-I'm Silas James, a healthcare educator, advocate, researcher,
Democratic Socialist, union member, and former
chair of the Seattle Disability Commission.
I'm running for Seattle City Council in District 5
because I love Seattle.
District 5 is my home.
I want Seattle to live up to its promise as a welcoming city.
Immigrants and refugees seeking sanctuary from abroad or fleeing
another state for reproductive access, gender-affirming care,
or personal safety should know our city welcomes and will
protect them.
Seattle's corporate surveillance program is expensive and puts
the very people we promise to protect in danger.
It must be ended.
But for Seattle to be truly welcoming, it also
has to be affordable.
The gap between Seattle's wealthiest and the
rest of us is growing.
Renters and homeowners are being priced out of our city.
I'm not a millionaire.
I don't have a six-figure income.
Just like you, I'm reminded every single day of how
expensive Seattle is.
The answer to Seattle's problems isn't more cops,
and it's not more cameras.
It's making Seattle more affordable.
For true public safety, we need to address poverty.
And that means guaranteeing a basic income that people
can count on no matter what.
Housing people can afford;
fast, reliable, and free public transportation;
healthcare access and support for people in crisis.
For almost 20 years, I've worked tirelessly helping people
find housing, get healthcare, access public benefits,
and graduate college.
I understand these systems.
I've used them myself.
I know where they're broken, and I know how to fix them.
I'm Silas James.
Let's create a safer, more affordable Seattle together.
We deserve a city where working people
can still have a future.