Tag: Homeless Services

Stop Inhumane Sweeps of Homeless Encampments!

January 21st, 2016

On January 19, 2016, representatives of the Mayor’s office came and spoke to Council about their “Encampment Removal Protocols” – a euphemistic expression for escalating sweeps of homeless encampments. The city is demolishing unauthorized encampments, evicting people from the only shelter they can find. Where should these Seattleites go? Shelters are full, and there is a Civil State of Emergency […]

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Why I Voted No On A Business-As-Usual Budget

November 24th, 2014

On Friday, November 14th, the Seattle City Council introduced amendments to the Mayor’s 2015-2016 budget. Multiple progressive amendments were passed, including my amendments to raise all City workers to $15/hour next year, fund a year-round women’s homeless shelter, and provide critical services to transitional homeless encampments. However, the positive amendments introduced by the City Council […]

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Join Me for the Final Budget Vote – This Monday, 2:00 PM at City Hall

November 18th, 2014

Last Friday, we scored a handful of budget victories that will improve the lives of low wage workers, homeless people, and women in Seattle. Faced with a status quo budget that caters to big business and the super-wealthy, ordinary people had to fight for every dollar. Our victories would not have been possible without the […]

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Victory for Transitional Encampments: One Step in the Fight Against Economic Inequality

November 17th, 2014

A decade after the City declared its intention to end homelessness, the number of people living without shelter in Seattle continues to grow. Encampments such as Seattle’s Tent Cities are a critical stop-gap measure for those who have been pushed into the streets by rising rents and stagnating wages. But the City government has mostly […]

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Social Justice Victories in Business as Usual Budget

November 15th, 2014

On November 14th, the City Council Budget Committee discussed and voted on a series of amendments to the Mayor’s proposed 2015-2016 budget.  Alongside organizing around the need for a fundamentally different approach to the City budget, I introduced amendments to specifically address income inequality and the needs of the most marginalized and oppressed communities in Seattle. My […]

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Voices of the People’s Budget

November 14th, 2014

On the evening of October 30th, labor leaders, community organizers, social service providers, and engaged citizens came together for a People’s Budget Town Hall. Here they shared their concerns about the Mayor’s business as usual budget and began a conversation about what is necessary to make Seattle affordable for all. Below are some excerpts from some of the […]

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Support $15 for City Employees, Human Services Funding, Affordable Housing, and the Fight against Income Inequality

November 12th, 2014

Come to the City Council Budget Meeting, 8:30 am on Friday, Nov. 14th Dear Sisters and Brothers, On Friday, November 14th, from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon, the Seattle City Council will vote on its amendments to Mayor Murray’s 2015-2016 proposed budget. While waging a broader struggle against a business as usual budget, I am […]

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Voices of the People’s Budget: Robby Stern, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action

November 12th, 2014

This is the sixth part in our series, “Voices of the People’s Budget.” On the evening of October 30th, labor leaders, community organizers, social service providers, and engaged citizens came together for a People’s Budget Town Hall. Here they shared their concerns about the Mayor’s business as usual budget and began a conversation about what is necessary to make […]

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Voices of the People’s Budget: Kshama Sawant Opening Remarks

November 1st, 2014

On the evening of October 30th, labor leaders, community organizers, social service providers, and engaged citizens came together for a People’s Budget Town Hall. Here they shared their concerns about the Mayor’s business as usual budget and began a conversation about what is necessary to make Seattle affordable for all. Kshama Sawant’s Opening Remarks at the People’s Budget […]

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Support Occupy CEHKC’s Plan to End Homelessness in Seattle

July 22nd, 2014

On June 22, 2014, I released the following statement in solidarity with the work of Occupy CEHKC. Housing is an internationally recognized human right. Yet that principle has gained little traction with local policy makers, where last year at least 57 homeless people died in King County because they lacked safe housing. Tragically, the average lifespan of a […]

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