We fought hard against the establishment’s business-as-usual budget Dear People’s Budget activists and community members: Congratulations to everyone for a successful People’s Budget struggle on many fronts!  On Monday, Nov. 25, the City Council adopted a 2020 budget. We need to celebrate what has been won, while at the same time refusing to accept a […]

I have written a letter to Mayor Jenny Durkan, explaining why I have not advanced her nomination of a permanent director of the Human Services Department, and calling on her to involve city workers, the community, and human service providers in an open, transparent, and inclusive candidate search. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ February 7, 2019 Dear Mayor Durkan, […]

We, the undersigned, have no confidence that an internal police investigation will find justice for Charleena. We demand Seattle’s Mayor and City Council appoint an independent, community-based committee, empowered to investigate Charleena’s killing, with full access to case evidence, witnesses, and department policies. Nationwide, of 1,155 people killed by police in 2016, only 13 officers […]

Earlier today, my office asked the Seattle Police Department (SPD) questions about the horrific killing of Charleena Lyles.  Charleena was killed by police in her home, in front of her children. This horrific killing happened just two days after the officers who killed Philando Castile were found ‘not guilty’ in Minnesota. Let’s stand in solidarity […]

On May 22, 2017, the Seattle City Council passed “police accountability” legislation. Below are my comments explaining what in the legislation is positive, and how it falls far short of what is needed to provide real police accountability in Seattle.  I would like to thank the Community Police Commission for their dedication to police accountability, […]

On May 19, 2017, I wrote the following letter to Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider, Head Coach Pete Carroll, and Owner Paul Allen, asking them to sign Colin Kaepernick as backup quarterback. Dear Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schneider, Head Coach Pete Carroll, and Owner Paul Allen: I am writing to convey that Colin Kaepernick […]

On April 17, 2017, the Seattle City Council voted to allocate $1 million to create a Legal Defense Fund for immigrants detained by ICE. It’s essential that we back legal action with mass political action, building a fighting mass movement that stands in solidarity with all working people. See my full remarks below. I am very happy to […]

Yesterday, I wrote Mayor Murray, Sheriff Urquhart and Chief O’Toole to urge them to immediately halt the physical eviction of the Umoja PEACE Center, one of the pillars of the Central District and Seattle’s black community. Nothing demonstrates the unacceptable impacts of gentrification and de facto redlining taking place in Seattle like the eviction of […]

On March 15, 2017, I sent the following letter to Mayor Murray, Sheriff Urquhart, and Chief O’Toole, opposing the eviction of the Central District’s Umoja PEACE Center. Dear Mayor Murray, Sheriff Urquhart, and Chief O’Toole; I am writing to urge you to immediately halt the physical eviction of the UmojaFest PEACE Center House, a pillar of […]

On February 28, 2017, Trump gave his first address to joint session of Congress. I gave the socialist response. Tuesday February 28, 2017 Sisters and Brothers, In just five weeks, Donald Trump has unleashed a series of vicious attacks on one group of Americans after another: From his Muslim ban to the ramping up of […]