Seattle Democratic Socialists of America

On Monday, July 19th, legislation will be introduced to the Seattle City Council that makes it illegal for the Seattle Police Department to train with any country that violates human rights according to international law.

SPD's documented patterns of violence and racism is under court supervision -- and that's on top of policing’s inherent harms by enforcing racist laws. Trainings with Israel are the most frequent destination for SPD after visits to Canada. In these trips, under the banner of “counter-terrorism”, Israel presents lessons from 73 years of illegal military occupation over a Palestinian population deprived of human and civil rights. The tools of occupation include racial profiling, violent suppression of protest, and massive surveillance. Black, Native and other residents of color, as well as protestors in our city already face repression from the  SPD. In short, there are no good cops in a racist system -- and trainings from an even less accountable military added to the mix worsens outcomes for people marginalized by both systems.

Here's how you can take action Monday to disrupt Seattle police and protect Palestinian lives by divesting from the Deadly Exchange program:

  1. Send a letter to Seattle City Council Members telling them you support ending military trainings of SPD
  2. Call Seattle City Council Members and tell them why this program must end (and here's a script to help).
    • District 1: Lisa Herbold: 206-684-8801
    • District 2: Tammy Morales: 206-684:8802
    • District 3: Kshama Sawant: 206-684-8803
    • District 4: Alex Pedersen: 206-684-8804
    • District 5: Debora Juarez: 206-684-8805
    • District 6: Dan Strauss: 206-684-8806
    • District 7: Andrew Lewis: 206-684-8807
    • At large, position 8: Teresa Mosqueda: 206-684-8808
    • At large, position 9: M. Lorena González: 206-684-8809
  3. Endorse the open letter with you union, faith organization, or other community organization calling on Seattle City Council to end the Deadly Exchange.
  4. Offer public comment on Monday. Registration starts at noon. Testimony begins at 2 PM.

Solidarity,

Seattle DSA Anti-War Caucus
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