by Guy Oron
(This article was originally published on Real Change and has been reprinted under an agreement.)
Progressive Jews, Palestinians, and other community members mobilized opposition to the proposed adoption of a controversial definition of antisemitism that would stigmatize criticism of Israel ahead of a Jan. 24 King County Council meeting.
Continue reading Antisemitism Definition Sparks Response From Progressive Jewsby Vee Hua 華婷婷 and Jadenne Radoc Cabahug
For some residents of incorporated and unincorporated South King County, tree protection has become a point of focus and concern, as large trees are increasingly being removed without community consultation to make room for single-family homes.
Continue reading White Center Tree Clearing Prompts Tree Protection Actions in Unincorporated King Countyby Ben Adlin
The King County Council is expected to vote next week on a plan that would move County elections to even-numbered years, a change aimed at increasing overall voter turnout. Supporters say the shift could boost participation, particularly among underrepresented groups, such as young people and Communities of Color.
Continue reading To Boost Voter Turnout, King County Proposal Would Move Elections to Even Yearscurated by Emerald Editors
by Lizz Giordano
Sound Transit is bringing back fines for non-payment on its trains and buses this fall after the agency paused fare enforcement during the pandemic, but it has also instituted a more lenient and accommodating system for riders who don’t pay their fare.
Continue reading Sound Transit Board Passes a More Lenient Policy Toward Non-Paying Riderscurated by Emerald Staff
by Erica C. Barnett
(This article previously appeared on PubliCola and has been reprinted under an agreement)
The King County Council is considering draft legislation that would give adults the right to consult with a defense attorney before being searched by officers with the King County Sheriff’s Office, a right the county and the city of Seattle extended to youth in 2020 and that state legislators expanded statewide last year.
Continue reading County Proposal Would Expand Right to Counsel Before Warrantless Searchesby Elizabeth Turnbull
Of late, King County councilmembers have called on Gov. Jay Inslee to get rid of an old governor directive that some activists have argued effectively banned affirmative action in the state — Seattle City leaders and others have also joined in the call.
Continue reading Citing Need for Affirmative Action, Local Leaders Urge Inslee to Rescind Old Directivecurated by Emerald Staff
by Nathalie Graham
Earlier this month, King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert faced repercussions for a racist campaign ad she funded. The ad depicted her colleague, Councilmember Girmay Zahilay as a socialist puppeteer pulling the strings of Sarah Perry. Perry, Lambert’s opponent, is bringing Lambert the first real fight for a seat she’s held comfortably for 20 years.
Lambert’s ad also associated Zahilay, who is not a socialist, with Vice President Kamala Harris and Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. After public outcry, Lambert resigned from the King County Council committees she chaired.
In the age of Trump and social media-fueled polarization, “conflict and sensationalism” sells, says Zahilay. Politicians have pivoted to “divisiveness and scare tactics” to “rile up their base.” Zahilay sees this trend emerging across all levels of politics, local King County elections included.
Continue reading King County Conservatives Discredit Progressive POC Candidates as ‘Defund’ Extremists
