SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME
TO ORDER.
IT'S 2:00 P.M., I'M LORENA
GONZALEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE
COUNCIL.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL?
>> SAWANT?
>> HERE.
>> STRAUSS?
STRAUSS?
HERBOLD?
>> HERE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> HERE.
>> LEWIS?
>> PRESENT.
>> MORALES?
MOSQUEDA?
>> HERE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> HERE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> HERE.
>> SEVEN PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOLKS, ON MARCH 29th, GOVERNOR
INSLEE ESTABLISHED A
PROCLAMATION WHICH WAIVED AND
SUSPENDED PUBLIC MEETING ACT
REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-PERSON
MEETINGS.
SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN EXTENDED
BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE
LEADERSHIP OF THE WASHINGTON
STATE SENATE AND HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH JULY 1st
OF 2020 TO COMPLY WITH THE
RECOMMENDATIONS.
IN THE INTEREST AND SAFETY OF
THE PUBLIC AND OUR EMPLOYEES,
THE SEATTLE IS PARTICIPATING
ELECTRONICALLY.
AS I MENTIONED LAST WEEK, THE
CITY COUNCIL ANTICIPATES
CONTINUING THIS PRACTICE THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 2020.
BUT FOR NOW, WE'RE GOING TO
UNDERGO THE EXERCISE OF
EXTENDING THIS REMOTE MEETING
THROUGH JULY 1st OF 2020 ONLY.
SO COUNCILMEMBERS, DO WE KNOW
THE RULES ARE SILENT, ELECTRONIC
PARTICIPATION AT REGULAR CITY
COUNCIL MEETINGS AND COMMITTEE
MEETINGS.
SO TO ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO
CONDUCT BUSINESS REMOTELY, THE
COUNCIL RULES WILL STILL NEED TO
BE SUSPENDED.
SO AT THIS TIME, I WILL MOVE TO
SUSPEND THE COUNCIL RULES TO
ALLOW COUNCIL TO CONDUCT
MEETINGS REMOTELY CONSISTENT AT
THIS TIME WITH A PROCLAMATION.
COUNCILMEMBERS WILL PARTICIPATE
ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH JULY 1,
2020.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
COUNCIL RULES ARE SUSPENDED AND
THE COUNCIL WILL PARTICIPATE
ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH JULY 1st.
PRESENTATIONS, I'M NOT AWARE OF
ANY PRESENTATIONS.
SO WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO
THE MINUTES.
THE MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MEETING OF JUNE 15, 2020 HAVE
BEEN REVIEWED.
IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES WILL BE SIGNED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE
MINUTES ARE BEING SIGNED.
I WOULD ASK THE CLERK PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
MINUTES.
OKAY, FOLKS, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE
TO THE ADOPTION OF THE REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
THERE IS ONE SMALL AMENDMENT
THAT WILL NEED TO BE MADE TO THE
ADOPTION OF THE REFERRAL
CALENDAR.
THAT MOTION WILL COME FROM
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
SO WE WILL GO THROUGH THE
PROCESS OF MOVING TO ADOPT THE
IRC FIRST WITH A SECOND SO THAT
IT'S BEFORE US BEFORE
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA MAKES HER
AMENDMENT MOTION.
SO I WILL MOVE TO ADOPT THE
PROPOSED INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECOND
ADOPT THE PROPOSED INTRODUCTION
AND REFERRAL CALENDAR.
I WILL HAND IT OVER TO
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA WHO HAS
AN AMENDMENT.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I MOVE TO AMEND THE INTRODUCTION
TO ADD COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AS AN
ADDITIONAL SPONSOR TO 119810,
119811 AND 119812.
>> IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO
ADD COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AS A
SPONSOR FOR THOSE THREE BILLS.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS?
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AND THE
OTHER COSPONSORS OF THE
LEGISLATION AND APPRECIATE THE
COUNCIL CALLING APPROVAL IF
POSSIBLE FOR THIS FORMALITY
TODAY JUST TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GOING
THROUGH THE FORMAL PROCESS OF
ADDING COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AS A
COSPONSOR TO THOSE BILLS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS
ON THE AMENDMENT?
OKAY, HEARING NONE, I'D ASK THE
CLERK CALL THE ROLL ON THE
ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT.
>> S?
SAWANT?
STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> I SAID AYE, SORRY.
>> OH, THANK YOU.
>> STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD?
>> AYE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> AYE.
>> MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED AND
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS IS
OFFICIALLY ADDED AS SPONSOR TO
THE COUNCIL BILLS 119810, 811
AND 812.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON
THE AMENDED INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR?
OKAY, HEARING NO ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS, WILL THE CLERK CALL
THE ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDED INTRODUCTION O
REFERRAL CALENDAR?
>> IS A WANT?
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD?
>> AYE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> SORRY, AYE.
AYE.
>> MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> MOTION CARRIES AND THE
AMENDED INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR IS ADOPTED.
COLLEAGUES, IF THERE'S NO
OBJECTION, THE AGENDA FOR TODAY
WILL BE ADOPTED.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA
IS ADOPTED.
SO AT THIS TIME, WE ARE GOING TO
GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO OPEN UP THE
REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR
ITEMS ON THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA, INTRODUCTION AND
REFERRAL CALENDAR AND THE
COUNCIL'S 2020 WORK PROGRAM.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES,
OUR LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT STAFF
AND THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR ONGOING
PATIENCE AS WE CONTINUE TO
IMPROVE UPON AND REFINE THE
REMOTE SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC
COMMENT, INCLUDING
PREREGISTRATION FOR THE REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING FOR
WAYS TO FINE TUNE THIS PROCESS
AND ADDING NEW FEATURES THAT
ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL MEANS OF
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN OUR
COUNCIL MEETINGS.
IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AFTER
PARTICIPATING TODAY, HAVE
FEEDBACK, THEY CAN ALWAYS EMAIL
THAT TO MY OFFICE AT
LORENA.GONZALEZ@SEATTLE.GOV.
IT REMAINS THE STRONG INTENT OF
THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT REGULARLY
INCLUDED ON OUR MEETING AGENDAS,
HOWEVER, THE CITY COUNCIL
RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ELIMINATE
OR END THESE PERIODS AT ANY
POINT IF WE DEEM THE SYSTEM IS
BEING ABUSED OR IS NO LONGER
ALLOWING OR MEETINGS TO BE
CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY.
I WILL MODERATE THE PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR
THIS MEETING WAS NOTED ON
TODAY'S AGENDA TO LAST UP TO 20
MINUTES.
WE DO HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST
PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN-UP SHEET.
I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 50 FOLKS
OR SO SIGNED UP.
SO I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND IN
THE SPIRIT OF WANTING TO HEAR
FROM EVERYONE, I'M GOING TO ASK
THAT EACH SPEAKER SCALE THEIR
COMMENTS DOWN TO A ONE-MINUTE
SPEAKING TIME.
THAT SHOULD ALLOW US AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM JUST
ABOUT EVERYBODY ON -- WHO SIGNED
UP TODAY BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO GO
AHEAD AND ON THE FRONT END JUST
EXTEND OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
TO LAST UP TO 60 MINUTES INSTEAD
OF 20 MINUTES.
SO THAT WOULD TAKE US TO ABOUT
3:15 P.M.
HEARING FROM MEMBERS
OF THE PUBLIC.
SO IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION FROM
MY COLLEAGUES, I'D LIKE TO DO
AHEAD AND EXTEND TODAY'S PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD TO 60 MINUTES.
HEARING NO OBJECTION, WE'LL GO
AHEAD AND DO THAT AND ALLOT
EVERYBODY ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.
I WILL CALL ON EACH SPEAKER BY
NAME AND IN THE ORDER IN WHICH
THEY REGISTERED ON THE COUNCIL'S
WEBSITE.
IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED TO
SPEAK BUT WOULD LIKE TO, YOU CAN
SIGN UP BY GOING TO
SEATTLE.GOV/COUNCIL.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT LINK IS ALSO
LISTED ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ONCE I CALL A SPEAKER'S NAME,
STAFF WILL UNMUTE THE
APPROPRIATE MICROPHONE AND AN
AUTOMATIC PROMPT OF YOU HAVE
BEEN UNMUTED WILL BE THE
SPEAKER'S CUE THAT IT IS THEIR
TURN TO SPEAK.
I'D ASK YOU BEGIN SPEAKING BY
REMINDING US OF YOUR NAME AND
THE ITEM THAT YOU ARE
ADDRESSING.
AND AS A REMINDER, PUBLIC
COMMENT SHOULD RELATE TO AN ITEM
ON TODAY'S AGENDA, THE
INTRODUCTION AND REFERRAL
CALENDAR OR THE COUNCIL'S 2020
WORK PROGRAM.
SPEAKERS WILL HEAR A CHIME WHEN
TEN SECONDS ARE LEFT OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME.
ONCE YOU HEAR THE CHIME, I'D ASK
THAT YOU BEGIN TO WRAP UP YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF SPEAKERS DON'T END THEIR
COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE
ALLOTTED TIME PROVIDED, THEN THE
úSPEAKER'S MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED TO ALLOW US TO CALL ON THE
NEXT SPEAKER.
SO ONCE YOU'VE BEEN -- COMPLETED
YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE
DISCONNECT FROM THE LINE.
IF YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE
FOLLOWING THIS MEETING, WE ASK
THAT YOU WATCH US VIA SEATTLE
CHANNEL ON CHANNEL 21 OR ANY ONE
OF THE LISTENING OPTIONS LISTED
ON THE AGENDA.
SO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN.
WE'LL BEGIN WITH CALLING ON THE
FIRST SPEAKER ON THIS LIST, AS
PROMISED.
I SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO AN
HOUR, WE'RE STARTING NOW.
IT'S ABOUT 2:11 P.M.
WE'LL CALL IT 2:15 P.M.
AND GO
UNTIL 3:15 P.M.
AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS
NGUYEN, FOLLOWED BY SAVANNAH
SLY.
>> I'M ANDY, RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT TWO.
WANT TO USE MY TIME TO READ A
STATEMENT FROM A SEX WORKER IN
OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M A TRANS WOMAN OF COLOR WITH
TEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A SEX
WORKER.
I FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL
SEX WORKERS AND I'M AN ADVOCATE
FOR BIPOC, TRANSGENDER SEX
WORKERS.
WE NEED TO INCLUDE BLACK,
INDIGENOUS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF
COLOR IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE
RACIST ORIGIN OF BOTH LAWS, ONE
ORIGINATING FROM THE WAR ON
DRUGS ERA AND THE OTHER UNDER
THE GUISE OF SEX TRAFFICKING,
FURTHER MARGINALIZING PEOPLE
LIKE MYSELF LIVING WITH CHRONIC
ILLNESS AND DISABILITY, LIVING
WITH HIV.
POOR PEOPLE NEEDING TO PROVIDE
FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
AS A SEX WORKER, I AM AGAINST
ANY FORM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING,
INCLUDING TRAFFICKING OF
INDIVIDUALS IN THE SEX TRADES,
WHICH VERY MUCH AFFECT YOUNG,
QUEER AND TRANS FOLKS.
PLEASE PASS 119808, AND 807.
WE ARE BANNING --
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING
IN TODAY.
NEXT UP IS SAVANNAH SLY FOLLOWED
BY EMMY KUYAMA.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS SAVANNAH
SLY AND I'M A COUNCIL MEMBER AND
-- I'M ALSO A SEX WORKER WHO HAS
OPERATED IN SEATTLE SINCE 2010.
I'M TESTIFYING TODAY IN SUPPORT
OF THE MOTION TO STRIKE THE DRUG
AND PROSTITUTION LOITERING LAWS
FROM THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
DUE TO THE CRIMINALIZED NATURE
OF OUR EXISTENCE WE HAVE AN
ANTAGONISTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SIMILARLY -- ORDERS CRIMINALIZE
A PERSON FOR BEING IN A GIVEN
AREA ON SUSPICION OF DRUG OR
PROSTITUTION AND THE COUNCIL
SHOULD CONSIDER FUTURE
LEGISLATION TO PREVENT THE
POLICE FROM ENFORCING THESE
TIECHS OF ORDERS.
LASTLY, WE NEED TO END THE
CRIMINALIZATION OF PEOPLE IN THE
SEX TRADE.
AS WE MOVE INTO A DEEP
RECESSION, PUNISHING PEOPLE FOR
MAKING ENDS MEET IS CRUEL AND
SENSELESS.
IT IS TIME TO STRIKE THE CRIME
OF PROSTITUTION THE THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE.
THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF
THIS LEGISLATION TODAY AND THANK
YOU TO THE COUNCIL.
>> THANK YOU, SAVANNAH.
NEXT UP EMMY FOLLOWED BY LAURA
LOWE-BERNSTEIN.
>> MY NAME IS EMMY, AND I'M THE
DIRECTOR FOR COALITION OF RIGHTS
AND SAFETY FOR PEOPLE IN SEX
TRADE.
AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF BILLS
REPEALING THE CRIME OF
PROSTITUTION LOITERING AND DRUG
TRAFFIC LOITERING.
PROSTITUTION LOITERING IN
GENERAL IS ACTIVELY BEING USED
BY SEATTLE PD DISPRONO MORE
QUESTIONS NATALLY ON WOMEN OF
COLOR.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT UP IS LAURA
LOWE FOLLOWED BY ZACHARY
GARDNER.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL, MY NAME IS
LAURA, I'M THE FOUNDER OF SHARE
THE CITIES AND ALL VOLU
COLLECTIVE.
SEX WORKERS ARE WORKERS.
THEY SHOULD HAVE STRONG WORKER
PROTECTIONS.
CREATING A CRIMINALIZED MINDSET
AROUND SEX WORK DOES NOT STOP IT
FROM HAPPENING.
IT JUST CREATE TERRIBLE,
DANGEROUS WORKING CONDITIONS FOR
PEOPLE TRYING TO FEED
THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND
PAY THE REPRESENT.
THIS SMALL STEP, COUNCILMEMBER
119808 INDICATED TO ME THAT THE
RELENTLESS EFFORTS TO EDUCATE
PEOPLE FOR THE NEED FOR
DECRIMIZATION BY ORGS LIKE GREEN
LAKE PROJECT ARE FINALLY BEING
HEARD.
PLEASE PASS THIS BILL AND MOVE
FAR BEYOND THIS TO CREATE SAFE
AND FAIR LABOR STANDARDS FOR SEX
WORKERS IN SEATTLE LIKE YOU HAVE
FOR SO MANY OTHER MARGINALIZED
WORKER POPULATIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ZACHARY GARDNER
FOLLOWED BY JOSH CASTLE.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS ZACHARY
GARDNER, I'M A RESIDENT IN
BELLTOWN IN DISTRICT SEVEN.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS FOR DRAFTING
THIS LEGISLATION THAT'S SORELY
NEEDED.
I FULLY SUPPORT THE REPEAL OF
THESE ANTIQUATED LOITERING LAWS
DUE TO DRUG AND PROSTITUTION
LEFT OVER FROM THE FAILED WAR ON
DRUGS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY I
SUPPORT -- REPEAL OF POLICE
BUDGETS AND SUPPORTING MORE
EQUITIES FOR THE BLACK AND
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN THE
CITY OF SEATTLE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS JOSH CASTLE FOLLOWED
BY FITSIMMONS.
>> MY NAME IS JOSH CASTLE FROM
LEHIGH.
WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH
THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS
IN THE CALL TO REALLOCATE AT
LEAST HALF OF THE $400 MILLION
IN SPD FUNDING TO OTHER
CRUCIALLY NEEDED INVESTMENTS.
WE STAND WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN
SAFE LEADERS IN THE FUNDING OF
1,000 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR
RESIDENTS DISPLACED DUE TO
GENTRIFICATION AND RACIST
POLICIES.
SEE THE LETTER THEY SENT TO ALL
OF YOU.
WE ARE GRATEF
COUNCILMEMBERS FOR YOUR --
GROSSLY -- WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY
SUPPORT ALL THREE PROPOSALS.
WE URGE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT
THE FUNDING OF 20 VILLAGES OVER
THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND FIVE TO
TEN THIS YEAR USING STATE AND
FEDERAL FUNDING.
AS WE DID RECENTLY WITH SITES UP
IN FOUR WEEKS, WE CAN PUT THESE
UP QUICKLY AND COST EFFECTIVELY.
WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH OTHERS
SO WE HAVE A MIX OF TALENT AND
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN,
JOSH.
NEXT UP IS -- AND I APOLOGIZE IF
I'M BUTCHERING YOUR NAMES, I'M
DOING THE BEST I CAN HERE.
DIAGLAND FITSIMMONS, FOLLOWED BY
NAY OWEMY C.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM AT DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M A TRANS PERSON, FORMER DRUG
USER AND SEX WORKER, AND I'M
SENDING MY SUPPORT FOR THE
REMOVAL OF DRUG AND PROSTITUTION
LOYALTIERING LAWS, CHARGES FROM
THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
AS A SEX WORKER AND DRUG USER,
INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE NEVER
MADE ME FEEL SAFER, IN FACT,
THEY MADE ME FEEL THE OPPOSITE.
I'VE LOST COLLEAGUES BECAUSE
THESE LAWS PUSHED PEOPLE TO SEEK
OUT MORE PRIVATE AREAS TO WORK
IN AND WERE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF
BY PREDATORS.
STRIKE THESE CODES FOR THE
SAFETY OF POC AND TRANS FOLKS,
WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN
SEX WORK DUE TO LACK OF JOB
SECURITY.
I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I THINK
IT'S PAST TIME FOR SEATTLE TO
DECRIMINALIZE SEX WORK.
I HAVE WORKED IN THE LEGAL
SYSTEM IN NEVADA.
I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT.
IT'S LIKE MAKING THE GOVERNMENT
INTO YOUR PIMP.
SO DECRIMINALIZATION, WE NEED
THAT ASAP.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, AND I APOLOGIZE
FOR BUTCHERING YOUR FIRST NAME.
MY APOLOGIES.
NEXT UP IS NAOMI FOLLOWED BY
JOHN.
>> HI, MY NAME IS NAOMI AND I'M
A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WASHINGTON.
I WANT TO URGE THE COUNCIL TODAY
TO PLEASE SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL
PUT FORTH BY THE REVERENDS IN
THE CENTRAL AREA TO IMPLEMENT
THE CENTRAL AREA HOUSING PLAN AS
WELL AS INVEST IN HOMELESS
HOUSING, SHELTERS AND ALSO PASS
A PROGRESSIVE TAX THAT SUPPORTS
INITIATIVES THAT COMBAT YEARS OF
DISPLACEMENT AND DISINVESTMENT
IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
PLEASE REFER TO THE TLERT
REVEREND SENT YOU A COUPLE WEEKS
AGO.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS JOHN FOLLOWED BY
HATTIE RUDZ.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JOHN AND MY
FAMILY AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT
FIVE.
AND MY DAUGHTER AND I WISH TO
ADDRESS THE COUNCIL FOR SYSTEMIC
CHANGES IN POLICING.
>> I'M SOPHIA.
I'M 6 YEARS OLD.
I BELIEVE NO ONE -- NO BLACK
PEOPLE CAN EVER GET KILLED OR
HURT BY ANYONE.
>> WE ARE OUTRAGED BY THE
KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD, BREONNA
TAYLOR AND MANUEL ELLIS AMONG
OTHERS.
WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE PERMANENT
BAN OF CHOKEHOLDS AND TEAR GAS,
AS WELL AS THE OVERALL
DEMILITARIZATION OF OUR POLICE
FORCE.
BEYOND REFORM, WE NEED A NEW
PHILOSOPHY OF POLICING IN OUR
CITY AND COUNTRY.
A REENVISIONING THAT INCLUDES
CITY LEADERS, CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS AND PRESENTS
SYSTEMIC CHANGE.
REVIEW THE POLICE BUDGET, CREATE
úNEW TRAINING PROGRAMS AND PURSE
A SPACE MISSION TO --
>> THANK YOU, JOHN FOR CALLING
IN AND FOR HAVING YOUR DAUGHTER
PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC COMMENT
TODAY.
SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE YOUNGEST
PUBLIC COMMENTER WE'VE HAD YET
AT CITY COUNCIL, BUT WE
APPRECIATE YOUR PARTICIPATION.
NEXT UP IS HATTIE RUDES,
FOLLOWED BY KATHERINE WEST.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS HATTIE
RODS, FORMERLY OF THE GEORGETOWN
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
THEY ARE SAFE, DIGNIFIED SHELTER
FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE AS WELL AS
WE REALIZED THAT THEY ARE A
PERFECT SHELTER FOR WHEN WE HAVE
A MAJOR PANDEMIC.
I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO LOOK
AT ANY AND ALL WAYS TO FUND MORE
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES SO THAT ANY
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAVE
THE CHANCE TO REBUILD THEIR
LIVES.
THANK YOU, HAVE A GOOD DAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS KATHERINE WEST
FOLLOWED BY MATTHEW LAUDER.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS KATHERINE
WEST.
I'M AN ATTORNEY WITH LEGAL
VOICE, A NONPROFIT FEMINIST
LEGAL ORGANIZATION THAT HAS
TRIED TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF
WOMEN, GIRLS AND LGBTQ PEOPLE IN
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FOR OVER
40 YEARS.
WE IN 2017 DRAFTED A WHITE PAPER
REGARDING SEX WORK WHICH I HAVE
SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL BY
EMAIL.
AND THE REASON WHY WE TOOK THIS
INYOU UP IS BECAUSE IT
INTERSECTS WITH OUR CORE
ADVOCACY AROUND ENDING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE,
PROTECTING ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND
PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
AND BODILY AUTONOMY.
WE BELIEVE THE LAWS AND POLICIES
RELATING TO SEX WORK SHOULD
CENTER THE PERSPECTIVES AND
NEEDS OF SEX WORKERS, INCLUDING
SAVANNAH AND EMMY WHO HAVE
TESTIFIED TODAY.
WE SUPPORT COUNCIL'S PROPOSAL TO
DECRIMINALIZE THE CONSENSUAL
EXCHANGE OF SEXUAL SERVICES
BETWEEN ADULTS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS MATTHEW LAUDER,
FOLLOWED BY DEVIN O'DONNELL.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MATTHEW
LAUDER.
I AM A RESIDENT OF THE QUEEN
ANNE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'VE LIVED IN SEATTLE MY WHOLE
LIFE.
I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT
FOR COUNCIL BILLS 119807 AND
119808.
IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT OUR SEX
WORKERS AND DRUG USERS IN THIS
CITY HAVE BEEN TREATED AS
CRIMINALS.
AND I HOPE THAT THE REMOVAL OF
THESE LAWS FROM OUR BOOKS CAN
SERVE AS A PRECEDENT FOR FURTHER
REDUCING THE IMPACT OF POLICING
IN OUR CITY, REDUCING THE
PREVALENCE OF POLICING IN OUR
COMMUNITIES.
I YIELD MY TIME.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS DEVIN O'DONNELL
FOLLOWED BY COLE.
>> HELLO, I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT
OF -- I'M DEVIN O'DONNELL
CALLING IN SUPPORT OF CB 119807
AND 119808.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS
DECRIMINALIZATION OF SEX WORK.
WE NEED TO DECRIMINALIZE SEX
WORK, AND LEVEL IN WHICH
VIOLENCE IS PUT ON SEX WORKERS
IS BY THE POLICE.
A RECENT REQUEST SHOWS THAT LIKE
FROM 2018 THE COPS ARE BEING
PAID $200,000 TO $300,000 A YEAR
CONSISTENTLY IN SEATTLE.
VIOLENT CALLS ARE 1.3%, POLICE
ASSAULT WORKERS.
40% OF COPS ARE DOMESTIC
ABUSERS.
Y'ALL NEED TO HOLD YOUR PIGS
ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE YOU ARE
MURDERERS.
YOU FUNDING THE POLICE ALLOWS
THEM TO COMMIT ACTS OF VIOLENCE.
EVERY SINGLE PAIN, EVERY SINGLE
HURT IS ON YOUR HANDS.
YOU MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
SUPPORT THESE BILLS AND DEFUND
THE POLICE, YOU COWARDS.
>> OKAY.
NEXT UP IS SHIRA COLE FOLLOWED
BY HOWARD GAIL.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SHIRA COLE AND
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I
SUPPORT REPEALING THE
PROSTITUTION AND DRUG LOITERING
LAWS.
I ACTUALLY SUPPORT FULL
DECRIMINALIZATION OF ALL SEX
WORK AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT
OUT THAT THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT
APPROACHES TO THE TRAFFICKING
PROBLEM.
ONE'S A RIGHT FACED APPROACH AND
ONE IS A CRIMINALIZATION BASED
APPROACH.
THE CRIMINALIZATION-BASED
APPROACH THAT A LOT OF GROUPS
ARE ADVOCATING FOR IS VERY, VERY
HARMFUL FOR ACTIVE SEX WORKERS,
AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE CITY
COUNCIL WHEN THEY DO SPEAK TO
TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS THAT
THEY SPEAK TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ADVOCATE THE RIGHTS-BASED
APPROACH.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M
ALSO AN ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN SEX
WORKER.
I'VE BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE
INDUSTRY BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO
DIFFICULT TO DO IT, AND I'M NOW
A LOT OF THE TIMES RELYING ON
GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF
THAT.
IN 2018, IT WAS MADE PRETTY MUCH
IMPOSSIBLE FOR SEX WORKERS TO
ADVERTISE ONLINE.
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE ON THE
STREETS.
>> NEXT UP IS HOWARD GAIL
FOLLOWED BY ANDREW CONSTANTINO.
>> HI, THIS IS HOWARD GAIL FROM
DISTRICT SEVEN.
IT'S ONLY BEEN 24 DAYS SINCE
GEORGE FLOYD DEMONSTRATIONS
STARTED IN SEATTLE, AND WE'VE
ALREADY SEEN THAT IN THAT SHORT
TIME, SEVEN YEARS OF POLICE
REFORM HAVE EITHER COME UNDONE
OR FINALLY HAVE BEEN REVEALED AS
A VERY, VERY FRAGILE FACADE.
TWO DAYS AGO, LAST SATURDAY, WE
SAW THIS FICTION FURTHER UNRAVEL
AS POLICE FAILED IN THEIR
RESPONSE TO A DEADLY SHOOTING IN
THE PROTEST ZONE, AND THEN
FOLLOWED THAT UP WITH A COVER-UP
OF THEIR INCOMPETENCE WITH FALSE
ACCUSATIONS ABOUT VIOLENT
PROTESTERS PREVENTING THEM FROM
GETTING TO VICTIMS.
IT TOOK OVER 20 MINUTES FROM THE
TIME THE 911 CALL WAS LOGGED TO
WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVED.
OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE
MODE FOR SUCH RESPONSE TIMES HAS
BEEN FOUR MINUTES OR LESS.
SO THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.
THE FALSE CLAIMS BY SPD
CONCERNING THESE UNEXPLAINED
DELAYS VIOLATE EXISTING
POLICIES.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, NEXT UP IS ANDREW
CONSTANTINO FOLLOWED BY TERESA
HOLMAN.
>> HI, I'M ANDREW CONSTANTINO,
PSYCH COORDINATOR AT GEORGETOWN
TINY HOUSE VILLAGE.
I SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF TINY
HOUSE VILLAGES.
VILLAGES HAVE PROVIDED DIGNIFIED
SHELTER TO HUNDREDS OF SEATTLE'S
MOST VULNERABLE, AND TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES HAVE CASE MANAGEMENT
WHICH HELPS CLIENTS SEEK
COUNSELING MEDICAL CARE AND
PERMANENT HOUSING.
DURING THE COVID CRISIS,
VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
SELF-ISOLATE WHILE HAVING BASIC
NEEDS MET.
OPERATION SACK LUNCH HAS BEEN
PROVIDING MEALS TO VILLAGES, AND
HOPEFULLY THIS WILL CONTINUE
ONCE THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
SUBSIDES.
WE NEED TO DO MORE TINY HOUSE
VILLAGES.
LET'S OFFER EVERYONE ON OUR
STREETS A CHANCE TO REBUILD
THEIR LIVES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS TERESA HOLMAN,
FOLLOWED BY DANIELLE SHAPIRO.
>> HI.
I'M HERE TO ASK THAT SOME OF THE
SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
FUNDING BE REALLOCATED TO FUND
20 NEW TINY HOUSE VILLAGES OVER
THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THEY'RE SPACE, COST EFFECT SXIF
AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO
HOMELESSNESS.
WE WOULD ALSO ASK THAT THREE
MEALS A DAY BE FUNDED AT EACH
VILLAGE EXISTING AND NEW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON BIG
BUSINESS TAXATION TO FUND
ADDRESSING THE HOMELESS CRISIS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS DANIELLE SHAPIRO
FOLLOWED BY SEAN CASE.
>> HI, MY NAME IS DANNY SHAPIRO
AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT
TREE.
MANY OF MY LOVED ONES ARE SEX
WORKERS IN SEATTLE AND
ELSEWHERE, AND I'M ASKING YOU TO
USE YOUR POWER TODAY TO REMOVE
DRUG AND PROSTITUTION LOITERING
CRIMES FROM THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE.
IT'S A SMALL CHANGE TO THE CODE
THAT COULD HAVE A HUGE TANGIBLE
IMPACT ON SOME OF THE MOST
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN THE
CITY, INCLUDING MY FRIENDS AND
LOVED ONES.
TO DO THIS WOULD MEAN FEWER
INTERACTIONS WITH THE POLICE,
FEWER ARRESTS, LOWER COST TO THE
CITY AND MUCH MORE SAFETY AND
SECURITY TO BLACK, INDIGENOUS
AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IN OUR CITY.
IT WOULD MEAN FEWER FAMILIES
HURT AND BROKEN UP BY POLICING
AND PRISON SYSTEMS.
DOING THIS WOULD SHOW A
COMMITMENT TO RACIAL AND GENDER
EQUITY DURING A TIME WHEN CITY
RESIDENTS ARE LOSING FAITH IN
OUR GOVERNMENT'S LEADERS TO
TAKING CARE OF US.
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE
A BIG IMPACT AT AN IMPORTANT
MOMENT.
AND WE'RE WATCHING AND
REMEMBERING HOW YOU CHOOSE TO
ACT AS WE PROTEST, ORGANIZE AND
MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT VOTING IN
UPCOMING ELECTION CYCLES.
PLEASE REPEAL THESE CRIMES FROM
THE CODE.
>> OKAY, NEXT UP IS SEAN CASE
FOLLOWED BY ROXANNE ROBLES.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SEAN CASE.
I'M A DISTRICT THREE RESIDENT
AND MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC
SOCIALIST AMERICA.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCIL BILLS 119807 AND 119808.
CRIMINALIZING DRUG POSSESSION
AND SEX WORK CRIMINALIZES
POVERTY, PARTICULARLY FOR PEOPLE
OF COLOR AND TRANS FOLKS.
IT WOULD LEAD TO FEWER POLICE
INTERACTIONS AND THEREFORE FEWER
DEATHS AND OTHER ACTS OF
VIOLENCE AT THE HANDS OF POLICE.
IT WOULD ALSO SET THE GROUND
WORK FOR EXPANDED ACCE
COUNSELING AND OTHER SER.
PUBLIC FUNDS CAN BE SPENT
WITHOUT DUMPING MONEY INTO A
BLOATED POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS ROXANNE ROBLES
FOLLOWED BY RYAN PAUL.
>> HELLO, COUNCIL, AND THANK YOU
COUNCILMEMBER OR PRESIDENT
GONZALEZ FOR PRONOUNCING MY NAME
CORRECTLY.
I AM CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCIL BILLS 119807 AND 119808.
I SUPPORT THE DECRIMINALIZATION
OF BOTH SEX WORK AND DRUG
TRAFFIC LOITERING AS WELL AS THE
FULL DECRIMINALIZATION OF SEX
WORK.
I THINK IT IS WORK AND IT'S AN
IMPORTANT PART OF GIVING PEOPLE
WITH LESS ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL
FORMS OF INCOME AGENCY OVER
THEIR OWN LIVES AND THEIR OWN
BODIES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS RYAN PAUL FOLLOWED BY
SAMANTHA.
>> HI, COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS RYAN PAUL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX
AND A SHARE THE CITY VOLUNTEER.
I'M ASKING YOU ALL TO SUPPORT
COUNCIL BILL 119808 AS THE FIRST
STEPS TOWARD THE
DECRIMINALIZATION OF SEX WORK.
A LOT OF CREDIT SHOULD GO TO
PEOPLE IN GROUPS LIKE GREEN LAKE
PROJECT FOR BRINGING AWARENESS
AROUND THESE ISSUES.
I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT
COUNCIL BILL 119807, REMOVING
THE CRIME OF DRUG TRAFFIC
LOITERING.
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZER AND FORMER
D4 CANDIDATE HAS POINTED OUT
THIS PART OF THE CODE IS OFTEN
USED TO HARASS.
BOTH THESE PIECES OF LAW HAVE
ALLOWED FOR CONTINUED HARASSMENT
OF BLACK, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND
SEX WORK NEIGHBORS.
THIS IS ONE STEP T
DISMANTLING THE SYSTEM.
>> NEXT UP IS SAMANTHA FOLLOWED
BY ALICIA.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SAMANTHA FROM
DISTRICT THREE.
I'M CALLING TO URGE MY CITY
COUNCILMEMBERS TO VOTE YES ON
THE LEGISLATION TO REPEAL DRUG
AND PROSTITUTION LOITERING.
THIS IS A LAW THAT
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS
PEOPLE OF COLOR.
THIS LEADS TO PEOPLE BEING
SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, HARASSED,
AND EXTORTED BY COPS UNDER THE
PRETENSE OF THE LAW.
I MYSELF HAVE BEEN A SEX WORKER
FOR TEN YEARS AND MOST OF MY
COMMUNITY INCLUDES SEX WORKERS.
LIKE OTHER OTHERS WHO HAVE
FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE WITH
POLICE, WE KNOW THAT COPS DON'T
SPEND MOST OF THE TIME ON THE
BEAT STOPPING CRIME, ESPECIALLY
FOR BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE
LIKELY THAN WHITE PEOPLE TO BE
STOPPED, PULLED OVER AND
SEARCHED BY POLICE.
PEOPLE OF COLOR, PARTICULARLY
BLACK PEOPLE, ARE ARRESTED FOR
THINGS LIKE LOITERING AND DRUG
POSSESSION AND FORCED INTO A
LEGAL SYSTEM OF MASS
INCARCERATION.
WE PENALIZE PEOPLE FOR TRYING TO
SURVIVE OR SIMPLY HOW THEY LIVE
THEIR LIVES AND WHAT THEY LOOK
LIKE.
THIS INCLUDES ALL ORDINANCES
INVOLVING PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE
DRUG TRADES.
I'M CALLING TO DECRIMINALIZE
PROSTITUTION AND DRUGS --
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN,
SAMANTHA.
NEXT UP IS ALICIA FOLLOWED BY
SHARAE.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ALICIA, I'M
WITH THE COALITION ENDING
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE.
ALONG WITH OUR MEMBERS WHO'VE
SPOKEN TODAY, I'M SPEAKING IN
SUPPORT OF THE BILLS ELIMINATING
CRIMES OF DRUG TRAFFIC AND
PROSTITUTION LOITERING FROM THE
CODE.
THIS ORDINANCE TARGETS A GROUP
ALREADY AT HIGH RISK.
ELIMINATING THESE CRIMES TODAY
IS A WELCOME STEP AND MORE IS
NEEDED.
COUNCIL SHOULD END SOAP AND SODA
ORDERS THAT FUNCTION IN THE SAME
WAY AS THE LOITERING LAWS.
COUNCIL SHOULD ELIMINATE THE
CRIME OF PROSTITUTION ITSELF AS
ADVOCATES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT
THE EFFECT OF ARREST AND
INCARCERATION IS NO WAY TO STOP
EXPLOITATION AND VIOLENCE AND IN
FACT PERPETUATES GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES TO
REPEAL THESE CRIMES AND PLEASE
CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION ON THESE
ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP SHARAE FOLLOWED BY
LENORA.
>> HELLO, I'M A RESIDENT OF
DISTRICT FOUR.
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF GREEN LIGHT
PROJECT AND DECRIMINALIZE
SEATTLE.
I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE
THAT'S CALLED IN IN FAVOR OF
DECRIMINALIZING PROSTITUTION
LOITER AS WELL AS DRUG TRAFFIC
LOITERING.
ALSO, THANKS FOR SHOWING UP
EVERYONE THAT'S HERE AND THANK
YOU FOR HEARING THESE COMMENTS
AND HAVING US ON AN AGENDA DAY.
IT MEAN AS LOT AND I CAN'T WAIT
FOR THE NEXT STEPS AFTER THIS.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
APPRECIATE IT.
NEXT UP IS LENORA RUSSELL
FOLLOWED BY AMBER BERGSTROM.
>> HI THERE, SO MY NAME IS
LENORA AND I WORK WITH
DECRIMINALIZE NATURE SEATTLE.
AND MY BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW
IS THAT THE MASSIVE DRUG PROBLEM
ON THE STREETS OF SEATTLE, WE
HAVE SEEN THE MIX OF THE DRUG
WAR AND THE WAR ON DRUGS HARMED
FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY FAMILIES
OF COLOR.
SO I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE
FACT THAT WE'VE MET WITH LISA
HERBOLD, WHO IS SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL, AND SHE HAS ASKED US TO
SHOW US THAT THERE'S A -- SO
MANY.
AND RIGHT NOW, THE FACT THAT
OAKLAND AND SANTA CRUZ HAVE
TAKEN THE INITIATIVE WITH THEIR
CITY COUNCILS TO GO AHEAD AND DO
THIS, THEY HAVE DONE THIS BY
ACTIONS OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE
PEOPLE, AND THAT IS MY REQUEST
OF YOU GUYS TODAY, THAT YOU
ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHAT CAN YOU
ACCOMPLISH YOURSELF THAT DON'T
HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO YOUR DOOR
THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO FOR THE
PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, LENORA.
NEXT UP IS AMBER BERGSTROM
FOLLOWED BY BRUCE.
>> HI, MY NAME IS AMBER
BERGSTROM.
I'M A 17-YEAR RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE IN DISTRICT SIX AND A
VOLUNTEER FOR GREEN LIGHT
PROJECT.
I'M HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR
CB 119807 AND 119808.
AS A VOLUNTEER, THESE BILLS
DIRECTLY AFFECT THE COMMUNITIES
WE SERVE WHO ARE PRIMARILY
BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND POC,
MULTIPLE MARGINALIZED FOLKS.
LAWS THAT CRIMINALIZE POVERTY,
ONLY MAKE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE
VIOLENCE, DEATH AND HARM.
THESE BILLS DO NOT GO FAR
ENOUGH.
WE MUST DECRIMINALIZE SEX WORK
AND WE MUST DEFUND THE POLICE IN
ORDER TO MAKE OUR CITY FOR
FOR EVERYONE.
-- AND HAVE NOT BEEN ACTED ON.
PLEASE ACT ON THEM NOW TO SAVE
LIVES.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS BRUCE FOLLOWED BY
CANDACE.
>> HI, MY NAME IS BRUCE FROM THE
THIRD DISTRICT.
AND I'M CALLING TODAY TO URGE
THE COUNCIL TO REPEAL THE DRUG
AND PROSTITUTION LOITERING LAWS.
THESE LAWS ONLY CONTINUE TO HARM
AN ALREADY MARGINALIZED
COMMUNITY AND IT ALLOWS
CONTINUED HARASSMENT AND
VIOLENCE BY THE VERY POLICE WHO
CLAIM TO PROTECT THEM.
IN 2016, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
SUPPORTED FULL DECRIMINALIZATION
OF SEX WORK, AND WE CAN EVEN
LOOK TO NEW ZEALAND FOR
GUIDANCE.
IT WORKS.
AND THE PEOPLE THESE LAWS HARM
ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR
FRIENDS, YOUR LOVED ONES, THE
PATRONS TO YOUR BUSINESSES AND
MY PARTNER.
REPEALING IS A GOOD FIRST STEP
AND FULL DECRIMINALIZATION IS
THE RIGHT ANSWER.
DO THE RIGHT THING, VOTE YES.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS CANDACE, FOLLOWED BY
EVIE FLOWERS.
>> HI, THANKS SO MUCH.
MY NAME IS CANDACE.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE
AND ALSO A VOLUNTEER WITH GREEN
LIGHT PROJECT.
I'M CALLING TO UNEQUIVOCALLY
SUPPORT THE BILLS TO REPEAL
PROSTITUTION AND DRUG LOITERING
FOR ALL OF THE REASONS
PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
BUT I WANTED TO ADD A FEW
THINGS.
THE FIRST IS THAT I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERY PERSON
WHO'S CALLED IN AND OUTED
THEMSELVES AS A SEX WORKER HAS
SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE
COURAGEOUS IN OUR SOCIETY BUT
STILL IS.
AND I BELIEVE THAT CREDIT SHOULD
GO FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE SEX
WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING
FOR THEMSELVES LONG BEFORE THIS
BILL CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
I WOULD URGE THE COUNCIL MOVING
FORWARD TO MORE ACTIVELY ENGAGE
THE COMMUNITY THAT IS ARE MOST
AFFECTED.
SEX WORKERS ARE VERY CAPABLE OF
ADVOCATING FOR THEMSELVES AND
KNOW WHAT THEY NEED, WHICH ARE
RESOURCES TO BE REDIRECTED FROM
THE POLICE AND TOWARDS PEER-LED
COMMUNITY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS.
I URGE YOU TO MAKE THIS
RETROACTIVE AND TO TAKE FURTHER
STEPS TOWARD DECRIMINALIZATION
OF ALL SEX WORK.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT UP IS EVIE FLOWERS
FOLLOWED BY MARTHA MICKELSON.
>> MY NAME IS EVI FLOWERS, I'M A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO AND I'M
A SEX WORKER AND VOLUNTEER AT
THE GREEN LAKE PROJECT.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
119808.
THE CRIMINALIZATION OF SEX WORK
INCREASES OUR RISK OF
EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE,
ESPECIALLY BY POLICE,
ADDITIONALLY, I SUPPORT THE
DEFUNDING OF POLICE AND
REDISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO BLACK
AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY WHO IS
HAVE BEEN TARGETED
DISPROPORTIONATELY BY THIS
VIOLENCE.
CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PROJECTS
LIKE GREEN LAKE PROJECT WHO
SUPPORT THE MOST MARGINALIZED
MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
EVIE.
NEXT UP IS MARTHA MICKELSON
FOLLOWED BY ERICA REAM.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MARTHA
MICKELSON AND I'M A RESIDENT IN
CAPITOL HILL.
I APPRECIATE YOUR LEGISLATIVE
WORK TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THAT BEING SAID, I'M CALLING TO
VOICE MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE
CITY'S RESPONSE TO THE PROTEST
ZONE KNOWN AS CHOP.
FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, IT SEEMS
THE CITY HAS HAD NO INTEREST IN
WORKING WITH THESE SPECIFIC
PROTESTERS BEYOND MINIMAL PUBLIC
SAFETY MEASURES WHILE THEY
OCCUPY THEIR SPACE.
TREATING THE ZONE AS AN ISOLATED
DEMONSTRATION SPACE WITHOUT
INTENTIONS TO CREATE A
RESOLUTION INHERENTLY PUTS OUR
NEIGHBORS INSIDE THE ZONE AND
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY AT RISK.
I'M ASKING FOR THE PARTIES TO
MEET THE PEOPLE IN THE ZONE
WHERE THEY'RE AT AND DEVELOP A
PLAN TO INCLUDE THIS OCCUPIED
PROTEST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR
REDEFINING PUBLIC SAFETY WORK.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ERICA REAM FOLLOWED
BY NICHOLAS.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ERICA REAM.
I'M A DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT AND
A SEX WORKER.
I'M CALLING TO ASK YOU TO
SUPPORT CB 119808 AS A FIRST
STEP TOWARDS DECRIMINALIZATION
OF SEX WORK.
I'D LIKE TO ECHO WHAT WAS SAID
BY MY PEERS.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE OF
SEX WORKER-LED ORGANIZATIONS IN
MAKING THE CITY A SAFE PLACE FOR
SEX WORKERS TO LIVE.
WE ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
OUTLAWING OUR LIVES IS A HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATION.
THE POLICING OF OUR COMMUNITY
MAKES EVERYONE LESS SAFE.
I SURVIVED A SEXUAL ASSAULT
WHILE WORKING IN A SEATTLE STRIP
CLUB AND DID NOT CONSIDER
CONTACTING AUTHORITIES BECAUSE
TO DO SO WOULD PUT ME AND MY
COWORKERS AT RISK OF ARREST AND
EXPLOITATION.
THERE'S TOO MUCH POWER IN THE
HANDS OF ABUSERS.
BY SUPPORTING CB 119808, YOU ARE
SHOWING OUR COMMUNITY THAT YOU
BELIEVE OUR EXPLOITATION AND
ABUSE IS UNACCEPTABLE.
PLEASE SHOW US THAT OUR LIVES
MATTER TO YOU AND TAKE THIS
STEP.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, NEXT UP IS
NICHOLAS FOLLOWED BY JACKIE
VAUGHN.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS NICHOLAS, AND I'M A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR.
I FULLY SUPPORT COUNCIL BILLS
119807 AND 119808 STRIKING THE
DRUG AND PROSTITUTION LOITERING
LAWS IN SEATTLE.
I THINK THIS IS A NECESSARY STEP
TOWARDS REIMAGINING OUR APPROACH
TO PUBLIC SAFETY HERE.
WE NEED TO DECRIMINALIZE DRUG
USE SO WE CAN TREAT THEM AS
MEDICAL ISSUES AND NOT CRIMINAL
JUSTICE ISSUES.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO FULLY
DECRIMINALIZE SEX WORK SO WE CAN
PROVIDE DESPERATELY NEEDED
HEALTH CARE TO THEM.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS JACKIE VAUGHN
FOLLOWED BY MIRA.
>> GREETINGS, COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS JACKIE VAUGHN, I'M A
RESIDENT OF D2, AND THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SURGE
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE.
I'M CALLING TO URGE
COUNCILMEMBERS TO REPEAL THE
DRUG AND PROSTITUTION LOITERING
LAWS THAT CURRENTLY
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT BLACK
AND BROWN SEX WORKERS BY PUTTING
SEX WORKERS IN POSITIONS THAT
INCREASE THEIR EXPOSURE TO
VIOLENCE BOTH AT THANDZ OF
POLICE AND THOSE WHO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF OUR LACK OF SUPPORT
FOR SEX WORKER RIGHTS.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL PASS
COUNCIL BILL 119807 AND 119808.
AND ADOPT HARM REDUCTION
POLICIES THAT WERE CREATED BY
GREEN LIGHT PROJECT AND
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE.
I SENT AN EMAIL TO THE COUNCIL
WITH THOSE ADDITIONAL POLICIES
THAT CAN MOVE THE CITY OF
SEATTLE TO A FRAMEWORK OF HARM
REDUCTION AND WORKERS RIGHTS FOR
SEX WORKERS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING
IN TODAY, AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE
WONDERING, IF YOU'RE STILL ON
THE LINE WITH US, WE ARE ABOUT
TO CALL ON SPEAKER 41.
SO WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THE
END HERE.
SO NEXT UP IS MARK BRAN THAN
FOLLOWED BY MIRA.
>> MY NAME IS MARK BRAN THAN.
I LIVE IN SEATTLE AND OWN A HOME
A FEW BLOCKS FROM THE AURORA
CORRIDOR.
I'M ALSO A DAD.
HEAR ME LOUD AND CLEAR, I'M
SPEAKING TODAY IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT AND REPEAL OF SECTIONS
12A.10.
WE SHOULD REPEAL THESE BACKWARDS
LAWS FOR MANY REASONS.
THE TWO ARE EVIDENCE-BASED
APPROACHES TO POLICY AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING OUR
CHILDREN CONSENT.
LAWS CRIMINALIZING SEX WORK HAVE
MANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
SOME OF THOSE CONSEQUENCES PROP
UP SYSTEMIC RACISM.
ANOTHER FRIGHTENING SIDE EFFECT
IS IT CREATES A DISINCENTIVE FOR
WITNESSES AND VICTIMS TO REPORT
REAL CRIMES, SUCH AS VIOLENCE
FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
I'VE HEARD SUCH LAWS SEND A BAD
MESSAGE THAT IT'S OKAY TO POLICE
OTHER 'S BODIES THROUGH FORCE
AND COERCION.
THAT'S THE VERY OPPOSITE OF WHAT
I'M TRYING TO TEACH MY 11 AND
13-YEAR-OLD NOW THAT THEY'RE
GROWING UP.
I'M FAR LESS WORRIED ABOUT
SEEING 5 SEX WORKER WALKING DOWN
THE AVE THAN SEEING THE FLASHING
RED AND BLUE LIGHTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS MIRA FOLLOWED BY TY.
>> I'M A GRAD STUDENT IN BIOLOGY
AT UW AND A DISTRICT FOUR
RESIDENT.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF
COUNCIL BILLS 119807 AND 119808.
AS A SCIENTIST, I THINK IT'S --
DRUG USE REDUCES -- AND DOES NOT
INCREASE DRUG USE OF OTHER
CRIMES.
THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT
DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK
PROTECTS BOTH SEX WORKERS AND
PUBLIC HEALTH, REDUCES VIOLENT
CRIMES AND REDUCES SEX
TRAFFICKING.
THESE BILLS ARE FIRST STEPS, AND
THERE IS NO GOOD REASON NOT TO
PASS THEM TODAY.
THE POLICING OF BLACK AND BROWN
PEOPLE IS CLOSELY CONNECTED TO
THESE ISSUES.
I URGE YOU TO DEFUND THE POLICE,
REDISTRIBUTE FUNDS, DROP CHARGES
AGAINST PROTESTERS AND IMPEACH
MAYOR DURKAN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS TY FOLLOWED BY ERIC
GRAY.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS TY.
I REPRESENT DISTRICT TWO OR
DISTRICT ONE.
I AM HERE -- DIRECTOR OF -- I
STAND IN SUPPORT WITH ALL THREE
ORDINANCES, BUT SPECIFICALLY IN
REFERENCE TO DECRIMINALIZATION
úOF SEX WORK.
AS EVIDENCE AND RESULTS SHOW,
EFFORTS TO PROSECUTE SEX WORKERS
HAS ONLY DONE MORE HARM TO THE
VICTIMS AND TO OUR FELLOW
COMMUNITIES.
I HOPE THAT FURTHER ACTION AND
LISTENING TO FELLOW LEADERS IN
THE SPACE OF SEX WORK AND OUR
COMMUNITY CAN FURTHER NO LONGER
BE CRIMINALIZED AND TREATED AS A
THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
I ALSO REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL
PLEASE FIND TIME TO SUPPORT THE
CHOP AND OUR FELLOW COMMUNITY
AND DO NOT TREAT IT AS SOMETHING
SEPARATE FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ERIC GRAY FOLLOWED BY
JACKIE LEAVITT.
>>>> HI, MY NAME IS ERIC GRAY.
I'M A YEAR, HIV POSITIVE
SURVIVOR OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
AND ALSO WORK IN THE SEX TRADE.
I'M REQUESTING YOU NOT TO
APPROVE CB 119808 AND INSTEAD --
DEMOGRAPHIC -- I'VE PREVIOUSLY
TRIED TO WORK WITH CITY COUNCIL,
HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT AND DOWN BY
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD'S OFFICE.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SEAT AT
THE TABLE ALONG WITH OTHER
SURVIVORS WHO HAVE THINGS TO SAY
ABOUT THIS BILL, PARTICULARLY
AROUND PROTECTIONS OF PROCURERS
AND BUYERS, WHICH IS OUR ONLY
CONTENTION WITH THIS BILL.
I THINK YOU'RE MAKING A
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MODEL WHICH
HAS $168,000 FOR SUPPORTING
SURVIVORS IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING
AND THE COMMERCIAL SEX TRADE, WE
NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL
WORDING OF THIS BILL.
YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO INDIGENOUS
SURVIVORS AND NOT WHITE PEOPLE.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY.
LOOKS LIKE JACKIE LEAVITT IS NO
LONGER WITH US, SO WE'RE GOING
TO MOVE OVER TO JAZ.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS JAZ, I WORK
IN PORN AS A SEX WORKER.
I WANTED TO SPEAK ON WHY SEATTLE
SHOULD REMOVE THEIR DRUG AND
PROSTITUTION LOITERING LAWS.
I FIND IT TO BE AN UNETHICAL
INVITATION FOR THE POLICE TO
ARREST CITIZENS AT THEIR
CHOOSING, WHICH IS TO SAY THIS
IS A RACIST LAW.
AND HOMELESS.
JUST BECAUSE SOME MIGHT FIND
THEIR PRESENCE UNCOMFORTABLE
DOES NOT GIVE THE POLICE THE
RIGHT TO ARREST CITIZENS.
POLICE KEEP PROVING THEMSELVES
TO BE A THREAT TO CITIZENS.
THIS LAW JUST PROVES THE
GOVERNMENT WISHES THE POLICE TO
HARASS AND HARM ITS OWN
CITIZENS.
WHICH IS WHY I WISH THIS LAW TO
BE REMOVED AND THE SPD TO BE DU
FUNDED.
WE SHOULSD ALSO DECRIMINALIZE
PROSTITUTION AND DRUG POSSESSION
AS IT IS SET UP THROUGH A
PROCESS OF FAILURE BY -- TO FIND
HELP.
I YIELD MY TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
LOOKS LIKE JACKIE IS BACK WITH
US, SO JACKIE LEAVITT IS NEXT.
>> HI, CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THIS IS JACKIE LEAVITT AND I'M
CALLING -- OR I'M ASKING YOU
VOTE YES ON LEGISLATION TO
REPEAL DRUG AND PROSTITUTION
LOITERING AND ASK YOU ADVOCATE
FOR SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACES THAT
ACCOMMODATE ALL OF US CITIZENS,
ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE MOST
VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED.
WE CAN MOVE AWAY FROM THE COST
OF INCARCERATION THAT INCLUDES
MENTAL AND SOCIAL COSTS DUE TO
THE VIOLENCE AND
RETRAUMTIZATION.
INSTEAD, PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR THOSE WHO ARE FACING HOUSING
AND FOOD INSECURITIES.
PLEASE FURTHER DECRIMINALIZE
PROSTITUTION SO WE CANNOT ONLY
KEEP PEOPLE SAFE BUT BROADEN OUR
CHANCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO
MOVE OUT OF ANY OPPRESSIVE
SITUATIONS THEY MAY FIND
THEMSELVES IN.
PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW PARTS OF OUR
COMMUNITY TO BE THROWN AWAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS VENA FOLLOWED BY ISIS
HONAN.
>> HI, COUNCIL, I'M A TRANS
WOMAN OF COLOR, A SEX WORKER AND
MANAGER AT -- SEATTLE.
WE SUBMITTED A POLICY BRIEF ON
THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY OF SEX WORKERS IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
WE RECOMMEND BANNING -- WE ALSO
RECOMMEND OUTLAWING EXTORTION BY
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE ASK YOU TO ELIMINATE SOAP AND
SODA POLICIES.
THESE LAWS ARE -- FORM OF SOCIAL
CONTROL AND -- FURTHER MORE, WE
ASK FOR THE FULL
DECRIMINALIZATION OF SEX WORK.
WE URGE THE CITY TO DEFUND --
AND REINVEST IN ORGANIZATIONS
THAT -- FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN
TRAFFICKING.
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE GREEN LIGHT
PROJECT, UTOPIA SEATTLE, POC
SWAP AND COALITION FOR RIGHTS.
IN CLOSING, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR
CONTINUED EFFORTS TO KEEPING OUR
COMMUNITY SAFE, AND WE ASK THAT
YOU SUPPORT AND PASS THE BILLS
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ISIS HONAN FOLLOWED
BY KIERA FRANZ.
>> FIGHTING FOR SEX WORKER
RIGHTS IN KING AND POUM.
I AM AN INDIGENOUS SEX WORKER
FOR OVER SIX YEARS, AND AN
ADVOCATE FOR THREE.
WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT BIPOC
TRANS PEOPLE ARE ELEVATED IN
THIS SITUATION AND TO PUSH CITY
COUNCIL TO REINVEST IN
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE UTOPIA
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON BLACK TRANS
TASK FORCE AND PROJECT GREEN
LIGHT.
-- SEX WORKER IN OUR BODY
SOFTENTY AND AGENCY.
IT'S WORKED IN AUCKLAND, NEW
ZEALAND AND KEEPING OUR
COMMUNITY SAFE.
>> THANK YOU.
NEXT UP IS KIERA FRANCE FOLLOWED
BY BENNET RON.
>> THANK YOU.
MY NAME IS KIERA FRANS, I'M A
RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE.
I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL PASS
119807 AND 119808.
I'VE LIVED IN SEATTLE FOR 30
YEARS.
I'VE LIVED HERE SO LONG THAT I
WORKED IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S
OFFICE AS AN INTERN JUST AS
THESE LAWS WERE STARTING TO BE
ENFORCED.
AND I CAN SAY FROM THAT
EXPERIENCE THAT THEY WERE
DISCRIMINATORY FROM THE VERY
BEGINNING AS BLACK BODY AFTER
BROWN BODY AFTER BLACK BODY CAME
IN ON PROBATION VIOLATIONS BASE
ON THESE LAWS AND WERE SENT BACK
TO JAIL AND FURTHER
DISEMPOWERED.
I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY A
PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY WOULD
CRIMINALIZE WHAT PRIMARILY WOMEN
DID WITH THEIR OWN BODIES ANY
WAY.
AS A WHITE SKINNED PERSON, I SEE
THIS AS CONTROL OF BLACK AND
BROWN BODIES AS MORLEY
INDEFENSIBLE.
DEFUND, DEMILITARIZE THE SPD.
THOSE MODELS ARE NOT OPEN TO THE
ABUSES THAT HAVE HAPPENED WITH
THE SPD'S BYSTANDER AT THE VERY
--
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS BENNET FOLLOWED BY
PERRY COUNTRYMAN.
>> HELLO, CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS BENNET.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR ON THE
INDIGENOUS HOMELAND ON THE
DUWAMISH PEOPLES.
I'D LIKE TO REMOVE THE CRIMES OF
DRUG TRAFFICKING AND
PROSTITUTION LOITERING.
I SEE THIS AS A CONTINUATION OF
OUR CITY'S EFFORT TO REDUCE
HARMFUL AND VIOLENT POLICING IN
OUR CITY.
SEX WORK SHOULD NOT BE A CRIME
AND SHOULD NOT BE POLICED BY
ARMED MILITANTS.
SEX WORKERS ARE OFTEN PEOPLE OF
COLOR, PARTICULARLY BLACK OR
INDIGENOUS AND TRANS OR GENDER
NONCONFORMING FOLKS.
IN A TIME WHEN WE THE PEOPLE ARE
CRYING OUT FOR JUSTICE FOR OUR
BLACK AND PARTICULARLY TRANS
BLACK RELATIVES, THIS REPEALMENT
WOULD SPEAK VOLUMES TOWARDS HOW
WE DO INDEED CARE ABOUT THEIR
LIVES AND NOT JUST THEIR DEATHS
AFTER THE FACT.
I'D LIKE TO COMMENT GENERALLY
THAT WHILE THIS COUNCIL HAS MADE
SOME PROGRESS AROUND THE EFFORT
TO DEFUND AND DEMILITARIZE THE
POLICE, WE ARE IN NO WAY DONE.
I HOPE TO HEAR THE COUNCIL WORK
TOWARDS A MORE EQUITABLE CITY
AND A MORE JUST WORLD.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS PERRY COUNTRYMAN
FOLLOWED BY JULIA ZAGLAND.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS PERRY, I'M
A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NUMBER
FOUR.
I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT OF 119808
AND 119807.
-- FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
WORKING THERE.
THERE ARE NO LONGER -- PENALIZED
IT'LL GO AWAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN
TODAY.
NEXT UP IS JULIA ZAGLAND.
FOLLOWED BY REBECCA.
>> MY NAME IS JULIA ZAGLAND, I'M
A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE
GREEN LIGHT PROJECT AND THE FACT
THAT IN MARCH THEY
PRODUCING HAND SANITIZER FOR
TEIR COMMUNITY.
AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW
THAT IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR
YOU TO BE FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ACTUALLY RESPOND TO
COMMUNITY NEEDS AS THEY CHANGE.
AND THE FACT THAT YOU HAVEN'T
MET WITH THE GREEN LIGHT PROJECT
SUFFICIENTLY OR ENCOURAGED
UTOPIA PROJECT OR ANY OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS TO INPUT ISN'T
EVIDENT AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
THESE LONG LINES OF PEOPLE
EXPRESSING THEMSELVES UNTIL YOU
START INCORPORATING THEM AND
COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTO YOUR
LEGISLATION MORE THOROUGHLY SO
THAT WE ARE MORE UPDATED
COLLECTIVELY.
THANK YOU, I YIELD
MY TIME.
>> OKAY.
NEXT UP IS REBECCA PHONDEN, AND
REBECCA WILL BE FOLLOWED BY
ELIZABETH.
>> HILL LOW.
MY NAME IS REBECCA AND I SIT ON
THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOR
THE CITY OF SEATTLE ON THE HUMAN
TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE.
AND I'M A SURVIVOR OF HUMAN
SEXUAL TRAFFICKING.
WE ARE THINKING OF THROWING AWAY
A LAW BECAUSE WE'RE USING IT
IMPROPERLY AND INEQUITABLY.
I'M AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF THE
LOITERING CHARGE.
IT 1 NOT THE LAW THAT DOES NOT
WORK, IT'S THE APPLICATION OF
THE LAW.
THIS LAW, IF REPEALED, WOULD
ALSO DECRIMINALIZE BUYERS AND
TRAFFICKERS.
THIS WOULD REDUCE THE LAW THAT
IS BUYERS AND TRAFFICKERS
CURRENTLY COULD BE CHARGED FOR.
WE HAVE CRIMINALIZED THE WOMEN
AND PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING
PROSTITUTED THROUGH THE
LOITERING LAW.
PEOPLE NEED TO PULL OVER BUYERS
AND TRAFFICKERS FOR LOITERING
AND NOT PROSTITUTED PEOPLE.
POLICE HAVE BEEN CRIMINALIZING
THE WRONG PEOPLE WITH THIS LAW.
IF WE RID THIS LAW, IT'S LIKE
GETTING THROUGH AN EXPERIMENT
WITH ONE CONTROL GROUP.
WOMEN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR
LOITERING -- BUYERS AND
TRAFFICKERS -- DRIVING AROUND.
IN ORDER TO PROPERLY USE THE
APPLICATION OF --
>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.
NEXT UP IS ELIZABETH.
>> HI, I'M ELIZABETH AND IN
FAVOR OF REPEALING THE TWO
ANTI-LOITER LAWS TODAY.
I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF
DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK.
AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR
SHARING THEIR STORIES AND
PERSPECTIVES TODAY.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR.
I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SMALL
ADJUSTMENT IN THE DIRECTION
TOWARD PROTECTING COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR FROM THIS SUBJECTIVE AND
OFTEN OPPRESSIVE INTERPRETATION
OF POWER OF WHO BELONGS AND WHO
DOESN'T, WHO'S VULNERABLE TO
POLICE EXPLOITATION AND WHO
ISN'T.
SEATTLE POLICE HAVE A HISTORY OF
EXPLOITING AND HARASSING THOSE
WITHIN SO-CALLED VICE INDUSTRIES
FOR THEIR BENEFIT.
THESE REPEALS REMOVE THE POLICE
FROM THE TEMPTING EXPLOITATION
OF THESE SYSTEMS.
THIS IS ONE GOOD STEP TOWARDS
DEFUNDING THE POLICE BY CUTTING
THE LAWS THAT MARGINALIZE OUR
BLACK COMMUNITIES.
DEFUND THE POLICE BY 50% AND
REALLOCATE TO BLACK COMMUNITIES.
AND PLEASE RELEASE THE
PROTESTERS.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
CALLING IN.
THAT'S THE LAST PERSON I HAVE
THAT IS SIGNED UP AND IS SHOWING
UP PRESENT ON MY MASTER LIST
HERE.
I'LL JUST SORT OF LOOK TO OUR
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND GET
CONFIRMATION THAT THERE AREN'T
ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL MATCHES
AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
AND SOMEONE FROM OUR IT CONFIRM
THAT FOR ME?
>> THAT'S IT FOR EVERYONE, THANK
YOU.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO MAY HAVE
PREREGISTERED BUT WEREN'T CALLED
ON, PART OF THE WORK THAT OUR IT
DEPARTMENT DOES IS THEY ARE
LOOKING WHO TO ADMIT INTO OUR
MEETINGS, IS MAKING SURE THAT WE
CAN MATCH UP YOUR PHONE NUMBER
THAT YOU'RE USING TO CALL IN
WITH THE NUMBER THAT YOU
REISTERED WITH.
AND SO THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU
TO USE THE SAME NUMBER THAT YOU
REGISTERED -- PREREGISTERED WITH
TO CALL IN ON SO THAT WE CAN
MAKE THE MATCH AND CALL ON YOU
AND ALLOW YOU -- UNMUTE YOUR
MICROPHONE.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
EVERYBODY WHO CALLED IN TO GIVE
PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
WE TOOK ABOUT 45 MINUTES WORTH
OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYBODY
TAKING THE TIME TO CALL IN ON
THE IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
ON OUR AGENDA.
SO THAT BEING SAID, WE'RE GOING
TO GO AHEAD AND BEGIN ITEMS OF
BUSINESS ON OUR AGENDA.
FIRST UP IS PAYMENT OF THE
BILLS.
I'D ASK THE CLERK READ THAT ITEM
INTO THE BILL.
EXCUSE ME, THE R.
COUNCIL BILL 119809.
THE WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2020 THROUGH
JUNE 12, 2020.
>> THANK YOU, MADAME CLERK.
I WILL MOVE TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
119809.
IS FROM A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
THAT THE BILL PASS, ARE THERE
ANY COMMENTS?
>> OKAY, WILL THE CLERK CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL?
>> SAWANT?
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD?
>> AYE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> AYE.
>> MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
AND I'D ASK THE CLERK PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
OKAY, FOLKS, MOVING ALONG TO
ITEM ONE.
I WOULD ASK THAT THE CLERK
PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM ONE INTO
THE RECORD.
>> AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES --
AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A
TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY NEAR
THE MOUNT BAKER LIGHT
RAIL STATION FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOR
THE PURPOSE OF
DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND OTHER POTENTIAL
EDUCATIONAL,
RESEARCH, AND CLINICAL USES BY
THE UNIVERSITY, INCLUDING AN
EARLY
LEARNING FACILITY, AND FOR
GENERAL MUNICIPAL PURPOSES --
PLACING THE
PROPERTY UNDER THE JURISDICTION
OF THE OFFICE OF HOUSING --
AUTHORIZING
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO TAKE
CUSTODIAL MANAGEMENT OF THE
PROPERTY, INCLUDING LEASING,
COLLECTION OF RENTS, PAYMENT OF
EXPENSES, AND OTHER PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT DUTIES -- AND
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WILL MOVE TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
119802.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO PASS THE BILL.
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, YOU ARE
THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL, SO YOU
ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, THIS
LEGISLATION AUTHORIZES THE CITY
TO ACCEPT AT NO COST THE
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON LAUNDRY
SITE NEAR THE MT. BAKER LIGHT
RAIL STATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY
OF WASHINGTON FOR THE PURPOSES
OF DEVELOPING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ALONG WITH POTENTIAL AMENITIES
INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES,
RESEARCH SERVICES, CLINICAL
USES, INCLUDING SUCH THINGS AS
AN EARLY LEARNING FACILITY AS
OUTLINED IN THE STATE'S CAPITAL
BUDGET.
WE HEARD FROM COUNCIL CENTRAL
STAFF LAST WEEK AND THE OFFICE
OF HOUSING IN ADDITION TO FAS
ABOUT THE TRANSFER AT OUR
COUNCIL BRIEFING.
AND AS WE DISCUSSED IN LAST
WEEK'S MEETING, THIS IS A REALLY
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR
TRANSIT-ORIENTED AFFORDABLE
HOUSING, CO-LOCATED WITH EARLY
LEARNING FACILITIES AND OTHER
IMPORTANT COMMUNITY AMENITIES
SUCH AS SERVICES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP
WITH LABOR AND COMMUNITY.
I KNEE THAT MANY OF OUR
COLLEAGUES HAVE ALREADY
EXPRESSED INTEREST IN SEEING
THIS PROPERTY SUPPORT THE
COMMUNITY VISION, ESPECIALLY
FROM BLACK AND BROWN-LED
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND
ORGANIZATIONS.
THE VISION FOR CREATING A
WALKABLE, LIVABLE ENVIRONMENT
FOR CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES,
AMENITIES IN THIS BUILDING SPACE
THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE LOCAL
COMMUNITY AND ARE BUILT IN
ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT THE
COMMUNITY'S ASKING FOR.
AND THAT WE INTEGRATE THE
BUILDING AND THE VISION INTO THE
BROADER NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN.
AND THAT MEANS THINGS LIKE
COMMUNITY HOMEOWNERSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES ADJACENT TO SOUND
TRANSIT OPPORTUNITIES LOOKING
REALLY TO -- LOOKING FORWARD
REALLY TO WORKING WITH ALL OF
YOU IN THE COMMUNITY AND AND
WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES WHO SPOKE
TO US LAST WEEK ABOUT MAKING
SURE WHEN WE DO DEVELOPMENT,
DEVELOPMENT DONE RIGHT, IN THE
MODEL THE COMMUNITY HAS PUT
FORWARD.
THAT'LL BE AN EXCITING
OPPORTUNITY.
AS WE HEARD FROM THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WILL COMMENCE THIS YEAR TO
DEVELOP THE RFP FOR THE SITE,
AND WE EXPRESSED A STRONG
INTEREST IN HAVING THE OFFICE OF
HOUSING COME BACK TO COUNCIL
WITH THE DRAFT RP BEFORE IT'S
ISSUED, WHICH DIRECTOR ALVARADO
EXPRESSED SHE'D BE HAPPY TO DO
SO AND OUR OFFICE WILL BE
WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU AND THE
OFFICE OF HOUSING TO SCHEDULE
THAT TIME.
THE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IS
ROUTINE LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS
FOR US TO ACCEPT THE PROPERTY
AND COMPLY WITH THE STATE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER TO
TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO JUNE 30th.
AND WITH THAT CONTEXT, I'LL HAND
IT BACK TO YOU, COUNCIL
PRESIDENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR
QUESTIONS FROM COLLEAGUES?
I KNOW WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY
TO DISCUSS THIS BILL A FEW TIMES
ALREADY, BOTH IN COUNCIL
BRIEFING AND IN FULL COUNCIL, SO
ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
OKAY, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
REALLY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY
HERE.
AND LOOKING FORWARD TO VOTING IN
FAVOR OF THIS BILL ONCE THE ROLL
IS CALLED.
SO AT THIS POINT, I WILL HAVE
THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL -- YES,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
JUST VERY BRIEFLY BEFORE THE
ROLL IS CALLED, I WANT TO SAY
THANK YOU TO OUR COUNCIL
COLLEAGUES FOR ENGAGING IN THIS
PROCESS RELATIVELY QUICKLY, AND
ALSO TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
AND HER TEAM.
THANK YOU TO CHOP FOR PUSHING
FOR THIS LAND TO BE USED FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THE
UNIVERSITY FOR ENGAGING WITH US.
I THINK IT'S A LOSS OF GOOD
LIVING WAGE UNION JOBS, BUT I
THINK IF WE'RE ABLE TO USE THIS
PROPERTY TO CREATE MORE GOOD
LIVING WAGE UNION JOBS, IT DOES
SERVE THAT VISION THAT WE'VE
TALKED ABOUT ABOUT USING LAND
FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE SO WE DON'T
CREATE A SITUATION WHERE MORE
PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED OR WE DON'T
HAVE PUBLIC AMENITIES ON PUBLIC
SPACE.
THANKS TO OFFICE OF HOUSING AND
FAS.
AND EARN HOUSE FOR HER FAST WORK
FROM MY OFFICE.
I APPRECIATE HER WORK ON THIS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
OKAY.
IF THERE ARE NO OTHER COMMENTS
ON THE BILL, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND
MOVE TO A ROLL CALL.
I'D ASK THE CLERK CALL THE ROLL
ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> SAWANT?
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD?
>> AYE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> AYE.
>> MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU, MADAME CLERK.
THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
AND I WOULD ASK THAT THE CLERK
PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
OKAY.
ITEM TWO.
I WOULD ASK THAT THE CLERK
PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM TWO INTO
THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM TWO,
COUNCILMEMBER 119807 RELATING TO
THE>> AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO
THE
CITYb
THE CRIME OF DRUG TRAFFIC
LOITERING AND ASSOCIATED
REFERENCES IN THE SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE -- AMENDING
SECTION 10.09.010 OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE AND
REPEALING SECTION 12A.20.050 OF
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WILL MOVE TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
119807.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO PASS THE BILL.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, YOU ARE THE
PRIME SPONSOR OF THE BILL, SO
YOU ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, MADAME PRESIDENT.
I'M GOING TO SPEAK -- MY REMARKS
WILL BE BROAD ENOUGH TO COVER
BOTH ORDINANCES, SO THAT'S
INCLUDING 119808.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, WOULD
YOU LIKE FOR BOTH BILLS TO BE
READ INTO THE RECORD AND THEN WE
CAN VOTE ON THEM SEPARATELY SO
FOLKS CAN COMMENT ON BOTH BILLS
AS A PACKAGE?
>> WELL, I'M GOING TO LEAVE THE
BULK OF THE COMMENTS ON 119808
TO COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN WHO IS
A COSPONSOR ON THAT MEASURE AND
HAS SOME REMARK THAT IS HE WANTS
TO GIVE.
I'M NOT -- I GUESS I WOULD
RATHER JUST GO AHEAD
PROCEDURALLY AND DO THEM
SEPARATELY.
BUT MY COMMENTS WILL BE BROAD
ENOUGH TO SPEAK TO BOTH OF THEM,
AND I'LL LET COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN SPEAK MORE IN DEPTH ON
119808.
SO, YOU KNOW, IN REPEALING THESE
ORDINANCES, THIS IS SOMETHING
THAT'S BEEN ON MY TO-DO LIST
SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN JANUARY
AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR IN THE
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE IN OUR
SOCIAL CONTRACT IN BEING A
COMMUNITY THAT'S GUIDED BY A
SYSTEM OF LAW.
BUT I'VE ALWAYS FELT THESE
PARTICULAR STATUTES CRIMINALIZE
CONDUCT THAT IS IS INOK WOUS AND
SPECULATIVE THAT IT MAKES A
MOCKERY OF THAT ENTIRE SYSTEM OF
JUSTICE AND KEEPING THEM ON THE
BOOKS CONTINUES TO PERPETUATE
THAT MOCKERY.
YOU KNOW, I CAN CITE AS A BASIS
FOR REMOVING THESE LAWS THAT THE
CITY ATTORNEY, PETE HOLMES, HAS
A STANDING POLICY TO NOT CHARGE
THESE OR THESE PARTICULAR
CRIMES.
OR I COULD CITE OUR OWN REENTRY
REPORT WHICH EMPHATICALLY, A
COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN 2018,
RECOMMENDED THE REPEAL OF THESE
MANIFESTLY UNJUST ORDINANCES.
BUT IN TRUTH, YOU KNOW, I THINK
HE REAL REASON FOR REPES
BACK EVEN FURTHER.
AND IT GOES BACK DEEPER.
AND IT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT
MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY,
PARTICULARLY COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR, HAVE BEEN URGING REPEAL
OF THESE ORDINANCES FOR YEARS.
AND, INDEED, IT IS NOT ACCURATE
FOR US TO CALL THESE ORDINANCES
OUTDATED.
AS I HAVE MENTIONED IN BRIEFING
THIS MORNING, I FIRMLY BELIEVE
THAT.
I THINK TO DO SO IMPLIES THESE
ORDINANCES HAD THEIR PURPOSE AND
HAD THEIR DAY AND NEW REALITIES
HAVE MADE THEM IRRELEVANT.
AND YOU KNOW, FAX MACHINES ARE
OUTDATED.
LIKE, THESE LAWS WERE NEVER
APPROPRIATE.
THEY WERE WRONG WHEN THEY WERE
ENACTED AND THEY ARE WRONG NOW.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE MANY
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, MANY OF
WHOM SPOKE UP TODAY, WHO HAVE
BEEN ORGANIZING ON BOTH THESE
ORDINANCES AND HAVE LONG BEEN
EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE NEED
FOR THESE REPEALS.
YOU KNOW, WE HEARD FROM
DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE COALITION,
SEX WORKER OUTREACH PROJECT,
GREEN LIGHT PROJECT AND MANY
MORE.
AND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP,
THESE REPEALS, AND I'M PROUD TO
SPONSOR BOTH THESE APPEALS.
AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
RIGHTING THESE WRONGS AND BE AN
ALLY ON THE WORK PEOPLE HAVE
DONE ON THESE.
I'D LIKE TO THANK CAMILLA BROWN
AND CENTRAL STAFF FOR THEIR HARD
WORK ON GETTING THIS TIMELY
LEGISLATION TOGETHER AND CUEING
IT UP NOW.
AND I URGE PASSAGE OF BOTH OF
THESE BILLS.
AND I'LL -- WHEN WE CUE UP
119808, I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN HAS REMARKS ON SPEAKING
TO 119808 THAT I, AS THE PRIME
SPONSOR, DEFER TO HIM TO SPEAK
FOR ME ON.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON
THE BILL?
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU.
I JUST WANT TO QUOTE FROM A
SECTION IN THE OCTOBER 2018
REENTRY REPORT THAT IS, I FOUND,
PARTICULARLY MOVING.
IN PRODUCING AND DELIVERING THE
REPORT, MANY INDIVIDUALS AND
ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDED SUPPORT
AND EXPERTISE, AND THE REPORT
AUTHORS PROVIDE AN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT, AGAIN, I'D
LIKE TO SHARE.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IS, WE ALSO
RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN
SUPPORTING FOLKS RETURNING FROM
INCARCERATION AND ORGANIZING FOR
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE FOR A VERY
LONG TIME.
WE KNOW THAT MUCH OF THAT WORK
HAS BEEN DONE WITHOUT
COMPENSATION OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
YET DONE WITH LOVE AND AN
UNYIELDING COMMITMENT TO FAMILY
AND COMMUNITY STRENGTH.
WE THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK AND
HOPE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
SUPPORT YOU.
WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE
INDIVIDUALS MOST IMPACTED BY THE
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT
ARE UNABLE TO JOIN US AT THE
CITY'S TABLES AS THEY ARE STILL
INCARCERATED.
WE DID THIS WORK IN YOUR HONOR.
AND BEFORE I CLOSE MY COMMENTS,
I ALSO WANT TO JUST HIGHLIGHT
THAT ANOTHER ONE OF THE REENTRY
REPORT'S RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THE
EXPANSION OF THE CURRENT PREFILE
DIVERSION PROGRAM.
AND IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WE'VE
RECEIVED A SET OF
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CITY
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS IT RELATES
SPECIFICALLY TO THE COUNCIL'S
PRIOR INTERESTS DURING THE
BUDGET PROCESS PASSED A
STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT
ASKING FOR THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY.
AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT A MODEL
OF A PROGRAM THAT WILL SERVE 25
AND OLDER AND WOULD BASE THE
PROGRAM MODEL ON THE SUCCESS OF
THE YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM THROUGH
-- THAT WE ALL NOW AS 180.
THEY NEED FUNDING FOR A RACIAL
EQUITY TOOL KIT IN DESIGNING THE
EXPANSION MODEL, AND LET US KNOW
THAT THE COST OF -- TO COMPLETE
THE RACIAL EQUITY TOOL KIT WOULD
BE ABOUT $25,000 OF ONE-TIME
MONEY.
SO I JUST WANT TO MENTION THIS,
TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY SO MY
COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL KNOW
OF MY INTEREST IN IMPLEMENTING
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO BEGIN THE RACIAL
EQUITY TOOLKIT PROCESS, TO
DEVELOP AN ADULT PROGRAM AND
LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY
TALKING ABOUT THE RESOURCES THAT
THE CITY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO DO
THIS IN OUR JUNE REBALANCING
PACKAGE.
THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, COLLEAGUES, THANK YOU
SO MUCH.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS FIRST
BILL?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, PLEASE.
>> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, I WANT TO
THANK THE COSPONSORS OF THIS
LEGISLATION AND I KNOW THAT
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AND
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN ARE
SPEAKING.
I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
MORALES AS WELL.
I BELIEVE YOU'RE A COSPONSOR OF
THE LEGISLATION IN FRONT OF US
TOO.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BRINGING
THIS FORWARD AND REALLY LIFTING
UP TO VOICE THAT IS WE'VE HEARD
FROM TODAY'S PUBLIC COMMENT AND
SO MANY OF THE FOLKS WE WORKED
WITH ON LAST YEAR'S BUDGET TO
GET ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO SEX
WORKERS, AS FOLKS ARE TRYING TO
HAVE SELF-DETERMINATION AND
RESPOND TO COMING ISSUES THEY
SEE ON A DAILY BASIS, AND
KNOWING THEY'RE IN THE BEST
DRIVERS SEAT TO MAKE THOSE
DECISIONS.
REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK
YOU'VE DONE.
AND TO GIVE A HUGE THANK YOU TO
THE REENTRY WORK GROUP WHO
PRODUCED THESE POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS.
THIS IS A GREAT STEP FORWARD IN
UNDOING THE RACIST POLICY THAT
IS GO BACK TO THE WAR ON DRUGS.
AND I'M EXCITED THAT WE AS A
COUNCIL ARE TAKING THESE STEPS,
ESPECIALLY DURING THIS MOVEMENT
THAT IS DEMANDING ACTION, THE
BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT,
DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY AND
ACTION.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING
ENTHUSIASTICALLY YES ON THIS
BILL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS FIRST
BILL?
OKAY, LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE NO
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THIS
PARTICULAR BILL, SO I WILL GO
AHEAD AND ASK THE CLERK TO
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
>> SAWANT?
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD?
HERBOLD?
>> AYE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> AYE.
>> MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
I WOULD ASK THE CLERK PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
OKAY, FOLKS, MOVING ALONG.
I WOULD ASK THAT THE CLERK
PLEASE READ AGENDA ITEM THREE
INTO THE RECORD.
>> AGENDA ITEM THREE.
COUNCIL BILL 119808 RELATING TO
THE CITY'S CRIMINAL CODE
REMOVING THE CRIME OF
PROSTITUTION LOITERING AND
ASSOCIATED REFERENCES IN SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE --AMENDING
SECTIONS 12A.10.070
AND 12A.10.100 AND REPEALING
SECTION 12A.10.010 OF THE
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
--
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I WILL MOVE TO PASS COUNCIL BILL
119808.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO PASS THE BILL.
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, I
UNDERSTAND YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE
THE FIRST GO AT SPEAKING ABOUT
THIS BILL, AND THEN I UNDERSTAND
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES WOULD LIKE
TO MAKE SOME REMARKS AFTER YOU,
ALSO AS A COSPONSOR OF THE BILL.
SO COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN, YOU
ARE RECOGNIZED IN ORDER TO
ADDRESS THIS ITEM.
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
SO FIRST I WANT TO THANK
EVERYBODY WHO TOOK THE TIME TO
EMAIL US, TO EMAIL OUR OFFICES
AND TO CALL US AND TO CALL IN
TODAY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TO
SUPPORT COUNCIL BILL 119808 TO
REPEAL THE PROSTITUTION
LOITERING LAW.
THE BRUTAL KILLING OF GEORGE
FLOYD BY MINNEAPOLIS POLICE,
WHICH FOLLOWED COUNTLESS OTHER
WRONG ACTS AND CENTURIES OF
RACISM, HAVE REFOCUSED OUR
NATION'S ATTENTION ON THE NEED
TO PREVENT DISPROPORTIONATE
IMPACTS OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT
SYSTEM ON BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND
OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR AND
REPEALING PROBLEMATIC LAWS ON
OUR BOOKS, SUCH AS THESE
LOITERING LAWS.
HAS A SMALL BUT IMPORTANT STEP
THAT THIS CITY COUNCIL THAT THE
COUNCIL CAN TAKE.
COUNCIL BILL 119808, IF ADOPTED
TODAY, WILL REPEAL SEATTLE'S
PROSTITUTION LOITERING LAW,
WHICH IS CURRENTLY SECTION
12A.10.010 OF OUR SEATTLE
MUNICIPAL CODE.
I BELIEVE IT'S VITAL WE SUPPORT
THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
SEATTLE REENTRY WORK GROUP TO
REPEAL THIS LAW TO ELIMINATE
ANOTHER POTENTIAL SOURCE OF
DISPROPORTIONATE HARM OR
JEOPARDY TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
FROM OUR POLICING INCARS RAL
SYSTEM.
THANKS TO COUNCILMEMBERS LEWIS
AND MORALES FOR COSPONSORING
THIS.
AND THANK YOU TO THE CITY
ATTORNEY AND COUNCILMEMBER
HERBOLD FOR HER WORK ON THIS
ISSUE.
I WANT TO THANK KARA ON MY STAFF
AND AASHO ON OUR CENTRAL STAFF
FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS
LEGISLATION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
PEDERSEN FOR THOSE REMARKS.
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
GONZALEZ.
I DO WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS FOR BRINGING FORTH THIS
LEGISLATION.
WE KNOW THAT LOITERING LAWS HAVE
A DEEP AND HARMFUL RACIST
HISTORY.
THESE BILLS OFFER AN IMPORTANT
FIRST STEP.
AS MANY OF OUR CALLERS MENTIONED
TODAY, WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK
TO DO TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS
WHO ARE SEX WORKERS, AND I JUST
WANT TO SAY AS MANY OF OUR
PUBLIC COMMENTERS DID AS WELL, I
LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING THIS
WITH THE GREEN LIGHT PROJECT AND
THE DECRIMINALIZE SEATTLE
COALITION TO UNDERSTAND THE BEST
WAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH
DECRIMINALIZING SEX WORK SO THEY
FEEL SAFE CALLING THE POLICE SO
THEY CAN ACCESS HEALTH CARE AND
BANKING.
WE KNOW THAT WE ALSO -- THIS IS
A COMPLEX ISSUE, SO WE NEED TO
MAKE SURE WE'RE PROTECTING SEX
WORKERS BY NOT CONFLATING
CONSENSUAL SEX WORK WITH THOSE
WHO ARE BEING TRAFFICKED.
AND WE NEED TO ENFORCE AND
PROSECUTE TRAFFICKERS SO THAT WE
CAN END THAT EXPLOITATION THAT'S
HAPPENING.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING AND
WE'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH
SHERRY FOR A WHILE AND LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING A
CONVERSATION TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE CONTINUE THIS WORK AND THE
STEP THAT IS JACKIE RON OUTLINED
WHEN SHE CALLED IN AS WELL.
THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS
AND FOR YOUR COSPONSORSHIP AS
WELL, COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN.
AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE
THIS WORK FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, WOULD YOU
LIKE TO MAKE SOME REMARKS ABOUT
THIS BILL AS WELL?
>> YES, THANK YOU, MADAME
PRESIDENT.
JUST VERY BRIEFLY, I THINK
COUNCILMEMBER PEDERSEN AND
COUNCILMEMBER MORALES DID AN
EXCELLENT JOB OF SUMMARIZING THE
CRITICAL NATURE OF THIS REPEAL.
THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD SAY,
JUST SORT OF LOOKING BEYOND THIS
REPEAL TO KIND OF THE FUTURE OF
THE TASK THAT'S IN FRONT OF US.
I HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF
BEING ABLE TO SEE A VERY MOVING
PRESENTATION BY THE FOLKS WHO DO
ORGANIZING AT THE AURORA COMMONS
AT THE 36th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS
EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN THERE
WERE STILL IN-PERSON MEETINGS OF
THAT ORGANIZATION WHERE A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE
HAVING BEEN SEX WORKERS OR
WORKING WITH SEX WORKERS IN THE
AURORA CORRIDOR PRESENTED THE
CHALLENGES THAT COMMUNITY IS
FACING AND REALLY THE LACK OF
COMPREHENSIVE CITY SERVICES TO
HELP FOLKS GET THE RESOURCES
THEY NEED THROUGH THE
PROGRAMMING OF AURORA COMMONS TO
FINALLY GET OUT OF THE CYCLE
THAT THEY'RE IN.
YOU KNOW, THESE REPEALS ARE A
REALLY GOOD START, BUT IT DOES
UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR AN
INVESTMENT AND STANDING UP OF
TINY HOUSE VILLAGES, OF
WRAPAROUND SERVICES.
OF A LOT OF THE ANCILLARY
RESOURCES NEEDED FOR FOLKS TO
BREAK THE CYCLE OF BEING IN
CYCLES OF TRAFFICKING, SUBSTANCE
ADDICTION AND SEX WORK IN THE
CITY.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING
WITH EVERYBODY HERE TO TRY TO
MAKE THOSE COMMITMENTS.
I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY PART OF
OUR CONVERSATION AROUND
DEFUNDING AND RIGHT SIZING OF
SURFACES IN OUR CONVERSATION
ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING
TO WORK WITH ALL OF THE
ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE'VE TALKED
ABOUT HERE TODAY AND THE GREAT
IMPACTFUL WORK AURORA COMMONS IS
DOING IN THIS AREA.
SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS, FOR THOSE WORDS AND FOR
THAT WORK.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, AND THEN
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
AND THANKS AGAIN TO THE
COSPONSORS OF THIS LEGISLATION.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T
ALSO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT TO
RECOGNIZE AND THANK SHAREA FOR
THEIR LONGSTANDING WORK.
I WAS REALLY HONORED THAT MY
OFFICE, LED BY ARETHA BASU,
WORKED WITH THE FOLKS THERE TO
INCLUDE POC SWAP IN LAST YEAR'S
BUDGET CYCLE TO GET FUNDING FOR
THE CRITICAL HARM REDUCTION WORK
THAT THEY DO AND REALLY PROUD OF
THIS COUNCIL.
EXCITED TO TAKE THIS VOTE AGAIN
TODAY.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MOSQUEDA.
OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OVER
NOW TO COUNCILMEMBER STRAUSS,
PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU TO THE BILL SPONSORS.
THIS IS A GOOD PIECE OF
LEGISLATION, AS COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS STATED EARLIER, THIS IS
NOT OUTDATED BECAUSE THERE WAS
NEVER A DATE THIS WAS
NECESSARILY APPROPRIATE.
IT REMINDS ME OF USING TRAFFIC
STOPS TO FIND -- TO INVESTIGATE
OTHER CRIMES THAT ARE NOT
RELATED TO THAT TRAFFIC STOP.
SO JUST WANT TO BRIEFLY SAY
THANK YOU TO THE COUNCILMEMBERS
FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, THE
SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY FOR
MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
STRAUSS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE BILL?
OKAY, SEEING AND HEARING NONE, I
WULD ASK THAT THE CLERK PLEASE
CALL THE ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF
THE BILL.
>> SAWANT?
>> AYE.
>> STRAUSS?
>> AYE.
>> HERBOLD?
>> AYE.
>> JUAREZ?
>> AYE.
>> LEWIS?
>> AYE.
>> MORALES?
>> AYE.
>> MOSQUEDA?
>> AYE.
>> PEDERSEN?
>> AYE.
>> PRESIDENT GONZALEZ?
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE BILL PASSES AND THE CHAIR
WILL SIGN IT.
AND I'D ASK THAT THE CLERK
PLEASE AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
LEGISLATION ON MY BEHALF.
OKAY, FOLKS, WE HAVE REACHED
OTHER BUSINESS ON OUR AGENDA.
IS THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COUNCIL?
COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
JUST A QUICK UPDATE ON -- AT
COUNCIL BRIEFING THIS MORNING, I
DESCRIBED THE PROCESS FOR
WEDNESDAY'S BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETINGS.
I NOTED THERE ARE TWO SESSIONS
AS WE HAVE PER USUAL, WEDNESDAY
AT 10:00 A.M.
AND 2:00 P.M.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE TECHNOLOGY IS
NOT GOING TO WORK FOR ONE URL TO
SIGN UP.
SO WE WILL STILL HAVE AN
8:00 A.M.
SIGN-UP OPPORTUNITY
AND A NOON SIGN-UP OPPORTUNITY
FOR BOTH OF THOSE HEARINGS.
WE WILL BE ASKING FOLKS TO JUST
SPEAK AT ONE OR THE OTHER.
SO INSTEAD OF HAVING FOLKS SIGN
UP JUST AT THE 8:00 A.M.
TIMEFRAME, YOU DO HAVE A CHANCE
AS WELL TO SIGN UP AT NOON,
BEGINNING AT NOON, FOR OUR
2:00 P.M.
HEARING.
AND WE ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE
AS POSSIBLE TO GET INTO THE
WINDOW.
AGAIN, ONE-MINUTE TIME SLOTS
BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A
LOT OF PEOPLE SIGNED UP.
I DID WANT TO CORRECT THE
RECORD, 10:00 A.M.
SIGN-UP
STARTS AT 8:00 A.M., AND
2:00 P.M., SIGN-UP STARTS AT
NOON.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT
CLARIFICATION.
AND JUST TO REMIND FOLKS, THE
ORDINARY RULES AROUND REMOTE
PUBLIC COMMENT DO APPLY TO THOSE
PREREGISTRATION SHEETS.
I THINK THE INTEREST OF BUDGET
CHAIR MOSQUEDA IS TO MAKE SURE
THAT THERE AREN'T TWO BITES OF
THE APPLE, AS THEY SAY.
ONE IN THE MORNING AND ONE IN
THE AFTERNOON.
LARGELY BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR
FROM AS MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE AS
WE CAN.
SO WE WILL BE FOLLOWING
DUPLICATE PROTOCOL HERE, AND IF
FOLKS HAVE SIGNED UP BOTH AT
8:00 AND -- AT THE 8:00 HOUR AND
AT THE 10:00 HOUR, PLEASE BE
AWARE, YOU'LL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO
PROVIDE PUBLIC TESTIMONY ONCE ON
WEDNESDAY AND NOT TWICE.
AND SO OUR LEGISLATIVE IT
DEPARTMENT WILL WORK WITH THE
CHAIR TO MAKE SURE THOSE
DUPLICATES ARE CULLED OUT
APPROPRIATELY.
HAVE I STATED THAT INTENT
CORRECTLY, CHAIRWOMAN MOSQUEDA?
>> THAT'S CORRECT, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CRYSTAL
CLEAR FOR THOSE FOLKS LOOKING TO
SIGN UP AND PREREGISTER FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT ON WEDNESDAY.
THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANY OTHER FURTHER
BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE
COUNCIL?
OKAY, HEARING NONE, COLLEAGUES,
THIS CONCLUDES THE ITEMS OF
BUSINESS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
OUR NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 AT
2:00 P.M.
IT WILL BE ANOTHER REMOTE
MEETING.
THAT IS IT FOR TODAY.
WE ARE ADJOURNED, AND I HOPE
THAT YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL
AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.