by Carolyn Bick
The Seattle Community Police Commission, Office of Police Accountability, and Office of Inspector General have released a joint recommendation that the Seattle Police Department (SPD) stop using tear gas, due to the extra dangers it poses in light of the current novel coronavirus pandemic.
Continue reading Seattle CPC, OPA, OIG Release Recommendation that SPD Cease Use of Tear Gas, Due to Novel Coronavirus Concernsby Emerald Staff
(Updated 6/6/20 at 6:59 pm)
Black Lives Matter Seattle/ King County (BLMSKC), and others with firsthand knowledge of the situation have informed the Emerald that the social justice nonprofit has had tele-meetings with both Washington State Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee over the past 48 hours to present a list of demands. Continue reading Black Lives Matter Seattle/ King County Meet With Murray, Inslee
by Carolyn Bick
The City of Seattle and the UW Medicine have launched two free novel coronavirus testing sites in Seattle, one of which is located in South Seattle’s SODO area.
In a press conference with several health professionals and Seattle Fire Department (SFD) personnel, Mayor Jenny Durkan and UW President Ana Maria Cauce announced the launch of the North Seattle and South Seattle testing sites, which open Friday, June 5. The South Seattle site will be located at 3820 6th Ave. S. Both sites will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Continue reading City of Seattle and UW Medicine Partner to Launch Two Free Testing Sitesby Carolyn Bick
Washington State will be expanding its novel coronavirus testing strategy, Gov. Jay Inslee announced in a June 4 press conference.
Joined by state Health Secretary John Wiesman, Inslee said that the number of available test kits has increased substantially, and that in an effort to keep ahead of the novel coronavirus and associated disease, COVID-19, the state is encouraging everyone who has even mild symptoms or suspected contact with an infected person get tested. Inslee said that this is particularly important, as people head back to workplaces and other congregate settings.
Continue reading Gov. Inslee Encourages Those Experiencing Even Mild Symptoms of COVID-19 to Get Testedby Ronnie Estoque
Ronnie Estoque is a freelance journalist currently working with the International Examiner and the South Seattle Emerald. He is driven to uplift marginalized voices in the South Seattle community through his writing, photography, and videography. You can keep up with his work by following his Twitter account @RonnieEstoque.
by Erica C. Barnett
Seattle’s protests against police brutality, which began after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, continued into a sixth night on Wednesday as crowds moved throughout the day from City Hall in downtown Seattle to the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct on Capitol Hill. And while it might seem as though little had changed since the night before, when police officers released tear gas and unloaded pepper spray, rubber bullets, and flash grenades on a crowd of hundreds of peaceful protesters, several things were materially different.
Continue reading On Sixth Day of Citizen Unrest, Mayor Briefly Addresses Protesters Outside City Hallby Carolyn Bick
When lawyer Courtney Hudak walked up to the King County Correctional Facility on Seattle’s 5th Avenue just before 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 to make a professional visit to protestors who had been detained, following Saturday’s protests against systemic racism and police brutality, the last thing she expected was for the doors to be locked. But they were.
Continue reading The Day After Saturday’s Protests, Lawyers Were Denied Access to Detained Protestors at King County’s Seattle Jailby Mark Van Streefkerk
Seattle Police Department received a report of an armed person at VA Puget Sound Health Care System on Beacon Hill at around 10:15 a.m. today. The medical facility immediately went on lockdown, with no one allowed to enter the building. An hour later on Twitter, @SeattlePD stated: “It appears this was a case of mistaken identity on the part of the witness. Officers will be clearing the scene shortly.”
Continue reading Reports of an Armed Man at Beacon Hill’s VA Hospital Inaccurate, Under Investigationby Emerald Staff
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA 9th Congressional District, including South Seattle), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, answered questions from journalists at a press conference on Tuesday about President Trump’s call to utilize the U.S. military to intervene to stop the “insurrection” of demonstrators protesting the murder of George Floyd by four Minneapolis police officers. According to Trump, states have been weak in handling demonstrators and he said he would call in the military if states don’t bring order to their cities soon. Many legal experts and communities are concerned about the constitutionality of Trump’s proposal to use the military in a domestic situation.
Continue reading Congressman Smith Rejects Trump’s Call for Military Interventionby Mark Van Streefkerk
If disabled people voted at the same rate as non-disabled people, there would have been 2.3 million more votes in the November 2018 elections. Breaking down barriers to access and getting votes counted is not a partisan issue; it’s part of a healthy democracy, and it’s the law. A new video series “Votes for Access,” hosted by writer and disability advocate Imani Barbarin, takes a look at the hindrances disabled citizens face when it comes to voting, and how accessible voting should be a priority for everyone, especially in the new normal of COVID-19 life.
Continue reading Vote for Access: New Video Series Addresses Obstacles Facing Disabled Voters
