>> LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING
FROM EVERYONE WHO HAS CALLED
IN.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
IN ORDER FOR US TO GET TO AS
MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WE WILL
CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE MINUTE
PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
AT THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO GO
AHEAD AND OFFICIALLY MOVE INTO
THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
MAYOR'S PROPOSED 2020
REBALANCING PACKAGE IN THE 20
25 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE
THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RESERVES
THE RIGHT TO END OR ELIMINATE
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AT
ANY POINT IF WE DEEM IT TO BE
UNSUITABLE FOR ALLOWING OUR
MEETINGS TO BE CONDUCTED
EFFICIENTLY AND IN A MANNER IN
WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO CONDUCT
NECESSARY BUSINESS.
WE WILL BE MODERATING THE
PUBLIC HEARING IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
IT IS SET FOR 150 MINUTES AND
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN ONE
MINUTE TO SPEAK.
I WILL CALL ON THREE SPEAKERS
IN THE ORDER THAT THEY
REGISTERED.
WE WILL HEAR FIRST FROM SEATTLE
RESIDENTS AND ANY REMAINING
SPEAKERS.
IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED TO
SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO, YOU
CAN SIGN UP BY THE END OF THE
HEARING.
YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE AND
SIGN UP AT SEATTLE.GOV.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL ON SPEAKERS NAMES
THE STAFF WILL UNMUTE YOUR
MICROPHONE AND YOU WILL HEAR
YOU HAVE BEEN UNMUTE IT.
THIS WILL BE YOUR CUE THAT IT
IS TIME TO EAT.
STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ITEM
YOU ARE ADDRESSING.
PUBLIC COMMENT SHOULD BE
RELATED TO THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED
2020 REBALANCING PACKAGE AND THE
2020-2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM.
YOU WILL BE ASKED TO WRAP UP
YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. IF YOU DO
NOT WRAP IT UP THE MICROPHONE
WILL BE MUTED A FEW SECONDS
AFTER YOUR TIME ALLOTMENT SO
YOU DO HAVE A FEW SECONDS TO
WRAP UP YOUR THOUGHTS.
ONCE YOU COMPLETED YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE
DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE AND IF
YOU WANT TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING
THE MEETING WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO
DO SO BY FOLLOWING ALONG AT
SEATTLE CHANNEL OR OTHER
LISTENING OPTIONS ON THE AGENDA
INCLUDING THE LISTENING LINE
AND WEB LINK.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW OPEN
AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST THREE SPEAKERS ON THE
LIST.
WELCOME JENNIFER, WILLIAM, AND
ARI.
JENNIFER, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS JENNIFER ROYCE
AND I AM SPEAKING FOR THE 2020
BUDGET.
IT CURRENTLY HAS $67 MILLION
MORE THAN HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES.
147 MILLION -- 320 MILLION MORE
THAN LIBRARY SERVICES.
AS SUCH I WOULD LIKE TO, I LOST
MY PLACE HERE.
SO FAR VIOLENT CRIMES HAVE ONLY
BEEN 1.3% OF THE CALLS ENTERED
BY SBD.
I WOULD LIKE SPD TO BE DEFUNDED
BY 50% AND USE THE PART TO
SUPPORT TORI -- AND USE THE
PARTICIPATORY BUDGET TO FUND
CITY LEADERS.
>> WILLIAM, WELCOME.
HI WILLIAM, YOU CAN START OVER.
>> HI, THIS IS WILLIAM.
I AM CALLING IN TO SPEAK ABOUT
THE POLICE BUDGET.
I FEEL LIKE FUNDS SHOULD BE
REALLOCATED TO HOUSING PROGRAMS
THAT COULD ALSO GO TO
ADDITIONAL BEDS AND A CENTER
FOR MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS.
I THINK THE CITY OF SEATTLE HAS
A VERY POOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
THAT AND I THINK THAT WOULD
HELP CUT DOWN. SEATTLE IS
BEHIND THE CURVE.
THE CITY OF LA AND NEW YORK
HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CUT BUDGETS
TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT
RARELY SEE POWER.
IT IS TIME TO TAKE BACK POWER
FROM SOME OF THE RICHEST POLICE
OFFICERS IN THE COUNTRY.
MIKE SLOAN IS THE REAL CHIEF OF
POLICE IN SEATTLE AND THE
UNDERMINING OF THE MAYOR AND
CHIEF OF POLICE, BLACK PEOPLE,
PROTESTERS AND LET'S SEE IF THE
MAYOR RETALIATES WITH HEAVY
HANDED DECREES WHEN HER OWN
SAFETY IS JEOPARDIZED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FINAL COMMENT?
>> COUNCILMAN MOSQUEDA YOU ARE
UNMUTE.
CAN YOU REPEAT?
>> IF YOU DO GET CUT OFF AND
YOUR PUBLIC TESTIMONY, PLEASE
DO FEEL FREE TO SEND US YOUR
WRITTEN COMMENTS.
APOLOGIES FOR THAT.
ARI, YOU ARE UP NEXT.
>> HELLO, I AM CALLING FOR CUTS
TO SPD REMAIN JING -- RANGING
FROM 50% TO COMPLETE DEFUNDING
AND DISBANDING.
MONEY COULD BE DIRECTED TOWARDS
IMMUNITY PROJECTS, HOUSING FOR
THE HOMELESS, WIDELY AVAILABLE
MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SMALLER
OR SPECIALIZED AGENCIES THAT
COULD RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES
WITH APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL
TRAINED FOR THOSE SITUATIONS.
THE WORK BEING DONE TO
DISMANTLE THE MINNEAPOLIS
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ACTIONS
ALREADY TAKEN IN CITIES LIKE
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY PROVE IT IS
POSSIBLE AND IT DOES WORK.
WE JUST NEED A GOVERNMENT BRAVE
ENOUGH TO TAKE THOSE STEPS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
DANIEL KAVANAUGH, WALKER
THOMAS, AND REBECCA.
>> MY NAME IS DAN AND I AM A
MEMBER OF SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE
HERE IN SUPPORT OF DEFUNDING SPD
AND I WANT TO WARN PEOPLE IN
THE MOVEMENT THAT A MAJOR
TACTIC THE ESTABLISHMENT USES IS
DELAY, DELAY, DELAY.
IN MINNEAPOLIS THE CITY COUNCIL
CLAIMS THEY WERE DISBANDING THE
POLICE BUT INSTEAD THEY SET UP
A YEAR-LONG STUDY ON THE IDEA
AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT ON
THE PROMISE OF FUTURE ACTION.
COUNCIL MUST DEFUND AS PD BY
50% NOW.
DEMILITARIZED AND/THE BOSSES
OUTRAGEOUS SIX-FIGURE SALARIES
AND USE THE MONEY TO INVEST IN
THE COMMUNITY.
WE DON'T NEED OUR NEIGHBORS
GETTING SHOT AT.
OUR MOVEMENT JUST WON THE
HISTORIC AMAZON TAX BUT WE NEED
TO GO FURTHER AND WE NEED FULL
DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE
POLICE.
ONE THING FOR PEOPLE LISTENING,
IF YOU AGREE LIKE I DO WITH
MALCOLM X WHEN HE SAID YOU
CAN'T HAVE CAPITALISM WITHOUT
RACISM, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
JOINING SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE.
>> THANK YOU, WALKER WELCOME.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS WALKER
úTHOMAS.
I LIVE IN THE THIRD DISTRICT
AND I WANTED TO CALL TO ASK THE
CITY COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO THE
PEOPLE AND CUT THE SPD BUDGET
SUBSTANTIALLY BY 50% OR MORE.
THEY ARE MAKING MY WHOLE AREA
FEEL LIKE MILITARY OCCUPATION.
I WORK AT HOMELESS SERVICES AND
WE NEED THAT MONEY.
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS NEED
THAT MONEY.
WITH THE COVID SHORTFALL NEEDS
THERE IS NO MORE ROOM FOR
BLOATED POLICE BUDGETS.
CUT THE SPD BUDGET AND INVEST
IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU.
REBECCA, WELCOME.
>> I AM BECCA AND I WORK FOR
THE TINY HOUSE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR
YOUR INCREDIBLE EFFORTS IN
PASSING A PROGRESSIVE REVENUE
TAX AND CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO
IDENTIFY WAYS TO DEFUND THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
PLEASE ALLOCATE FUNDING TOWARD
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES AND
EXPANSION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
FOR AN ESSENTIAL AREA HOUSING
PLAN.
IT IS CRITICAL WE PRIORITIZE
CARE AND OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE
AND WE CAN DO SO BY INVESTING
IN PROVEN SOLUTIONS THAT REPORT
OUR ON HOUSED NEIGHBORS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP
AND TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT THREE, I KNOW YOU
CAN'T SEE A FALL BUT I WANT TO
LET YOU KNOW ALL OF YOUR
COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE HERE.
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR
BEING HERE.
COUNCILMEMBER SO WANT,
GONZALEZ, HERBOLD, WAREZ, AND
I DON'T KNOW IF I MISSED ANYONE
BUT ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS THAT
ARE HERE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GO AHEAD, KATE.
>> HI, MY NAME IS KATE SIMPSON
AND I LIVE IN CAPITOL HILL.
I'M CALLING TO DEFUND THE SPD
I AT LEAST 50% AND USE THOSE
FUNDS TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY
AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. AS THE
PROTESTS CONTINUE IT IS
BECOMING CLEARER AND CLEARER
THAT THE POLICE DO NOT KEEP OUR
COMMUNITIES SAFE SO WE MUST
BUILD NEW PROGRAMS THAT WORK
FOR EVERYBODY.
ESPECIALLY FOR THE BLACK,
BROWN, AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
THAT ARE OFTEN TARGETS OF
POLICE BRUTALITY.
I ALSO CALL ON CITY COUNCIL TO
FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT AND THE GREEN
NEW DEAL.
ADDITIONALLY, PLEASE DO NOT
DEFUND NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES
SUCH AS ROADS, PARKS, LIBRARIES
AND HOUSING SERVICES.
THANK YOU.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
CALEB, WELCOME.
>> HI, THANKS.
MY NAME IS CALEB MOORE.
I AM IN DISTRICT 3 IN CAPITOL
HILL.
I'M GOING TO SUPPORT AT LEAST A
50% CUT TO SPD'S REMAINING
2020 BUDGET.
THE 5% CUT THAT THE MAYOR HAD
PROPOSED IS NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH
AND KIND OF A SLAP IN THE FACE
TO BE HONEST.
SO YEAH, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE
THAT MONEY ALLOCATED TO GO TO
THE RIGHT PLACES TO THINGS THAT
DON'T CAUSE TERROR IN OUR
COMMUNITIES.
LIKE HUMAN SERVICES,
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE,
COUNSELING, YOUTH RECREATION,
COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO ECHO THE
SAME REQUEST FOR THE TINY
HOUSES MOVEMENT.
YEAH, I THINK THAT PEOPLE THINK
OF SEATTLE AS AN OPEN-MINDED
CITY.
AND WE ARE VERY PROGRESSIVE AND
NOW IS THE CHANCE TO SHOW THE
WORLD THAT WE REALLY ARE.
>> THANK YOU.
JESSICA, WELCOME.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JESSICA.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3 AND I AM
CALLING TO DEMAND THE SAME
THING AS MOST PEOPLE HERE TO
DEFUND THE POLICE BY AT LEAST
50%.
AND INVEST IN COMMUNITY LED
BLACK AND BROWN RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE PROGRAMS.
I ALSO WANT TO PUSH FOR THE
CITY COUNCIL TO MEET THE DEMANDS
PUT FORTH BY THE KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW COALITION AND
REPLACE THE CURRENT 911
OPERATIONS WITH THE CIVILIAN
CONTROL SYSTEM.
NUMBER 2, SCALE UP COMMUNITY
LED SOLUTIONS.
NUMBER 3, FUND A COMMUNITY
CREATED ROADMAP TO LIFE WITHOUT
POLICING.
MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE THAT
ARE MOST AFFECTED BY POLICE
VIOLENCE ARE DIRECTING OUR
MOVEMENTS.
AND MOVEMENTS WITH THE FUNDING
AND ALSO INVEST IN AT LEAST
1000 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT THREE ARE CAROLYN,
ALEX, AND ALISHA.
WELCOME.
>> HI, THANKS.
I AM IN DISTRICT 3. I WORK AS A
PEDIATRICIAN WITH KING COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH AND I VOLUNTEER
WITH A GRASSROOTS PEOPLE
POWERED VOLUNTEER GROUP AND I
WANT TO THANK YOU COUNCIL
MEMBERS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
I SUPPORT KING COUNTY EQUITY
NOW AND DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE'S
DEMANDS TO DEFUND THE POLICE BY
50% AND REINVESTING COMMUNITY
SOLUTIONS.
WE HAVE HEARD TOO MANY STORIES
ABOUT UNCALLED FOR VIOLENT
RESPONSES FROM POLICE AND I CAN
PERSONALLY ATTEST TO HOW
DAMAGING SPD'S POLICING
TACTICS CAN BE.
I WAS IN MY YARD WHEN A YOUNG
BLACK WOMAN POLITELY STARTED
ASKING ME TO BUY A MAGAZINE.
WITH ZERO PROVOCATION PLEASE
JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND
DEMANDED ID.
WHEN SHE COULDN'T PRODUCE ANY
THEY GRABBED HER AND THREW HER
ON THE ROOF OF HER CAR AND
CUFFED HER AND THEY IGNORED ME
WHEN I TRIED TO EXPLAIN SHE WAS
DOING NOTHING WRONG.
THIS DIDN'T MAKE ME FEEL SAFER.
ON THE CONTRARY SEEING
ARBITRARY AND UNNECESSARILY
ROUGH TREATMENT OF AN INNOCENT
PERSON HIGHLIGHTS HOW BIASED
ENFORCEMENT IS.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT
STORY.
LEASE TO SUBMIT THE REMAINDER
OF THAT TESTIMONY AND REMAIN A
POWERFUL ALLY IN SHARING THAT
EXAMPLE.
ALEX, WELCOME.
>> AM I ON?
GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> GROW QUICKLY I'M WONDERING
FOR OUR I.T.
FOLKS IF WE ARE ABLE TO DISPLAY
THE TIME CLOCK SO OUR
PRESENTERS CAN ALSO SEE THE
TIME CLOCK. I KNOW IT IS IN THE
MOMENT, BUT TRYING TO MAKE SURE
THAT FOLKS KNOW HOW MUCH TIME
THEY HAVE SO WE DON'T GET FOLKS
BEING CUT OFF WOULD BE IDEAL.
SORRY ABOUT THAT ALEX, I DIDN'T
MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF EITHER.
YOUR TIME HAS BEEN RESTARTED.
>> OKAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS ALEX FINCH.
I AM A RESIDENT OF NORTH LAKE.
AS I STATED BEFORE IN PREVIOUS
COMMENTS I WOULD NOT BE
SPEAKING TODAY WITHOUT THE
THERAPEUTIC HEALING OF SELF-
MANAGEMENT.
SELF-MANAGEMENT RESTORES ONE'S
FAITH AND TRUST IN THEMSELVES
AND OTHERS.
I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE IN BOTH TWO
VILLAGES GO FROM AN ALMOST
FERAL STATE TO SOMEONE I COULD
TRUST WITH MY SAFETY AND THAT
OF OTHERS.
IN MORE RECENT TIMES SELF-
MANAGEMENT MODEL HAS COME UNDER
THREAT AGAIN BY NONPROFITS AND
POLITICIANS WHO REFUSE TO TRY
TO UNDERSTAND IT.
MY CURRENT HOME IS UNDER ONE
SUCH THREAT.
POLITICIANS CONSTANTLY
THREATENING US DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
WE HAVE TRIED BARGAINING TO NO
AVAIL SO WE ARE ASKING THE CITY
COUNCIL TO USE A REVENUE SOURCE
TO OPEN UP AROUND THE CITY FOR
US TO USE.
AS ONE OF 40 AUTHORIZED TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES ALONG WITH OTHER
NONPROFITS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ALISHA.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ALICIA
WITH THE COALITION ENDING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SPEAKING
ON BEHALF OF OVER 30
ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO END
DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
ACROSS SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY.
WE JOIN OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS
CALLING UPON OUR REPRESENTATIVES
TO DEFUND THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT AND INVEST IN BLACK
AND PEOPLE OF COLOR LED
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS LONG BEEN
USED TO JUSTIFY THE GROWTH OF
THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM AND
WE KNOW THAT COMMUNIY
RESPONSES TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE
DO NOT MAKE A SAFER. POLICING,
ARREST AND INCARCERATION WILL
NEVER END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SURVIVORS NEED WHAT WE ALL NEED
, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LIVING
WAGES, ACCESS TO
TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, FOOD,
PARENTING SUPPORT, HEALTHCARE
AND ADVOCACY SERVICES. PLEASE
PROTECT AND EXPAND FUNDING FOR
COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS.
BY VOTING THIS WEEK FOR STRONG
PROGRESSIVE REVENUE SOURCE AND
COMMITTING TO VESTMENT FROM THE
CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM YOU HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE
SIGNIFICANT STEPS TO TRANSFORM
OUR CITY FOR THE BETTER.
>> THANK YOU.
SEAN BUTTERFIELD FOLLOWED BY
NATHANIEL THOMAS AND CYNTHIA.
WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS SEAN BUTTERFIELD
AND I AM A D3 RESIDENT AND A
HOME CARE AIDE AND A MEMBER OF
SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVES.
ON MONDAY UNDER PRESSURE FROM A
MASSIVE GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT
THIS COUNCIL PASSED A TAX ON
BIG BUSINESS BECAUSE OUR
COMMUNITY NEEDS AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND PEOPLE MOBILIZE
AROUND THAT DEMAND.
WE ARE HERE TO LET YOU KNOW
SOME OTHER THINGS WE CAN USE.
WE NEED 1000 NEW AFFORDABLE
HOMES IN CENTRAL DISTRICT FOR
WORKING-CLASS BLACK PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO VASTLY INCREASE
FUNDING FOR EVICTION DEFENSE
BECAUSE THE CITY MUST FIGHT FOR
RENTERS AGAINST THE IMPENDING
ONSLAUGHT EVICTIONS WHEN THE
MORATORIUM EXPIRES.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES TO MEET THE
NEEDS OF OUR ON HOUSE TO
NEIGHBORS.
AT THIS TIME OF ECONOMIC CRISIS
WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE
LUXURY OF A BLOATED POLICE FORCE
TO BEAT AND GAS US AND VIOLATE
OUR CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE
CITY COUNCIL TO DEFUND SPD BY
AT LEAST 50% AND USE THAT MONEY
FOR THE THINGS WE ACTUALLY
NEED.
REJECTS THE MAYOR'S PLAN AND
IMPEACH HER.
>> NATHANIEL, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS NATHANIEL THOMAS.
I'M SPEAKING FOR THE NEED TO
IMMEDIATELY DEFUND SPD 50% AT
LEAST.
JUST DAYS AGO JAMES BROOKS
SALARY WAS OVER $318,000 AND
MADE STATEMENTS ABOUT HOW THEY
WOULD BE STOPPING CARS THAT ARE
COVERING PLATES WERE WORKING
WITH PROTESTERS TO KEEP THEM
SAFE.
LAST NIGHT OFFICERS DID ASK AND
ARRESTED PROTESTERS LEAVING A
GAP IN THE CAR AND A CAR CAME
THROUGH AND ATTEMPTED TO KILL
PROTESTERS.
THE NIGHT THAT OFFICER BROOKS
SAID THOSE THINGS, SIR OFFICER
BROOKS TRIED TO KILL THEIR
PROTESTERS AND THEY FAILED TO
PROTECT US.
THE MONEY IS GOING TO THESE
OFFICERS AND THEY ARE NOT
PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY AND
PEOPLE ARE DYING.
IT HAS TO HAPPEN NOW.
WE CANNOT WAIT AND WE NEED TO
PUT THAT MONEY TO BLACK
COMMUNITIES.
>> THINK YOU NATHANIEL.
>> I SERVED ON THE CAT FOR CAMP
SECOND CHANCE AND I HAVE BEEN
PART OF THE TEAM BUILDING TINY
HOUSES THERE FOR TWO YEARS.
PLEASE REJECT AN AUSTERITY
BUDGET AND REDUCE THE SPD'S
BUDGET.
BY REALLOCATING THAT BUDGET
YOU CAN AVOID CUTS IN OTHER
AREAS AND FUND COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE
THRIVE.
I CALL ON YOU TO INSTITUTE A
CENTRAL AREA HEALTH PLAN.
PLEASE CREATE 1000 UNITS OF
HOUSING IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT
TO BRING BACK RESIDENTS WHO
HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE.
LASTLY I AM CONCERNED ABOUT
THOSE STAYING IN HOTELS DUE TO
COVID.
WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GO WHEN
THE PROGRAM STOPS. TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES WORK.
PLEASE APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR
10 TINY HOUSE VILLAGES IN THIS
YEAR SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.
THE SHELTER GRANT CAN PAY FOR
THEM AND 10 MORE VILLAGES IN
NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.
WE NEED TO BE READY FOR THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR
HOMELESSNESS DUE TO EVICTIONS
AND JOB LOSS.
>> THE NEXT THREE ARE KYLIE,
ISAAC, AND ERIC.
>> AGAIN, MY NAME IS KYLIE
BALDWIN.
I WORK AT PETERS SOUND STAGE
AND AM A BLACK BORN AND RAISED
SEATTLEITE.
I AM CALLING TODAY TO IMPLORE
YOU ALL TO DEFUND SPD BY 50%
AND TWO MAKE SURE TO SECURE
FUNDING FOR EQUITABLE
DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND TO
MAKE SURE THAT FUNDS GO TOWARD
HOUSING SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT
FOR OUR BLACK AND BROWN AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN OUR
CITY.
TODAY WE HEARD FROM
DECRIMINALIZED SEATTLE COALITION
AND WITH THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW.
AND THEIR BEAUTIFUL
PRESENTATION THAT CLEARLY AND
DISTINCTLY OUTLINE A FOUR-POINT
PLAN TO DEFUND POLICE AND
REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS
ELSEWHERE.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY THAT
THE MAYOR'S $20 MILLION IS RUDE.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
ISAAC, WELCOME.
GO AHEAD.
>> THIS IS ISAAC HUTCHINSON AND
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7. I DEMAND
THAT THE CITY DEFUND SPD BY
50% AT LEAST AND REDISTRIBUTE
THE FUNDS INTO BLACK
COMMUNITIES.
THE REST OF MY COMMENT I DIRECT
TO THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF OF
POLICE.
IT IS DISGRACEFUL THAT LESS
THAN A WEEK AFTER SUMMER TAYLOR
WAS MURDERED BY VEHICLE
ATTACKING PEACEFUL PROTESTERS
THAT THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT IS TICKETING AND
THREATENING TO ARREST DRIVERS
FOR ESCORTING AND PROTECTING
PROTESTERS IN TRAFFIC.
THERE HAVE BEEN 66 CARS
ATTACKED NATIONWIDE. IT IS
UNCONSCIONABLE AND
UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR SPD TO BE
CRIMINALIZING PEOPLE FOR
PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM THIS
THREAT.
PROTESTERS WILL BE IN THE
STREETS AND ON ROADS.
WITH THOSE SWORN TO SERVE AND
PROTECT WITH THEY PREFER PEOPLE
TO BE MURDERED FOR EXERCISING
FREE SPEECH.
IT SEEMS THEY WOULD PREFER THE
LATTER.
SHAME ON YOU AND EVERY OFFICER
WHO PUNISHES THEM FOR DARING TO
STAND UP AND DISAGREE WITH THAT
MILITARIZED AND RACIST
OCCUPYING FORCE.
FREE ALL PROTESTERS.
THE NEXT PERSON IS ERIC.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON CITY COUNCIL
AND ELOQUENT SPEAKERS FROM THE
PUBLIC.
I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND A HALF
MILLION DOLLARS IN SPD OUTREACH
TO THE COMMUNITY.
WHY SHOULD I CARE HOW MUCH
OUTREACH HAPPENS WHEN SPD
COMES BY AND BEATS AND KILLS
INNOCENT PEOPLE, INCITES
VIOLENCE AND DIRECTLY ATTACKS
SEATTLEITE FOR WEEKS ON END AND
MANY DECADES IN SOME PARTS OF
THE CITY.
AND COLLATERALLY ATTACKS PEOPLE
IN COMMUNITIES WHEN THEY ROLL IN
? HOW CAN I TRUST SPD AFTER
ALL THEY HAVE DONE AND THE
LIVES AND VIOLENCE.
WE KEEP SEEING THE HATE OVER
AND OVER AGAIN.
WHAT ABOUT UNDER IN COVER
OPERATIONS? WHY DOES SPD
PRETEND THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE
OF THIS? AND WHAT OF THE EIGHT
YEARS OF FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE.
IT IS NOT A FEW ROTTEN APPLES
HERE.
IT IS A CASE WHERE A FEW GOOD
APPLES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO A
BARREL OF RUN ONES.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THE NEXT THREE ARE PETER, TRACY,
AARON, AND ALLEN.
WELCOME.
>> HI, THIS IS PETER TRACY FROM
DISTRICT 4 AND I AM'S IS
SEVERELY ADDRESSING THE PLANNED
BUDGET FOR THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY
SUPPORT FOR DEFUNDING THE SPD
BY AT LEAST 50% AND FOR
REINVESTING THE SUBSEQUENT FUNDS
TO SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC
HOUSING, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE
AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
DESPITE THE COMMITMENT OF $100
MILLION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY
MENTIONED, DEFUNDING THE SPD IS
AN IMPORTANT END IN ITSELF THAT
WILL SAVE MANY LIVES AND AIM AT
PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINST
SEATTLE CITIZENS.
HAS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 4 I
WOULD LIKE TO REPRESENT
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN AND
HIGHLIGHT THE TRAGIC DEATH OF
CHARLENE AT THE HANDS OF
CURRENT AS SPD OFFICERS NOT FAR
FROM WHERE I LIVE IN ORDER TO
REMIND THE COUNCILMEMBER THAT
FUNDING ARMED VIOLENT
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW AT THE
EXPENSE OF ADDRESSING ROOT
CAUSES LIKE SYSTEMIC RACISM,
UNTIL HEALTH VISION, AND ON CAN
HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS.
>> MY NAME IS AARON MANDEL AND
I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE IN THE BALLARD GREENWOOD
NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WAS CALLING TO ADDRESS THE
DEFUNDING OF THE POLICE.
I LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN
THE CITY FULLY SUPPORT
DEFUNDING THE POLICE BY 50%
THIS BUDGET.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL
MEMBERS MOSQUEDA , MOSQUEDA,
AND GONZALEZ FOR LEADING THE
CHARGE ON THIS FRONT.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO
DAN STRAUSS.
I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY
DISAPPOINTED WITH A LOT OF
EMPTY WORDS SAYING THINGS SUCH
AS VIOLENCE IS VIOLENCE AND
THAT WE NEED TO LISTEN TO BLACK
MEN THE LEADERS.
HE HAS SAID THOSE THINGS OVER
AND OVER BUT HAS NOT TAKEN
ACTION.
I IMPLORE YOU COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS TO TAKE ACTION AND
LISTEN TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY
LEADERS AND THOSE THAT HAVE
SHOWN US THE WAY FORWARD.
YOU CONTINUE TO SAY EMPTY WORDS
THAT DO NOT MATTER UNLESS YOU
TAKE ACTION AND LISTEN TO THE
BLACK COMMUNITY.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> ALLEN, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS ALAN FROM
DISTRICT 7. I WANT TO SECOND
THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS TO
IMMEDIATELY DEFUND SPD BY 50%
AS WELL AS IMPLORE THE COUNCIL
TO NOT SIMPLY OF THE WORK TO
ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE POLICING
IN ALL BUT NAME.
REPLACING POLICE WITH UNARMED
POLICE OFFICERS WOULD MITIGATE
SOME OF THE MOST VISIBLE FORMS
OF POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST
HOMELESS AND OTHER VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS, MUCH MORE VIOLENCE
HAPPENS THROUGH THE
IMPRISONMENT OF PEOPLE AND
FORCEFUL FAMILY SEPARATION BY
THE SO-CALLED CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM BY CRIMINALIZING
SURVIVAL.
DEFUNDING THE POLICE MUST BE
UNDERSTOOD NOT JUST CHANGING
LINE ITEMS AWAY FROM SPD TO D
CRIMINALIZE LIKENESS AND
HOMELESSNESS. STOP AGGRESSIVE
FINES WHICH PUNISH POVERTY AND
USE THE FUNDS ALLOCATED TO
POLICING TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY.
FINALLY, THE MAYORS ATTEMPT TO
PIT THE COMMUNITY AGAINST EACH
OTHER IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND
HOPE THE COUNCIL WOMAN STANDS
UP TO THE CRIMES SHE HAS A LOT
TO BE COMMITTED.
>> MATTHEW, GOOD EVENING.
>> I AM FROM DISTRICT 4. I AM
CALLING FOR THE SAME REASON AS
EVERY OTHER SINGLE PERSON THAT
HAS SPOKEN SO FAR TODAY WHICH
IS TO DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50%.
I WANT YOU ALL TO REMEMBER THAT
THIS IS A HISTORICAL MOMENT.
NOT JUST FOR OUR CITY BUT THE
ENTIRE COUNTRY.
WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON THIS VOTE
AND HOW YOU ACTED AT THIS TIME,
THINK ABOUT IT.
IT IS EITHER YOU LISTEN TO THE
PEOPLE.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON HAS SAID
THE SAME THING.
LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
DON'T GET STRONG-ARMED BY THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DURKIN.
YOU REPRESENT ME.
ESPECIALLY YOU PEDERSEN.
YOU ARE MY REPRESENTATIVE.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IT IS
TIME FOR CHANGE AND WE ARE ALL
SICK OF IT.
THE POLICE ARE LITERALLY THE
BIGGEST GANG IN THIS COUNTRY.
I HAVE HAD MY OWN MENTAL HEALTH
CRISIS BEFORE AND CALLED 911.
THEY CAME AND THEY JOKED AT ME
AND I ENDED UP IN HANDCUFFS
TIED TO A BED IN THE HOSPITAL.
SO, THAT IS NOT SOCIAL SERVICES
IF YOU ASK ME.
TAKE THAT 50% AND REALLOCATED
TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY
TRAINED.
>> BASS, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM FROM DISTRICT 5. THE CALL
TO DEFUND POLICE IS PROFOUNDLY
UNJUST.
THE SPD IS ALREADY UNDERFUNDED.
AND DEFUNDING THE POLICE HAS
THE MOST IMPACT ON MINORITY
COMMUNITIES AND THE VULNERABLE.
IN THE POLICE FREE CHALK ZONE
TO BLACK TEENS WERE KILLED IN
FIVE SHOOTINGS.
ONE DEAF WOMAN WAS SEXUALLY
ASSAULTED AND THERE ARE
PROBABLY MORE.
THERE IS LESS IMPACT OF COURSE
IN DEFUNDING THE POLICE ON
WEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND CITY
LEADERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR
OWN PROTECTION AND THEIR OWN
LOCKED AND GATED COMMUNITIES.
DEFUNDING THE POLICE WILL REDUCE
THE STORES, ESPECIALLY THE
GROCERY STORES IN UNDERSERVED
AREAS.
WHEN STORES CAN NO LONGER COUNT
ON POLICE PROTECTION THEY WILL
LEAVE.
THEY WILL LEAVE THE CITY AND
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE
UNDERSERVED.
AND PROFOUNDLY LEAVE THEM IN A
WORSE SITUATION.
>> THANK YOU.
ELLIE, WELCOME.
>> THE HOMELESS EPIDEMIC IS NOT
GOING ANYWHERE SOON.
IN FACT, I THINK IT IS SAFE TO
SAY THAT DUE TO COVID WILL
LIKELY INCREASE.
AT THIS TIME SHELTERS ARE NOT A
SAFE ALTERNATIVE.
I CURRENTLY RESIDE AT
NICHOLASVILLE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGE.
WE ARE STILL BEING THREATENED
WITH EVICTION.
AS OF TODAY THE CITY HAS NOT
OFFERED PROMISED SUPPORT TO
LOCATE PROPERTIES TO MOVE
BEFORE THE EVICTION DATES.
WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY
PUT WHERE WE FEEL SAFE.
YOU ARE ALREADY GIVING SUPPORT
TO THE CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS,
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THE
GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS. WE
HAVE NOT RECEIVED FUNDS.
WE ARE SELF MANAGED AND ASKING
FOR YOUR FINANCIAL HELP DURING
EPOCHAL TIMES.
HOMELESSNESS IS NOT GOING AWAY
ANYTIME SOON.
PLEASE STOP SWEEPING IT UNDER
THE RUG AND FORGETTING ABOUT US.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE
TIME TO SPEAK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TODAY.
AND FOR REMINDING US OF THE
AUGUST FIRST DATES AND WE WILL
FOLLOW UP.
NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
JASMINE, ALEXANDRA, AND MISS
FREEMAN.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JASMINE
JOSHUA FROM DISTRICT 4 AND I AM
HERE TO DISCUSS DEFUNDING THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I DEMAND THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE
TO DEFEND SPD BY 50% AND
DIVERT THOSE FUNDS TO COMMUNITY
LED ORGANIZATIONS FOLLOWING THE
LEAD OF BLACK LED GROUPS LIKE
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW.
THIS LAST MONTH PROVED THAT AS
SPD DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY
TO SERVE AND PROTECT OUR CITY.
I SOUGHT DURKIN SANCTIFIED
VIOLENCE AGAINST PROTESTERS AND
I SAW POLICE DEPARTMENT ABANDON
THEIR OWN PRECINCT TO BAIT
PROTESTERS IN VIOLENCE AND
DESTRUCTION.
I SOUGHT TO TEENAGERS MURDERED
IN THE STREETS AND TRANS WOMEN
ABDUCTED IN THE STREET OF
CAPITOL HILL AND I WATCH THE
POLICE CLAIMED THEY COULD DO
NOTHING TO STOP THIS.
SOMEHOW THE CHIEF MANAGED TO
WALKED FREELY FOR PRESS
CONFERENCES AND OFFICERS HAVE
THE RESOURCES TO TRACK DOWN
CITIZENS WITH CELL PHONES WHO
TRY TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
WHO IS LORENZO'S MURDER AND
ANTONIO'S MURDERER.
THE SPD HAS NO IDEA THAT THEY
KNOW HOW TO GIVE CITATIONS TO A
CAR BRIGADE.
A GROUP OF SEVILLE SINCE WHO
TRY TO PROTECT THE DAILY BLACK
WOMEN'S MARCH.
>> PLEASE DO SEND IN THE
REMAINDER OF YOUR COMMENTS.
ALEXANDER, WELCOME.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNCIL AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 7
AND THE DAUGHTER OF A RETIRED
POLICE CAPTAIN.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO REJECT
THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED CUTS TO SPD
IN THE PROPOSED REBALANCE
BUDGET AND GIVE MY FULL SUPPORT
TO KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW AND D
CRIMINALIZE SEATTLE'S PROPOSAL
TO DEFUND SPD BY 50% AND
REINVEST IN THE COMMUNITY THIS
YEAR.
IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED FAR
MORE RE-FORCES NOW, I CALL ON
THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE PLAN
AND MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO
DISMANTLE THE SYSTEMS THAT ARE
ACTIVELY HURTING OUR
COMMUNITIES AND REINVEST THE
FUNDING INTO PROJECTS THAT
HEAL.
SEIZE ON THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR
MAJOR CHANGE.
>> WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M ADDRESSING THE SEATTLE
BUDGET.
GOING FORWARD, HOMELESS PEOPLE
ARE AT AN AVERAGE AGE OF 47.
WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER VIGIL NEXT
WEDNESDAY ON THE STEPS OF CITY
HALL.
WE CANNOT GO BACK TO BUSINESS
AS USUAL.
WE WILL SUPPORT CUTTING THE SPD
BUDGET BY 50% AND USING THAT
MONEY FOR COMMUNITY AND HEALTH
SERVICES.
OUR WHEEL SHED SHELTERS SERVE
THE COMMUNITY.
WEANING FUNDING TO CONTINUE 24/7
OPERATIONS.
WHEEL AND SHARE OUR TRULY
DEMOCRATIC AND GRASSROOTS
OPERATIONS AND SHOULD BE
SUPPORTED AND INCLUDED IN NEW
PROGRAMMING LIKE TENT CITIES
AND TINY HOUSES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
THE NEXT THREE ARE MARLA, JOEY,
AND KAYLEE.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARLA
MURDOCH, A CONSTITUENT OF
DISTRICT 4. I SUPPORT D
CRIMINALIZE SEATTLE'S DEMANDS
TO FUND THE POLICE BY 50% AND
INVEST IN COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.
I ALSO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF
A TORY BUDGET SOLUTION
PRESENTED TODAY AT CITY COUNCIL.
THE CURRENT POLICING MODEL HAS
TO CHANGE.
THOSE THAT ARE WHITE HAVE MONEY
AND POWER AND THE PRIMARY
PEOPLE SERVED BY OUR CURRENT
POLICING MODEL.
I PERSONALLY KNOW PEOPLE COLOR
AND DISTRICT FOR WHO DO NOT
FEEL SAFE, PROTECTED OR
SUPPORTED.
FOR EXAMPLE MY FRIEND FROM
AFRICA AND HER DAUGHTER WERE
WALKING DOWN 35th AVENUE TO
PURCHASE TAKE OUT TO CELEBRATE
HER DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY.
A TRUCK CAME BY AND SAID RACIST
COMMENTS AT THEM AND THEY DID
NOT FEEL SAFE TO REPORT THIS TO
POLICE.
A FRIEND WALKS AROUND DISTRICT
OR SHE FEELS SHE NEEDS A WHITE
PERSON AT THE OTHER SIDE TO
FEEL SAFE. I WANT TO SPEAK
DIRECTLY TO COUNCILMEMBER ALEX
PEDERSEN AND DEMAND THAT ALL
VOICES ARE HEARD AND NOT JUST
WHITE VOICES.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JOEY AND I
AM A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 6.
CALLING TO ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL
ESPECIALLY MY COUNCILMEMBER,
DAN STRAUSS TO REDUCE FUNDING
OF SPD BY 50% AND REDIRECT
THOSE FUNDS INTO PUBLIC HOUSING
AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES.
SEATTLE'S BUDGET HAS BECOME
BLOATED AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN
MUCH RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT.
CRIME IS INCREASING, INEQUALITY
HAS INCREASED AND POVERTY ARE
AND HOMELESSNESS HAVE INCREASED.
TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO POLICE
BRUTALITY AND HOMELESS SWEEPS
WHICH NEVER SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
IN OUR DISTRICT THE ENCAMPMENT
IN THE BALLARD COMMENTS WAS
SWEET A COUPLE MONTHS AGO BUT
IT IS BACK IN FULL FORCE.
SWEEPING DOESN'T WORK.
STOP ALLOWING THE CITY TO
CRIMINALIZE POVERTY AND INVEST
IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES.
>> KAYLEE, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS KAYLEE TURBAN AND
I AM A RESIDENT IN D3.
IT IS MY BELIEF THAT WE SHOULD
DEFUND SPD BY 50% AND REDIRECT
THE FUNDS TO BLACK COMMUNITIES
AND OTHER RESOURCES.
THE POLICE BUDGET-ISH BLOATED.
POLICE RECEIVED RAISES IN JUNE.
POLICE CONTINUE TO PUT
RESIDENTS AT RISK.
WITH THE CAN CONTINUOUS MURDER
OF BLACK AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
OF COLOR.
REALLOCATE THE FUNDS, AND REJECT
JENNY DURKAN'S AUSTERITY
PROPOSAL AND RECALL JENNY
DURKAN.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THE THREE PEOPLE TO SPEAK
NEXT WILL BE MOLINA, AND THOMAS.
>> I AM SPEAKING OFF THE CUFF
HERE.
I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE
MORATORIUM.
I LIKE THE NUMBER OF OTHER
PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN BACK TO
WORK AND I HOPE THE GOVERNOR
LISTENS TO THESE CONVERSATIONS
OR SOMEONE IS PASSING THE
MESSAGE ON TO HIM.
IF HE DOESN'T EXTEND THE
MORATORIUM THAT HE NEEDS TO
HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE BECAUSE
TELLING PEOPLE TO STAY HOME AND
THAT IT IS SAVING LIVES IS NOT
GOING TO WORK IF WE HAVE TO TRY
TO FIND A JOB SOMEWHERE AND
RISK DEATH DUE TO COVID-19 SO
THAT WE CAN HAVE A PLACE TO
STAY.
W ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO
PAY BACK THE THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS IN RENT BECAUSE WE
HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING DUE TO
COVID AFTER THE MORATORIUM.
KING COUNTY AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO
EXTEND THE MORATORIUM UNTIL
THEY FIGURE OUT SOMETHING BETTER
THAT WILL HELP ITS CITIZENS.
OUR RIGHT TO VOTE IS AND TAKEN
SO I HOPE THEY ARE LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE
THAT.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY THAT
MESSAGE.
>> AIDAN, I LIVE IN DISTRICT 6
AND I AM CALLING TO SUPPORT
DEMANDS FOR D POLICING AND
ALLOCATIONS.
THIS IS A TOUGH CONVERSATION TO
HAVE AND I THANK YOU FOR BEING
WILLING TO HAVE IT.
WHEN DISCUSSING THE POLICE
PRESENCE, FOSSIL FUELS,
CAPITALISM, MONARCHY.
YOU HAVE TO REPLACE WHEN YOU
REMOVE. EVEN THE THINGS THAT IT
DOES THAT ARE HELPFUL.
AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE
KNOW 100% OF HOW TO DO THIS.
WE KNOW A LOT.
AT LEAST 50% WHICH IS
POLITICALLY POSSIBLE.
WE ALREADY HAVE ORGANIZATIONS
THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS
AND WE HAVE THE SAME
CONVERSATIONS EARLIER THIS
YEAR.
GROUPS LIKE COMMUNITY
PASSAGEWAYS. I SAW
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS GIVE A
SHOUT OUT TO A GROUP IN OREGON.
>> IF YOU COULD SEND US THE
REST OF YOUR COMMENTS THAT
WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
SORRY FOR HAVING SUCH LIMITED
TIME.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND
LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING THE
REST.
THOMAS MEEKS, WELCOME.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS THOMAS
MEEKS AND I AM A RESIDENT IN
SEATTLE.
I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT
DEFUNDING SPD BY 50%.
I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW. I ALSO
WANT TO COMMENT ON THE DEPUTY
MAYORS PRESENTATION. I AM IN A
COMPANY ABOUT THE SIZE AS SPD
AND YOU CAN MAKE BUDGET AS
SIMPLE OR COMPLICATED AS
POSSIBLE.
SOUNDS LIKE THEY JUST WANT TO
DELAY THE PROCESS.
I HOPE THE COUNCIL RECOGNIZES
THAT AND ASKS THE SPD TO OPEN
THEIR BOOKS , SEND OVER
ACCOUNTANTS AND EXPLAIN WHAT IS
SO OBLIGATED ABOUT IT TO THE
COUNCIL.
IF THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT
THAN MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT THEIR
INPUT.
IT IS TIME THAT THEY ACT IN AN
OPEN, TRANSPARENT MANNER AND
HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE IN
SERIOUS WAYS WHEN THEY REFUSED
TO DO SO.
DON'T EXCEPT COMPLEXITY.
THAT IS JUST A WAY TO FRUSTRATE
THE PROCESS.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
RYAN, MARINA, AND SARAH.
>> MY NAME IS RYAN PAUL AND I
AM A RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 6. I
STRONGLY SUPPORT DEFUNDING SPD
BY AT LEAST 50% AND REINVEST
THOSE FUNDS INTO THE COMMUNITY
AND I URGE THE COUNCIL TO DO SO
IN AN URGENT MATTER CONSIDERING
HOW LONG IT HAS TAKEN THE
GOVERNMENT AND WHITE PEOPLE
SUCH AS MYSELF TO COME AROUND
TO THESE ISSUES.
MOST CALLS TO SPD ARE NOT
EMERGENCIES AND RELATED TO
POVERTY.
LOOKING IN D6 AND THE SWEEP OF
BALLARD COMMENTS, OUR HOUSE WAS
NEIGHBORS ARE
DISPROPORTIONATELY BLACK AND
BALLARD PEOPLE NEED TO CORRECT
THE HARM THAT IS CAUSED BY SPD.
PLEASE IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTIONS
PROPOSED BY KING COUNTY EQUITY
NOW AND REPLACE OUR CURRENT
OPERATIONS, SKILLET COMMUNITY
LED SOLUTIONS.
AND INVEST IN HOUSING FOR ALL.
THANK YOU.
>> MARINA, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS MARINA GARRETT
AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3. I
WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR
HAVING DECRIMINALIZED SETTLE IN
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW PRESENT
THIS MORNING ON THEIR
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO
DEFUND SPD.
I SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL AND I
URGE YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
THESE TRUSTED COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE AND DO NOT OVERBURDEN
THE COMMUNITY WITH THINGS THAT
SERVE AS A DISTRACTION TO
PROTECT SPD RATHER THAN SERVE
THE COMMUNITY.
THE MAYOR IS COMPLICIT IN THE
DEATH OF SUMMER TAYLOR AND THE
ABUSE OF PROTESTERS BY SPD AND
SHE MUST BE IMPEACHED . THANK
YOU.
OKAY FOLKS WE HAVE GONE FOR
ABOUT 45 MINUTES.
I'M GOING TO ASK THAT WE DO THE
CLOCK AT 45 SECONDS TO MAKE
SURE WE GET TO EVERYONE AND I
WILL TAKE FOLKS IN THE ORDER
THEY APPEAR.
INCLUDING FOLKS THAT ARE FROM
OUTSIDE SEATTLE.
LOGAN, JOEY, AND MATTHEW SMITH.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
>> I'M A RANK-AND-FILE UNION
IRONWORKER.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE
DEMAND TO DEFUND SPD BY AT
LEAST 50% AND DEFUND THE LONG
NEGLECTED EMERGENCIES OF
GENTRIFICATION AND HOMELESSNESS
BY FUNDING HOMES IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT AND EXPANDING TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES WITH BOTH UNDER
THE CONTROL OF THE COMMUNITY.
YEAR AFTER YEAR WE WATCH THE
CRISES GET WORSE AND DESTROY
HUMAN LIVES WHILE BEING TOLD BY
POLITICIANS THAT THE CONDITIONS
ARE UNAVOIDABLE.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET
HAS BALLOONED BY 42% IN THE
LAST SIX YEARS WITH ONLY ONE
COUNCILMEMBER, SAWANT USING HER
POSITION IN THE SERVICE OF THE
PEOPLE.
IRONICALLY, TO DEMAND AN END TO
POLICE BRUTALITY, DEFUND SPD.
>> JOEY, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS JOEY AND I'M
COMMENTING FOR TWO REASONS.
LAST YEAR IN MY RUN FOR CITY
COUNCIL IN DISTRICT 6 MY
CAMPAIGN SPOKE WITH THOUSANDS
OF CONSTITUENTS ON MY MOST
VITAL POLICY PROPOSAL TO
REROUTE AS SPD FUNDING AND
CREATE A NEW BRANCH OF FIRST
RESPONDERS TIED TO A MISSION
OF COMMUNITY HEALTH. THE
MAJORITY OF POLICE RESPONSE
CALLS ARE ISSUES BETTER
ADDRESSED THROUGH PROPERLY
EQUIPPED CIVIL SERVICE AND
SOCIAL WORKERS.
SPEAKING TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS I
REFERENCE THE ANALOGY THAT TO A
HAMMER EVERY PROBLEM LOOKS LIKE
A NAIL.
OUR POLICE OFFICERS ARE
TRAINED, OUTFITTED AND
DISPATCHED TO HAMMER DOWN ON
CRIMINALITY.
IT IS BEYOND TIME THAT THE CITY
ADD MORE TOOLS TO ITS BELT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I
URGE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT YOUR
CONSTITUENTS NEED YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND BRAVERY NOW MORE
THAN EVER.
>> MATTHEW, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS MATT SMITH AND I
AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT 2. I
USED TO BE IN THE CENTRAL
DISTRICT BUT MIGHT AFFORDABLE
HOME WAS DEMOLISHED IN DECEMBER
TO BUILD A LUXURY HOUSING UNIT
THAT I CANNOT AFFORD.
I AM NOT ALONE.
THIS IS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS
OF WORKING PEOPLE OVER THE PAST
DECADES AND HAS AFFECTED OUR
BLACK COMMUNITIES.
WHAT DO WE CALL IT WHEN TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CAN'T
AFFORD RENT IN SEATTLE WHEN WE
HAD THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA
HOMELESS POPULATION IN THE
COUNTRY, HOUSING SERVICES ARE
UNDERFUNDED AND THE SPD WHO
REPEATEDLY ABUSE OUR COMMUNITY
GETS $410 MILLION PER YEAR?
THAT IS A CRIMINAL SYSTEM THAT
NEEDS TO CHANGE.
DEFUND THE SPD BY 50% AND
REINVEST THAT MONEY IN
SERVICES THAT ARE COMMUNITY
ACTION IN NEED INCLUDING HOUSES
AND THE DEMAND TO BUILD 1000
NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT AND FIGHT BACK
AGAINST THE RACIST HOUSING
DISTRICT.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
ELLEN, DEVON, AND SHIRLEY.
>> I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2. DURING
THIS TIME OF COVID WE NEED TO
FULLY FUND COMMUNITY SERVICES
THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO WORK
AS WELL AS INVEST IN HOUSING.
AS WELL AS FUNDING THE POLICE
WHO CONTINUE TO BE A RACIST,
SILENT BAND-AID ON THE ISSUES
THAT EXIST.
OUR LACK OF ACCESS TO
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MEDICAL AND
MENTAL HEALTHCARE AND WELL-PAID
JOBS.
WE NEED TO DE- FUND THE BLOATED
POLICE BUDGET AT LEAST BY 50%
AND INVEST IN OVER $200 MILLION
PER YEAR IN HOUSING AND JOB
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, YOUTH
PROGRAMS, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
DURING COVID AND THE LARGEST
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IT IS
MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.
>> PLEASE DO SEND THE REST OF
YOUR COMMENTS.
DEVON, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS DEVON SPEAKING
FROM DISTRICT 5 DIRECTLY
ADDRESSING DEBORA JUAREZ.
THERE IS AN EMINENT HOUSING
CRISIS WITH THE EVICTION
MORATORIUM.
THE CITY CANNOT AFFORD SPENDING
ANOTHER CENT ON TERRORIZING
BLACK INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
YOU DON'T NEED TO HEAR MORE
STORIES.
THE TIME FOR YOU TO ACT.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING.
QUIT TALKING ON TWITTER ABOUT
WHAT WILL THE HISTORY BOOKS
LOOK LIKE?
WHAT IS RIGHT NOW GOING TO LOOK
LIKE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO
DIE?
I WANT TO CALL BACK TO DECEMBER
2013.
ISAIAH WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS
FROM WHERE I LIVE.
20 POLICE CARS SWARMED AND
MURDERED THIS PERSON WHO WAS
RUNNING AWAY.
HE IS NOT GOING TO SHOOT BACK,
HE IS SCARED FOR HIS LIFE
BEAUSE 20 CUP CARS CAN'T SAVE
ONE PERSON FROM DYING?
SURELY, WELCOME.
>> I AM A VOTER AND BUSINESS
OWNER IN DISTRICT 3. I ALSO
SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE BY
AT LEAST 50%.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE ABOLISHED
AT THIS POINT BUT LET'S GO WITH
CUTTING THE BUDGET BY HALF.
THE COPS IN THE STATE HAVE
PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE ONLY
SERVING THEMSELVES. IT IS A
DISGUSTING EMBARRASSMENT AND I
AM TIRED OF SEEING MY NEIGHBORS
HARASSED.
I AM TIRED OF SEEING THEM
GIVING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT
TO GROUPS LIKE THE PROUD BOYS.
I DON'T LIKE SEEING THAT THEY
GET PAID RIDICULOUS TAX PAYER
SUMS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU
THAT OUR DEMANDS ARE VERY
MODEST COMPARED TO PLACES LIKE
MINNEAPOLIS AND COLORADO THAT
ARE MAKING SWEEPING CUTS.
>> THE NEXT THREE ARE JOHN,
JOANNA, AND JUSTIN.
>> JOHN FROM DISTRICT 6. I JUST
WANT TO SAY THAT DISMANTLING
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE
A MUCH BETTER STEP THAN
REDUCING ITS BUDGET.
SINCE REDUCING THE BUDGET BY
50% IS ON THE TABLE, THAT WOULD
BE THE MINIMUM THAT I WOULD
EXPECT MY COUNCILMEMBERS TO
SUPPORT.
PLEASE DEFUND SPD AND STOP THE
SWEEPS, PARTICULARLY ADDRESSING
HOMELESS PEOPLE WITH POLICE
FORCE IS COMPLETELY
INAPPROPRIATE.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> HI, I AM JOANNA.
>> CAN WE START HER TIME AGAIN,
I INTERRUPTED.
GO AHEAD JOANNA.
>> I AM JOANNA FROM DISTRICT 7.
I'M ADVOCATING FOR 50% CUTS AT
LEAST TO THE SPD BUDGET.
I AM ASKING YOU TO INVEST THE
MONEY IN BLACK COMMUNITIES,
INTO HEALTHCARE, HOUSING AND
EDUCATION.
EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT HERE AS
WELL.
POLICE ARE NOT PROTECTING US
AND THEY ARE STILL COVERING
THEIR BADGE NUMBERS THREE WEEKS
AFTER THE MAYOR SAID THAT WOULD
BE STOPPED.
THAT IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY
ARE COMMITTING UNLAWFUL ACTIONS
AND DON'T WANT TO BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
SOME ARE TAYLOR'S DEATH IS ON
THEM AND THE FACT THAT THEY
CAN'T PROTECT US ARE SHOWING
YOU THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS
WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM.
ANYWAY, PLEASE IMPEACH DURKIN
AND PROVIDE AMITY FOR ALL
PROTESTERS.
THANK YOU.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JUSTIN.
WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUITO.
-- MOSQUEDA.
DEFUND THE POLICE BY AT LEAST
50%, NOT JUST BECAUSE IT IS
MORALLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO,
NOT JUST BECAUSE BLACK AND
BROWN PEOPLE ARE GETTING
MURDERED AT THE HANDS OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT, BUT WE ARE IN A
BUDGET CRISIS.
IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET
WE NEED TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM
A BLOATED DEPARTMENT THAT IS
WASTING THE BUDGET.
ALSO, TO DAN STRAUSS DIRECTLY
FAMILY SUPPORTED YOU SO MUCH
WHEN YOU WERE ON THE ELECT FOR
GUN RESPONSIBILITY AND YOU LET
US DOWN.
VOTE WITH YOUR HEART.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
MONICA, ASHLYN, AND ARI.
IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY FOR
EVERYBODY.
THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS ARE
MONICA, ASHLYN, AND KELTON.
WELCOME.
>> HI, I AM THE DIRECTOR OF
VOICES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISM
LEADERS WASHINGTON.
WE ARE BASED IN SEATTLE.
WE ALSO CO-HOUSED AN
ORGANIZATION THAT HAS LEAD. IT
IS A COMMUNITY-BASED TRAUMA
RESPONSE OF HARM REDUCTION
FRAMED CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO
COMMIT CRIMES DUE TO BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH COMMISSIONS CONDITIONS
OR EXTREME POVERTY.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS THAT IT
NO LONGER MAKES SENSE TO
REQUIRE THE POLICE TO BE THE
ONLY REFERRAL MECHANISM FOR LEAD
TO PROVIDE THAT CARE.
PLEASE LIST THE POLICE
GATEKEEPING FOR LEAD.
SO PEOPLE CAN GET THE CARE THEY
NEED AND REFER PEOPLE DIRECTLY.
THANK YOU.
>> ASHLYN, WELCOME.
ASHLYN, GO AHEAD AND START
AGAIN.
>> MY NAME IS ASHLYN AND I LIVE
IN D7.
I WAS ATTACKED BY COPS IN RIOT
GEAR AND WAS TAKEN TO THE ED.
ADOPT INGHAM COUNTY EQUITY NOW
AND DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE SPD.
A BIG THANK YOU FOR THOSE
COMMITTING. I ASK MY
COUNCILMEMBER, ANDREW LEWIS TO
STAND TO DEFUND SPD BY 50%.
IT IS SHAMEFUL YOU HAVE NOT
YET.
DAN STRAUSS, DON'T TWEET US
YOUR FAKE SUPPORT, COMMIT.
WHEN WE ARE RISKING OUR LIVES,
COPS ARE ATTEMPTING TO RUN US
OVER.
SPD NEEDS TO STOP TICKETING AND
ARRESTING PROTESTERS.
THEY DON'T CARE IF WE DIE.
IMPEACH MAYOR DURKAN.
THANK YOU.
>> HI, I AM A KING COUNTY METRO
BUS DRIVER AND A RESIDENT IN
DISTRICT 2. AFTER YEARS OF
AUSTERITY, BUSES AND LIBRARIES
ARE PUBLIC PLACES WHERE PEOPLE
OFTEN SEEK SHELTER.
THE LACK OF PUBLIC HOUSING
OPTIONS LENDS ITSELF TO
INCREASE CRISES ON MY BOSCH AND
I CANNOT SEEK HELP SO I HAVE TO
HAVE COPS BEING CALLED.
I REFUSE TO PUT ANY OF MY
PASSENGERS IN DANGER BY CALLING
THE COPS I MUST NAVIGATE
CHALLENGES ON MY OWN.
I WANT HOUSING FOR ALL AND I
WANT KING COUNTY METRO
OPERATORS TO HAVE OTHER OPTIONS
BESIDES CALLING THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
DEFUND SPD AND INVEST IN THE
FUND PROPOSED BY DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
AS A BUS DRIVER IN OUR CITY,
ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW.
OUR NEXT THREE PEOPLE.
WELCOME.
>> I AM ELLIE CASSIDY, A
BUSINESS OWNER AND RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT 3. I AM CALLING TO
ECHO THE SUPPORT FOR KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW AND
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND
DEFUND THE SPD BY AT LEAST 50%.
WE ALL KNOW THAT WITHOUT
ECONOMIC JUSTICE THERE IS NO
EQUITABLE JUSTICE.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS AND
ECONOMIC CONCERNS FURTHER HARM
COMMUNITIES AND NOW IS THE TIME
TO ACT.
THANK YOU.
>> ROSIE, WELCOME.
>> I AM A DISTRICT 3 RENTER AND
A MEMBER OF SOCIALIST
ALTERNATIVE CALLING IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE DEMANDS OF
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW.
TO DEFUND SPD BY 50% AND FUND
OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS . I AM
CALLING TO SUPPORT OUR DEMANDS
OF THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
MOVEMENT.
NO MORE CUTS TO OUR PROGRAMS
AND FUND THE GREEN NEW DEAL AND
NO MORE SWEEPS.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A
MOVEMENT AND WE WERE ABLE TO
SECURE A BIG WIN FROM CITY
COUNCIL.
WE WON THE AMAZON TAX.
IT PUT THE SPOTLIGHT THAT US
REGULAR PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED
TO FORGET THAT WHEN WE GET
TOGETHER WE CAN WIN.
WE HAVE TO FACE BRUTAL CUTS TO
BASIC SERVICES AND WE HAVE TO
GET ORGANIZED TO DEFUND SPD
THIS SEASON .
>> I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THE
DEMANDS OF THE BLACK WOMAN'S
MARCH.
DEFUND SEATTLE PLACE BY 50% AND
ADD THAT MONEY INTO BLACK AND
BROWN COMMUNITIES, CRISIS
RESPONSE TEAMS, RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE, HOUSING AND
HEALTHCARE.
DROP CHARGES AGAINST ALL
PROTESTERS.
AND JENNY DURKAN MUST RESIGN.
THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES DO NOT
HAVE THE MOST POLICE, THEY HAVE
THE MOST RESOURCES.
THANK YOU.
>> HOWARD, WELCOME.
>> I DID NOT HEAR MY NAME, THIS
IS HOWARD FROM QUEEN ANNE.
WE WILL RESTART YOUR TIME.
>> THIS IS HOWARD FROM DISTRICT
7. FUNDAMENTAL TO REEVALUATING
THE POLICE IS REEVALUATING THE
FUNDING OF POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY AGENCIES.
THESE ACCOUNTABILITY AGENCIES
HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE
ACCOUNTABILITY AS WE HAVE SEEN
RECENTLY AND THEY HAVE EVEN
FAILED TO ASK CRITICAL QUESTIONS
ABOUT THE MOST RECENT SPD
MURDERS OF RYAN SMITH AND THE
STILL UNNAMED AFRICAN-AMERICAN
KILLED THE SPD JUST A FEW
WEEKS AGO IN MAY.
NONE OF THE POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY AGENCIES HAVE
HELD PUBLIC FORUMS.
MY POINT IS CUTTING ONE HALF OF
SPD FUNDING WHICH WE SHOULD DO
AND HAVING HALF THE ABUSE IS
NOT THE SOLUTION.
WE MUST CREATE A TRUE POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM NASHVILLE
OR NEWARK.
THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL LOOK AT THOSE CITIES
AS WELL.
THE NEXT THREE ARE PATRICIA,
NANCY, AND LIAM.
GOOD EVENING.
>> MY NAME IS PATRICIA DAWSON.
I AM SPEAKING AS A PRIVATE
CITIZEN. I WORK FOR HUMAN
SERVICES. A LONG TIME AGO WE
ASKED THE CITY COUNCIL TO
SUPPORT AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
BUYING PROCESS WHICH NEVER
HAPPENED.
WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A LARGER
ARENA NOW.
I SUPPORT THE DEFUNDING OF THE
POLICE BY 50%.
AND INVESTING IN THE BLACK
COMMUNITY WITH PROPERTY AND
RESOURCES AND TO HELP THEM
FIGHTING BACK WITH
GENTRIFICATION OF THE COMMUNITY
AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.
THANK YOU.
>> NANCY, WELCOME.
>> I AM NANCY FORMALLY A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 6. FOR 11
YEARS I LIVED IN SEATTLE AND
NOT ONCE HAS SPD EVER RESPONDED
TO A 911 CALL INCLUDING THE
THREE TIMES I CALLED WHILE
BEING ATTACKED WITH MY SON AND
WAS TOLD THAT I WAS NOT
PRIORITY.
I HAVE BEEN GAS WITH AND LIED
TO BY SPD.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN HELPED.
THAT IS SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE.
>> WE LOST YOU FOR SECOND.
IF WE COULD ADD 10 MORE SECONDS
TO HER TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT SEATTLE
POLICE SALARIES, SEATTLE
UTILITIES AND SEATTLEITES,
THOSE THREE GET THE BULK OF THE
SALARY IN OUR BUDGET.
WHY IS THE LOWEST HOURLY RATE
GOING TO THE CIVIL SERVICES
MISSION?
THE COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION?
OUR TEACHER TAKE THREE TIMES
LONGER TO REACH SIX DIGIT
FIGURES AND THE SEATTLE PLEASE
HAVE A GUARANTEED SIX DIGIT
SALARY BY FIVE YEARS.
THAT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE NEXT PERSON IS LIAM DALE.
>> MY NAME IS LIAM AND I AM A
RENTER IN DISTRICT 6 CALLING ON
DAN STRAUSS TO SUPPORT
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE
PROPOSAL BECAUSE MY NEIGHBORS
AND I KNOW THAT POLICE DON'T
KEEP US SAFE.
AS RESIDENTS WE SEE THE IMPACT
OF RACIST POLICING PRACTICES
THAT TARGET THE LIVES OF OUR
HOUSE WAS NEIGHBORS EVERY DAY.
RECENTLY A HOUSE WAS NEIGHBOR
WHO I WILL REFER TO AS ANDY WAS
SUSPECTED OF STEALING A PACKAGE
OFF MY NEIGHBOR'S PORCH.
INSTEAD OF CALLING POLICE WE
URGED THE NEIGHBOR TO CHAT WITH
ANDY AND CONFIRM THAT HE HADN'T
STOLEN THE PACKAGE.
WE DON'T NEED POLICE, WE NEED
EACH OTHER.
>> STAR, GABRIELLE, AND JAMIE.
WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS STARR AND I LIVE
IN DISTRICT 7 AND I AM A PART
OF THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET
MOVEMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER KSHAMA SAWANT FOR
HER ATTENDANCE AT RALLIES AND
THE WORK SHE HAS DONE TO HELP
AND POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST
BLACK PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF
COLOR AND EQUITY FOR BLACK AND
BROWN PEOPLE.
I'M CALLING TODAY TO URGE THE
COUNCIL TO MEET THE DEMANDS
THAT CITY COUNCIL DEFUND SPD
BY 50% AND PLEASE REALLOCATE
THOSE FUNDS TO COMMUNITY LED
HOUSING SAFETY SYSTEMS.
I BELIEVE THAT DEFUNDING AND
REINVEST IN COMMUNITIES.
POLICE REFORMS HAVE NOT WORKED.
WE CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE BLACK
AND BROWN PEOPLE TO BE MURDERED
BEFORE WE MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET MOVEMENT.
>> PLEASE DO SEND THE REST OF
YOUR COMMENTS IN.
GABRIELLE.
>> MY NAME IS GABRIELLE AND I
LIVE IN THE GREEN LAKE
NEIGHBORHOOD IN DISTRICT.
I'M A MEMBER OF SUNRISE SEATTLE
AND A GRADUATE STUDENT AT UW
STUDYING CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY.
I'M CALLING TO PUT MY VOICE
BEHIND THE DEMANDS OF
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE TO DEFUND
SPD 50% AND INVEST THAT MONEY
IN BLACK COMMUNITIES AND DROP
ALL CHARGES AGAINST PROTESTERS.
IT IS LAUGHABLE TO SUGGEST THAT
ARMED AGENTS OF THE STATE
SHOWING UP TO ADDRESS THE
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TO DE-
ESCALATE THE SITUATION.
SPD IS ACTIVELY HARMING THE
MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY
MEMBERS AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
MY REPRESENTATIVE COUNCILMEMBER
DAN STRAUSS, YOUR CONSTITUENTS
ARE ASKING YOU TO DEFUND THE
POLICE BY 50% SO IT IS TIME FOR
YOU TO ANSWER US.
WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
>> JAMIE, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS JAMIE FLESHER AND
I AM A RESIDENT OF WEST SEATTLE
IN DISTRICT 1. IN MY DISTRICT
WE REGULARLY WRESTLE WITH THE
TRAUMA CAUSED BY SEATTLE
UNDERFUNDING COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR LIKE THE GENTRIFICATION
THAT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY EQUITY IS NOW ROADMAP TO
DEFUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BY
50% AND REINVEST THOSE FUNDS
INTO OUR COMMUNITY.
IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT
JUST SAY THAT BLACK LIVES
MATTER BUT TO AFFIRM IT THROUGH
YOUR ACTIONS.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS
CREATED SIGNIFICANT BUDGET
SHORTFALLS FOR THE 2020 FISCAL
YEAR.
I CALL ON THE COUNCIL AND LISA
HERBOLD TO SUGGEST 50% AT LEAST
FROM AS SPD'S BUDGET AND
REINVEST IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.
>> THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE,
WELCOME.
BEFORE WE BEGIN I WILL JUST
NOTE FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC WE
ARE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE
PRESENTERS FOR TODAY.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING TO
CALL AND, DO GIVE US A CALL SO
WE CAN GET YOU IN.
WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING
THROUGH THE SECOND HALF..
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU
CALLED YOU HAVE YOUR NAME ON
THE LIST AND THAT YOU ARE
PRESENT WHEN WE GET TO YOU.
WE WILL GO BACK TO ANYBODY WHO
IS NOT HERE.
OUR ATTEMPT IS TO TRY TO GET
EVERYBODY IN TODAY.
WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE
ON WHERE WE WERE AT.
THANKS FOR HOLDING ON FOR US.
>> BORN AND RAISED IN SEATTLE
AND I'M REQUESTING THAT THE
BUDGET BE CUT BY 50%.
SINCE SPD WAS FORMED IN 1869
AVERAGE OFFICER DEATH IS ONE
IN EVERY 2 1/2. 23 PEOPLE
REPORTED AS KILLED BY SPD
BETWEEN 2013 AND THEN AVERAGES
TO ONE DEATH EVERY 3.6 MONTHS.
THAT MEANS THAT WHENEVER A
CIVILIAN ENCOUNTERS AN OFFICER,
THE CIVILIAN IS EIGHT TIMES
MORE LIKELY TO END UP DEAD THAN
THE OFFICER.
PROTECT TWO?
SIR WHO?
IN 2014 12% OF OFFICERS LIVED
WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
GIVING THEIR WAGES WE KNOW THEY
CAN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE THEY
CHOOSE NOT TO.
THEY CHOOSE TO DRIVE INTO A
CITY THEY ARE NOT INVESTED IN.
THEY DO NOT WANT TO KNOW OR
LIVE NEAR THE PEOPLE.
TO INCREASE THE JUDGE IT -- THE
BUDGET, WHO IS IT FOR?
>> TARA, WELCOME.
>> JUST CHECKING TO MAKE SURE
YOU ARE NOT ON MUTE.
>> SORRY, I WAS ON MUTE.
MY NAME IS DOCTOR TARA REAGAN
AND I AM ASKING TO PLEASE
DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50% OR
MORE.
I LIVE IN CAPITOL HILL.
IN THE FORMER PROTEST ZONE I
WITNESSED POLICE VIOLENCE AND
EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE DURING
THE PROTESTS. THE POLICE
TERRORIZED MY NEIGHBORHOOD USING
TEAR GAS, FLASH BANGS ON AN
ALMOST NIGHTLY BASIS AND
WITHOUT PROVOCATION.
THE TEARGAS ENTERED OUR
BUILDING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS
WITH ONE NEIGHBOR HAVING TO
TAKE HIS INFANT TO THE HOSPITAL
DUE TO THE INFANTS REACTION TO
THE TEARGAS.
SINCE POICE RETURNED THEY
THREATENED ARREST OF SEVERAL
RESIDENTS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
I CALLED THE CITY COUNCIL TO
DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50% AND I
THINK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
AS WELL.
ESPECIALLY FROM THE GROUND IN
CAPITOL HILL.
BRENT, EMILY, AND HENRIQUE.
>> I AM A RENTER IN DISTRICT
FOR.
I'M REQUESTING THE REDUCTION OF
AS SPD BY AT LEAST 50% AND TO
REJECT DURKAN'S AUSTERITY
PROPOSALS.
I WANT TO REALLOCATE FUNDS TO
BUILDING TINY HOME AND SERVICES
THAT WILL HELP THE HOMELESS AND
BRECK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT POLICING.
DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR
DESPERATE MEASURES AND I'M
ASKING YOU TO BE BOLD AND THINK
OUTSIDE THE BOX OF STANDARD
POLICING.
THANK YOU.
>> EMILY, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS EMILY AND I AM A
DISTRICT 5 VOTER CALLING TO
SUPPORT THE DEMILITARIZED
SEATTLE. WHEN THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
MILITARIZED HAS LED TO
CATASTROPHES FOR THE PUBLIC IN
GENTER -- GENERAL.
IT IS CONSISTENTLY WORSE FOR
BLACK SEATTLEITES THAN EVERYONE
ELSE.
THERE IS ALSO A PLAGUE ON TRANS
AND DISABLED SEATTLEITES LIKE
ME.
WE NEED TO SCALE BACK THE
BUDGET AS FAR AS WE CAN.
>> HENRIQUE, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME IN
THE MEETING.
I WOULD URGE ALL COUNCILMEMBERS
TO SIGN THE NO CASH FROM COPS
PLEDGE.
HOPEFULLY THE OFFICERS WHO HAVE
THE MOST COMPLAINTS WILL GET
THE LARGEST PAY CUT FROM THE
DEFUNDING.
THE CITY WILL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE
PAY CUTS WITH THE POLICE UNION
AND THE POLICE UNION WILL FIGHT
BACK VERY HARD.
PLEASE DO NOT HAVE FEAR OF A
FAILED NEGOTIATION WITH THE
POLICE UNION.
STAND FIRM AND DO NOT BACK DOWN
FROM THE CHANGES THAT THE CITY
NEEDS.
WE END THE GAME OF A FAILED
NEGOTIATION IS THAT YOU HAVE TO
REBUILD THE POLICE FORCE FROM
THE GROUND UP WITH BRAND-NEW
OFFICERS.
THAT IS ACTUALLY THE VERY
OUTCOME THAT MOST PEOPLE IN THE
CITY WOULD ACCEPT RIGHT NOW.
EVEN IF THE NEGOTIATION WITH
THE UNION FAILED AND EVEN IF
THE POLICE DON'T SHOW IT TO
WORK, THE PUBLIC WILL STILL
SUPPORT YOUR DECISIONS AND WE
WILL STILL WORK WITH YOU TO
REBUILD THE POLICE AND
REIMAGINE POLICING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ELIZABETH, WELCOME.
GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS ELIZABETH AND I
LIVE IN DISTRICT FOR AND I
SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET AND KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW CALLING TO SAY YOU
GUYS NEED TO DEFUND THE POLICE
BY AT LEAST 50% AND CUT ME TO
COME FROM OFFICER SALARIES AND
THE BLOATED POLICE BUDGET.
THE CUTS CANNOT COME FROM ROADS,
LIBRARIES OR PUBLIC SERVICES.
THAT MONEY MUST GO INTO
COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR BLACK
AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES.
PARTICULARLY BECAUSE SEATTLE
HAS BEEN TERRORIZING THEM FOR
DECADES.
POLICE HAVE NEVER MADE ME FEEL
SAFE AND I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE
LAST NIGHT WHEN AN UNKNOWN CAR
TRIED TO BARREL THROUGH
PROTESTERS DOWNTOWN OR 20 OR SO
COPS ON BIKES WHO WEREN'T
WEARING MASKS ELECTED TO TICKET
THE PROTESTERS.
>> PLEASE SEND THE REST OF YOUR
COMMENTS IN.
HOLLY FOLLOWED BY TRISTAN AND
JACK.
HOLLY, WELCOME.
>> I AM HOLLY. THE FACT THAT
THE CITY IS DOING SWEEPS AND
USING TEAR GASES DURING A
PANDEMIC IS DISGRACEFUL.
WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE
SHELTER CRISIS FOR YEARS AND
THE PANDEMIC IS MAKING IT WORSE.
NOW IS THE TIME TO LIVE UP TO
THE TALKS.
DEFUND THE SPD, STOP SPENDING
MONEY ON TEARGAS AND SPEND IT
ON HOMES SO WE CAN PROTECT THE
PUBLIC.
THE POINT OF COPS IS TO REDUCE
CRIME.
>> THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE AND I
KNOW HARD TO GET IT ALL IN.
WE DO HAVE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE
WHO HAVE SIGNED UP AND WE ARE
TRYING TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE IN
AS POSSIBLE THAT THERE ARE
PEOPLE WHO ARE SIGNED UP THAT
ARE NOT PRESENT.
AT THIS POINT I WOULD ASK IF
YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND ADD
ANOTHER 10 SECONDS BACK TO THE
CLOCK, LET'S 255 SECONDS AND
TRY TO GET THROUGH THE REST OF
THIS LIST HERE.
THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE WILL BE
TRISTAN, JACK AND ANNIKA.
WELCOME.
ARE YOU ON MUTE TRISTAN?
>> I'M SO SORRY.
THANK YOU.
NO WORRIES, HERE WE GO.
IN THE CASE OF A RAGING FOREST
FIRE SOMETIMES WE CAN'T DO MUCH
THEN LET NATURE RUN ITS COURSE.
THE FIRE WE ARE CANDLING IN
SEATTLE HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN.
THE CITY IS DRAGGING ITS FEET
AND MORE FAMILIES SIGN UP FOR
FEDERAL SERVICES DAY AFTER DAY.
IF WE DON'T ACT NOW AND
REDISTRIBUTE THE POLICE BUDGET
TO THE COMMUNITY YOU WILL FEEL
THE WAVES OF THE RIPPLES YOU
COMMUNITY CREATED.
SOME OF YOU ROOKIES HAVEN'T
NOTICED THAT HER MOVEMENT IS
GROWING AND GAINING MORE
MOMENTUM.
EVERY YEAR SHE VOTED AGAINST
THE BUDGET.
IT IS TIME TO SHOW WHAT SIDE
YOU STAND ON FOR THE WORLD IS
WATCHING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> JACK, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS JACK FRANCIS.
I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
DEFUNDING AS SPD.
THEY SHOULD BE DEFUNDED BY 100%
AND ALL OF THAT MONEY SHOULD BE
PUT TOWARD THE COMMUNITY AT
LARGE.
I ALSO THINK THAT MAYOR DURKAN
AND THE CHIEF SHOULD BE REMOVED
FROM THEIR POSITIONS OF POWER.
PURELY BECAUSE OF THE
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE, AUSTERE
PUNISHMENT THAT THEY ARE DOING
TO PEOPLE PROTESTING. SYSTEMIC
RAY SENTENCES HIM IS WHAT OUR
COUNTRY HAS BEEN BUILT ON SINCE
IT WAS FOUNDED.
IT IS HORRIBLE THAT PEOPLE,
POLICE OFFICERS GET TO HIDE
THEIR IDENTITIES AND GET PAID
$150,000 A YEAR.
GET AWAY WITH GASSING PEOPLE AND
PUTTING PEOPLE THROUGH
EXTREMELY TRAUMATIC EVENT THAT
THEY HAVE TO PROCESS AND PUT
BACK INTO THEIR MIND AND THEN
COME OUT AFTER THAT.
AND WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND IT IS
HORRIBLE.
DEFUND AS SPD.
BLACK LIVES MATTER.
>> ANNIKA, WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE'S DISTRICT 5 AND A
VOTER AND I AM CALLING AS PART
OF THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET MOVEMENT
AND A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC
SOCIALIST OF AMERICA DEMANDING
A 50% BUDGET CUT NOW.
NOT IN A YEAR LIKE THE
MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL TRIED
TO PULL.
NOW OR IT DOESN'T COUNT.
WE HAVE SHOWN YOU THAT WE WILL
SECURE OUR SUCCESSES AND THE
CITY COUNCIL MIGHT STAY IN
OFFICE AND YOU COME WITH US.
IF YOU DON'T DO THIS NOW, THE
MURDERS WILL BE ON YOUR HANDS.
WE ARE WATCHING WHEN YOU VOTE
FOR OR AGAINST COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER
KSHAMA SAWANT FOR BEING THE
MOVEMENT IN THE MEETING ROOM.
ALL COUNCILMEMBERS AND
ESPECIALLY STRAUSS AND
PEDERSEN, WE ARE WATCHING YOUR
VOTES. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THE NEXT PRESENTER IS RUBY
FOLLOWED BY VALERIE AND JENNY.
RUBY, WELCOME.
>> I AM IN DISTRICT 3. I ASK
THAT THE COUNCIL FUND THE TAX
FUND PROGRAM, AN INITIATIVE
THAT WILL PAY ANY PROPERTY TAX
INCREASES FOR QUALIFIED
HOMEOWNERS AND THEIR QUALIFIED
ERRORS IN DISTRICTS TWO AND
THREE.
I ALSO ASK THAT YOU ASSIST
HOMEOWNERS IN THOSE TWO
DISTRICTS TO CREATE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING FOR SENIORS, ARTISTS
AND WORKING FAMILIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JENNY, WELCOME.
>> JENNY PRICE AND I LIVE IN
DISTRICT FOR AND AM A MEMBER OF
SUNRISE MOVEMENT SEATTLE.
I'M CALLING TO VOICE MY SUPPORT
FOR THE DEMANDS PRESENTED BY
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE AND KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW.
THE FIRST DEMAND IS TO DEFUND
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
BY 50%.
I WANT TO CALL ON MY
COUNCILMEMBER, ALEX PEDERSEN
TO BACK UP YOUR WORDS OF
SUPPORT FOR THE MOVEMENT FOR
BLACK LIVES BY VOTING TO DEFUND
THE POLICE AT LEAST 50%.
YOU JOINED THE MARCH OF SILENCE
AND YOU NOTED THE PEACEFUL
CROWD AND THE PASSIONATE
DEMANDS FOR REIMAGINING PUBLIC
SAFETY.
THOSE ARE EMPTY WORDS AND IF
YOU DON'T BACK THEM UP WITH
YOUR VOTE.
YOU ARE EITHER ACTIVELY WORKING
TO DISMANTLE RACISM OR YOU ARE
PART OF THE PROBLEM AND I URGE
YOU TO USE YOUR VOTE TO SHOW US
WHICH SIDE YOU ARE ON.
THANK YOU.
>> GOING BACK TO VALERIE.
WELCOME.
>> I AM VALERIE UNDER BEACON
HILL RESIDENT.
I FOLLOWED POLICE REFORM IN
SEATTLE SINCE 2010.
DEFUNDING THE POLICE BY 50% IS
IMPORTANT. SEATTLE RESIDENTS
ARE NOT GETTING VALUE FOR
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH
THE REFORM PROCESS.
MOST SPECIFICALLY THE OFFICE OF
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY..
ANY TO HELP WEED OUT BAD ACTORS
AND BAD PRACTICES.
THE OPA HAS NEGLECTED TO
INVESTIGATE NUMEROUS
QUESTIONABLE POLICE SHOOTINGS.
IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT THE OPA HAS
ACHIEVED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
AS CITY COUNCIL LOOKS AT
INVESTING IN COMMUNITY, I URGE
YOU TO LOOK AT BETTER MODELS.
WE NEED TO FUND TRANSPARENT
FUNDING.
>> HI, REAL QUICKLY OVER THE
LAST FEW DAYS THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT SPENT
$300,000 A DAY AND RECENTLY IF
WE BASICALLY CAN SAY ONE OR TWO
DAYS OUT OF THAT WE COULD FUND
A LOT MORE COMMUNITY SERVICES.
SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ON OUR
STREET.
EVERY DAY WE SAVE, WE GET 10
PEOPLE ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO GET HALF
THE POLICE OFF THE STREETS OVER
THE NEXT WEEKS AND THAT WOULD
MEAN A LOT.
THE KING COUNTY METRO HAS BEEN
HELPING AND MAYBE THEY CAN
REPLACE THE POLICE.
AND THE COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT
ACTION MEANS THE COMMUNITY
SHOULD GET DECISION-MAKING
POWERS.
>> THANK YOU.
PLEASE DO SEND IN THE REST OF
YOUR PUBLIC TESTIMONY VIA
RIDING.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> WE WERE GOING BACK TO RENA
JAMES.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
THIS IS TO RENA JAMES.
I AM WITH VOCAL WASHINGTON.
I WANT TO SAY THAT I TOTALLY
AGREE THAT MANY PROBLEMS COULD
BE BETTER HANDLED WITHOUT THE
POLICE AND WITH SKILLED SOCIAL
WORKERS.
TO THE IDEA THAT MEMBERS OF THE
PUBLIC PARTICIPATING IN THE
BUDGETING PROCESS AND DIRECTLY
VOTING ON HOW BASIC SERVICES
WILL BE PROVIDED, IT SOUNDS
GREAT BUT IT COULD RESULT IN
SOME POOR RESPONSES TO THE
MARGINALIZED PEOPLE.
MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE
WELL-INTENTIONED BUT ARE NOT
EXPERTS.
WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO RECOVER AND
HEAL FROM TRAUMA, PUTTING BASIC
SYSTEMS UP FOR A VOTE OF
WHOEVER SHOWS UP FOR THE
PROCESS ROLLS THE DICE. WHAT
ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T RISE
TO THE TOP OF THE POPULARITY
CONTEST THAT DO HAVE NEEDS AND
WE EXPECT ELECTED OFFICIALS TO
MAKE THE HARD CHOICES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TRINA.
THE NEXT THREE SPEAKERS THAT WE
HAVE GIULIANA, HENRY, AND
CANDACE.
WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS GIULIANA AND I
WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CLEAR THAT
I'M NOT HERE IN THE CAPACITY OF
EMPLOYEE.
>> GIULIANA WE JUST LOST
RECEPTION.
CAN YOU TRY AGAIN?
>> WE WILL RESTART YOUR TIME.
>> NAME IS GIULIANA AND I AM A
CITY EMPLOYEE BUT I LIKE TO
MAKE CLEAR THAT I'M NOT HERE IN
CAPACITY OF EMPLOYEE.
I AM HERE ON MY OWN TIME OFF
THE CLOCK.
I AM A CONCERNED MEMBER OF THE
COMMUNITY FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE
AND AS A BLACK WOMAN.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE
CITY COUNCIL TO INVEST IN
ECONOMIC JUSTICE PROGRAMS.
BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BLOCKED
FROM ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN
THE CITY OF SEATTLE.
WE CARRY OUT PRACTICES THAT
BLOCK BLACK PEOPLE FROM
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AS SEEN
WHEN IT COMES TO MARIJUANA AND
LICENSES.
AND THERE BEING 48 RECREATIONAL
MARIJUANA LICENSES AND ZERO ARE
OWNED BY BLACK PEOPLE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID I WOULD
LIKE TO ENCOURAGE CITY COUNCIL
TO INVEST IN BLACK LED
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL
AS THE CITIES PRIORITY HIRE
PROGRAM.
IT INCREASES ACCESS TO
CONSTRUCTION CAREERS FOR BLACK
PEOPLE AND HIRES BASED ON ZIP
CODES AND CREATES DIRECT
PATHWAY TO ECONOMIC JUSTICE.
>> THANK YOU.
SORRY YOU GOT CUT OFF.
WE LOVE PRIORITY HIRE.
SEND IN THE REST OF YOUR
COMMENT TO OUR OFFICES AND WE
APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
HENRY, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS HENRY AND I AM A
RENTER IN DISTRICT 3 AND I
STAND WITH DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY EQUITY
NOW AND ASKED THE COUNCIL TO
CUT THE SPD BUDGET BY 50%
PERMANENTLY AND CUT IT BY 85
MILLION FOR THIS YEAR.
SEATTLE SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY ON
SALARIES, TRAINING AND BODY
CAMERAS AND THAT HAS DONE
NOTHING TO PREVENT THE SPD
OFFICERS FROM BRUTALIZING AND
KILLING UNARMED RESIDENTS.
THERE HAS BEEN ZERO
ACCOUNTABILITY.
WITH PERSONNEL BEING THE
LARGEST PART OF THEIR BUDGET,
WE MUST CUT THE PERSONNEL
BUDGET.
NO MORE OVERTIME, NO FURTHER
HIRINGS OR RAISES AND WE NEED A
LARGE PERSONNEL CUT AND
DECREASES IN SALARY.
THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SAVE
THE BUDGET AND FUND MORE
IMPORTANT THINGS SUCH AS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SOLVING
HOMELESSNESS AND INVESTING IN
THE BLACK AND INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES.
GIVE THE BLACK COMMUNITY FIRE
STATION TITLE AND BEGIN PLACING
FUNDS TO AFRICA TOWN AND KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW.
>> CANDACE, BARBARA, AND
NATALIA.
WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS CANDACE AND I AM
CALLING FROM DISTRICT 5. I
WANTED TO REITERATE MY SUPPORT
TO DEFUND SPD BY AT LEAST 50%.
AFTER LISTENING TO BUDGET TALKS
THIS AFTERNOON IT SOUNDS LIKE
THERE IS A LACK OF AVAILABLE
GENERAL FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH
ISSUES FOR HOUSING FOR OUR
NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER PUBLIC
SERVICES THAT ARE DESPERATELY
NEEDED ESPECIALLY DURING THE
PANDEMIC.
AS MANY KNOW THE PANDEMIC HAS
DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED
BLACK COMMUNITIES.
DEFUNDING SPD COULD BE A
SOURCE OF RESOURCES TO HELP
WITH THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES.
I WOULD URGE CONSIDERATION FOR
BUILDING MORE TINY HOMES AND
ESPECIALLY SUPPORT OUR WORKING-
CLASS BLACK COMMUNITIES AS WELL
AS FUNDING ADDITIONAL TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES.
I URGE YOU TO FUND RENTER
RIGHTS AND EVICTION RIGHTS.
THANK YOU AND HAVE A LOVELY
EVENING.
>> PERFECT TIMING.
BARBARA, WELCOME.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL.
I'M CALLING TO URGE YOU TO
SUPPORT THE PEOPLE'S BUDGET TO
DEFUND SEATTLE POLICE BY AT
LEAST 50% AND USE THOSE FUNDS
TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY GROUPS
ESPECIALLY FOR YOUTH OF COLOR.
TO BUILD 1000 HOMES IN THE
CENTRAL DISTRICT FOR WORKING-
CLASS AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE,
TO FUND THE GREEN NEW DEAL, TO
STOP AUSTERITY.
WE DON'T NEED BUDGET CUTS TO
PARKS, LIBRARIES OR OTHER
PUBLIC SERVICES.
FUND RENTER'S RIGHTS AND
EVICTION DEFENSE.
STOP THE SWEEPS OF HOMELESS
ENCAMPMENT AND FUND TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
GIVE AMNESTY TO ALL THE
PROTESTERS AND ALSO SUPPORT THE
KING COUNTY EQUITY NOW
COALITION, DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE'S PROPOSALS.
THANK YOU.
>> NATALIA, WELCOME.
>> NAME IS NATALIA.
I'M A RESIDENT OF D6 AND I AM
CALLING TO SUPPORT THE DEMANDS
TO DEFUND SPD BY AT LEAST 50%
ON THE WAY TO TOTALLY DEFUNDING
THE POLICE.
FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF EQUITY
NOW AND DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE.
THIS MONEY NEEDS TO GO TO
COMMUNITY-BASED HUMAN SERVICES,
PUBLIC HOUSING, EDUCATION AND
HEALTHCARE PARTICULARLY IN
BLACK AND INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITIES.
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO
INVEST IN BLACK COMMUNITIES AND
BLACK ORGANIZATIONS.
THE POLICE HAVE VIOLATED CIVIL
LIBERTIES FOR BLACK AND BROWN
PEOPLE FOR DECADES.
WE NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING
AND DEFUND SPD.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THE COMMENTS
THAT BLACK COMMUNITIES ARE MORE
IMPACTED BY LACK OF POLICE.
TEDDY SHOW THAT SOCIAL SERVICES
REDUCES CRIME IN COMMUNITIES.
>> PLEASE DO SEND IN THE REST
OF YOUR COMMENTS.
WE APPRECIATE WHERE YOU ARE
GOING WITH THAT WITH WHAT THE
DATA SHOWS.
WE HAVE BEEN ELEVATING THAT
COMMENT AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING
THAT.
JUST A QUICK PAUSE TO REMIND
THE VIEWING PUBLIC THAT WE DO
HAVE ABOUT 30 PEOPLE LEFT TO
TESTIFY AND SOME OF THEM ARE
NOT PRESENT YET.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING
TOWARDS THE END OF PUBLIC
COMMENT TO LOG BACK IN, WE HAVE
YOUR NAME ON THE LIST AND WE
WILL CALL YOU AS SOON AS YOU
HAVE CALLED IN.
PLEASE DIAL IN RIGHT NOW IF YOU
HAVE BEEN WAITING TO GET
TOWARDS THE END OF THE LIST.
WE MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO THE
TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE
GOT IN BASED ON THE NUMBER OF
PEOPLE WHO CALLED IN.
IF YOU HAVEN'T YET CALLED BACK
IN, PLEASE DO SO.
TIE FOLLOWED BY JESSE AND DYLAN
. WELCOME.
>> HELLO.
I WANT TO COMMENT ON DEFUNDING
AS SPD BUT I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE
IS ON BOARD WITH THAT SO WE
SHOULD REMEMBER IF THE COUNCIL
DOESN'T FOLLOW THROUGH THEY
HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING THAT THEY
WERE SUPPOSED TO SO WE SHOULD
HOLD THE COUNCIL ACCOUNTABLE.
IT SOUNDS LIKE ALMOST EVERYONE
IS FOR DEFUNDING IT.
AS SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT A
NONPROFIT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT
IT GOES DIRECTLY TO BLACK
COMMUNITIES.
EVERY DAY WE GIVE MONEY TO HUGE
FOUNDATIONS.
ONE HUGE FOUNDATION IN KING
COUNTY AND THAT NEEDS TO STOP.
IT IS VILE AND VIOLENT AS THE
SPD ITSELF IS GIVING MONEY TO
GATEKEEPERS SO THEY CAN MAKE
SIX FIGURES AND DECIDE WHO GETS
MONEY IN NONPROFITS AND THAT IS
THE PROBLEM AS WELL.
WHEN WE GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE
COMMUNITY LET'S MAKE SURE IT IS
GOING TO THE COMMUNITY NOT THE
BIG FOUNDATION THAT MIXES OUR
TAX DOLLARS WITH PHILANTHROPY
MONEY.
>> THANK YOU.
JESSE, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS JESSE FERGUSON
AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3. THANK
YOU FOR HAVING KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW AND DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT BROKEN,
POLICE DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
WE WANT TO SEE IT DISMANTLED
COMPLETELY.
THE DEPARTMENT BUDGET HAS BEEN
BLOATED UNDER DURKAN . DIRECT
THE BUDGET TO BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ORGANIZATIONS.
DURKAN DOES NOT HAVE THE BEST
INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE
CITY AT HEART AND MUST BE
REMOVED.
THANK YOU MEMBERS ON THE
COUNCIL FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
PHILIP, WELCOME.
>> NAME IS PHILIP.
THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
I WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR ADDRESSING SOME OF THE
DETAILS OF THE 911 CALLS
EARLIER.
AND THAT MOST OF THEM HAVE
JUMPED ON BOARD WITH DEFUNDING
THE SEATTLE POLICE BY 50%.
I WOULD ASK THAT SPECIFICALLY
DAN STRAUSS, FROM DISTRICT 6
WOULD JOIN IN SUPPORT OF THAT.
WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST WEEKS
THE SPD HAS BEEN A REAL AND
IMMINENT THREAT TO OUR
COMMUNITY AND AS WELL THERE IS
REAL AND EMINENT THREAT FROM
THE PANDEMIC WE ARE CURRENTLY
FACING AND THE AMOUNT OF
POVERTY BASED CRIMES THAT WE
WILL SEE FROM THIS.
THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO GET AHEAD
OF THOSE ISSUES AND MAKE OUR
MARK ON HISTORY.
I HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE THE
GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU FOR MY
TIME.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THE NEXT PERSON IS TOM AND THEN
AUBREY AND DANIEL.
WELCOME.
>> I AM SUPPORTING DEFUNDING
SPD BUDGET BY 50% AND WANT TO
ECHO SUPPORT FOR KING COUNTY
EQUITY NOW AND DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE.
THE POLICE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH
POWER IN THE CITY AND THE ONLY
WAY TO NOT HAVE HISTORY REPEAT
ITSELF IS TO TAKE AT LEAST 50%
OF THEIR MASS BUDGET.
TAKE AWAY THEIR POWER AND PUT
THAT MONEY INTO BLACK AND BROWN
COMMUNITIES IN TERMS OF
HOUSING, JOBS, BASIC NEEDS AND
SERVICES.
HOUSING AND FOOD SHOULD BE
BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.
I'M TIRED OF SEEING SPD DOING
HOMELESS SWEEPS ESPECIALLY
DURING A PANDEMIC, IT IS
DISGUSTING.
I'M TIRED OF SEEING RACIST
POLICING.
WE DON'T NEED POLICE, WE NEED
EACH OTHER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
AUBREY, WELCOME.
>> I WANT TO AMPLIFY EVERYTHING
THAT EVERYONE HAS ALREADY SAID
SO FAR.
I FULLY SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE
SEATTLE POLICE BY AT LEAST 50%
AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THOSE
BUDGET CUTS ARE MOST LIKELY
GOING TO GO TO THE ACTUAL
NUMBER OF OFFICERS EMPLOYED AND
ARE LIKELY WHEN FIRING OCCURS
WILL LIKELY BE BASED SECURITY.
SENIORITY.
WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT
CUTTING LARGE SALARIES AND
CLEARING OUT THE LEADERSHIP OF
SPD.
ALL OF THIS VIOLENCE HAS BEEN
ENABLED BY THE DEPUTY POLICE
CHIEF AND OTHERS.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT I'M IN
IN DISTRICT 7 AND TOMORROW AT 3
PM WE WILL HAVE A SILENT STAND-
IN AT THE FARMERS MARKET.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS HAS SAID HE
WILL BE THERE.
IF YOU ARE IN QUEEN ANNE,
PLEASE TURN OUT FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PSA.
DANIEL, WELCOME.
>> I AM DANIEL FROM DISTRICT 6.
I'M CALLING ON DAN STRAUSS TO
PUBLICLY SUPPORT DEFUNDING SPD
BY AT LEAST 50%.
I WANT TO ECHO THE LAST
COMMENTOR IN SAYING THAT WE
SPECIFICALLY NEED TO CUT THE
MOST POWER-HUNGRY, VIOLENT AND
PROBLEMATIC OFFICERS.
AS THEY CUT THEIR BUDGET WE
NEED TO ENSURE WE HAVE A UNION
CONTRACT THAT ALLOWS US TO DO
THAT.
I AM ASKING THAT YOU KEEP THAT
IN MIND AS THE CUTS ARE MADE.
I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
SHOW OFF -- MENTIONED THAT I
HOPE THE CITY COUNCIL HOLDS ITS
PROMISES TO THE CHINATOWN
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT AND THE
WATERFRONT AREA BY CONTINUING
THIS CENTER CONNECTOR PROJECT
AND NOT ELIMINATING IT IN
BUDGET CUTS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
WE HAD MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO
THE TIME ALLOCATED TO TRY TO
GET EVERYONE IN AND THERE ARE A
HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT
CALLED BACK IN.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING TO
CALL BACK IN, NOW IS THE TIME
TO DO SO SO WE CAN GET YOU BACK
IN THE QUEUE.
WE ARE LOOKING GOOD ON TIME AND
WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET EVERYONE
IN IF YOU ALL CALL IN.
THE NEXT THREE PEOPLE ARE
JENNIFER, CHRIS, AND GOING BACK
TO SUSAN.
WELCOME JENNIFER.
>> MY NAME IS JENNIFER AND I
JUST MOVED TO DISTRICT 6 WITH
COUNCILPERSON DAN STRAUSS.
IN CONSIDERATION WITH THE NEED
TO SHORE UP THE BUDGET THERE IS
CRITICAL NEED TO CHANGE THE
WORK OF POLICE IN SEATTLE.
IN ORDER TO CHANGE I RECOMMEND
THAT A REVIEW OF THEIR JOB
DISTRACTION AND TYPE OF
POLICIES ARE LIMITED.
A PROVISION THAT DOES NOT
REQUIRE AN ADVANCED EDUCATION
AND THEIR SALARIES ARE HIGHER
THAN OTHER POSITIONS THAT IS
MORE DANGEROUS.
FINALLY, IT IS EVEN MORE
CRITICAL IN THE MEANTIME TO
HAVE MEANINGFUL CIVILIAN
OVERSIGHT BEFORE THEY SHOOT OR
KILL ANOTHER COMMUNITY MEMBER.
CREATE A CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT
BUDGET FOR OFFICERS WHO HAVE
REPEATED CONDUCT COMPLAINTS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
CHRIS, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS CHRIS CALLING
FROM DISTRICT 7 IN THE MAGNOLIA
NEIGHBORHOOD.
I AM CALLING ON MY
REPRESENTATIVE, COUNCILMEMBER
ANDREW LEWIS TO STAND BEHIND
DEFUNDING THE SPD AT LEAST 50%.
THAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM THAT
WE WILL ACCEPT.
IN ADDITION TO SLASHING THE
BLOATED POLICE BUDGET, WE NEED
TO FIRE OFFICERS WITH A HISTORY
OF BRUTALITY AND HOLD THEM
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS
IMMEDIATELY.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, STOP
FOCUSING ON TAXING CAPITAL GAINS
AND FOCUS ON WORKING TO DEFUND
THE MILITANT POLICE FORCE BUT
HAS BEEN DRUNK WITH POWER AND
TERRORIZES THE COMMUNITY.
INVEST MONEY AND RESOURCES IN
THE BLACK, BROWN, AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES THAT
HAVE BEEN IGNORED AND
UNDERSERVED FOR TOO LONG.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
WE WERE GOING BACK TO SUSAN.
>> MY NAME IS SUSAN AND I AM A
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT 6 AND I AM
CALLING TO URGE THE COUNCIL AND
PARTICULARLY DAN STRAUSS TO
DEFUND THE POLICE BY AT LEAST
50%.
IF REFORMS ARE GOING TO WORK,
SINCE 1962 NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
I STRONGLY URGE YOU AND
EVERYONE ON THE CITY COUNCIL TO
PUT YOUR DEEDS BEHIND YOUR
WORDS.
IF YOU BELIEVE THE BLACK LIVES
MATTER, THEN CHANGE THE SYSTEM
SO WE DON'T HAVE POLICE
OFFICERS KILLING BLACK AND
BROWN PEOPLE CONSTANTLY.
PLEASE SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP,
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE APPRECIATE YOU CALLING BACK
IN.
WE HAVE MARLOW, OLIVIA AND ERIC.
APOLOGIES FOR
MISPRONUNCIATIONS.
WELCOME.
>> THIS IS MARLA, PERSON OF
COLOR AND DISABLED. I
OBSERVED POLICING HARMING THE
MOST VULNERABLE POLICING.
LISTEN TO EQUITY NOW, THE
PEOPLE'S BUDGET AND BLACK AND
BROWN LED ORGANIZATIONS.
DEFUND SPD BY NO LESS THAN 50%
WITHOUT DELAY.
STOP HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT
SUITES.
THE AUSTERITY MEASURES ARE
ABSOLUTELY OFF THE TABLE.
REDISTRIBUTE FUNDS WHOSE
VULNERABILITIES ARE INCREASED
BY THE INCOMING RECESSION.
FUND YOUTH PROGRAMS, MENTAL
HEALTH, EVICTION AND RENTERS
RIGHTS.
TINY HOUSE OF ALMONDS AND GREEN
NEW DEAL.
REMOVE MAYOR DURKAN FOR
UNETHICAL POLICE FORCE
MANAGEMENT.
DROP PROTESTER CHARGES.
CONTINUE YOUR PIONEERING WORKS.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY.
OLIVIA, WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS OLIVIA AND I LIVE
IN THE CAPITOL HILL
NEIGHBORHOOD OF DISTRICT 3. THE
FOLLOWING VIEWS THAT I EXPRESS
ARE MY OWN.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
DEFUNDING THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BY AT LEAST 50% AND
TO REDIRECT THOSE FUNDS INTO
INVESTING INTO BLACK IMMUNITIES
WHILE ALSO GIVING BLACK
COMMUNITY LEADERS REAL CONTROL
OVER THESE BUDGETS AND TO DO
THAT NOW.
JUSTICE TOO LONG DELAYED IS
JUSTICE DENIED.
I LIVE A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE
EAST PRECINCT AND HAVE BEEN
HORRIFIED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE
POLICE IN THE LAST MONTH.
TO USE CHALK AS AN EXAMPLE OF
HOW AN AREA FREE OF POLICE
WOULD OPERATE IN REALITY IS NOT
A FAIR REPRESENTATION.
REFORM IS NOT ENOUGH.
I HAVE LIVED IN THE GREATER
SEATTLE AREA MY ENTIRE LIFE AND
I'M PROUD OF OUR POLITICAL
LEADERS RESPONSE IN THE FACE OF
COVID.
THE RESPONSE OUR CITY LEADERS
HAVE HAD IN THE FACE OF THE
MOST RECENT BLACK LIVES MATTER
MOVEMENT HAS NOT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
THE NEXT TWO PEOPLE ARE ERIC AND
WENDY.
>> MY NAME IS ERIC SALINGER.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7. I AM
CALLING BECAUSE I'M PRETTY MUCH
AGREE WITH EVERYTHING EVERYBODY
HERE IS SAYING.
I STARTED GETTING INVOLVED IN
THE THINGS AFTER THE MASS
SHOOTING WE HAD DOWNTOWN AND I
LISTENED TO CARMEN BEST
EXPLAINED TO US THAT CRIME IS
BETTER DOWNTOWN AND A LOT OF
PEOPLE DIDN'T SEEM TO BELIEVE
THAT.
WHAT THAT SAYS TO ME IS THAT
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
IS BEING INEFFECTIVE.
EVEN IF CRIME IS DOWN, THE
PERCEPTION OF CRIME BEING DOWN
ISN'T THERE FROM THE RESIDENCE.
I DON'T THINK THAT WHAT THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS
DOING IS WORKING.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE A GREAT
EXAMPLE JUST LOOK UP AT WHAT
HAS HAPPENED IN CAPITOL HILL
LATELY WHERE ONLY THE POLICE
CAN RESOLVE THE PROTEST BY TEAR
GASSING AN ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOD.
ONLY THE POLICE CAN PREVENT
THESE MURDERS FROM HAPPENING BY
DISPERSING THE CROWD AND THEN
OF COURSE YOU HAVE SOMEONE
BEING KILLED ON A HIGHWAY WHICH
HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN BY HIGHWAY
PATROL SUPPOSEDLY.
I DON'T THINK THAT THEY ARE
BEING EFFECTIVE.
THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY
WHICH I MAY HAVE TO SEND YOU AN
EMAIL IS AS WE MOVE FORWARD
WITH ALTERNATIVES WE NEED TO
CONSIDER HOW THE CURRENT LACK
OF ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDS TO STOP
AND WE DON'T CARRY THAT FORWARD
INTO THE NEW SYSTEM.
>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME
TONIGHT.
THANK YOU.
AND WENDY WARNER, WELCOME.
>> WENDY, ARE YOU POSSIBLY
UNMUTE?
>> THIS IS WENDY WARNER.
I AM A CONSTITUENT IN DISTRICT
5 AND I AM SPEAKING TO
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50% AND
SUPPORT THE DEMANDS OF KING
COUNTY EQUITY NOW AND
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE.
I TOLD MY KIDS POLICE ARE
HELPERS BEFORE MAY 29.
THEN MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE
PEPPER SPRAYED WHEN ATTEMPTING
TO GET TO A GATHERING AND MARCH.
POLICE INSTIGATED AND
AGGRAVATED AND THEN THE POLICE
LIED AND TRIED TO DRIVE THE
NARRATIVE.
DEFUND THE POLICE.
I ATTENDED MORE PROTESTS.
I SHOWED UP AND TALK AND
CONTINUE TO OBSERVE IN PERSON
AND ON LIVE STREAMS POLICE HAVE
BEEN BULLYING, VIOLENCE,
INTIMIDATING, LYING.
DEFUND THE POLICE.
THE PROTEST COMMUNITY LEADERS
HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL, EDUCATING
THE COMMUNITY, MOBILIZING AND
KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE.
LISTEN TO THE DEMANDS OF THE
COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONS.
ALSO, RECALL JENNY DURKAN.
THANK YOU.
>> I'M GOING TO PAUSE HERE FOR
A SECOND AND GIVE FOLKS A
SECOND TO CALL IN.
IF YOU HAVE YOUR NAME ON THE
LIST AND WOULD LIKE TO STILL
SPEAK, WE STILL HAVE TIME.
WE HAD 140 PEOPLE SIGN UP.
30 PEOPLE HAVE STILL NOT LOGGED
IN.
AND 18 OF THOSE WERE DUPLICATES.
LOOKING AT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF
PEOPLE SIGNED UP WE DID SCALE
BACK ON THE TIMING WITH AN
ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE WE COULD
GET EVERYBODY IN.
I'M JUST GOING TO WAIT FOR
ANOTHER FEW MINUTES JUST TO
MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE WAS
ANYBODY WHO HAD SIGNED UP TO
TESTIFY AND STILL WANTED TO
CALL IN AND USE YOUR SLOT YOU
ARE WELCOME TO DO SO.
I'M GOING TO HOLD FOR JUST A
SECOND.
AS I DO, I WANT TO THANK THE
FOLKS FROM THE I.T.
DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE MASTERFULLY
HELPED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
THE TIMER AND THAT WE ARE
GETTING PEOPLE IN THE QUEUE
LINED UP TO PRESENT.
I WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS FROM
THE CLERK'S OFFICE WHO HAVE
CONTINUED TO MAKE THEIR
WEDNESDAYS AVAILABLE IN
ADDITION TO OUR FULL DAYS ON
MONDAY.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
CENTRAL STAFF WHO IS WORKING
ROUND-THE-CLOCK ON THE POLICY
DETAILS AND AMENDMENTS THAT WE
ARE WORKING ON AND PROVIDING
THE BACKGROUND FOR THE BUDGET
DETAILS THAT WE WILL BE DIVING
INTO EACH WEDNESDAY GOING
FORWARD NOW THAT WE HAVE A
ROBUST UNDERSTANDING OF THE
MAYORS 2020 REBALANCING PACKAGE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WEDNESDAY IS OUR LONG DAY AND
WE APPRECIATE YOU LOGGING IN
AND BEING PART OF THIS PUBLIC
HEARING IN ADDITION TO THE
OTHER SESSIONS WE HAD TODAY
THAT WERE FOCUSED ON THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
BUDGET INQUEST AND ON THE 2020
REBALANCING PACKAGE.
SO, WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO
CONTINUE TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT
AT EACH MEETING. I MADE THAT
COMMITMENT EARLY AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO DO SO AT BOTH 10 AM
AND 2 PM.
I AM NOT SEEING ANYBODY ELSE
LOGGING IN BEFORE WE LOG OFF
HERE TODAY I WILL GO BACK AND
DOUBLE CHECK WITH OUR I.T.
FOLKS THAT WE DON'T HAVE
ANYBODY ELSE SIGNED IN BUT I
WANTED TO THANK ALL THE FOLKS
THERE INCLUDING OUR
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF WHO HAVE
HELPED MANAGE THE ONGOING
PUBLIC COMMENT AT EACH OF THESE
MEETINGS.
WE APPRECIATE YOU.
I SEE MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES ON
THE SCREEN AND I WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LONG DAY
PARTICIPATION.
IS THERE ANYTHING FOR THE GOOD
OF THE ORDER COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES?
>> NO.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ.
AND I HAVE A NOTE FROM OUR I.T.
FOLKS THAT ALL THE FOLKS WHO
HAVE CALLED IN HAVE PRESENTED.
I APPRECIATE THAT NOTE.
WE REACH THE END OF OUR AGENDA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ALL
DAY PRESENTATION AND WE WILL
RECONVENE THE SELECT BUDGET
COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
AT 10 AM.
AGAIN, PUBLIC COMMENT WILL BE
HELD AT 10 AM.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK AND
OPENING FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT
STARTS AT 8 AM.
IF THERE'S NO FURTHER QUESTIONS
AND NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, OUR
MEETING TODAY IS ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU ALL.