by Kelsey Hamlin
As Seattle Mayor Tim Burgess announced his changes to the budget created by former mayor and accused sexual abuser Ed Murray, the new mayor gave an explicit nod to Black Lives Matter, focused on sexual assault survivors, and expressed gratitude for the Seattle Fire Department. Continue reading Seattle’s Budget with Burgess: BLM and Mandated Retirement Money
by Kelsey Hamlin
It’s official, the city of Seattle has their new 55th mayor for 71 days. Councilmember Tim Burgess was nominated by the Seattle City Council this afternoon in a 5-1 vote. Continue reading Seattle’s New Interim Mayor: Tim Burgess
by Kelsey Hamlin
After Mayor Ed Murray and two Councilmembers sent a letter to Wells Fargo directing Seattle to end negotiations with the bank, Councilmembers introduced and referred a bill Monday that would do just that. Continue reading Seattle City Council Introduces Legislation to Divest From DAPL-Investor, Wells Fargo
by Kelsey Hamlin
Next Wednesday, Oct. 19, teachers, counselors, and other Seattle Public School District staff across the city plan on simultaneously wearing Black Lives Matter shirts to work, centering the day’s curriculum around race, civil rights history, and contextualizing current events. They will also hold a rally later that day. Continue reading Seattle Educators to Demonstrate BLM Solidarity in District-Wide Action
by Kelsey Hamlin
Once Seattle City Council’s Monday meeting reached items on the agenda involving a new North precinct (‘the Bunker’), demonstrations were held, tensions rose, and the meeting was adjourned — which wouldn’t be the first time. But before all that, Seattle Council Security confronted Block The Bunker activists in what was described by activists involved as “a physical assault.” Continue reading City Council Meeting Erupts with Block the Bunker Protests, Altercation with Security Guards
by Kelsey Hamlin
In a turn of events, Mayor Ed Murray officially announced yesterday that the new North Seattle Police Precinct — otherwise known as ‘the Bunker’ — will be put on hold.
Initially, the project had a price tag of $160 million, despite many in the community very clearly finding a new precinct unnecessary and unwanted. After some public outcry, the cost was then reduced to a still-hefty sum of $149 million. Continue reading #BlockTheBunker Succeeded, Momentarily
by Kelsey Hamlin
Sitting in the two hour-long joint meeting of the King County and Seattle City Councils, listening to them discuss housing and human services for the homeless was, well, nothing new. And perhaps my lack of motivation to write this piece is a testament to that. Nothing substantial was discussed. Nothing was surprising. No changes were made.
In May, King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw took a trip to San Francisco to visit the city’s Navigation Center. The experimental homeless shelter, contains dorm-like sleeping quarters, showers and bathrooms, laundry facilities, counseling offices, and a 24-hour dining room. It also allows pets and provides them with designated dwelling spaces and food. Continue reading Seattle and King County Join Forces on Homelessness, but is It Just More of the Same?
