This past weekend, Trump dispatched federal officers to Seattle, and our city fought back, standing in solidarity with the Portland protests and clearly showing that this uprising for Black lives is nowhere near over. The fight back continues, and so does the fight to Defund SPD. If you’re able, we’re needed in the streets every day. Stay safe and stay with comrades.
It was our own Seattle Police Department, however, who showed brutal and vicious force against protesters—using excessive force and indiscriminately using pepper spray and flash bangs against protesters. Responsibility for this repression lies with Mayor Jenny Durkan, who has shown her true colors as an establishment Democrat in working to defend the SPD and oppose the demands of the movement for Black lives. We support the growing demand for Mayor Durkan to resign!
Last week, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced plans to close the recently opened youth jail by 2025. What a win!! Tireless organizing for years by the No New Youth Jail coalition and other community organizations have made this a reality, and the current uprising for Black lives has finally pushed the city’s political elite to grant this concession. You can read No New Youth Jail’s statement here. We stand with them in fighting to close the jail earlier than 2025.
As we fight, we take care of each other. Consider supporting Diaz Love, one of the protesters hit by a car in Seattle in early July. You can donate to their recovery, including rent, here, or to help with medical expenses here.
CANCEL RENT WEEK OF ACTION
Housing justice is racial justice. Black people, and Black women in particular, are much more likely to get evicted in Seattle. People of color are much more likely to experience retaliation, discrimination, and eviction from landlords, and undocumented families are not able to access stimulus funds to pay for rents.
The No Debt, No Evictions campaign is part of a national movement calling for the cancellation of rent, mortgages, utilities, and all related debt for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Sign the petition to cancel rent and mortgages in Washington here. You can also share your story about why this is important to you here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Daily marches continue. You can find updates about the daily morning march here, and the daily evening march here. And mark your calendar for the Umoja Parade March and Day of Unity for Black Lives on Saturday, August 1, presented by King County Equity Now.
As we flood the streets, it's important to keep ourselves and each other safe. 350 Seattle and WA Youth for Climate Justice are hosting two trainings on safety and de-escalation. On Wednesday, July 29th, from 7-9PM they will host a training on how to keep yourself healthy and safe at a protest: register here. You can also join the De-escalation/Peacekeeper training on Sunday, August 2nd, from 11AM-1PM, register here.
And don’t miss our August General Membership meeting on Tuesday, August 4th! This will be a business meeting, so members will have a chance to discuss and vote on important chapter resolutions. Come discuss resolutions on the fight for Black lives, what to do with your vote in November, and more! If you’re not officially a member yet, you still have time to sign up and vote. Join here!
In solidarity,
Seattle DSA
Time: July 27 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Venue: Online
The movement for Black lives forced 7 out of 9 Seattle city councilmembers to declare they support defunding the SPD by 50%. This is a big victory! (This came on the heels of our coalition's victory pressuring the council to pass the largest corporate tax in Seattle history (as far as we know) to fund Covid relief and housing. These two victories show the power of organizing mass protests, [Read More]
Time: July 29 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Venue: Online (Zoom Call)
Does your building management take too long to make repairs? Are you concerned that your lease could be illegal? Does your landlord charge you too much rent? You’re not alone. The Tenant Organizing Collective is a group of Seattle area residents, including experienced housing rights activists, who meet every week to teach each other concrete, effective organizing skills to build power at [Read More]
Time: July 29 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Venue: Online
Due to coronavirus, we'll be meeting online. Join us on Google Hangouts Are you frustrated that you don't have a voice at work? Are you a freelancer who rarely gets paid on time? Are you working 2 or 3 gigs just to make rent? You're not alone. The Workplace Organizing Collective is a group of Seattle DSA members, including experienced labor organizers, who meet every week to teach each [Read More]
Time: August 1 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Venue: online
Join the Queer and Feminist Caucus for our every-three-weeks Labor & Revolutionary History Happy Hour, featuring working class struggles led by women and queer people throughout history. Topic TBA - check back here for more details. We’ll learn from and about our comrades who fought before us. Each week we’ll discuss a different historical event, through the eyes of those on the ground [Read More]
Time: August 2 @ 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Venue: Virtual
Join us to pursue a fair and effective Green New Deal to halt climate change and win environmental justice. We explore ecosocialist theory, organize with climate groups, and are developing a campaign for fare-free transit. Join zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84134942601?pwd=QjJMWjNVd0dxeDM3RGtlZVVETGtxUT09 OR by phone 253-215-8782 Meeting ID: 841 3494 2601 Password: 200123 [Read More]
