING THE CITY'S PROPERTY
TAX, FOR 24, AND RECOMMENDING
YES, I RECOMMEND PASSAGE AND
ANY COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVED
TO A VOTE?
>> NOT SEEING ANY.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE IN THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER ? COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA AYE COUNCIL
MEMBER PEDERSEN.
>> HERBOLD -- AYE COUNCIL
MEMBER STRAUSS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> 9-0.
>> THE BILL PASSES, THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT, PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION OF
MY BEHALF. WITH THAT WILL THE
CLERK PLEASE READ THE TITLE OF
ITEM 9 INTO THE RECORD?
>> COUNCIL BILL 120695, THE
LEVY OF PROPERTY TAXES, FOR
COLLECTION IN 2024 REPRESENTING
AN INCREASE OF THE REGULAR
PROPERTY TAXES LEVIED FOR
COLLECTION IN 2023 AND
RATIFYING OR CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS, THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
CITY COUNCIL PASSED THE BILL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA THANK YOU VERY MUCH
MADAM PRESIDENT. THIS IS THE
LAST ITEM FOR OUR BUDGET LIST
OF LEGISLATION , INCLUDING
NUMBER 9 , COMMONLY KNOWN AS
THE 2024 SHORT PROPERTY TAX
ORDINANCE. REFLECTING CHANGES
IN REGULAR PROPERTY TAX IN
TERMS OF DOLLARS AND
PERCENTAGES, AND IN THE
BUDGET COMMITTEE.
>> REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 9. I
DO NOT SEE ANY, WILL GO RIGHT
TO A VOTE.
>> THE PASSAGE OF A BILL.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON COUNCIL
MEMBER PEDERSEN YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
YES.
>> 9-0. THANK YOU, BILL
PASSES, AND THE SIGNATURE
REGISTRATION ON MY BEHALF
ALONG IN THE AGENDA, CAN SET
CALENDAR, COMING TO OTHER
RESOLUTIONS, WITH THE CLERK
PLEASE READ ITEM 10 FROM THE
REGULAR AGENDA INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM 10, 32118,
CONDEMNING THE ISRAELI MILITARY
ASSAULT ON THE PEOPLE OF GAZA,
URGING AN IMMEDIATE
CEASE-FIRE, HUMAN ATTORNEY AID,
AND EXCHANGE OF HOSTAGES AND
AN END TO THE OCCUPATION OF
PALESTINIAN LANDS, AFFIRMING
OPPOSITION TO ISLAM A PHOBIA
AND ANTI-SEMITISM, AND URGING
THE U.S. CONGRESS TO END ALL
MILITARY FUNDING TO ISRAEL.
>> THANK YOU MADAM CLERK.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT I
MOVE THE RESOLUTION, THE TITLE
THAT LINDA HAS JUST READ INTO
THE RECORD.
>> RESOLUTION 32118, IS THERE
A SECOND? I WILL SECOND IT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. IT HAS BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION 32118, COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT, YOU ARE THE
SPONSOR AND YOU ARE RECOGNIZED
TO ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
>> THE GAZA STRIP IS ALMOST
EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE AND WHERE
MILES AS THE CITY OF SEATTLE
BUT WITH THREE TIMES THE
AMOUNT OF THE POPULATION, IS
HOME TO 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE,
THOSE 2.3 -- THEY HAD BEEN
RELENTLESSLY BOMB FOR THE LAST
SIX WEEKS WITH OVER 14,000
PEOPLE KILLED, THOUSANDS OF
DEAD BABIES AND CHILDREN. THE
PALESTINIAN PEOPLE IN GAZA ARE
TRAPPED WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES
BY AN ERROR , LAND AND SEA
BLOCKADE AND FORCED BY THE
ISRAELI MILITARY , THE FOURTH
LARGEST MILITARY IN THE WORLD.
WHICH IS BACKED BY TENS OF
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF U.S.
IMPERIALISM. IMAGINE OF
SEATTLE WERE GAZA AND THAT WE
FACED SUCH AN ONSLAUGHT? WITH
OUR ELECTRICITY, WATER AND
MEDICAL SUPPLIES CUT OFF, FOOD
SUPPLIES DWINDLING, HOSPITALS
DEVASTATED, WITH ONLY ONE LEFT
IN OPERATION. AS THE UN
SECRETARY GENERAL GUTIERREZ
SAID RECENTLY, WHAT IS CLEAR
IS THAT WE HAVE HAD IN A FEW
WEEKS THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN
KILLED, THIS IS WHAT MATTERS,
WITNESSING IT UNPARALLELED AND
UNPRECEDENTED, SINCE I AM
SECRETARY GENERAL, ONE .7
MILLION PEOPLE, LET ME SAY
THAT AGAIN, ONE .7 MILLION
PEOPLE, HAVE BEEN DISPLACED
FROM THEIR HOMES IN GAZA AND
FOR THE PEOPLE LEAVING FOR
SOUTHERN GAZA, AT ANY STATE,
REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER THEY
WILL EVER BE LET BACK EVER, AS
HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST TO
MILLIONS OF OTHER PALACE
PEOPLE. THIS RESOLUTION
CONDEMNS THE BRUTAL ISRAELI
MILITARY ASSAULT OF THE PEOPLE
OF GAZA, AND CALLS FOR THE
IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE, TO HELP
RECOVER WITH THE END TO U.S.
MILITARY AID, THE RELEASE OF
ALL HOSTAGES ON BOTH SIDES AND
AND INTO THE ISRAELI
OCCUPATION AND SUBJUGATION OF
PALESTINIAN LANDS. THE AIMS OF
THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT WERE
MADE CLEAR AFTER THE DEFENSE
MINISTER DECLARED ON OCTOBER 9
QUOTE, I HAVE ORDERED A
COMPLETE SIEGE ON THE GAZA
STRIP, THERE WILL BE NO
ELECTRICITY, NO FUEL OR YOU
WILL, EVERY IS CLOSED. WE ARE
FIGHTING HUMAN ANIMALS AND WE
WILL ACT ACCORDINGLY,". AND
THAT QUOTE IS NOT SOME
ABERRATION. THERE ARE MANY
OTHER SIMILAR STATEMENTS, FROM
THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LIKUD POWER THAT THE PARTY IN
POWER, AND THE MILITARY HAS
CARRIED OUT, THE BRUTALITY IS
NOT AT THE DIRECTION OF REGULAR
WORKING CLASS ISRAELIS, IT IS
THE POLICY OF THE RIGHT-WING
BIG BUSINESS POLITICAL PARTY
AND THE POLICY OF U.S.
IMPERIALISM. AT THIS MOMENT
BEING DIRECTED BY THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND PRESIDENT
BIDEN. IS NO ABERRATION EITHER
THAT BIDEN REFUSES TO CALL
FOR A CEASE-FIRE, AND BOTH THE
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN
PARTIES ARE COMPETING OVER
WHOSE BILL GIVING THE ISRAELI
MILITARY AN ADDITIONAL $14
BILLION FOR WEAPONRY WILL PASS.
LET US NOT FORGET THAT THE
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE CONFLICT
STARTED IN 1948 WHEN WESTERN
IMPERIALISM DECIDED THEY REALLY
NEEDED A MILITARY OUTPOST IN
THE OIL-RICH MIDDLE EAST AS THE
COLD WAR BEGAN THE FACT THAT
THAT REQUIRED DISPLACING
MILLIONS OF PALESTINIANS AND
STARTED ALMOST A CENTURY OF
VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION, IS
THE LAST THING THAT THE
CAPITALIST POWERS CARED ABOUT.
ARE RESOLUTION DEMANDS A
CEASE-FIRE AS I SAID. IT ALSO
DEMANDS AN END TO $3.8 BILLION
EACH YEAR AND AN ADDITIONAL $14
BILLION THIS YEAR AND MILITARY
AID THAT THE U.S. SENDS TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL. I URGE
COUNCILMEMBERS, THE DEMOCRATS,
ON THIS COUNCIL, TO HAVE THE
COURAGE TO CALL OUT THEIR OWN
PARTY, AND THEIR OWN LEADER,
PRESIDENT BIDEN, ABOUT THIS
MILITARY FUNDING. BECAUSE IF
SEATTLE DEMOCRATS SAY, WE WANT
A CEASE-FIRE YES, AND HERE'S
AN ADDITIONAL $14 BILLION FOR
BOMBS AND GUNFIRE SO YOU CAN
KILL THOUSANDS MORE BABIES, IT
IS SIMPLY NOT REAL.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERING ]
>> THE RESOLUTION FROM MY
OFFICE ALSO CALLS FOR AN END TO
THE OCCUPATION OF HOUSTON HE
LANDS, BECAUSE IT IS ALSO NOT
REAL TO CALL FOR A CEASE-FIRE
WHILE FAILING TO OPPOSE THE
BRUTAL OCCUPATION WHICH IS THE
ROOT CAUSE OF THE CURRENT
CONFLICT AND THE FUNDING IS
THE BACKBONE OF THE OCCUPATION.
THIS RESOLUTION ALSO CONDEMNS
THE BRUTAL OCTOBER 7 ATTACK
WHEN HAMAS KILLED 1200
ISRAELIS, INCLUDING CHILDREN,
WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY, AND
OTHER CIVILIANS AS WELL AS
BEDOUINS AND OTHER ARAB
ISRAELIS, INJURING OVER 3500
AND TAKING OVER 200 HOSTAGES.
GLOBAL HISTORY DECISIVELY SHOWS
THAT VIOLENT ATTACKS ON
INNOCENT AND ORDINARY PEOPLE DO
NOT BRING PROGRESSIVE CHANGE.
ON THE CONTRARY, WE NEED AN
INTERNATIONAL ANTIWAR MOVEMENT
WITH THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND
RANK-AND-FILE WORKERS OF EVERY
NATIONALITY LEADING PROTESTS
AND STRIKE ACTIONS. OUR
MOVEMENT OPPOSES VIOLENT
ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS, BOTH IN
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE, WHICH
STANDS IN SHARP CONTRAST TO THE
POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT AND
THEIR IMPERIALISM. MY
ORGANIZATION, SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE, HAS SOCIALIST
ORGANIZATIONS IN ISRAEL AND
PALESTINE AND OF COURSE THEY
ALL OPPOSE THE WAR ON GAZA,
THEY ALL OPPOSE THE OCCUPATION
OF PALESTINIAN LANDS AND
OPPOSE VIOLENCE AGAINST
CIVILIANS, WHETHER ISRAELI OR
PALESTINIAN. WE NEED TO BE
CLEAR THAT FOR THE CAPITALIST
CLASS, THE ISRAELI AND
PALESTINIAN CONFLICT IS NOT
ABOUT RACE OR RELIGION, IT IS
ABOUT MAINTAINING AN
OVERWHELMING MILITARY PRESENCE
THAT MY PRESENCE FOR
IMPERIALISM IN THE OIL-RICH
MIDDLE EAST, AND ALL THE BLOOD
SHEDDING IS SIMPLY COLLATERAL
DAMAGE. THE MAJORITY OF THOSE
KILLED AS WE KNOW ARE WOMEN,
CHILDREN AND ELDERLY. THE
ISRAELI MILITARY HAS BOMB
HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND
COMMUNITY CENTERS. AS JAMES
ELDER, A UNICEF SPOKESPERSON
SAID, THE GAZA STRIP IS NOW A
GRAVEYARD FOR THOUSANDS OF
CHILDREN, AND IT IS A LIVING
HELFER EVERYONE ELSE. THIS
RESOLUTION IS PART OF A GLOBAL
MOVEMENT DEMANDING A
CEASE-FIRE. MILLIONS HAVE
MARCHED IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES
AROUND THE WORLD, AND THE
MOVEMENT IS HAVING A REAL
IMPACT, BECAUSE IT IS BECOMING
LESS AND LESS POLITICALLY
VIABLE FOR BIDEN AND THE
DEMOCRATS TO CONTINUE FUNDING
ISRAEL'S OCCUPATION AND
OPPRESSION OF PALESTINIAN
PEOPLE. IN FACT, THE FACT THAT
WE ARE EVEN GOING TO HAVE A
VOTE ON THIS INDICATES HOW MUCH
PRESSURE IS ON THEM. IT WAS
LESS THAN 15 DAYS AGO THAT WHEN
WE BROUGHT THE RESOLUTION, THEY
HAD THE NERVE TO NOT EVEN HAVE
A VOTE ON IT, AND HERE THEY
ARE, YES THEIR BRAIN A
WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION WHICH
WILL TALK ABOUT IN A SECOND
BUT THE POINT IS THAT IT WOULD
NOT HAVE HAPPENED HAD WE NOT
PUT PRESSURE BOTH FROM THE
PROTESTS AND BRING A RESOLUTION
THAT PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THE AND
FORCE THEM TO TAKE A STAND.
WHATEVER RESOLUTION WE WIN
TODAY AND WE SHOULD FIGHT HARD
FOR A RESOLUTION, BUT WHATEVER
WE WIN TODAY IS A VICTORY THAT
WE CLAIM FOR OUR MOVEMENT, FOR
OUR OFFICE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF THE
DEMOCRATS.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERING ]
>> TWO THIRDS OF AMERICANS
SUPPORT AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE
AND A POLL CONDUCTED TWO WEEKS
AGO BEFORE THE ISRAELI MILITARY
ESCALATION. I CAN'T KEEP OF
THE POLES, I'M SURE THERE IS A
UPDATED ONE AS I'M SPEAKING, A
RECORD HIGH 41% OPPOSE U.S.
MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL, AND
THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS
UNPRECEDENTED, INCLUDING 77% OF
DEMOCRATIC PARTY VOTERS UNDER
THE AGE OF 35. BIDEN'S APPROVAL
RATING AMONG DEMOCRATS HAS
PLUMMETED TO A NEW LOW IN JUST
THE LAST THREE WEEKS. AMONG
ARAB-AMERICANS, BIDEN'S
APPROVAL HAS SHRUNK FROM 59% IN
2020 TWO JUST 20 -- 17% WITH
PEOPLE CHANTING NO CEASE-FIRE,
NO VOTE. AS THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL ON
AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS,
THAT MEANS CEASE-FIRE NOW, NOT
SEVERAL WEEKS OR MONTHS FROM
NOW. I WANT TO THANK THE MANY
PALESTINIAN AND JEWISH AND
MUSLIM COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO
WORK WITH MY OFFICE ON THIS
RESOLUTION AND THOSE WHO CAME
TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT ON
NOVEMBER 7 AND TODAY. I WANT
TO THINK THE 1200 PEOPLE WHO
WROTE TO THE COUNCIL AND
SUPPORT A RESOLUTION SINCE
NOVEMBER 7 AND ALSO WANT TO
THINK THE INDIAN AMERICAN
MUSLIM COUNCIL, BOSTON SOUTH
ASIAN COALITION, HINDUS FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS AND I'M SURE
THAT'S JUST A FRACTION OF THE
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE
SUPPORTING THIS. NOT TO MENTION
THE THOUSANDS OF ORDINARY
PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPORTING IT.
SEATTLE IS NOT SEPARATE FROM
THE WORLD, AND ELECTED
OFFICIALS HAVE A DUTY TO VOTE
YES ON THIS RESOLUTION TO CALL
FOR AN END TO THIS BRUTAL WAR
AND OCCUPATION, SEATTLE IS
ALSO HOME TO MANY PEOPLE WITH
FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN ISRAEL
AND PALESTINE, INCLUDING THOSE
WHO ARE IN GRAVE DANGER IN
GAZA. NOW HERE COMES THE HARD
BIT BUT HAS TO BE SAID. I'M
EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AT THOSE
COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO HAVE
SELF-APPOINTED THEMSELVES AS
SPOKESPEOPLE FOR ALL
PALESTINIANS, SAYING
PALESTINIANS WANT THE EXTREMELY
WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION. YOU
DON'T, YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR THE
PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. YOU DON'T
SPEAK FOR THE HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIANS
FACING THIS BLOODY ASSAULT IN
GAZA, THOUSANDS FACING VIOLENCE
IN THE WEST BANK AND EAST
JERUSALEM, OR THE MILLIONS OF
ANTIWAR ACTIVISTS WHO ARE
PROTESTING IN SEATTLE AND
GLOBALLY. LET'S BE REAL, YOU
SELF-APPOINTED LEADERS DECIDED
YOU DON'T WANT TO UPSET YOUR
COZY RELATIONS WITH DEMOCRATS
AND YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE
WRONG SIDE OF THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT. BUT LET ME TELL
YOU, WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES
TO BRING A WATERED-DOWN
RESOLUTION, WHICH AS I SAID WE
ARE STILL GOING TO CLAIM
VICTORY NO MATTER WHAT GETS
PASSED, BUT HOWEVER LET'S BE
CLEAR THAT BY WORKING BEHIND
THE SCENES FOR FOR THIS
WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION WITH
THE DEMOCRATS, YOU ARE ON THE
WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERING ]
>> YOU CLAIM YOU ARE CHOOSING
THE WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION
BECAUSE YOU THINK IT'S THE ONLY
RESOLUTION THAT WILL PASS, WE
HAVE HEARD THIS FROM COMMUNITY
LEADERS. WILL BUT WHAT DOES
THAT MEAN? THEY'VE GIVEN UP
FIGHTING FOR THE INTERESTS OF
PEOPLE BEING BOMBED WITHOUT A
FIGHT? MY QUESTION IS A SYMBOL
QUESTION OF STRATEGY? WHAT IS
THE INCENTIVE FOR DEMOCRATS TO
VOTE YES ON THE STRONG
RESOLUTION IF THESE COMMUNITY
LEADERS GIVE COLOR COVER OF
SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE IN GAZA,
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
THE HUNDREDS OF US THAT ARE
HERE, WE ARE SAYING IN A CLEAR
AND UNIFIED VOICE WE DON'T
ACCEPT THE MESSAGE. WE WANT
COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE YES,
THEY SHOULD VOTE YES ON OUR
RESOLUTION. I SHOULD SAY IF
WORKING PEOPLE WONDER HOW
DEMOCRATS CAN OFTEN GET AWAY
WITH TAKING SUCH COWARDLY
POSITIONS. LOOK NO FURTHER
THAN THE SELF-APPOINTED
LEADERS, WHO ARE ULTIMATELY
BEHIND THE SCENE. FORTUNATELY
AS I SAID THE CHAMBERS ARE OLD
WITH ALL OF YOU WORKING-CLASS
PEOPLE, COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM
DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES,
INCLUDING PALESTINIANS AND
JUICE, BEYOND THAT, PREPARED
THERE, MARCHED WEEK AFTER WEEK
AGAINST THIS WAR, AREN'T
AFRAID TO STEP UP TO THE
DEMOCRATIC SESSION, THE COZY
RELATIONSHIP. OTHER STUFF
LATER, AND FIGHT FOR THE 15
HOUR MINIMUM WAGE, AND
ACCEPTING THE CEASE-FIRE AND
WE WILL CLAIM VICTORY, AND
SHOULD EVEN BOTHER. AND WE
CAN GET ANYTHING WE ARE
DEMANDING, AND WHAT ACTUALLY
HAPPENED AND THIS LOGIC. AND
IT SHOWS WE SHOULD JUST HAVE
ACCEPTED IT, QUITE GOOD, AND
THE MISINTERPRETATION OF
HISTORY, THE HONEST TRUTH IS
THAT IF I OR ANY OF THE OTHER
ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE LEADING
THE 15 NOW MOVEMENT, HAD
ACCEPTED THE LOGIC, WE WOULD
NOT HAVE WON SEEN IT ALL, AND
I'M NOT SURE IF WE WOULD OF WON
ANY MINIMUM WAGE. A FIGHT LED
BY WORKING PEOPLE, AND WE
FOUGHT UNTIL THE VERY LAST
SECOND, THAT IS WHY WE WON THE
STORK VICTORY, LET'S NOT FORGET
THAT.
>> THANK YOU. ARE YOU DONE?
>> I HAVE OTHER COMMENTS BUT I
WILL STOP FOR NOW.
>> YES, WE HAVE SOME OTHER
MOTIONS TO MOVE. I'M GOING TO
OPEN THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW TO
OTHER COMMENTS FROM OUR
COLLEAGUES. COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA QUICK
>> THINK YOU VERY MUCH, I MOVED
TO AMEND RESOLUTION 32118 AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT A AND
PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED.
>> SECOND. ISOLATED COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT AND COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA, IT HAS BEEN
MOVED AND SECONDED TO AMEND
RESOLUTION 32118 AS PRESENTED
ON AMENDMENT A, COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOUR RECOGNIZE
TO ADDRESS IT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
PRESIDENT, COLLEAGUES, THE
COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE SIGNED
ON TO THIS AMENDMENT, WE BRING
IT FORWARD TO SHOW COMMON
GROUND IN OUR CALL FOR ENDING
BLOODSHED, BY CALLING FOR A
CEASE-FIRE IN ISRAEL AND
PALESTINE. I'M PROUD THIS
AMENDMENT HAS BEEN WORKED ON
AND ASKED FOR BY LARGE
COALITION, INTERFAITH ENTITY
COALITION BROUGHT FORWARD TO
ASKED FOR AN AMENDMENT TO CALL
FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM
CEASE-FIRE. THE RETURN OF ALL
HOSTAGES, AND THE DELIVERY OF
ADEQUATE HUMANITARIAN AID TO
THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. IT
AFFIRMS OUR COMMITMENT TO
COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM, ISLAMIC
PHOBIA, AND ANTI-PALESTINIAN
AND ANTI-ARAB BIGOTRY. IT
UNDERSCORES OUR SUPPORT FOR THE
PEOPLE OF BOTH ISRAEL AND
PALESTINE TO LIVE IN PEACE AND
SECURITY IN THE RIGHT OF ALL
PEOPLE TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK
AND PRAY AND ENGAGE IN PEACEFUL
PROTEST. ALL WITHOUT THREATS,
INTIMIDATION OR DEATH. IT
CONDEMNS VIOLATIONS OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW, INCLUDING
BOTH THE ATTACK ON OCTOBER 7,
BY HAMAS, AND THE ISRAELI
MILITARY'S RESPONSE ON THE 2.3
MILLION PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
LIVING IN GAZA, NEARLY HALF OF
WHOM ARE CHILDREN, SINCE THEN.
WE HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS AND
CALLS OF SUPPORT FOR THE
CEMENTED. IN A SPECIFIC LETTER
SIGNED BY 60 INDIVIDUALS
SIGNING THE LETTER ALONG WITH
100 THE ORGANIZATION, THE
LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR AMENDMENT
A REES, WE JOINED PALESTINIAN
AND JEWISH LEADERS AND
SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION VIA
THE AMENDMENT BY COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA AS A WAY TO
PASS SOMETHING THAT FOCUS ON
THE IMMEDIATE URGENT NEEDS
RELATED TO STOPPING AND
STOPPAGE OF THE VIOLENCE AND
BLOODSHED , INCLUDING THE
KILLING OF CHILDREN AND
CIVILIANS. THE LETTER GOES ON
TO SAY THE AMENDED RESOLUTION
WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE LANGUAGE
OF THE CEASE-FIRE NOW
RESOLUTION LED BY CONGRESSMAN
COREY BUSH AND RASHIDA TLAIB,
WHICH IS IN FRONT OF THE
CONGRESS MEMBERS RIGHT NOW.". I
WANT TO THANK COUNCIL
PRESIDENT JUAREZ, AND COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD BE WITH ME ON
THIS AMENDMENT, TO TRY TO FIND
COMMON GROUND TO ADVANCE THIS
AMENDMENT HERE TODAY.
COLLEAGUES, A CEASE-FIRE IS
ESSENTIAL NOW TO STOP OR
DEATHS, AS WELL AS A SAFE
RETURN AND EXCHANGE OF ALL
HOSTAGES. OVER A MONTH AGO ON
OCTOBER 7, 1200 AND IS ISRAELIS
WERE KILLED, AND SINCE THEN NOW
OVER 12,000 PALESTINIANS HAVE
BEEN KILLED. NEARLY HALF OF
THOSE CHILDREN. THIS MORNING,
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS
HEADLINE READ, GAZA'S HEALTH
OFFICIALS SAY THEY LOST THE
ABILITY TO COUNT THE DEAD AS
THE IS REALLY OFFENSIVE
INTENSIFIES. WE KNOW THAT ONE
CHILD IS KILLED EVERY 15
MINUTES IN THE IS THE ISRAELI
ATTACK. NOWHERE IN THE WORLD
SHOULD BE TOLERATED TO SEE
INNOCENT PEOPLE TARGETED. NOT
REFUGEE CAMPS, NOT HOSPITALS,
NON-PEDIATRIC CANCER CENTER
WORDS, NOT IN THE CUES, AND
NOT PEACEFULLY OUTSIDE. NOWHERE
IN THE WORLD SHOULD CLICK THE
PUNISHMENT THROUGH BOMBING AND
THE LIMITATION OF WATER, FOOD
AND FUEL BE TOLERATED. NOWHERE.
IT WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED IN
ISRAEL, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE
TOLERATED IN PALESTINE. THIS
AMENDMENT IS BROUGHT FORWARD
WITH THE GOAL AND INTENT TO ADD
TO THE VOICES THAT ARE JUST
TRYING TO END THE BLOODSHED AND
SAVE LIVES RIGHT NOW. EVERY
DAY, NEARLY 500 MORE PEOPLE ARE
KILLED, THIS IS NOT THE TIME
FOR GRANDSTANDING, WHEN
FINDING COMMON GROUND AND
UNITING AROUND THE URGENT CALL
FOR A CEASE-FIRE NOW, AND THE
RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES, IT
SHOULD BE OUR UNITING GOAL. I
PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
THOSE TO SEEK A WAY TO ADVANCE
THE EFFORTS TO CALL FOR A
CEASE-FIRE NOW IN EARNEST, AND
THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING FOR TODAY
WITH THIS AMENDMENT WITH OUR
COLLEAGUES. LAST MONTH I CALLED
FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE AND
ADDED MY NAME TO THE GROWING
LIST OF INTERNATIONAL LEADERS,
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND
INTERNATIONALS UNITARIAN
ORGANIZATION. COMMUNITY
MEMBERS ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND
IMMEDIATE HUMANITARIAN
CEASE-FIRE, ONE THAT IS LONGER
THAN CEASE-FIRE. AND THE
CEASE-FIRE, LONG-TERM, AND
RETURN OF UNITARIAN AID AND
PAST RESOLUTION SIMILAR,
RICHMOND AND PROVIDENCE,
AKRON OHIO. AND CALIFORNIA,
EASTON PENNSYLVANIA. IN
MICHIGAN, AND JOIN NOW, AND
INCLUDES A JEWISH MEMBER OF
CONGRESS FROM VERMONT, JOINING
INTERNATIONAL PRIME MINISTERS
AND PRESIDENTS, ALONG WITH THE
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION,
GLOBALLY CALLING FOR A
CEASE-FIRE, AND PASSI
RESOLUTION, AND WATER FOOD
AND MEDICINE, AND WE DO IT
THE SAME TIME, THE HATE SPEECH
IS ESCALATING IN SEATTLE AND
AROUND THE GLOBE. THE SEATTLE
TIMES HEADLINE SAID, HE SAT
SEATTLE AREA PALESTINIANS ARE
WATCHING AND WERE IN FEAR, AND
THEY REPORTED, IMPACTED
VIOLENCE, FROM INCREASED
ANTI-SEMITIC ACTS OF VIOLENCE
AS WELL. WE'VE SEEN INCREASED
ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-ARAB AND
ANTI-MUSLIM HATE AND BIGOTRY
AND THREATS ESCALATE AROUND
SEATTLE. WE'VE SEEN SYNAGOGUES
BE TARGETED AND INDIVIDUALS BE
HARASSED, WE KNOW THAT OUR
COMMUNITY IS EXPERIENCING FEAR
AND VITRIOL AND SEEING HATE ON
THE RISE. WE MUST NOT TURN
AGAINST EACH OTHER, WE MUST
NOT INCITE FURTHER DIVISIVENESS
AND VIOLENCE, THESE
INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT
REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT.
THIS IS AN AMENDMENT THAT IS
CONDEMNING EXTRA GOVERNMENT
AND INDIVIDUAL ENTITIES, AND
NOT PEOPLE , AND WE
UNIVERSALLY CONDEMNED
ANTI-SEMITISM, ISLAMIC PHOBIA,
XENOPHOBIA, ANTI-ARAB AND
ANTI-PALESTINIAN BIGOTRY AND
THE VIOLENCE THAT HAS RESULTED
AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE
ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN
ISRAEL PALESTINE AND WE
UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMN IS
ASKED HERE, IN SEATTLE AND
GLOBALLY, I WILL SAYING, I
KNOW I RECEIVED CALLS WAS
DAILY FOR MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY ARE CONCERNED BOTH
FOR MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY
LIVING IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL,
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DIRECTLY
AFFECTS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS
WE HEARD THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT
AND THE LETTERS WE RECEIVED,
AND THE 15 OTHER CITIES AND 27
AS OF CONGRESS, INTERNATIONAL
PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS.
IT IS PART OF OUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNITY TO FIND COMMON
GROUND TO ADD HER VOICE TO THE
CALL FOR A CEASE-FIRE TO
ENSURE GREATER PEACE AND
STABILITY OF COURSE FOR THE
REGION BUT FOR PEACE AND
SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR A
RESIDENCE AS WELL. THE LETTER
THAT WE RECEIVED AND I WENT
WITH THIS COUNCIL PRESIDENT,
CONCLUDES , AND YOU SHOULD'VE
RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY IT WAS
SENT AROUND NOON WITH THE 60
SOME INDIVIDUALS AND 150
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SIGNED ON,
IT CONCLUDES, WE IT FIRMLY
BELIEVES THAT THE CALL SET
FORTH, HELPING TO BRING
BETTER SAFETY FOR ALL PEOPLE
LIVING IN THE REGION,
PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS
ALIKE, A CEASE-FIRE AND THE
RESTORATION OF BASIC
NECESSITIES ALONG WITH
HUMANITARIAN AID WOULD ENABLE
THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL
SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING THE
RELEASE AND SAFE RETURN OF ALL
HOSTAGES, RATHER THAN
PERPETUATE VIOLENCE FROM
MILITARY OPTIONS. GIVEN THE
RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM,
XENOPHOBIA, ANTI-PALESTINIAN
AND ANTI-ARAB BIGOTRY, THE
LANGUAGE HELPS MAKE IT CLEAR
THAT THE CITY OF SEATTLE WILL
NOT CONDONE SUCH HATRED AND
DIVISIVENESS REGARDLESS OF
WORD OCCURS.". THANK YOU TO
THE COMMUNITY FOR WRITING IN
WITH SUPPORT AND URGING TO
FIND A PATH FORWARD SO WE CAN
FIND COMMON GROUND, PASSED A
RESOLUTION AND ADVANCE THIS
CALL. THANK YOU.
>> I'M GOING TO KIND OF
EXPLAIN . THE MAP, COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT PUT FORWARD A
RESOLUTION, AND COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA PUT FORWARD AN
AMENDMENT, TITLED AMENDMENT A,
I'M GOING TO OPEN THE FLOOR TO
MY COLLEAGUES REGARDING
COLLEAGUES DESPERATE REACTIONS
TO AMENDMENT A, COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS, I SEE YOU HAVE YOUR
HAND UP, PLEASE.
>> COLLEAGUES, I HAVE A FAMILY
MEMBER IN THE HOSPITAL, I WAS
PLANNING TO VISIT WITH THEM
TOMORROW BUT IT'S VERY CLEAR
THAT I SHOULD'VE BEEN THERE
HOURS AGO, I LEARNED ABOUT
THIS BEFORE FULL COUNCIL. IT
IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE HERE
AND SHARE MY THOUGHTS ON THIS
TOPIC IN PARTICULAR, AND I
REALLY HOPE THAT I DON'T LOOK
BACK ON THIS DAY IN SESSION OF
LEFT THE MEETING AT THE
BEGINNING OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'VE HEARD A LOT OF PUBLIC
COMMENTS TODAY THAT SPEAK ON
AN ISSUE THAT IS CURRENTLY
PERSONAL TO ME, I'M NOT GOING
TO SHARE MY STORY WITH YOU, I
KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE
HURTING AND THE DISCOURSE I
HEARD TODAY IS NOT HELPFUL OR
SUPPORTIVE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC
PROCESS. THE PAIN THAT YOU
FEEL ONCE DESMOND TRANSFERRED
TO YOUR WORDS, MAYBE SEEN IN
DIFFERENT WAYS, JUST BECAUSE
YOU ARE HURTING DOES NOT GIVE
YOU THE PREROGATIVE TO SPREAD
THAT HURT UPON OTHERS.
SPEAKING ON THE RESOLUTION, THE
CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY THAT
HAMAS COMMITTED CANNOT BE
UNANSWERED, JUSTICE MUST
OCCUR, THAT CANNOT BE ANSWERED
BY THE IMMENSE DEATH AND
SUFFERING OF CHILDREN AND OTHER
VULNERABLE CIVILIANS. THE
VIOLENCE IN OCTOBER 7 WAS
TERRIFIC, THE VIOLENCE OF THE
LAST MONTH CONTINUES THIS
TRAGEDY ACROSS FAMILIES,
COMMITTEES IN THE WORLD. IN THE
LAST MONTH WE HAVE SEEN A RISE
IN ANTI-SEMITISM, ISLAMIC
PHOBIA, XENOPHOBIA, WE MUST DO
EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STOP THE
STATE FROM RIPPLING THROUGH OUR
COMMUNITIES. I CONDEMNED THE
TARGETING AND KILLING OF
CIVILIANS, ISRAELI OR HOUSTON,
OF ANY FAITH BACKGROUND, AND I
CONDEMNED IS ON THE PHOBIA AND
XENOPHOBIA, I BELIEVE A
CEASE-FIRE OR A PAUSE OR
WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT
WILL BENEFIT THE ENTIRE WORD
DOESN'T WORLD AND SHOULD HAPPEN
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS
DOESN'T MEAN SEIZING IT IN
RESPONSE TO OCTOBER 7, IT
DOES MEAN GIVING TIME TO GET
OUT OF THE WAY TO A SAFER
PLACE. THE FRUSTRATION YOU
HEAR FROM ME TODAY IS BECAUSE I
DID NOT RECEIVE THE TIME I
NEEDED TO REVIEW THIS DRAFT.
TO COMMUNICATE THE CONTENT WITH
MY COMMUNITY. AND MOREOVER,
BECAUSE THERE ACTIVE
NEGOTIATIONS OCCURRING RIGHT
NOW REGARDING PAUSING THE
CONFLICT TO RETURN HOSTAGES AS
WELL, THERE'VE ALREADY BEEN
PAUSES FOR HUMANITARIAN REASONS
AND ABOVE ALL ELSE I DON'T
THINK THE RESOLUTION WILL BE
TO THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING THIS
DIRECTION AT THIS POINT. I DO
HAVE ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE
CONTENT IN THE RESOLUTION. I DO
HAVE ISSUES WITH THE PROCESS
DISTRIBUTED, AND I BELIEVE THIS
WORLD HAS NO PLACE FOR THE HATE
AND VIOLENCE LEVELED ON OCTOBER
7. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO
VIOLENCE AND FIGHTING TO TAKE A
PAUSE TO LET INNOCENT PEOPLE
GET OUT OF THE WAY. I'M GOING
TO READ SOME WORDS OF PRESIDENT
BIDEN WROTE THIS WEEK, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT, IF THAT'S OKAY. IN
THE WORDS OF OUR PRESIDENT, JOE
BIDEN, OUR GOAL SHOULD NOT BE
TO SIMPLY STOP THE WAR BUT TO
END IT FOREVER. BREAK THE
CYCLE OF CEASING -- AND
CEASING VIOLENCE AND STRONG AND
POSITIVE ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST
SO THAT HISTORY DOES NOT REPEAT
ITSELF. TO HAVE A FUTURE THAT
HAS NO PLACE FOR HAMAS IS
VIOLENCE AND HATE. PRESIDENT
BIDEN BELIEVES THAT ATTEMPTING
TO DESTROY THAT FUTURE IS ONE
REASON WHY I MUST GIVE THE
VIOLENCE. AND THE LONG-TERM
SECURITY FOR PEOPLE. RIGHT NOW
IT MAY SEEM LIKE A FUTURE THAT
HAS NEVER BEEN FURTHER AWAY.
AND IT HAS MADE IT MORE
IMPERATIVE THAN EVER, A TWO
STATE SOLUTION TO PEOPLE
LIVING SIDE-BY-SIDE IN EQUAL
MEASURES OF FREEDOM AND
OPPORTUNITY, MUST LEAD TO
PEACE, AND REACHING IT WILL
TAKE COMMITMENTS FROM ISRAELIS
AND PALESTINIANS AS WELL AS OUR
ALLIES AND PARTNERS AND THE
WORK START NOW. TO THAT END
UNITED STATES HAS PROPOSED
BASIC PRINCIPLES TRY TO MOVE
FORWARD TO GIVE THE WORLD A
FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BUILD
AND TO START GAZA MUST NEVER
BE USED AS A PLATFORM FOR
TERRORISM. THERE MUST BE NO
FORCEFUL DISPLACEMENT OF
PALESTINIANS, AND NO SIEGE,
AND A REDUCTION OF TERRITORY,
AND THE VOICES OF PALESTINIAN
PEOPLE AND THEIR ASPIRATIONS
MUST BE AT THE CENTER OF THE
ASPIRATIONS AND GAZA, AND THE
WORDS OF PRESIDENT BIDEN, AS
WE STRIVE FOR PEACE, GAZA AND
THE WEST BANK SHOULD BE UNDER
A SINGLE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
UNDER A REVITALIZED -- TOWARDS
A TWO STATE SOLUTION.
PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS BEEN
EMPATHETIC WITH ISRAELIS
LEADERS -- VIOLENCE AGAINST
PALESTINIANS IN THE WEST BANK
AND IT MUST BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE. THE UNITED STATES
IS PREPARED TO TAKE HER ON
STEPS INCLUDING ISSUING VISA
BANDS AGAINST EXTREMIST ATTACKS
ON THE WINGS IN THE WEST BANK.
PRESIDENT BIDEN CONTINUES
THAT THE INTERNATIONAL
COMMUNITY MUST COMMIT RESOURCES
TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF GAZA
IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF
THIS CRISIS INCLUDING INTERIM
SECURITY MEMBERS AND ESTABLISH
A RECONSTRUCTION MECHANISM TO
SUSTAINABLY MEET GAZA'S
LONG-TERM NEEDS IMPERATIVE
THAT NO TERRORIST THREAT EVER
EMANATES FROM GAZA OR THE WEST
BANK. IF WE CAN AGREE ON THESE
FIRST STEPS , AND TAKE THEM
TOGETHER, WE CAN BEGIN TO
IMAGINE A DIFFERENT FUTURE.
IN THE MONTHS AHEAD THE UNITED
NATIONS WILL REDOUBLE OUR
EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH A MORE
PEACEFUL, INTEGRATED AND
PROSPEROUS MIDDLE EAST. A
REGION WERE A DAY LIKE OCTOBER
7, THE UNTHINKABLE, MY WORDS
TO MY CHILDREN, BECAUSE I KNOW
THIS DAY WILL NEVER BE
FORGOTTEN. IN MY WORDS, WE MUST
SUPPORT BIDEN'S EFFORT FOR
CESSATION OF WAR, HOSTAGES
MUST BE RELEASED, WE MUST
PREVENT THE ONGOING
DESTRUCTION AND CALAMITY.
THANK YOU COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
STRAUSS COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON
IN KEEPING WITH MY GENERAL
PRACTICE, I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN
FROM THIS RESOLUTION, BECAUSE
IN THIS AMENDMENT, I MIGHT AS
WELL SAY IT ALL AT ONCE,
BECAUSE FOREIGN-POLICY IS NOT
MY JOB AND I'M NOT GOING TO
TELL MEMBERS OF OUR
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HOW TO
DO THEIR JOBS. AND WILL
MEANING NO DISRESPECT TO THE MM
ITS COSPONSORS BUT I BELIEVE
THAT TRYING TO DEAL WITH
TRAN12'S RESOLUTION BY
EXTENSIVELY AMENDING IT IS NOT
AN IMPROVEMENT IF IT DOESN'T
HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THOSE THAT
IT PURPORTS TO REPRESENT HER
BEYOND COMMON GROUND WITH. YOU
MIGHT NOT HAVE NOTICED IT IN
THE INBOX BUT RECEIVED IN IN
DESPERATE AN EMAIL FROM MAX
CASH NICK FROM THE COMMUNITY
RELATIONS COUNCIL OF THE JEWISH
FEDERATION OF GREATER SEATTLE,
REPRESENTING 35 MEMBER
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SAID WE ASK
THAT YOU NOT BRING FORWARD
EITHER TRAN12'S MEASURE OR THE
SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSIDERATION
UNTIL THERE HAS BEEN A
MEANINGFUL EFFORT TO ENGAGE
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE JEWISH
COMMUNITY, YOU HAS BEEN
PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY BOTH
MEASURED DESPERATE MEASURES
AND HAVE NOT BEEN CONSULTED IN
ANY SUBSTANTIVE WAY. MY POINT
IS, IT'S VERY COMPLICATED, AND
MY ABSTENTIONS TODAY DON'T MEAN
THAT I DON'T HAVE STRONG
OPINIONS ABOUT THESE AMENDMENTS
BUT I HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT
WITH THE POSITION THAT I'VE
TAKEN ON SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS IN
THE PAST INVOLVING
INTERNATIONAL POLICY. WE HAVE
A LOT OF OTHER THINGS ALREADY
IN SEATTLE, OUR CONSTITUENTS
WANT US TO FOCUS ON OUR CHARTER
DUTIES. SO LET'S STAY IN OUR
LANE AND JUST DO THAT, SO THAT
IS MIKE'S DONATION FOR THE
VOTES THAT ARE HERE TO COME
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON. ARE THERE ANY OTHER
COMMENTS REGARDING THE
AMENDMENT A? COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD THINK YOU SO MUCH.
MADAM PRESIDENT, THANK YOU,
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER FOR
BEING THE LEAD SPONSOR, I AM
PRIVILEGED TO JOIN YOU IN THE
COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON
SPONSORING THIS. IF I COULD
JUST HAVE A MOMENT, I WOULD
LIKE TO READ A VERY SHORT
RESOLUTION THAT IS BEFORE THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IT
HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVES BUSH, TO
LEAD, CARSON, LEE, RAMIREZ,
BAUMAN, COLEMAN, GARCIA,
CAUSIO CORTEZ, VELASQUEZ AND
PRESLEY, IT SAYS SIMPLY
WHEREAS ALL HUMAN LIFE IS
PRECIOUS, AND THE TARGETING OF
CIVILIANS NO MATTER THEIR FAITH
OR ETHNICITY IS A VIOLATION OF
INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW,
WHEREAS BETWEEN OCTOBER 7 AND
OCTOBER 16 2023, ARMED
VIOLENCE HAS CLAIMED THE LIVES
OF OVER 2700 PALESTINIANS AND
1400 ISRAELIS, INCLUDING
AMERICANS, AND WOUNDED
THOUSANDS OF MORE, OF COURSE
THOSE NUMBERS ARE BEING
UPDATED, WHEREAS HUNDREDS OF
THOUSANDS OF LIVES WITH THE
UNREST, AND HUMANITARIAN AID
IS NOT DELIVERED WITHOUT DELAY
AND WHEREAS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IMMENSE O-MATIC
POWER TO SAVE ISRAELI AND
PALESTINIAN LIVES, BE IT
RESOLVED THAT THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES URGES THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION IN THE CALLED
FOR, WITH THE ESCALATION IN
THE CEASE-FIRE TO URGENTLY AND
VIOLENCE AND CALLS UPON
HUMANITARIAN ADMINISTRATION FOR
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO
PROBABLY SEND AND FACILITATE
THE ENTRY OF THAT HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE INTO GAZA. I'M
READING THIS RESOLUTION TO
MAKE THE POINT THAT IT IS A
STRONG RESOLUTION. IT IS A
STRONG RESOLUTION, BECAUSE IT
IS NARROWLY FOCUSED ON THE
IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES. OF A
CEASE-FIRE , HUMANITARIAN AID,
AND FREEING THE HOSTAGES, AND
A STATEMENT AGAINST ISLAM A
PHOBIA, AND ANTI-MUSLIM
SENTIMENT. AND WHAT MAKES IT
STRONG IS THE FOCUS. AND A
LONG RESOLUTION THAT LISTS THE
ORIGINS OF THE CONFLICT,
POLITICAL OBJECTIVES,
INFORMATION THAT MAYBE NOT
EVERYBODY AGREES WITH, THAT
DOES NOT MAKE A RESOLUTION
STRONGER. ARE RESOLUTIONS
SIMPLY STATE SUPPORT FOR
CEASE-FIRE, HUMANITARIAN AID,
A RETURN OF THE HOSTAGES AS
WELL AS UNEQUIVOCALLY
CONDEMNING ANY ANTI-SEMITISM
OR ANTI-ISLAMIC ACTION IN THE
COUNTRY. I BELIEVE IF YOU WANT
TO EFFECTIVELY CALL FOR
CEASE-FIRE, YOU MUST HAVE A
LASER FOCUS ON THE CALL FOR AN
IMMEDIATE END TO BLOODSHED.
AGAIN, CONCEPTS SUCH AS THE
ORIGINS OF THE CONFLICT ,
ENDING ALL U.S. MILITARY
FUNDING, AND LONGER-TERM
POLITICAL OBJECTIVES LIKE
ENDING THE OCCUPATION,
DISTRACTS FROM THE CALL FOR A
CEASE-FIRE TO THE HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS NOT
A WATERED-DOWN RESOLUTION, IT
IS FOCUSED. IS FOCUSED ON
IMPROVING THE IMMEDIATE
POSITION FOR GUYS IS TO .3
MILLION PEOPLE, 1.7 LANE OF
WHOM HAVE BEEN DISPLACED,
SINCE THE OCTOBER 7 HAMAS
ATTACKING ISRAEL WHICH
RESULTED IN THE KILLING OF 1200
ISRAELIS AND THE CAPTURE OF
240 HOSTAGES. SINCE THEN, MORE
THAN 11,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
KILLED AND BESIEGED GAZA
APPEARED AND THE STATEMENT OF
PEACE, IS A STATEMENT THAT AS
MORE COUNCILMEMBERS VOTING WITH
A UNIFIED VOICE, AND FOR THOSE
WHO ARE INSISTING ON THE
INCLUSION OF THIS CONTENT,
BEYOND THESE ELEMENTS OF
PRIORITY, I HOPE THAT YOU
THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF
INSISTING ON INCLUDING LANGUAGE
THAT RESULTS IN A
>> STATEMENT WITH LESS
SUPPORT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD. THESE ARE OUR
COMMENTS REGARDING THE
AMENDMENT A, AND COUNCIL
MEMBER MORALES.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE
THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS HERE,
THIS IS A DEEPLY PERSONAL
ISSUE FOR ME AS WELL. MY FAMILY
HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO MAKE
SENSE OF THE TERRORIST ACTS OF
HAMAS, OF THE BOMBARDMENT OF'S
PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS, AND THE
SHEER HORROR OF WHAT THE WORLD
IS WITNESSING RIGHT NOW. MY
TEMPLE WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT
RECEIVED A PACKAGE OF
SUSPICIOUS WHITE POWDER. IN
THE MAIL, ALONG WITH SEVERAL
OTHERS ACROSS THE CITY. MY
KIDS ARE COMING HOME WITH
STORIES OF ISLAM A PHOBIC
LANGUAGE AND ANTI-SEMITIC
LANGUAGE BEING USED AT SCHOOL,
AND ARE TRYING TO PROCESS WHAT
IT MEANS WHEN IT IS IN FACT
THEIR OWN FRIENDS WHO ARE USING
THIS KIND OF LANGUAGE. WE ALL
AGREE THAT INNOCENT CHILDREN ,
INNOCENT CIVILIANS, SHOULD NOT
BE SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES
OF THIS BOMBARDMENT.
JOURNALISTS SHOULD NOT BE
TARGETED FOR DOING THEIR JOBS.
I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT THERE
SEEMS TO BE NEGOTIATIONS
PROCEEDING TO BRING ISRAELI
HOSTAGES HOME AND TO ALLOW FOR
HUMANITARIAN AID. TO GET TO
THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. I DO
BELIEVE THAT THIS RESOLUTION AS
AMENDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE
HUMANITY OF BOTH PALESTINIANS
AND ISRAELIS, IT ACKNOWLEDGES
THE SUFFERING OF EVERYONE WHO
HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS
CONFLICT. AND IT CONDEMNS BOTH
THE ATTACKS BY HAMAS AND THE
KILLING OF 14,000 INNOCENT
CIVILIANS. IT CALLS NOT ONLY
FOR CEASE-FIRE BUT FOR THE
RETURN OF HOSTAGES IN
HUMANITARIAN AID CORRIDORS,
AND ANTI- ARAB ACTIONS. I
WILL CAN CONCUR AND IT MAKES
A STRONGER STATEMENT AND I
WILL BE SUPPORTING IT. THANK
YOU.
>> GO HEAD. GO AHEAD.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT.
>> I SEE YOUR HAND IS UP WE
CAN HEAR YOU, I GET ATTACHMENT
I AM GUESSING THAT YOU WILL BE
MOVING THE AMENDMENT, LITTER A
1.
>> DID YOU CALL ME?
>> YES, I KNOW YOU HAVE AN
AMENDMENT FOR ME.
>> AND THE AMENDMENT, PUT
FORWARD WITH BY COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA. I HAVE TO SAY,
I HAVE SEVERAL COMMENTS, BUT
YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A SPECIAL
KIND OF OUT OF TOUCH NESS TO
QUOTE PRESIDENT BIDEN. AT THIS
MOMENT .
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> TO QUOTE PRESIDENT BIDEN TO
THINK THAT IS GOING TO GO OVER
WELL WITH THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT.
YOU HAVE TO BE ESPECIALLY OUT
OF TOUCH FOR THAT.
COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE SAID THIS
IS A STRONG RESOLUTION, JUST
CALLING FOR CEASE-FIRE, IT IS
A STRONG RESOLUTION, AND
REFUSING TO PASS ANYTHING, AND
ABSOLUTELY SHOWS. AND THEIR
PARTY LEADERS, THEY DON'T WANT
THEM TO CALL FOR CEASE-FIRE.
DOING ABSOLUTELY WRONG DESIREE
ACTUALLY STRONG. AND IN
MICHIGAN, AND RICHMOND
CALIFORNIA, AS IF THE SUPPORT
FOR THE WATERED-DOWN
RESOLUTION, IN BOTH OF THESE
CITIES, THEY CALLED UP THE U.S.
FUNDING THEY SAID WE DON'T WANT
U.S. FUNDING FOR THE ISRAELI
STATE. EITHER THE DEMOCRATS
NEED TO DO BETTER RESEARCH OR
DELIBERATELY TRYING TO FOOL
PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY THINK WE
HAVEN'T DONE OUR RESEARCH.
>> AND FOR COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD TO SAY THAT IF OUR
RESOLUTION, WHICH CALLS FOR NOT
ONLY A CEASE-FIRE BUT REJECTS
AND CALLS FOR AN AND FOR U.S.
FUNDING FOR THE ISRAELIS DATE
AND CALLS FOR AN END TO
OCCUPATION, IS A
>> STATEMENT, THAT IS RANK
POLITICAL GAS LIGHTING.
>> [ CHEERING ]
>> I AM GOING TO ASK THAT YOU
WRAP UP AND MOVE YOUR
AMENDMENT.
>> I'M SORRY I HAVE TO SPEAK
TO THIS AMENDMENT.
>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT WE ARE
ALSO WAITING FOR YOUR
AMENDMENT.
>> I'M GOING TO SPEAK. THERE
WAS A CEASE-FIRE IN 1949 AFTER
THE WAR, THAT DISPLACED
750,000 PALESTINIANS LED TO
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE
OF ISRAEL. THERE WAS A
CEASE-FIRE IN 1956 AFTER THE
ISRAELI MILITARY INVADED SINAI
WITH THE SUPPORT OF BRITISH
AND FRENCH IMPERIALISM. THERE
WAS A CEASE-FIRE IN 1967 AFTER
THE SIX-DAY WAR IN WHICH ISRAEL
CAPTURED AND OCCUPIED THE WEST
BANK, EAST JERUSALEM, THE GAZA
STRIP AND THE GOLAN HEIGHTS,
AND 1973 AFTER ARAB COUNTRIES
ATTACKED ISRAEL IN THE YOM
KIPPUR -- YOM KIPPUR WAR, AND
ISRAEL COUNTERATTACKED, AND THE
CIVIL WAR AND LEBANON, AND
THERE WAS A CEASE-FIRE IN 2008
BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS THAT
HELD FOR FIVE MONTHS UNTIL IT
WAS BROKEN BY ISRAEL ON
ELECTION DAY IN AMERICA WHEN
OBAMA WAS ELECTED, TO LAUNCH
OPERATION CAST LEAD, 2009
AFTER ISRAEL LAUNCHED ATTACKS
ON GAZA, IN 2012 ISRAEL
ASSASSINATED A SENIOR ISRAELI
OFFICIAL, RESPONSIBLE FOR
NEGOTIATING CEASE-FIRES WITH
ISRAEL. AND AT THE MOMENT HE
WAS ASSASSINATED HE WAS IN THE
MIDST OF NEGOTIATING A QUOTE
UNQUOTE LONG-TERM CEASE-FIRE.
IT TICKED OFF THE OPERATION
PILLAR OF DEFENSE ANOTHER
HORRIFIC EPISODE THAT THE
ISRAELI MILITARY CYNICALLY
CALLED MOWING THE LAWN. A
CEASE-FIRE IN 2021 AFTER THE 11
DAY WAR, AND 2022 AFTER
ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF
HOSTILITIES. OF COURSE I
SUPPORT ANOTHER CEASE-FIRE I
URGE COUNCILMEMBERS TO THINK
ABOUT WHAT THIS ENTIRE LITANY
OF HISTORY MEANS. IF DEMOCRATS
IN AND INTO SIMPLY GIVING
LICENSE TO ANOTHER FUTURE
CONFLICT AND ANOTHER WAR, AND
FALL SHORT OF WHAT THE ANTIWAR
MOVEMENT IS DEMANDING. OR THE
56 MILLION YEARS AGO THE
IMMEDIATE WAKE OF THE SIX-DAY
WAR IN WHICH ISRAEL CAPTURED
GAZA, THE WEST BANK , EAST
JERUSALEM AND THE GOLAN
HEIGHTS, THANK YOU, AND IS
REALLY SOCIALIST AND ISRAELI
DAILY NEWSPAPERS, IT READ
QUOTE, ALL RIGHT TO DEFEND
OURSELVES FROM EXTERMINATION
DOES NOT GIVE US THE RIGHT TO
OPPRESS OTHERS. OCCUPATION
LEADS TO FOREIGN RULE, FOREIGN
RULE LEADS TO RESISTANCE,
LEADING TO REPRESSION, LEADING
TO TERROR IN COUNTERTERROR,
THE VICTIMS OF TERROR MOSTLY
INNOCENT PEOPLE, HOLDING ONTO
THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES WILL
TURN US INTO A NATION OF
MURDERERS IN MURDER VICTIMS. WE
MUST LEAVE THE OCCUPIED
TERRITORIES IMMEDIATELY. THAT
WAS FROM SOCIALISTS.
>> I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT
THE PROBLEMS WITH NOT CALLING
FOR AN END TO U.S. MILITARY
FUNDING. WORD WE THINK ALL THE
MILITARY FUNDING GOES? THIS IS
WHERE IT GOES. IT GOES FOR
THOUSANDS OF TANKS, HUNDREDS
OF ARTILLERY PIECES, HUNDREDS
OF COMBAT CAPABLE AIRCRAFT,
INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF FIGHTER
GROUND ATTACK, JETS, DOZENS
OF APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTERS
AND HUNDREDS OF TOTAL
HELICOPTERS AS A WHOLE AND
COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF NABEL --
NAVAL POWER IN SUBMARINES AND
NAVAL CONTROL LAUNCHERS, ALL
OF THIS FIREPOWER OF THE FOURTH
LARGEST MILITARY IN THE WORLD
TO SHED THE BLOOD OF INNOCENT
PEOPLE. THIS IS WHAT U.S.
IMPERIALISM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.
AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT
WHAT HAS BEEN THE REALITY IN
GAZA FOR MORE THAN DESPERATE
MANY DECADES, FOR MORE THAN 2
MILLION PALESTINIANS. THE
PALESTINIANS HAVE ALL OF THE
SOPHISTICATED -- THEY ARE
TRAPPED, AND OF THE TIGHT
CONTROL OF ISRAELI NAVAL AND
LAND FORCES, BLOCKING THE
POPULATION, NEWSWEEK RECENTLY
DETAILED THE STACKING
STAGGERING EXTENT. I'M QUOTING
NEWSWEEK, NOT A SOCIALIST
PUBLICATION, A HIGH-TECH
BORDER BARRIER COMPLETED IN
2021, THE SO-CALLED IRON
WALL, RISING AS MUCH IS 20
FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND SINK
DEEPLY INTO IT TO MAKE IT
HARDER TO TUNNEL BENEATH. IT
BOASTS A STAGGERING A WAY OF'S
OF SKIT EQUIPMENT INCLUDING
HUNDREDS OF NIGHT VISION
CAMERAS, SEISMIC SENSORS
DEABLO, AND AND THREATS,
MOBILE ROBOTS SOMETIMES PATROL
THE PERIMETER. SMALL BLIMPS
AND DRONES LOOK DOWN FROM
ABOVE AND AUTOMATED MACHINE
GUNS, THEY CAN BE FIRED FROM
REMOTE INSTALLATIONS AND
SENSOR ALERTS TO FIRE ON THEIR
OWN WITH AI DOING THE AIMING.
" . THIS IS LIKE A VERY
DYSTOPIAN SCIENCE FICTION FILM
BUT IT'S BEEN THE LIFE OF
PEOPLE IN GAZA, I HAVE COURSE
OPPOSE THIS AMENDMENT BUT I
MOVE -- I WANT TO MOVE THE
AMENDMENTS AND MAKE TWO
MOTIONS NOW, TO AMEND THE
PROPOSAL , COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA, AMENDMENT ONE TO
SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT A IS
EMAILED AT 11:55 AM THIS
MORNING, 85 MINUTES AFTER
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA SENT US
HER LANGUAGE, IT SIMPLY AS THE
LINE QUOTE, AND AN END TO THE
ISRAELI OCCUPATION AND
SUBJUGATION OF PALESTINIAN
LANDS, IN THE LIST OF WHAT
COUNCIL SUPPORTS IN SECTION 2.
CAN I HAVE A SECOND?
>> [ CHEERING ]
>> SECOND . IT HAS BEEN MOVED
AND SECONDED. TO AMEND LETTER
A AS PRESENTED IN AMENDMENT
ONE, NOW COUNCILMEMBER COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT, YOU CAN SPEAK TO
YOUR AMENDMENT ONE IN RESPONSE
TO THE COUNCILMEMBERS
AMENDMENT A. AND I'M NOT
TRYING TO STOP YOU FROM
SPEAKING, BUT YOU HAVE SPOKEN
WELL WELL OVER 25 MINUTES. IF
YOU COULD SPEAK TO YOUR
AMENDMENT, AND WE WILL HAVE A
VOTE ON IT AND THAT I KNOW YOU
HAVE A SECOND AMENDMENT TEED
UP, GO AHEAD.
>> I DON'T NEED TO SPEAK MORE
TO THE AMENDMENT. AFTER THE
VOTE I DO HAVE ANOTHER MOTION
AS YOU KNOW. ARE OKAY. HAS
BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED AS
PRESENTED ON AMENDMENT ONE,
YOU ALL HEARD IT, I'M GOING TO
ASK IF THERE ANY COMMENTS TO
TRAN12'S AMENDMENT ONE AND IF
NOT THEN WE WILL GO TO A VOTE.
ALL RIGHT
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
>> YES.
>> DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT TO
THE AMENDMENT ONE?
>> I DO. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I WILL
SPEAK TO THIS AND THE NEXT
AMENDMENT. COLLEAGUES, I KNOW
THERE WAS A A LOT OF
CONVERSATIONS, I FEEL THEY ARE
VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE
BROADER PICTURE BUT AS COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD SPOKE TO, THE
INTENT WAS TO FIND A COMMON
GROUND, SO ULTIMATELY THE
COUNCIL CAN ADVANCE A PIECE OF
LEGISLATION THAT FOCUSES ON THE
IMMEDIATE. I PERSONALLY HAVE
ALREADY CALLED FOR NOT ONLY
ENDING THE DECADES LONG
OCCUPATION BUT I ALSO DO NOT
SUPPORT FUNDING ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL FUNDING CONTINUED TO
GO TO ISRAEL AT THIS POINT,
GIVING DESPERATE GIVEN THE
ISSUES WE'VE SEEN WITH
INTERNATIONAL LAW, I'VE BEEN
CLEAR ON THOSE ISSUES AND I
WILL CONTINUE TO ACT IN
SOLIDARITY WITH MEMBERS OF THE
PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY AND
BROADER INTERFAITH DUTY, THE
LEGISLATION AND THE AMENDMENT
TO THE RESOLUTION IN FRONT OF
US WAS DRAFTED WITH A COMMON
GROUND THEME AND GIVEN THAT WE
HAVE SOUGHT TO FIND THIS PATH
FORWARD WITH THIS LEGISLATION
IN FRONT OF US AS AMENDMENT
DESPERATE AS AMENDED, I AM
HOPING TO KEEP IT INTACT, AND I
WILL BE ABSTAINING ON THIS
AMENDMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
KEEPING THE AMENDMENT AS IS.
>> WITH THAT, WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLE ON THE
ADOPTION OF COUNCILMEMBER --
TRAN12'S AMENDMENT 12
AMENDMENT A.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
ABSTAIN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON N÷E.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES .
>> NO.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
NO.
>> 1 IN FAVOR. SIX OPPOSED
AND TWO ABSTENTIONS.
>> THE MOTION FAILS,
AMENDMENT ONE IS NOT ADOPTED.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENT ,
AND THE RESOLUTION .
>> WALK ON AMENDMENT 1 TO THE
AMENDMENT ONE, JUST WANTED TO
CONFIRM THAT.
>> AND GOING TO T OF THE
SECOND AMENDMENT, COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT AMENDMENT 2 TO
SUBSTITUTE SUBSTITUTE
AMENDMENT LETTER A ALSO EMAILED
AT 11:55 AM THIS MORNING, 35
MINUTES AFTER COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA SENT THE LANGUAGE,
THIS AMENDMENT ADDS A SECTION
FOR TO THE BE IT RESOLVED AS
FOLLOWS, SECTION 4, THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL OPPOSES ALL U.S.
38 TO ISRAEL AND BELIEVES
THOSE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN
MILITARY RESOURCES ARE ENABLING
THIS WAR AND OCCUPATION AND
GREATLY INCREASING THE DANGER
OF A WIDER REGIONAL WAR. THE
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL URGES THE
U.S. CONGRESS TO OPPOSE FURTHER
FUNDING FOR THE ISRAELI
MILITARY AND REQUEST THAT THE
OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL
RELATIONS CONVEY THIS POSITION
TO SEATTLE'S CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION.
>> I WILL GIVE YOU A SECOND,
I JUST SECONDED IT FOR YOU, YOU
JUST MADE YOUR COMMENTS. I
SECONDED IT, I'M GOING TO OPEN
THE FLOOR FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES
NOW. COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
THIS IS TO SPEAK TO THE
AMENDMENT AS WELL AS TO THE
OTHER. COUNCILMEMBERS ARE
AWARE THAT COUNCILMEMBER WAS
WITH US EARLIER, HIS REMARKS
WERE DELIVERED TO
COUNCILMEMBERS BUT I WOULD
LIKE TO GET THEM ON THE RECORD,
I THINK THEY SPEAK WELL TO BOTH
OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
>> THANK YOU. HE WRITES, I
STRONGLY SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION
BY COUNCILMEMBER COUNCIL
PRESIDENT JUAREZ, COUNCIL
MEMBER HERBOLD AND COUNCIL
MEMBER MOSQUEDA. IT IS NOT HE
WATERING DOWN, IT IS A SEPARATE
ISSUE, AND TO THE POINT OF THE
AMENDMENT PROPOSED, TO THE
AMENDED VERSION. GOING ON TO
SAY I UNDERSTAND THE
LEGITIMATE CONCERN THAT
COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT AND
SUPPORTERS OF THE RESOLUTION OF
SUPPORTING MILITARY AID TO
ISRAEL. WITH THAT IS NOT THE
ISSUE HERE. LLOYD TERRY A TO
ISRAEL IS A CRUCIAL ITEM TO THE
PAID AND DISCUSSED, BUT
WRAPPING A DEMAND THAT ALL
MILITARY AID STOP NOW IS IS
LIKELY TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO
ISRAEL AS ASKING IRAN TO CEASE
FUNDING ALL MILITARY AID
FUNDAMENTALISTS TO DESTROY
ISRAEL. ASKING FOR A LONG FIRM
CEASE-FIRE AND MOVING TO A
PEACEFUL NEGOTIATION TO END
THE WAR. IF PASSED, THE
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION COULD
HAVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION WITH
A SENSIBLE AND REALISTIC
SOLUTION FORWARD. AND IT WAS
STOP ON BOTH SIDES IN A STEP
TOWARD SECURING A SAFE AND IS
-- ISRAEL AS AN INDEPENDENT
NATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND A
SEPARATE DEMOCRATIC
PALESTINIAN STATE WITHOUT IS
REALLY INTERFERENCE IN THE
DOMESTIC POLITICS. THANK YOU.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER
COMMENTS TO THE COUNCILMEMBER
NUMBER 2 TWO AMENDMENT A
BEFORE WE GO TO A VOTE? NOT
SEEING ANY . WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON
ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO TO
AMENDMENT A?
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
ABSTAIN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON
ABSTAIN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN
NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.
>> NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES NO.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ
NO.
>> 1 IN FAVOR, SIX OPPOSED AND
2 ABSTENTIONS.
>> THE MOTION FAILS, AMENDMENT
TO IS NOT ADOPTED. SO ARE
THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
AMENDMENT A QUICK
>> I HAVE COMMENTS BUT I WILL
WAIT UNTIL I HEAR FROM MIKE
COLLEAGUES.
>> CAN I CLARIFY ONE QUICK
THING QUICK
>> OKAY COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT
I WANT TO CLARIFY TO ALL THE
PEOPLE HERE THAT THE VOTE RIGHT
NOW IS ON ADOPTING THE WATER
DOWN AMENDMENT AS THE
RESOLUTION. I WILL BE VOTING
NO BUT THEN AFTER THAT WILL
COME THE FINAL VOTE FOR
WHATEVER THE RESOLUTION IS AT
THAT MOMENT. I JUST WANT TO BE
CLEAR.
>> OKAY. BEFORE WE GO TO A
VOTE, ON AMENDMENT A AS
AMENDED, I WANT TO SHARE A FEW
WORDS, AND COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD, AND STRAUSS AND
NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT THEY
HAVE SHARED COLLECTIVELY. ALL
OF US HAVE BEEN CONCERNED AND
MORE CONCERNED TO UNDERSTAND
THE HISTORY WILL BEFORE OCTOBER
7. I WANT TO SAY FROM A
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE THAT THE
DUST OF PEACE WILL NOT SETTLE
TODAY, THIS RESOLUTION, AS
COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD POINTED
OUT AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER
MOSQUEDA, THANK YOU FOR WORKING
ON THIS TOGETHER, HAS BEEN
PIECE. IT HAS BEEN LASER
FOCUSED ON A CEASE-FIRE. TO
STOP THE KILLING. HUMANITARIAN
AID IN RETURN OF THE HOSTAGES.
I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS
WATERED-DOWN. THE INTENT OF
THE RESOLUTION IS ABOUT A
HUMANITY FOR LIFE AND NOT TO
FURTHER THE PAIN AND TRAUMA OF
THE MUSLIM AND JEWISH
COMMUNITIES PEOPLE AND
CHILDREN. AND I RELATIVES ON
THEIR SOIL 7000 MILES PER WAY,
WE PRAY FOR ALL HUMAN LIFE,
AND TODAY WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE
OF DISTANCE. WE ARE NOT THERE.
AND WE DO SHARE THE PAIN AND
TRAUMA OF OUR RELATIVES OF WHAT
IS HAPPENING. WHETHER YOU'RE
MUSLIM OR JEWISH, OR OTHER
FOLKS WERE THERE IN HARMS WAY.
I DO BELIEVE THAT WE WOULD
LOVE THE COLLECTIVE VOICE OF
THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT THE
CITY OF SEATTLE WANTS TO STOP
THE COLLECTIVE KILLING. SOME OF
THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT
WERE IN YOUR FIRST RESOLUTION
ON OCTOBER 7 AND TODAY, I
AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER
HERBOLD, A LOT OF THEM ARE
ARGUABLE AND POLITICAL AND ARE
NOT GOING TO BE SETTLED TODAY.
BUT ONE THING THAT WE CAN
STRIVE FOR AND BE SUPPORTIVE OF
TO OUR CITY AND STATE
DELEGATION, CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION, IS WE ARE UNITED
WITH THE PEOPLE AND THE
CIVILIANS, FOR PEACE AND FOR
THIS WAR TO END. I DON'T WANT
PEOPLE TO FEEL THAT IF SOME
FOLKS ARE SILENT THAT MEANS
THEY ARE IN DIFFERENT. I KNOW
THE SAYING IS THAT THE BETTER
PART OF VALOR IS DISCRETION, I
WAS ALSO RAISED THAT THE
BETTER PART OF VALOR IS SILENCE
AND PRAYER AND TO LISTEN. I
WANT SOMETHING THAT BRINGS US
TOGETHER AND I THINK THE
RECOGNITION IS A RECOGNITION
THAT WE CARE ABOUT OUR
BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND
RELATIVES IN A COUNTRY AND LAND
ON SOIL 7000 MILES AWAY, FOR
THAT REASON I WILL BE VOTING
YES ON THE AMENDMENT AND I
SHOULD ADD THAT WE HAVE DONE
OUR HOMEWORK AS WELL, I'M NOT
GOING TO FAULT COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS FOR CITING PRESIDENT
BIDEN. I WANT TO THINK THE
FORMER COUNCILMEMBER BUT WE
ALSO DID HER HOMEWORK TO KNOW
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING HELD
HOSTAGE. WE DON'T JUST NEED A
HUMANITARIAN PAUSE, WE NEED A
LONG-STANDING CEASE-FIRE, WE
LOOKED AT THE UNITED NATIONS,
AND THE AGENCIES, CONDEMNING
THIS WAR. WHO IN THE WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION. HIGH
COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
SOME OF US, AND ALSO THAT
WHATEVER THAT MEANS. A
CEASE-FIRE IS A SUSPENSION OF
THE FIGHTING. AGREED TO BY
BOTH PARTIES TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO
ENGAGE IN A DIALOGUE FOR A
PERMANENT SOLUTION TO END THE
CONFLICT. WE HAVE OUR OWN
OPINIONS ABOUT ISRAEL
DISMANTLING HAMAS. AND WE HAVE
OUR OWN OPINIONS THAT WE CAN
DEFINITELY AGREE THAT WE CAN NO
LONGER HAVE DEATHS OF CIVILIANS
WHO JUST HAPPEN TO BE THERE.
AND THAT WE ARE IN SEATTLE,
WASHINGTON, AS WE HEARD SOME OF
THE FOLKS WITH PUBLIC COMMENT,
WE ARE 7000 MILES AWAY FROM THE
SOIL BUT WE ARE ALL UNDER GOD
AND THE CREATORS LIGHT. AND
THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO SAY.
SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PAUSES
AT UP TO A CEASE-FIRE BUT I
KNOW THE CITY OF SEATTLE
COLLECTIVELY SAYS STOP, AND
THAT IS WHERE MY HEART IS IN MY
MIND IS, THAT'S WHY I AM
JOINING COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD
AND COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
AND I APPRECIATE THEIR WORDS
AND COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT 'S,
I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT
YOU AND I HAD A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY A
COUPLE OF TIMES. AND I
APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS AND
YOUR PASSION. BUT I REALLY
DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO
IMPUGN YOUR COLLEAGUES, BECAUSE
I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY I
KNOW ALL OF US WANT THE SAME
THING AND OF PARTICULAR NOTE ,
THE CONCERN GOES OUT TO
COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS, AND
MORALES, WHO I'VE SPOKEN TO
AND HEARD WHAT SHE IS THAT
WITHOUT HER SYNAGOGUE AND HER
CHILDREN. AND SO THIS IS NOT
ABOUT TAKING SIDES. AND THE
RESOLUTION AND FOR THAT REASON
I WILL BE SUPPORTING OF COURSE
AMENDMENT A TO TRAN12'S
RESOLUTION. SO WITH THAT, IS
ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO ADD
COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA BEFORE
WE GO -- WE WILL VOTE ON YOUR
AMENDMENT A BEFORE WE GO TO THE
VOTE.
>> NO. THANK YOU COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> I HOPE WE CAN ALL MOVE
TOGETHER IN A GOOD WAY, BECAUSE
THAT'S HOW I WAS RAISED. AND
AMENDMENT A.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER MOSQUEDA
AYE COUNCIL MEMBER NELSON
ABSTAIN.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER PEDERSEN
YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER SAWANT NO.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER STRAUSS
YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER HERBOLD.
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER MORALES .
>> YES.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT JUAREZ .
>> YES.
>> SEVEN IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED
AND ONE ABSTENTION.
>> THANK YOU THE MOTION
CARRIES, AMENDMENT A IS
ADOPTED. SO WITH THAT ARE
THERE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS
BEFORE WE CALL THE ROLE ON THE
AMENDMENT? NOT SEEING ANY.
WITH THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL, I'M SORRY, COUNCIL
MEMBER SAWANT THANK YOU. I
THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, IS
IMPORTANT FOR US AS ACTIVISTS
IN THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT AND IS
WORKING PEOPLE, TO ALWAYS TAKE
STOCK OF POLITICAL EVENTS.
AND TO LEARN LESSONS. LESSON
NUMBER 1 TODAY IS, IF THIS
RESOLUTION PASSES CALLING FOR A
CEASE-FIRE, IT IS OUR VICTORY,
AND WE CLAIM IT.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> IN LESS THAN 15 DAYS TIME,
WE FORCE THESE DEMOCRATS, WHO
FELT FREE TO NOT EVEN SPEAK
ON OUR RESOLUTION ON NOVEMBER
7, TO BRING A RESOLUTION ON
CEASE-FIRE. THIS IS USUALLY
IMPORTANT. AND FOR A
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION TO GET
PAST IN A CITY AS PROMINENT AS
SEATTLE, THIS IS A STORY. AND
THIS COULD BE
PRECEDENT-SETTING. IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT THAT AFTERWARDS,
AFTER THIS VOTE, THAT NONE OF
YOU LEAVE, AND WE HAVE SORT OF
A QUICK RALLY WHERE WE DISCUSS
IMMEDIATELY WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS
SHOULD BE. BECAUSE WE CANNOT
REST ON WHAT WE WIN. WE HAVE
TO CONTINUE FIGHTING BACK.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERING ]
>> AND OF TODAY HAS TAUGHT US
ANYTHING, IT SHOULD TEACH US
THAT WHEN WE FIGHT, WE CAN WIN,
SO LET'S KEEP FIGHTING.
>> [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERING ]
>> BECAUSE TODAY I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR US IN TERMS OF
WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT NEXT
STEPS IN A BIT BUT I WANTED TO
JUST QUICKLY SAY, IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT, YES IT IS IMPORTANT
FOR ALL OF US, MILLIONS OF US
GLOBALLY TO BE MARCHING IN
ANTIWAR MOVEMENTS, BUT THAT'S
NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH. THE
VIETNAM WAR WAS NOT ENDED
SIMPLY BECAUSE PEOPLE MARCHED,
IT WAS ENDED BECAUSE MILLIONS
WHO WERE MARCHING WITH THE
CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF THE
STRATEGY AND TACTICS THAT WERE
NEEDED FOR THE MOVEMENT. AND
IT WAS DEFEATED, BOTH OBVIOUSLY
BECAUSE ACTIVE SOLDIERS WERE
REBELLING, BUT ALSO BECAUSE
THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND
RANK-AND-FILE UNION MEMBERS
TOOK THIS UP AS A FIGHT THAT
AFFECTS THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
AND SO I WANTED TO JUST
QUICKLY SAY IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT THE UNIONS THAT HAVE
PASSED RESOLUTIONS, AND MANY
OF THEM ARE STRONGER THAN WHAT
THE DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO
PASS, LET'S BE CLEAR, THAT IS
ALL VERY IMPORTANT. BUT
WORKERS AND UNION MEMBERS NEED
TO GO MUCH FURTHER. THE LABOR
MOVEMENT NEEDS TO MOBILIZE THE
RANK AND FIRE -- RANK-AND-FILE,
TO TAKE THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT
FORWARD. A CRUCIAL TACTIC IS
WORKERS REFUSING TO MANUFACTURE
OR TRANSPORT WEAPONS SHIPMENTS
TO ISRAEL. FOR EXAMPLE, THE
BOEING CORPORATION, WHICH IS
NOT BACKYARD, IS ONE OF THE
SUPPLIERS OF BOMBS TO ISRAEL,
HAVING RECENTLY SENT 1000 BOMBS
OVER THERE. BOEING WORKERS , WE
NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO
BOEING WORKERS WHO ARE MEMBERS
OF THE MACHINISTS UNION,
AEROSPACE ENGINEERS UNION AND
OTHER UNIONS, THEY NEED TO
ORGANIZE PROTESTS AGAINST
SENDING BOMBS TO KILL THE
PEOPLE OF GAZA, AND THAT THEY
SHOULD REFUSE TO WORK IN FAVOR
OF THE ISRAELI WAR MACHINE AND
IS REALLY THEM. -- U.S.
IMPERIALISM.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]
>> AS MANY OF YOU HAVE ALREADY
SAID HERE, THE LABOR MOVEMENT
AS A WHOLE SHOULD DEMAND THAT
THE WHOPPING $106 BILLION THAT
BIDEN WANTS TO SPEND ON WARS
ACROSS THE WORLD FROM UKRAINE
TO GAZA, SHOULD BE SPENT ON
THE URGENT NEEDS OF WORKING AND
POOR PEOPLE IN THE