SEATTLE—Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLMSKC) today demanded in a formal letter to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) that an investigation be opened into 10 potential incidents involving members of Seattle City Council since June.
The letter asks the oversight agency to look into issues involving potential pressure exerted on City employees and members of the public at the time of recent protests, whether the Council was informed about safety issues around those protests, and how Council was influenced in recent budget and policing proposals. BLMSKC has informed City Council about its request.
“These are incidents that, if true, are alarming and require accountability,” said Ebony Miranda, Chair of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County. “SEEC’s role is separating fact from rumor and holding elected officials accountable when boundaries are crossed.”
While making no allegations, the letter asks for investigation into issues including:
- Whether and how Councilmembers questioned Black and other people of color City employees about recent protests and Seattle Police Department (SPD) response;
- Whether Councilmembers called residents they believed to be organizers of Black Lives Matter, how they identified them, and whether they were transparent in conversations;
- Whether Councilmembers followed appropriate policies in opening City Hall to protesters;
- Whether Councilmembers were informed about out-of-state actors coming to Seattle to engage protesters, and if so, how they acted or did not on that information;
- Whether Councilmembers were aware of hazards to public safety at SPD’s East Precinct, and if so, how they acted or did not act on that information;
- Whether City Council excised due diligence on budget proposals that appear discriminatory or unduly influenced;
- Whether City Council examined impacts on the mission of moving the Office of Police Accountability outside SPD, and properly informed the public of their intent and potential influences in proposing the move.
“Seattle has an opportunity to lead by creating policies and committing resources to undoing decades of institutional racism,” said BLMSKC board member Livio De La Cruz. “This investigation is essential for the community’s understanding of government conduct—and it adds much needed transparency to the critical budget process that’s underway. The government works for the people. The people must understand what it’s doing and why.”
About Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is a grassroots, volunteer-run, social-justice nonprofit organization focused on the empowerment and liberation of Blacks and other people of color through advocacy and direct action. BLM Seattle centers leadership on Black femmes, women, queer and trans people organizing and taking direct action to dismantle anti-black systems and policies of oppression.
Online: blacklivesseattle.org
Facebook: @blmseattle
Twitter: @BLMSeattleKC
Instagram: @BLMSKC