>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU
FOR JOINING US.
I AM GLAD TO HAVE GOVERNOR
INSLEE WITH US AS WE PROVIDE
ANOTHER UPDATE ON THE INCIDENTS
THAT HAVE OCCURRED THIS WEEK IN
SEATTLE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I AM ALSO PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL
TO HAVE WITH US TONIGHT, ANDRC
TAYLOR, DR. SHEILA EDWARDS LINE,
AND PASTOR CARRIE ANDERSON, WHO
WILL ALSO BE GIVING REMARKS.
I WILL SPEAK BRIEFLY ON THE THE
GOVERNOR WILL SPEAK, THEN OVER
TO DR. SHEILA LANGE, AND THEN
PASTOR CARRIE ANDERSON, AND
LANDRI TAYLOR.
WE WILL TAKE SOME QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS.
I AM PARTICULARLY HONORED TO
HAVE THESE SPEAKERS WITH US
TODAY BECAUSE OF THEIR
INDIVIDUAL LONG-TERM
COMMITMENTS TO JUSTICE AND
EQUITY.
I THINK WE NEED THAT AS WELL AS
THEIR DEDICATION TO WISDOM,
COMPASSION, AND ACTION.
EACH OF THEM HAS BEEN LEADERS
IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND I THINK
WE WILL NEED THEIR WISDOM AND
THE WISDOM OF OTHERS MORE THAN
EVER GOING FORWARD.
I WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A
BRIEF PHONE CALL WITH OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY.
THIS IS A VERY HARD AND
DIFFICULT TIME, AND
PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR
BLACK AMERICANS, WHO SAW YET
AGAIN, VIOLENCE BEING
PERPETUATED AGAINST A MAN, AND
BEING KILLED.
IT ECHOES THROUGH, AS I SAID
EARLIER TODAY, GENERATIONS OF
SYSTEMIC RACISM GOING BACK TO
OUR TIMES IN SLAVERY THAT WE,
AS A NATION, HAVE NOT COME TO
TERMS WITH.
WE NEED TO DO THAT, AND I AM
PARTICULARLY HONORED TO HAVE
ANDRC HERE, WHO WAS ONE OF THE
ORGANIZERS OF YESTERDAY'S
PEACEFUL PROTEST IN WESTLAKE.
SPEAKING THE TRUTH ABOUT HOW I,
AS MAYOR, THE GOVERNOR AS
GOVERNOR, AND OUR WHOLE SOCIETY
NEED TO DO BETTER ABOUT THE
INJUSTICE HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE
FELT AND LIVED, AS WELL AS
OTHERS.
THAT ANGER AND GRIEF, AND THAT
FIGHT FOR THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE,
IS A CHERISHED RIGHT.
AND WHAT WE NEED TO HEAR AT
THIS TIME.
WE DID MATT MEAD THE VIOLENCE
AND DESTRUCTION THAT OCCURRED.
TODAY, I WAS ALSO ABLE TO MEET
WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN
THE CHINATOWN-INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
I WILL TELL YOU, THE CHINATOWN-
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT HAS ALSO
SUFFERED GREATLY THROUGHOUT
THIS CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
THEY WERE ONE OF THE FIRST TO
SUFFER THE DOWNTURN OF BUSINESS
BECAUSE OF THE PREJUDICE AND
MISINFORMATION ABOUT THE
CHINESE COMMUNITY.
MANY, MANY SMALL BUSINESSES
OWNED BY GENERATIONS, STRUGGLING
TO HANG ON AND MORE DESTRUCTION
WAS DONE TO THEM FRIDAY NIGHT
AND YESTERDAY.
THEIR PAIN IS ALSO DEEP.
WE KNOW THAT THE PAIN IS REAL
IN SEATTLE AND ACROSS THIS
COUNTRY.
PAIN FOR OUR BLACK AND BROWN
CITIZENS, AND RESIDENTS, AND
THIS IS A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO
REMEMBER THAT WE MUST OFFER THE
FUNDAMENTAL DIGNITY, RESPECT,
AND FAIRNESS THAT MR. FLOYD WAS
NEVER ALLOWED.
THERE IS PAIN FOR PEOPLE'S
LIVELIHOODS, FOR THE COMMUNITY
HUBS THAT HAVE SUFFERED.
úFOR ALL OF THE PAIN THAT HAS
OCCURRED DURING A GLOBAL
PANDEMIC, WHICH ALSO HAS LAID
BARE THE DEEP INEQUITIES IN OUR
SYSTEM.
FROM OPPORTUNITIES FOR
HEALTHCARE, TO ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITIES, TO THE VERY
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS, A KID WHO
IS BORN AND GROWS UP IN
SOUTHPARK, SEATTLE, HAS A LOWER
LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN A KID WHO
GROWS UP IN LAURELHURST,
SEATTLE, JUST MILES AWAY.
THAT IS WRONG.
THOSE DEEP INEQUITIES HAVE
SHOWN THEMSELVES EVEN GREATER.
WE MUST, WE MUST COMMIT
OURSELVES TO CHANGING THEM.
WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY BUSINESSES
AND COMMUNITIES HIT BY COVID,
AND IT HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY
FALLEN ON OUR COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE
TO ALL THE DEMONSTRATORS WHO
CAME TO DEMAND WE ARE DOING
BETTER.
SHOWING UP BY THE HUNDREDS TO
TRY TO REMOVE GRAFFITI, HELP
THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO
HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING SO MUCH.
PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER IN
NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE CITY
TO DO THE SAME.
I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE
ENCLOSING THAT THERE IS A
CURFEW IN SEATTLE FROM 5:00
P.M.
TO 5:00 A.M.
TODAY.
THIS DOES NOT PREVENT YOU FROM
GOING TO WORK AS AN ESSENTIAL
EMPLOYEE, TO ADDRESS MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES, OR TO DOING
NECESSARY BUSINESS.
WE MUST REMEMBER WE ARE STILL
UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER OF
STAY HOME, STAY HEALTHY.
PEOPLE SHOULD BE STAYING HOME
AND STAYING HEALTHY.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE CURFEW, YOU CAN VISIT
WWW.SEATTLE.GOV/CURFEW.
I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT
WITH PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER
YESTERDAY AND THE NEED TO
GATHER, THE LAWFUL PROTESTERS
AND OTHERS, IT WAS, IN THE
LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, JUST THE
OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
I WOULD URGE ALL OF THOSE
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PLEASE
MONITOR YOUR HEALTH.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR DEVELOPING
SYMPTOMS, MAKE SURE YOU STAY IN
TOUCH WITH A COMMUNITY CLINIC,
LOCAL DOCTOR, HEALTHCARE
PROVIDER.
IF NECESSARY, WE WILL GET YOU
TESTED.
WE KNOW THAT THIS VIRUS SPREADS
BY PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER.
IT'S WHY WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD
OVER TWO MONTHS, BUT WE WANT TO
KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN EVERY WAY.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY TO THOSE WHO
HAVE ASKED, --
>> THANK YOU, THE MAYOR AND
YOUR LEADERSHIP IN DIFFICULT
TIMES.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS HAS BEEN AN
EXTREMELY TOUGH DAY FOR THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON.
THE PAIN OF THIS HORRIFIC ABUSE
TAKING A MAN'S LIFE IN
MINNESOTA.
THE PAIN OF SEEING THE WANTON
DESTRUCTION IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE,
AND THE PAIN OF SEEING PEOPLE
WHO LEGITIMATELY HAVE A
RIGHTEOUS CAUSE, WHO ARE
ATTEMPTING TO DISPLAY THEIR
CONCERNS, HAD THAT HIJACKED BY
SOME PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO
CREATE DESTRUCTION.
ALL OF THOSE HAVE CAUSED US
DEEP TRAUMA IN THIS STATE.
BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU, IT WAS
VERY HEARTENING TO WAKE UP AND
THE FIRST THING I SAW ON TV WAS
HUNDREDS OF WASHINGTONIANS, WHO
CAME DOWN TO CLEAN UP SEATTLE.
I THINK THAT'S A COMMITMENT BUT
OUGHT TO BE HEARTENING TO ALL
OF US.
GOING FORWARD, I WANT TO MAKE
THREE BRIEF POINTS.
FIRST OFF, WE CANNOT, AND WE
WILL NOT ALLOW THE FOLKS WHO
WANTED TO CREATE DESTRUCTION,
TO SUPPRESS OR OBSCURE THE
LEGITIMATE PROTESTS GOING ON.
WE HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO
WERE EXERCISING THEIR FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHT.
THEY WERE PEACEABLY TRYING TO
CHALLENGE ALL OF US TO LIFT OUR
SITES, TO REDUCE INEQUITY IN
OUR SOCIETY, AND IT WAS A VIEW
THAT HIJACKED OR ATTEMPTED TO
HIJACK THAT EFFORT.
WE CANNOT AND WILL NOT ALLOW
THAT IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO BE
OBSCURED BY THAT VIOLENCE.
SECOND, AND THIS IS A
DISCUSSION TO THE REST OF THE
COUNTRY, WHEN THEY LOOK AT
WASHINGTON.
OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE SAW
DESTRUCTION ON THEIR SCREENS
ACROSS THE COUNTRY YESTERDAY.
BUT WE LEGITIMATELY OUGHT TO BE
PROUD OF OUR STATE, AND THIS
COMMUNITY.
ANDRC LED OUR STATE TO HAVE ONE
OF, IF NOT THE BEST POLICE
ACCOUNTABILITY LAWS AND WE
IMPROVED THE ABILITY TO HOLD
VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABLE BY OUR LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
WE ALSO HAVE IMPROVED OUR
ABILITY TO TRAIN OFFICERS IN DE-
ESCALATION TACTICS TO REDUCE
THE CONFRONTATIONS THAT OCCUR.
WE ARE NOT DONE IN THAT REGARD.
THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.
THIRD, AS WE GO FORWARD, IN THE
NEXT MONTHS TO COME, WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEMS IN
OUR SOCIETY, AS BLESSED AS IT
IS, GO MUCH DEEPER THAN JUST
VIOLENCE INVOLVING LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
THE INEQUITIES IN EDUCATION, IN
HEALTHCARE, IN HOUSING, AND THE
REACTION TO THE COVID VIRUS, WE
HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO DO.
TO ROOT OUT SYSTEMIC INEQUITY
IN OUR SOCIETY.
I HOPE IN THE DAYS TO COME, WE
WILL ALL THINK OF WAYS TO DO
THAT, NOT JUST REGARDING LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
I WILL CLOSE BY SAYING THANK
YOU TO OUR PEOPLE LAST NIGHT
WHO TRIED TO KEEP OUR CITY
SAFE.
ABOUT 200 MEMBERS OF WASHINGTON
STATE PATROL.
THERE WILL BE SEVERAL HUNDRED
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
WHO LEFT THIR FAMILIES AND
JOBS TO HELP KEEP THE PEACE AND
KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.
WE APPRECIATE WHAT THEY ARE
DOING AND WE APPRECIATE
EVERYBODY NOW FINDING A WAY TO
EXPRESS OURSELVES IN A WAY THAT
IS SAFE, AND ALSO EFFECTIVE. WE
CAN DO BOTH.
WITH THAT, WE HAVE DR. SHEILA
LANGE, PRESIDENT OF SEATTLE
COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
SHE IS DOING SO MUCH FOR OUR
COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR DURKAN AND
GOVERNOR INSLEE FOR YOUR
LEADERSHIP.
WHEN ASKED IF I WOULD JOIN YOU
TODAY, I ACTUALLY HESITATED TO
SAY YES.
WIFE?
BECAUSE I AM TIRED.
I AM ANGRY.
AND FRANKLY, I HAVE BEEN
GRIEVING SINCE WATCHING WHAT
HAPPENED IN MINNESOTA.
BUT I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO STAND
UP FOR WHAT I KNOW TO BE RIGHT.
EVEN AS I AM GOING THROUGH MY
OWN PERSONAL TRAUMA.
I WAS THERE YESTERDAY, AND I
SAW THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO
WANTED TO JOIN IN COMMUNITY, AS
WE ARE ALL TRYING TO DEAL WITH
THIS TRAUMA OF GEORGE FLOYD'S
DEATH, AND THE DEATHS OF SO
MANY BLACK MEN AND WOMEN AT THE
HANDS OF POLICE, OR CIVILIAN
VIGILANTES.
I HEARD THE CALL FOR JUSTICE
AND UNITY, WITH OTHER
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
AND THE CALL FOR WORKING
COLLECTIVELY TO DISMANTLE
RACISM.
BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I ALSO
SAW GROUPS OF MOSTLY WHITE MEN,
WITH HUGE BACKPACKS, CLEARLY
NOT THERE FOR THE MESSAGE OF
HOPE AND HEALING.
AND DEFINITELY NOT THERE FOR
THE MEMORY OF GEORGE FLOYD.
I SAW FOLKS CARRYING SIGNS,
"KILL THE POLICE."
AND I SAW SIGNS THAT SAID,
"RIOT IS THE LANGUAGE OF THE
UNHEARD."
WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT MARTIN
LUTHER KING SAID THAT, HE ALSO
SAID, "NONVIOLENCE IS THE ONLY
WAY THAT WE CAN FOLLOW BECAUSE
VIOLENCE IS JUST SO SELF-
DEFEATING."
"A RIGHT ENDS UP CREATING MANY
MORE PROBLEMS FOR THE NEGRO
COMMUNITY."
WE ARE TRYING TO GET RID OF
HATE AND INJUSTICE.
ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS
CONTINUE THE INHUMANITY OF MAN-
TO-MAN.
WHILE I AND OTHERS ARE ANGRY
ABOUT THE MURDER OF GEORGE
FLOYD, SANDRA BLAND, TRAYVON
MARTIN, BREONNA TAYLOR, AND TOO
MANY TO NAME RIGHT NOW, AS A
BLACK WOMAN WHO GREW UP IN THE
SEGREGATED SOUTH, THE
GRANDDAUGHTER OF A SHARECROPPER
AND HER MAID, I CAN TELL YOU, I
AM ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED, BUT
I KNOW THAT VIOLENCE AND
MEANINGLESS PROPERTY
DESTRUCTION IS NOT THE WAY TO
MOVE FORWARD.
VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION IS NOT
THE WAY TO HOLD POLICE
ACCOUNTABLE OR DISMANTLE THE
STRUCTURAL RACISM THAT
CONTINUES TO ALLOW THESE THINGS
TO HAPPEN.
I'VE HAD A LOT OF ALLIES ASK
WHAT THEY CAN DO.
I SAY, JOIN US IN CONDEMNING
THIS VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION
IN OUR CITY.
BUT DON'T LET THAT BE THE END.
JOIN US IN BUILDING AN
ACTIONABLE, ECONOMIC PLAN FOR
BLACK AMERICA.
JOIN US IN FIGHTING FOR THE
EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE THAT OUR
KIDS DESERVE.
JOIN US IN FIGHTING FOR HOUSING
AND HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE IN
THIS CITY.
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, JOIN US.
THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
I AM PASTOR TERRY ANDERSON.
I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING,
WORDS OF COMMENDATION TO MAYOR
JENNY DURKAN FOR HER LEADERSHIP
IN SUCH A TRYING TIME, AND TWO
GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE CALL FOR
THE LEADERSHIP THAT HE PROVIDES
OVER THIS GREAT STATE OF
WASHINGTON.
AND TO MY SISTER, DR. LANG, I
SHARE HER PAIN.
I SHARE IN ANGER.
AND I SHARE HER GRIEF.
AND TO MY BROTHER, IN LOVE, MY
BROTHER IN THE STRUGGLE, AND MY
BROTHER IN PARTNERSHIP, BROTHER
ANDRC TAYLOR, I COMMEND HIM. I
COMMEND HIM ON HIS EFFORTS IN
THIS COMMUNITY.
FOR HIS FORESIGHT AND FOR HIS
INSIGHT, IN SAYING THAT WE, AS
A COMMUNITY, CAN DO BETTER, AT
ORGANIZING A STRATEGIC MARCH
THE IT CERTAINLY WAS DESIGNED
TO BE ONE OF PEACE, ONE OF
INTENTION, AND TO HAVE IT
THWARTED BY A GROUP OUTSIDE OF
OUR COMMUNITY, OUTSIDE OF OUR
CITY, OUTSIDE OF OUR STATE,
THAT WANTED TO PROMOTE VIOLENCE
AND LOOTING, JUSTICE WILL
PREVAIL.
GOOD ALWAYS OUTWEIGHS THE BAD.
AND LOVE ALWAYS OUTSHINES HATE.
I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE
YESTERDAY, ON SATURDAY, AND
12:00 NOON, WE HAD A
DECLARATION STATEMENT IN OUR
PARKING LOT, AND IT WAS SHARED
WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, THE
BLACK CLERGY, THE ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH DIOCESE OF
SEATTLE, THE NAACP, OUR JEWISH
BROTHERSAND SISTERS, AND THE
MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF FAITH.
STANDING TOGETHER IN
SOLIDARITY, STANDING IN PRAYER,
FOR THE MARCH THAT WAS TO
COMMENCE AT 3:00 AT WESTLAKE
MALL.
WE STOOD TOGETHER, WE PRAYED
TOGETHER.
WE OFFERED COMMENTS OF PRAISE
TOGETHER.
WHAT CAN OUR COMMUNITY LOOK
LIKE?
WE ARE UNDER ADVERSE TIMES
RIGHT NOW.
BUT WE UNDERSTAND EVEN WITH
COVID-19, AS WIDESPREAD AS IT
IS, THERE IS ANOTHER PANDEMIC
THAT WE, AS A COMMUNITY, WE, AS
A CITY, AS A STATE, AS A NATION,
AND WE, AS PEOPLE, MUST COME TO
GRIPS WITH THE PANDEMIC.
THE PANDEMIC IS THE PANDEMIC OF
RACISM.
RACISM DID NOT JUST START WITH
THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD OR
BREONNA TAYLOR.
OR EVEN TRAYVON MARTIN.
OR AHMAD ARBERY.
RACISM BEGAN WHEN KINGS AND
QUEENS WERE STOLEN FROM THE
MOTHER COUNTRY, AFRICA.
RACISM WAS ALREADY EMBEDDED
THROUGH THE TRANS-ATLANTIC
SLAVE TRADE.
IT WAS ALREADY HERE IN 1619, IT
WAS WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
WE WERE NOT CONSIDERED, AS
BLACK FOLK, AS PEOPLE.
IT WAS ALSO EMBEDDED WITH THE
SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
YESTERDAY, IN THIS MARCH, THAT
WENT TOTALLY WRONG BECAUSE OF
OUTSIDE INFLUENCE, WE WERE IN
THE MIDST OF THE STORM.
TODAY, THE STORM IS PASSING
OVER.
IT'S NO LONGER RAINING RIGHT
NOW.
AND JUST THINK, IF COVID-19 CAN
BE SPREAD BY HUMAN TOUCH, WHY
CAN'T LOVE BE SPREAD BY HUMAN
TOUCH?
IF COVID-19 CAN BE SPREAD BY
CONTACT SURFACES, WHY CAN'T WE
SPREAD JUSTICE THROUGH CONTACT
SURFACES?
IF COVID-19 CAN BE SPREAD BY
RESPIRATORY PARTICLES, THAT MAY
BE IN THE AIR, AND SOMEONE
COMES INTO THAT SPACE, WHILE
THE PARTICLES ARE STILL THERE,
WHY NOT LOVE, JUSTICE, MERCY,
AND PEACE?
ME THAT ALSO BE SPREAD BECAUSE
OF PEOPLE'S DESIRE TO DO WHAT'S
RIGHT?
SO, THE STORM IS PASSING OVER.
IT'S NOT OVER YET, BUT IT IS
PASSING OVER.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO
CONTINUALLY WORKING IN THIS
COMMUNITY, WORKING SIDE-BY-SIDE
WITH FRIENDS OF LIKE
COMPASSION, LIKE FAITH, AND WHO
WANT SOCIAL JUSTICE TO BE FOR
EVERYBODY.
WE CAN MAKE THIS NATION, THIS
COUNTY, AND THIS WORLD WHAT IT
SHOULD BE.
THANK GOD FOR HIS GLORY AND THE
THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO CALM.
THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS ANDRC TAYLOR, THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NOT THIS
TIME.
I AM THE OUTLIER IN THIS GROUP
OF EDUCATED.
I COME FROM THE STREETS.
I HAVE A CHECKERED PAST THAT I
HAD TO OVERCOME OVER 20 YEARS
AGO.
AND THE GENIUS THAT I'VE
LEARNED IN OVERCOMING MY
CHECKERED PAST IS, I'VE TRIED
TO BRING THAT TO CLOSE THIS
GULF, THIS DIVIDE THAT WE HAVE
HERE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.
FOLLOW ME.
I AM GOING TO GET A LITTLE DEEP
WITH YOU.
I WAS AT A CELEBRATION IN
RAINIER BEACH LAST WEEK, WITH
PEOPLE THAT TRUMP CALLS BUGS
AND I CALL FAMILY.
BECAUSE I IDENTIFY WITH THEM.
I WAS THERE FOR A WHILE, SEEING
MY NIECE.
I SAW OTHER PEOPLE THERE,
SPINNING THEIR TIRES,
CELEBRATING ONE OF THEIR
COMRADES THAT WAS KILLED.
SLAUGHTERED MAYBE 300 OR 400
PEOPLE THERE.
I HAD MY MASK ON SO NOBODY
REALLY RECOGNIZED ME.
AFTER THEY WERE SPINNING THEIR
TIRES, THERE WAS A SHOT THAT
RANG OUT, SOMETIMES JUST FOR
THE DRAMA.
THINGS GOT HECTIC FOR A MINUTE.
THAN THEY CLEARED UP.
WHAT I DID IS I DROVE MY CAR
OVER TO OUR POLICE OFFICERS.
I WENT UP TO THOSE POLICE
OFFICERS AND I SAID, I WANT TO
COMMEND YOU AND THANK YOU FOR
NOT OVER EXAGGERATING AND
GIVING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE A
SPACE TO HEAL BECAUSE ONE OF
THEIR COMRADES HAD FALLEN.
I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE, AND
THAT YOU GUYS DIDN'T ESCALATE I
I WANT TO PERSONALLY TELL YOU
THAT I APPRECIATE YOU.
SO I GOT BACK IN MY CAR.
I CAME BACK TO WHERE ALL OF THE
CELEBRATION WAS GOING ON AND AS
I WAS DRIVING BACK TO THE
CELEBRATION, I HAD MY MASK ON.
THEY SAID, WASN'T YOU TALKING
TO THE POLICE?
I SAID, YES.
THAT WAS ME.
HE SAID F THE POLICE.
WHY WERE YOU TALKING TO THEM?
>> I SAID, I WANT TO TALK TO
THEM TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE SAFE
AND THAT NOTHING GOT OUT OF
HAND.
HE SAID, THAT THE POLICE.
I SAID, I UNDERSTAND.
THEN IT CLICKED.
HE KNEW MY VOICE.
HE SAID, UNCLE.
THEY CALL ME UNCLE.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS YOU.
I SAID, YEAH.
IT'S ME.
HE WANTED TO GIVE ME THE EMBRACE
BY HITTING THE SHOULDERS.
HE TOOK ME TO THE INNER CIRCLE.
THE YOUNGSTERS CAME UP SAYING,
WE APPRECIATE YOU FIGHTING FOR
US.
THEY WERE CELEBRATING BECAUSE
THEY WERE WATCHING.
WHEN INCIDENTS HAPPENED LIKE
THIS WITH PROFESSIONALS ON,
THEY TURN OFF THE TV.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT
TURNING OFF THE TV RIGHT NOW
BECAUSE I NEED TO RELATE TO
THEM AND TALK TO THEM.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE DEFINED
BY YOUR PAST.
YOU CAN OVERCOME ANYTHING THAT
YOU HAVE DONE.
BECAUSE I SIT HERE BEFORE YOU,
AND AS OFTEN AS I CAN, I TELL
MY STORY OF REDEMPTION.
I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A PLACE
THAT I CAN EMPOWER A YOUNG
PERSON THAT'S IN SOME OF THE
SAME SITUATIONS THAT I WAS IN,
AND HE HAS NO HOPE BECAUSE HE
FEELS THE CITY DOESN'T CARE FOR
HIM.
HE FEELS NOBODY CARES FOR HIM.
I WANT HIM TO BE UP TO SEE ME
IN HIS SELF, TO GIVE HIM HOPE,
TO GIVE THEM HOPE, THAT I TOO
CAN OVERCOME WHATEVER ERRORS OR
MISTAKES THAT I HAVE MADE.
THAT'S MY MESSAGE TODAY.
MY MESSAGE YESTERDAY WAS TO THE
COUNTRY, THE CITY, AND THE
STATE.
MY MESSAGE TODAY IS FOR THAT
DEMOGRAPHIC WHO TRUMP CALLS
BUGS, WHO I CALL FAMILY, TO LET
THEM KNOW, YOU HAVE SOMEBODY ON
YOUR SIDE, FIGHTING FOR YOU
AMONGST THESE POWERFUL PEOPLE
AND THESE POWERFUL POSITIONS.
WHEN I AM HERE, YOU ARE HERE,
AS WELL.
DON'T TURN OFF YOUR TVs.
STAY ENGAGED.
WE ALL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO
DO.
THANK YOU.
>> WITH THAT, WE WILL TAKE
QUESTIONS AND I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE CHIEF BEST AND
CHIEF SCOGGINS.
I WANT TO GIVE THEM MY DEEP,
PERSONAL GRATITUDE.
NOT JUST FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE
IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, BUT TRULY,
OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS.
CHIEF SCOGGINS HAS BEEN LEADING
OUR RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC
AND THE CITY.
CHIEF BEST, ON A DAILY BASIS,
IS HAVING TO ADJUST HOW THEY DO
BUSINESS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP
AND FOR YOUR WORK.
WE WILL TAKE QUESTIONS ON THE
PHONE FOR ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO
HAVE SPOKEN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR
COMMUNITY ADVOCATES WHO HAVE
JOINED US TODAY.
AS A REMINDER, I WILL BE
READING YOU IN TWO AT A TIME TO
GIVE YOU TIME TO PREPARE YOUR
MICROPHONE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR
SOMEONE WHO
>> TODAY, IDENTIFY WHO YOU
WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT QUESTION
SO WE CAN ARRANGE IN ADVANCE.
DAVID HYDE, FOLLOWED BY DAVID
COLEMAN.
>> MAYOR DURKAN, WHAT DO YOU
HEAR AS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF
THESE PROTESTS, AND HOW DO YOU
INTEND TO ACHIEVE THAT IN YOUR
ROLE AS MAYOR?
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
I'VE SAID BEFORE, IT IS A DEEP
AND COMPLICATED ISSUE, BUT AS
DR. LANG SAID, THERE HAS BEEN
WAY TOO MANY DEATHS.
THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT MR.
FLOYD.
THAT WAS INCIDENT THAT
RESONATED THROUGH A DEEP, DEEP
HISTORY OF BROKEN PROMISES,
LOST OPPORTUNITIES, NO PERSONAL
DIGNITY OR RESPECT, STARTING
WITH SLAVERY THROUGH TODAY, IT
IS TIME FOR OUR COUNTRY TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE SYSTEMIC RACISM
THAT HAS LED TO SO MANY
INEQUITIES, EVERY ONE OF WHICH
WE HAVE SEEN DURING COVID-19.
WE SEE THE FIRST TO SUFFER THE
ECONOMIC IMPACTS WERE OUR
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND
PARTICULARLY OUR BLACK
COMMUNITY.
WE SAW THOSE GETTING THE
DISPARATE HEALTH OUTCOMES
PARTICULARLY IN OUR BLACK
COMMUNITY, AND WE SEE THAT
THOSE ARE MOST AT RISK OF
LOSING THEIR HOUSING AND THEIR
JOBS, AND THE LIKE.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS RESONATED
WITH PEOPLE.
IT IS THE ANGER, THE GRIEF, THE
COLLECTIVE TRAUMA BEING
EXPRESSED.
AND THE BEST THING I CAN DO AS
MAYOR IS TO LISTEN, TO HONOR,
AND TO CENTER THAT, BUT TO ACT,
AND FIND WAYS TO ADDRESS AT
LEAST THE CITY LEVEL, ON EACH
ONE OF THOSE THINGS, WHAT WE
CAN DO DIFFERENTLY AND BETTER.
WE DO THAT FIRST BY
ACKNOWLEDGING OUR OWN ROLE AND
PLACE OF PRIVILEGE, OUR ABILITY
TO BE WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE OF
HOW I LOOK, BUT THEN TO SAY
THAT GIVES ME NOT JUST
PRIVILEGE BUT RESPONSIBILITY
AND OBLIGATION.
ACTING ON THAT MEANS EVERY
MOTHER HAS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
AND GOOD PRENATAL CARE.
EVERY CHILD GETS A GOOD
EDUCATION FROM PRESCHOOL
THROUGH GRADE SCHOOL, THROUGH
HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY GET FREE COLLEGE AND THEN
THEY GET A JOB THAT IS A FAMILY
WAGE JOB AND NOT A DEAD-END, SO
THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER A COMMENT
DOWNTURN AND THEY ARE NOT THE
FIRST TO LOSE THEIR JOBS.
THOSE ARE A FEW OF THE THINGS.
>> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
DAVID COLEMAN FOLLOWED BY ERIC
BARNETT.
DAVID COLEMAN, THE FLOOR IS
YOURS.
>> Reporter: THANK YOU.
MAYOR, THERE'S ONGOING
NEGOTIATIONS WITH ONE POLICE
UNION AND SOON TO BE
NEGOTIATIONS WITH A SECOND
LARGER UNION.
HAS ANY STRATEGY CHANGED WHEN
IT COMES TO NEGOTIATIONS, AND
THE CITY'S PRIORITIES?
>> VERY GOOD QUESTION.
THERE IS TWO POLICE UNIONS.
THERE'S THE POLICE MANAGEMENT
UNION, WHICH WE ARE ALREADY
UNDERWAY IN NEGOTIATIONS.
AND THEN THERE IS A POLICE
OFFICER'S GUILD, SERGEANT AND
BELOW RANK.
THOSE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NOT
BEGUN BUT THE CONTRACT EXPIRES
THIS YEAR.
THEY DO NOT CHANGE AT ALL WHAT
OUR COMMITMENT IS TO THE
COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT
HOW WE CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE
THAT WE BOTH GIVE OUR OFFICERS
THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO DO
THEIR JOBS, BUT COMING WITH THAT
IS TIED TO ACCOUNTABILITY.
I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF
CHIEF CARMEN BEST, WHO HAS
INSTILLED A CULTURE OF
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, AND
HOLDING OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE,
MAKING SURE EVERY STEP OF THE
WAY, THE MINIMUM IS NOT ENOUGH,
AND SO OUR CONTRACT
NEGOTIATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO
CENTER THOSE ISSUES THAT HAVE
BEEN HIGHLIGHTED.
I HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY
POLICE COMMISSION, THE CIVIL
RIGHTS GROUPS WHO SIGNED THE
LETTER WHEN I WAS U.S. ATTORNEY
THAT LED TO THE CONSENT DECREE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE
ENGAGEMENT WITH ALL OF THOSE
COMMUNITIES AND ENTITIES TO
MAKE SURE WHEN WE ARE AT THE
BARGAINING TABLE, WE CAN
CONTINUE TO ENSURE STRONG
REFORMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
ERIC BARNETT FOLLOWED BY HANNAH
SCOTT.
>> Reporter: A QUESTION FOR THE
MAYOR OR CHIEF BEST.
YOU BOTH MENTIONED THESE WERE
OUTSIDE AGITATORS COMING FROM
OUTSIDE SEATTLE, DESCENDING ON
THE CITY.
WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT
FROM SEATTLE?
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION,
ERICA.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE
USED DESCRIPTIONS.
WHAT I HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR IS,
REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY CAME
FROM, THEY CAME WITH A
DIFFERENT INTENT, AND THAT THE
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE
PROTESTING HONESTLY AND
PEACEFULLY, AND FORCEFULLY, LED
BY ON RETAILER AND OTHERS, TO
EXPRESS THEIR DEEP ANGER, THEIR
GRIEF, AND THEIR DEMAND FOR
CHANGE BY OUR SOCIETY.
THEY CAME PEACEFULLY AND ACTED
PEACEFULLY, AND THOSE WHO
STARTED THE VIOLENCE CAME NOT
TO JOIN THEM, NOT TO JOIN IN
THE CAUSE, NOT TO HONOR MR.
FLOYD, BUT CAME TO, NUMBER ONE,
PURPOSELY CREATE VIOLENCE AND
DESTRUCTION, TWO TO PROVOKE AND
HOPE TO GET RESPONSES AND
FIGHTS WITH POLICE, AND THREE,
TO DESTROY AND STEAL PROPERTY.
THEY WERE SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL
IN THEIR ENDEAVORS, BUT WHAT
THEY DID NOT DO AND WILL NEVER
DO, IS DROWN OUT THE MESSAGE
THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS SAYING,
AND AS THE REVEREND SAID,
REVEREND ANDERSON AND I SAID
YESTERDAY, DIVISION, VIOLENCE,
AND DESTRUCTION WILL NEVER
ENDURE MORE THAN HOPE, PEACE,
AND LOVE.
IT WILL NEVER DIVERT US FROM
THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
OUR NEXT QUESTION WILL BE FROM
HANNAH SCOTT FROM KIRO RADIO,
AND SIMONE KENNEDY.
>> THERE ARE PROTESTS GOING ON
ACROSS THE STATE BUT IN
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, NEARLY 1000
PEOPLE AGAIN WITH SEVERAL
ARRESTS, FLASH BANGS GOING OFF.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO
DIFFERENTLY THAN YESTERDAY?
TO PROTECT THE PROPERTY AND THE
PEOPLE OF SEATTLE?
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THESE
PROTESTERS TONIGHT?
>> I AM GOING TO LET CHIEF BEST
ADDRESS THE FIRST AND THEN WE
WILL TURN THE MICROPHONE OVER
TO ANDRC.
>> BEFORE I ANSWER THAT
QUESTION, I JUST WANT TO THANK
THE SPEAKERS HERE TODAY FOR NOT
DELAYING DR. REVEREND ANDERSON,
AND ON RETAILER FOR THEIR VERY
POWERFUL -- AND OF COURSE OUR
GOVERNOR.
FOR THEIR VERY POWERFUL WORDS
OF ENCOURAGEMENT TODAY.
I WAS GRATIFIED TO HEAR THOSE
KIND WORDS.
THERE IS A PROTEST GOING ON
RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS PART OF THE
REASON I CAME IN HERE LATE.
I WAS MONITORING ACTIVITIES.
WE HAVE A CROWD, AS YOU
NOTICED, OF ABOUT 1000 FOLKS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TO
MANAGE THAT CROWD.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR THE LAST FEW
MINUTES.
I DON'T HAVE THE LATEST UPDATE.
THE MAYOR SAID, THERE IS A
CURFEW THAT STARTED AT 5:00
P.M.
AND WE FULLY INTEND TO ENFORCE
THAT CURFEW IN THE CITY FROM
5:00 P.M.
TO 5:00 A.M.
WE ARE WORKING ON WHAT THAT
LOOKS LIKE NOW, WITH THE
STRATEGY IS, AND WHERE TO
FOLLOW.
I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT CLAIRVOYANT,
BUT WHAT WE WOULD HOPE IS THAT
WE GET VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE AND
THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE
FURTHER ACTION.
BUT IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, WE
WILL PROGRESSIVELY LOOK AT WAYS
TO AGAIN FOLLOW THE CURFEW, SO
WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE TEARING UP
OUR LOVELY CITY, LOOTING,
DESTROYING PROPERTY, ASSAULTING
OFFICERS, ASSAULTING PEOPLE WHO
ARE THERE PEACEFULLY.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU AT
THIS TIME.
I AM SURE YOU WILL GET MORE
UPDATES AS EVENTS PROGRESS.
THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP.
THIS IS JENNY DURKAN IF YOU
DIDN'T KNOW.
IN ADDITION, I JUST WANTED TO
RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE THE
BRIGADIER GENERAL FROM THE
NATIONAL GUARD IN THE ROOM.
THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN
DEPLOYED.
THEY WILL HELP PROTECT PROPERTY
AND DO SOME CROWD CONTROL IF
NECESSARY.
IT'S AN ASSET WE DIDN'T HAVE
LAST NIGHT, AND THE ADDITIONAL
THING IS, NOT ONLY IS IT A
CLEAR CURFEW OF 5:00, BUT THE
THOUSANDS OF PEACEABLE
PROTESTERS, WHO WE HAD TO
ENSURE THE SAFETY OF LAST
NIGHT, ARE NOT THE ONES THAT
ARE IN WESTLAKE NOW.
SO, THE TACTICS CAN BE
DIFFERENT TO MAKE SURE WE
DISPERSED PEOPLE.
IF THEY DO NOT DISPERSE, THEY
CAN BE ARRESTED IF NECESSARY.
I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO ON
RETAILER.
>> LET ME JUST BE CLEAR AND
GIVE YOU A REPORT.
OUT OF THOSE 10,000+ PEOPLE WHO
CAME TO THE RALLY, FROM WESLEY
TO STEWARD, THE FEDERAL
COURTHOUSE, THERE WAS NOT ONE
INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE.
BUT LET ME SAY THIS.
SOME PEOPLE THINK THE BLACK
COMMUNITY ALLOWS LAWLESSNESS.
WE DON'T ALLOW LAWLESSNESS.
WE HATE IT AS MUCH AS ANY
COMMUNITY.
WHEN LAWLESSNESS IS GOING ON,
THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT
COMES INTO PLACE TO MAKE SURE
IT'S NOT HARMING PEOPLE,
PEOPLE'S PROPERTY, AND THE
LIKE, SO IF THERE IS
LAWLESSNESS GOING ON, SBD HAS A
RESPONSIBILITY AND THE NATIONAL
GUARD HAS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT
IS QUOTE.
I OFTEN TALK TO COMMUNITY
MEMBERS WHEN THEY ARE ANGRY AND
I SAY, IF WE HAD OUR OWN
COUNTRY, WOULD YOU ALLOW
LAWLESSNESS?
WOULD YOU ALLOW SOMEONE TO
BREAK INTO YOUR HOUSE, RAPE
YOUR WIFE, SHOOT YOUR MOTHER?
NO, YOU WOULDN'T, SO WHEN YOU
ARE MAD AT PEOPLE WHO HAVE LAWS
IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE SOCIETY
CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD, AND
YOU ARE ANGRY WITH THAT, THAT'S
A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T
ACCEPT IT IF IT WERE OUR OWN
COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS OUT OF ORDER, BUT I
WANT TO MAKE SURE PASTOR
ANDERSON IS ABLE TO TALK ABOUT
THE PRAYER VIGIL BECAUSE PEOPLE
ARE STILL IN PAIN, STILL
HURTING, AND SOMETIMES, THEY
NEED A PLACE TO GO.
WHITE, BLACK, WHEREVER.
WE ARE HAVING A PRAYER VIGIL
TOMORROW.
LET ME TELL YOU WHERE IT'S AT.
>> TOMORROW, MONDAY AT FIRST
AME CHURCH, WE ARE HAVING A
PRAYER VIGIL FOR PERSONS OF ALL
RACES, PERSONS OF ALL COLORS,
AND PERSONS WHO STAND FOR
JUSTICE.
PERSONS WHO WANT TO SEE RACES ON
FLATTENED, THAT CURVE.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME, YOU
ARE WELCOME TO PRAY.
WE ARE GOING TO PRACTICE SOCIAL
DISTANCING AND WE WILL INVITE
YOU TO BRING YOUR PERSONAL
SANITIZERS.
WE WILL ALSO ASK THAT YOU BRING
YOUR FACE SHIELD, BUT IT IS
OPEN TOMORROW AT FIRST AME
CHURCH, SEATTLE, 1522 14th
AVENUE.
I MIGHT ADD, FIRST AME CHURCH
IS THE OLDEST BLACK CHURCH IN
THE STATE.
WE WERE FOUNDED BEFORE THE
STATE WAS EVEN CHARTERED.
1886.
>> Reporter: SIMONE, FOLLOWED
BY CHRIS DANIELS.
>> Reporter: THIS QUESTION IS
FOR MAYOR DURKAN OR CHIEF BEST.
DO WE HAVE ANY CLARITY OR
SPECIFICS AROUND HOW MANY
PEOPLE WERE INJURED FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY, AND ALSO SPECIFICALLY
HOW MANY OF THOSE INJURIES WERE
FROM POLICE CROWD CONTROL
TACTICS?
>> WE DON'T HAVE ALL OF THOSE
STATISTICS, BUT WE WILL GET
THOSE TO YOU.
THERE WAS NOT WIDESPREAD
INJURIES OR SIGNIFICANT
INJURIES THAT WE ARE AWARE OF,
AND THERE IS NO LOSS OF LIFE,
BUT WE CAN GET TO THAT SPECIFIC
INFORMATION WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO
COMPILE IT.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT HAS BEEN A VERY
DYNAMIC SITUATION AND SOME OF
THE AFTER ACTION ANALYSIS HAS
NOT YET BEEN DONE.
>> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM
CHRIS DANIELS FROM KING 5 NEWS.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> Reporter: MAYOR, WE ARE
GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS INTO
OUR NEWSROOM ABOUT THE POINT OF
A CURFEW THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK
THIS ACTUALLY MAKES THINGS
WORSE, AND YOU ALREADY NOTED
THIS AFTERNOON THAT NOBODY WAS
ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THE
CURFEW LAST NIGHT, SO YOU SAY
YOU ARE ENFORCING IT, BUT
NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS?
>> THREE THINGS.
EVEN WITHOUT THE CURFEW, I
WOULD REMIND PEOPLE, I'VE GOT
THE GOVERNOR HERE, AND HIS STAY-
AT-HOME ORDER IS STILL IN
EFFECT, SO IN A WAY, THE CURFEW
IS A DUPLICATION.
IT SHOULD NOT BE MAKING THINGS
WORSE BECAUSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE
STAYING HOME UNLESS THEY'VE GOT
A NECESSARY JOB THEY ARE GOING
TO.
THE PANDEMIC IS REAL.
AND IS STILL HAPPENING AND WE
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE
ARE NOT GATHERING.
SO, NUMBER ONE, THAT POINT.
NUMBER TWO, AFTER SPEAKING WITH
THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND
CONSULTING WITH OTHER LEADERS,
THE CURFEW IS ANOTHER TOOL THAT
DOES TWO THINGS.
ONE, IT TAKES THE LAWFUL PEOPLE
OFF THE STREET.
SO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REMAINING
ARE THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE
DECISION THAT THEY WILL DEFY
THE LAW.
AND THAT GIVES -- IS A VERY
DIFFERENT GROUP THAN THOSE WHO
WERE GATHERING YESTERDAY.
THIRD, IT GIVES THE POLICE A
TOOL IF THEY NEED TO, WHEN THEY
ASK PEOPLE TO DISPERSE.
THERE IS A LAWFUL REASON TO ASK
THEM TO DISPERSE REGARDLESS OF
WHAT THEIR ACTIVITY IS, SO THE
CURFEW GIVES US A TOOL THAT I
THINK IS NECESSARY, AND
FRANKLY, I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY
COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THEY
WISH THE CURFEW HAD GONE INTO
EFFECT EARLIER THIS WEEK AND
THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE.
WE WILL EVALUATE THAT, BUT IT
IS IN EFFECT RIGHT NOW.
IF ANYONE IS WATCHING THIS ON
THEIR PHONE AND THEY ARE STILL
OUTSIDE IN SEATTLE, THEY SHOULD
GO HOME.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
MIKE CARTER FROM THE SEATTLE
TIMES FOLLOWED BY JASON RANSOM.
MICHAEL CARTER, THE FLOOR IS
YOURS.
>> Reporter: FIRST OF ALL, THE
MARCH YESTERDAY --
>> MIKE, YOU'RE BREAKING UP.
THAT'S BETTER.
>> Reporter: SORRY.
MY QUESTION DEALS WITH NOT JUST
WHAT HAPPENED UP TO THIS POINT,
BUT ALSO THE SYSTEMIC RACISM
THAT SEEMS CONSISTENT
EVERYWHERE.
I WAS LOOKING AT THE MOST
RECENT NUMBERS FOR THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT AFRICAN-
AMERICAN -- [ INAUDIBLE
QUESTION ]
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
I WILL LET THE CHIEF FOLLOW IF
SHE WANTS TO, BUT THERE ARE
MULTIPLE THINGS.
FIRST, COMING OUT OF THE
CONSENT DECREE, WHEN WE DID THE
INVESTIGATION, AT THAT TIME,
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
DID NOT KEEP ANY DATA WITH
REGARDS TO DEMOGRAPHICS.
SO, WHEN WE DID THE
INVESTIGATION, WE COULD NOT
PROVE THERE WAS BIASED POLICING.
PART OF THE CONSENT DECREE, AS
YOU KNOW, INCLUDED REQUIREMENTS
AROUND BIASED POLICING AND
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN DATA
TO BE KEPT.
IT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE REALLY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE THESE NUMBERS
ARE FROM PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.
HOW DO PEOPLE FEEL?
EVEN MORE THAN THAT, WE HAVE A
LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE
DISPARITIES THAT EXIST AT EVERY
LEVEL OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE
ENFORCEMENT OF THE SEATTLE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THE LAST REPORTS WE
ISSUED WAS A DISPARITY REPORT
THAT SHOWS THERE IS STILL A
DISPARITY BETWEEN WHITE PEOPLE
AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN
POLICING, WHICH IS NOT
SURPRISING TO ANY OF THE PEOPLE
STANDING WITH ME TODAY.
IT IS INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED,
AND DIFFICULT, AND THERE IS NO
CITY OR STATE IN AMERICA THAT
HAVE GOTTEN IT RIGHT, BUT WE
WILL CONTINUE TO DEEPLY ENGAGE
WITH COMMUNITY, GET BEHIND THE
NUMBERS, GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES
OF ALL OF THESE DISPARITIES.
IT GOES BACK NOT JUST TO
POLICING.
BY THE TIME THE POLICE ARE
INTERACTING WITH SOMEONE, THERE
ARE SO MANY DISPARITIES ALREADY
HARD BAKED INTO THE SYSTEM FROM
THE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE,
ACCESS TO HOUSING, ACCESS TO
EDUCATION AND ACCESS TO REAL
JOBS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND
ECONOMY, BUT PROBABLY MOST
IMPORTANT, THE ACCESS TO A
BELIEF THAT THE SYSTEM VALUES
YOU, THAT YOU HAVE THE RESPECT
AND DIGNITY AS A HUMAN BEING
THAT YOU DESERVE, SO THIS GOES
FAR BEYOND JUST POLICING.
IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WORK
ON AT EVERY LEVEL OF OUR
SOCIETY.
AS MAYOR, I TRY TO WORK ON IT
ACROSS THE BOARD IN EVERY
PROGRAM WE TOUCH AND TO LEARN
MORE EVERY DAY.
>> OUR NEXT QUESTION, JASON
RANSOM, FOLLOWED BY LILY FOWLER.
LILY, YOUR QUESTION WILL BE OUR
FINAL QUESTION TODAY.
JASON, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> I HAVE TWO QUICK QUESTIONS.
FIRST, ON THE CURFEW'S THAT ARE
OBVIOUSLY IN PLACE RIGHT NOW,
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, MAYOR
DURKAN, AS TO WHETHER OR NOT
YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THEM
END TO THE WEEK?
I ASSUME SOME OF WHAT'S
HAPPENING NATIONALLY MAY ALSO
PLAY A ROLE.
MY SECOND QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR
JAY INSLEE, PRESIDENT TRUMP
SAID HE WAS GOING TO LABEL
ANTIFA A TERRORIST
ORGANIZATION.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE HAVE BEEN
INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE
PERPETUATED HERE, BUT ALSO
ANARCHISTS.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT
MOVE?
>> JASON, I WILL TAKE THE FIRST
QUESTION.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO EVALUATE
HOW THE CURFEW HAS WORKED.
I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE IT'S
NOT JUST FOR DOWNTOWN.
IT IS A CITYWIDE CURFEW.
PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE OUT UNLESS
THEY HAVE A REASON.
MEDICAL CONDITION, NECESSARY
JOB.
WE WILL EVALUATE IF IT IS
SOMETHING THAT HELPS TO RESTORE
STABILITY.
I WILL TALK TO THE CHIEF OF
POLICE AND OUR FIRE CHIEF TO
DETERMINE IF IT MAKES SENSE TO
CONTINUE IT.
WE WILL LOOK AT IT TONIGHT AND
TOMORROW MORNING.
WE WILL GIVE THE COMMUNITY,
OBVIOUSLY, MORE NOTICE WHEN WE
WERE GOING TO GIVE THAT.
I DO WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE
BEFORE I HAVE THE GOVERNOR
ANSWER YOUR SECOND QUESTION, WE
ARE STILL UNDER A STAY-AT-HOME
ORDER.
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY HAVE
NOT MOVED TO PHASE TWO YET, AND
THE MORE PEOPLE GO OUT AND COME
TOGETHER, THE MORE THEY RISK
THEIR OWN HEALTH AND THE HEALTH
OF EVERYONE THAT THEY GO BACK
TO.
I WOULD URGE, REGARDLESS OF THE
CURFEW, PLEASE, STAY HOME.
WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR TWO
MONTHS TO BREAK THE BACK OF
THIS VIRUS.
PEOPLE HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH
IN THOSE TWO MONTHS.
PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR
BUSINESSES AND THEIR JOBS.
PLEASE, PLEASE STAY HOME.
GOVERNOR?
>> I HAVE NOT BEEN BRIEFED ON
THAT ISSUE SO I WILL RESERVE
STATEMENTS UNTIL WE HEAR FROM
OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY
ABOUT THIS.
I WILL SAY THIS.
WE COULD CERTAINLY USE A LITTLE
MORE LEADERSHIP FROM THE WHITE
HOUSE TO TRY TO HELP THIS
NATION HEAL AND MOVE FORWARD
RATHER THAN LOOKING FOR
PARTISAN ADVANTAGE.
>> THE FINAL QUESTION IS FROM
LILY FOWLER.
>> Reporter: I'VE GOT TWO
QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE IS FOR THE MAYOR.
YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT WAS
THE POLICE THAT ESCALATED THE
PROTESTS LAST NIGHT.
YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT A TIMELINE.
SHOWING THAT'S THE CASE.
I AM WONDERING WHEN YOU
ENVISION THAT TIMELINE COMING
OUT, AND WOULDN'T IT BE MORE
ACCURATE TO SAY, THERE IS
PROBABLY SOME BLAME TO GO
AROUND?
THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT EITHER
OR, EITHER POLICE, OR
CIVILIANS, ACTING IN POOR
FASHION, BUT SOME OF BOTH
HAPPENING LAST NIGHT?
>> THANK YOU CALL LILY FOR THE
QUESTION.
WE WILL GET THE TIMELINE OUT
SHORTLY.
SOMEONE WILL CONTACT YOU AFTER
THIS.
I AM NOT SURE IF THAT'S IN THE
PROCESS, SO YOU HAVE IT.
I WANT TO STRESS HOW IMPORTANT
WORDS ARE HERE.
BLAME IS NOT A WORD THAT I HAVE
TRIED TO USE.
I HAVE TRIED TO RELATE THE
FACTS THAT I THINK ARE TRUE.
THE FACT THAT I THINK I SAW
MYSELF, OCCURRED DURING THE DAY.
THE FACTS AS WERE BEING
REPORTED TO ME ALIVE.
I CAN TELL YOU, IT IS A FACT
THAT EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON, WE
HAD A NUMBER OF PROTESTS GOING
ON THAT FOR PEACEFUL AROUND
CITY HALL, AROUND THE POLICE
STATION.
PEOPLE PROTESTED.
THEY DID IT PEACEFULLY.
THERE WERE NO ADVERSE ENCOUNTERS
OF SIGNIFICANCE WITH POLICE.
ON RETAILER'S GROUP, AND PEOPLE
AS HE SAID, THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO
GATHERED PEACEFULLY, WHO
MARCHED TO THE COURTHOUSE, AND
THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE ACT OF
VIOLENCE OR A SINGLE
ALTERCATION WITH THE POLICE.
AT THE SAME TIME THAT WAS GOING
ON, LITERALLY BLOCKS AWAY, IT
WAS A VERY DIFFERENT SCENE.
WITH PEOPLE WHO CAME, WITH
BACKPACKS FULL OF WEAPONS, FROM
PIPES TO STICKS, TWO FROZEN
WATER BOTTLES, TWO INCENDIARY
DEVICES.
I WILL SAY, WHEN PEOPLE COME,
AND THEY HAVE THAT ACTIVITY,
THEY SHOULD EXPECT A RESPONSE
FROM THE POLICE BECAUSE THE
POLICE HAVE A DUTY TO KEEP
PEOPLE SAFE, TO PROTECT
PROPERTY, AND TO ALLOW PEOPLE
WHO ARE IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE,
EXPRESSING THEIR RIGHT TO
PROTEST WHAT I AND OTHER
LEADERS IN THE WORLD HAVE DONE
TO ORGANIZE OUR SOCIETY IN A
WAY THAT'S UNFAIR AND UNJUST,
AND TO DEMAND THAT WE DO
BETTER.
THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO
DO THAT FOR AS LONG AS THEY
WANT WITHOUT THAT KIND OF
INTERFERENCE.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU MEANT TO
SAY IT, BUT YOU SAID THE MAYOR
SAID, IT WAS STARTED BY THE
POLICE.
I DON'T BELIEVE SHE HAS EVER
SAID THAT.
I THINK HER EXPLANATION
CLARIFIED THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE FOR
THE RECORD, THE MAYOR DID NOT
SAY THAT.
>> LILY, I WILL ADD THIS, WHICH
IS PROBABLY IMPROVIDENT, BUT
THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION
OVER THE YEARS ABOUT THE WHAT
ABOUT?
WE WILL HOLD THE POLICE
ACCOUNTABLE, CHIEF BEST AND I.
IF ANY OFFICER USED FORCE THAT
WAS IMPROPER OR VIOLATED OUR
STANDARDS, THEY WILL BE
INVESTIGATED AND HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR
PEOPLE COMING TO A PLACE WHERE
PEOPLE ARE GATHERING, AND TO
THROW INCENDIARY DEVICES, USE
STICKS, AND BOTTLES, AND ROCKS,
TO THROW AT THE POLICE, AND
THEN TO BREAK INTO BUILDINGS,
TO LOOT WHAT IS THERE, TO CAUSE
AS MUCH DAMAGE AS THEY CAN, TO
SET VEHICLES ON FIRE.
THAT IS NOT PROTESTING.
THAT IS LOOTING AND CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR.
I WANT TO THANK THE PEOPLE HERE
TONIGHT.
WHAT ANYONE LIKE TO HAVE THE
FINAL WORD?
>> LET ME JUST SAY, I AM HAPPY
ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE MAYOR
AND CHIEF BEST HAVE SPOKEN
STRONGLY AGAINST WHAT HAPPENED
TO GEORGE FLOYD.
I AM HAPPY THAT THE GOVERNOR
HAS STEPPED OVER HERE WITH US.
AND HAS SPOKEN TO THAT.
THAT IS NECESSARY FOR US.
UNLESS WE HAVE LEADERSHIP GET
IN FRONT OF THIS AND MAKE THE
COMMUNITY BELIEVE THAT IT'S
REAL WHEN THEY SAY THEY ARE
GOING TO HOLD PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
THEY SPOKE STRONGLY.
I AM THE FIRST ONE TO SAY IT.
BUT THEN YOU CAN HOLD PEOPLE
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR WORDS.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO GET
IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC, TO SAY
THOSE WORDS SO YOU CAN SAY,
THIS IS WHAT YOU SAID.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY
WERE SAID.
I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE POLITICAL
PERSON ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY
SPEAK AS STRONG AS THE MAYOR
DID.
I APPRECIATE HER FOR COMING OUT
REAL STRONG WITH NO SUGAR, JUST
STRAIGHT TO THE POINT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
EVERYBODY.