Council Press Conferences
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle) holds a press conference.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Liban Abdalla, Tenant
Annie Byse-Moore and Patricia Bruce, Tenants
Jacob Schear, Real Change
Kate Rubin, Be:Seattle
Lydia Rubenstein, Tenants Union
City Attorney Ann Davison proposed legislation with City Councilmembers Sara Nelson and Alex Pedersen to prohibit the use of drugs in public places including parks, sidewalks, bus stops, and public transit. This legislation is modeled after a similar ordinance passed this month in Bellingham. This legislation acknowledges the public health crisis of substance use disorder and will provide a new tool to engage those using drugs in public. In 2022, there were 589 overdose deaths in Seattle, with the majority attributed to fentanyl and methamphetamines.
Speakers include:
City Attorney Ann Davison, City of Seattle
Councilmember Alex Pedersen, City of Seattle
Councilmember Sara Nelson, City of Seattle
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle) joined workers from PCC Community Markets on Monday, March 13, 2023. The workers, who are members of UFCW Local 3000, shared stories of their working conditions, highlighted their demands, and announced a rank-and-file organizing effort at PCC stores across the Seattle area. PCC workers’ contract expires later this year.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Maddy Olson, PCC grocery worker, Workers Strike Back activist
Arlo Bender Simon, PCC grocery worker
Kai Lee-Kenniz, PCC worker
Jared Housing, PCC worker
Tiffanie Boldizsar, PCC worker
Varun Belur, Workers Strike Back activist
Shirley Henderson, Owner of Squirrel Chops coffee shop
Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide) hosted a ceremony on Wednesday to rename a section of Union Street “D’Vonne Pickett, Jr. Way” in honor of the late community leader.
Pickett was shot and killed in October outside The Postman, the mailing services shop he opened in 2018. Pickett and his wife, KeAnna — who have three young children — opened their business named after the profession of Jacques Chappell, Pickett’s great-grandfather, a mail carrier in the neighborhood.
Seattle City Council unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Councilmember Mosqueda to pave the way for the renaming. The resolution was written in conjunction with Mayor Bruce Harrell and Pickett’s family to honor his legacy.
The street, which stretches between Liberty Bank Building, and Midtown Square, and is an area honoring important and loved figures including Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney Ave added in 2014 near Mount Zion Baptist Church and E Barbara Bailey Way designated in 2019 between Cal Anderson and Capitol Hill Station.
Speakers include:
Mayor Bruce Harrell, City of Seattle
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Council
KeAnna Rose Pickett, wife of D’Vonne Pickett, Jr.
De’Auzjanae Pickett, sister of D’Vonne Pickett, Jr.
Cassandra Nicole Chappelle, mother of D’Vonne Pickett, Jr.
Craig First-Rider, brother of D’Vonne Pickett, Jr.
Jermaine Williams, friend of D'Vonne Pickett, Jr.
Paul Sutton, friend of D'Vonne Pickett, Jr.
Councilmember Sawant & community leaders rally for first-in-nation caste discrimination ban
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Seattle City Council’s Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee, held a press conference and rally alongside community leaders, socialists, and supporting organizations to demand Seattle City Council vote ‘Yes’ on the ordinance her office has introduced, to make Seattle the nation’s first city to ban caste discrimination.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Samir Khobragade, tech worker
Tanmay Waghmare, tech worker
Ram Kumar, Ambedcar International Center
Raghav Kaushik, tech worker
Councilmember Lewis unveils amendment protecting Pike Place Market Historical Commission’s authority
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis (District 7 - Pioneer Square to Magnolia) announced his intentions to protect Pike Place Market from proposed legislation that would permanently strip historic districts of key administrative review authority. The Market, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, was stripped of its independent administrative review processes like many other historic districts at the start of the COVID pandemic. This disconnect between the community stewards and administration of the Market has outlasted its need and is cutting out some of the Market’s strongest advocates from discussions on its future. Thursday’s event features representatives from Friends of the Market who have an extensive history of service to the Market and can speak to the importance of returning administrative review to the Market, provided by Councilmember Lewis’ amendment to CB120456.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis, Seattle City Council
Sara Patton, Friends of the Market advocate
Duncan Thieme, Friends of the Market Board member
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Seattle City Council’s Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee, proposes City legislation aimed at fighting caste discrimination. Caste is a system of rigid social stratification characterized by hereditary status, endogamy (completely closed categories), and social barriers based on birth and descent. Caste discrimination occurs in the form of social segregation, economic deprivation, physical and psychological abuse, and violence. Caste discrimination is also manifested in employment, education, and housing.
It is faced by South Asian American and other immigrant working people in their workplaces, including in the tech sector, in Seattle and in cities around the country. Sawant and other speakers will present the draft ordinance, which will be the first of its kind in the nation if passed by the City Council. Speakers will explain the caste discrimination that exists locally and nationally, and how the proposed ordinance will help fight caste discrimination.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Samir Khobragade, Tech worker & South Asian American community member
Raghav Kaushik, Tech worker & South Asian American community member
Hassan Khan, Human rights activist
Javed Sikandar, Technology leader
Lama Rangdrol, Seattle-based African American teacher of Buddhism
Alvin Muragori, Socialist & community organizer
Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda presents the balancing package and provides an overview of the budget.
Speakers and attendees include:
Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Council
Esther Handy, Director, Seattle City Council Central Staff
Councilmember Sara Nelson (Position 9, Citywide), film industry professionals, and community members urge the Seattle City Council to pass her legislation to create a Seattle Film Commission. The Council is scheduled to vote on the legislation during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 20. If passed, the Commission would help advise city leaders on ways to both bring the film and television industry to Seattle and ensure creatives already in Seattle have more professional opportunities in the city.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Sara Nelson, Seattle City Council
Tom Skerritt, Emmy Award winning actor
Susan LaSalle, Seattle-based film producer & member, SEATTLE FILM SUMMIT
Anthony Tackett, member, SEATTLE FILM SUMMIT
Markham McIntyre, Director of Seattle Office of Economic Development
Amy Lillard, Executive Director, Washington Filmworks
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis (President of the Seattle Park District Governing Board and Councilmember from District 7) announces his budget for the Seattle Metropolitan Park District. The Park District is a supplemental funding source for Seattle’s parks that was approved by voters in 2014, making investments citywide for six years at a time. This is the second round of investments by the Park District. More information here.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis, Seattle City Council
Jon Scholes, President & CEO, Downtown Seattle Association
Christopher Williams, Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation
Rebecca Bear, President & CEO, Seattle Parks Foundation
Andrea Ornelas, Assistant Political Director, Laborers Local 242
Katie Garrow, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Laborers Local 242
Nicole Grant, Executive Director, 350 Seattle
Following the the U.S. Supreme Court’s overruling of Roe v. Wade, Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2, Chinatown / International District and South Seattle) and Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle and South Park) are joined by reproductive justice advocates to announce legislation that will protect people seeking abortions in Seattle.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Lisa Herbold, Seattle City Council
Councilmember Tammy Morales, Seattle City Council
Kim Clark, Legal Voice
Kia Guarino, Pro-Choice Washington
Yvette Maganya, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates (PPAA)
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide), Seattle Office of Housing, and affordable housing providers unveil the first slate of housing projects funded by JumpStart Seattle. JumpStart is a progressive payroll tax that makes historic investments in affordable housing and also funds critical investments into equitable development, the City’s Green New Deal, economic resilience, and workforce development.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Council
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Office of Housing
Velma Veloria, Filipino Community Center and former WA State 11th LD Rep
Miguel Maestas, El Centro del la Raza
James Lovell, Chief Seattle Club
Nicole Macri, State Representative (D-43rd)
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), joined by community leaders, announce legislation making Seattle a sanctuary city for pregnant people and their doctors. The legislation is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health, which overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Sam Sumpter, UAW Local 4121
Dr. Amy Zhang, Resident & Fellow Physician Union
Emily McArthur, Socialist Alternative
Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2) and community representatives of the maritime industry announce the release of $1 million in funding by the city to support maritime training and education.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Tammy J. Morales, Seattle City Council
Deputy Mayor Kendee Yamaguchi, City of Seattle
John Lederer, Seattle Office of Economic Development
Louise Chernin, Seattle Colleges
Daniel P. Golosman, Seattle Skills Center (Seattle Public Schools)
Berit Erikkson, Sailors Union of the Pacific
Forest Reese, Student, Seattle Maritime Academy
Lisa Herbold (District 1 – West Seattle/South Park) and Andrew J. Lewis (District 7 – Pioneer Square to Magnolia) join Working Washington and Seattle Restaurants United to discuss the first in a suite of bills called “PayUp” focused on labor standards protections for app-based workers.
The bill sets minimum compensation standards, transparency in employment terms, and flexibility in employment issues for app-based workers. This bill is the result of nearly a year of engagement with stakeholders including drivers and the companies with whom they work. Engagement thus far has included over a dozen large-format stakeholder meetings and three public meetings in the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee. Discussion of the introduced bill will begin at the April 12 Public Safety and Human Services committee.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Lisa Herbold, Seattle City Council
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis, Seattle City Council
Mikey Pullman, gig worker & PayUp campaign leader
Kim Wolfe, gig worker & PayUp campaign leader
Carmen Figueroa, gig worker & PayUp campaign leader
Wei Lin, gig worker & PayUp campaign leader
Jeanie Chunn, Seattle Restaurants United
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Council's Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee, holds a press conference at the Starbucks Headquarters with Starbucks Workers United members from Buffalo and Seattle, local progressive union members, and socialists. The group unveils a new council resolution in solidarity with Starbucks unionization.
Speakers and attendees include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, City of Seattle
Casey Moore, Starbucks, Buffalo, New York
Gianna Reeve, Starbucks, Buffalo, New York
Michah Lakes, Starbucks, Seattle
Brent Hayes, Starbucks, Seattle
Sydney Durkin, Starbucks, Seattle
Sarah Pappin, Starbucks, Seattle
Star Willey, Starbucks, Seattle
Sam White, Darwin's Ltd. coffee shop, Boston
Elan Axelbank, Socialist Alternative
U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda join local child care provider Jenny Lowery and representatives from SEIU 925 to highlight the importance of long-overdue investments in child care. The U.S. Senate continues to negotiate the Build Back Better Act that was passed by the House of Representatives in November.
The Build Back Better Act is a $1.85 trillion package that would make unprecedented investments in working people, families, and communities across America. This is particularly true when it comes to child care. The House bill includes universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, expanding access to free, high-quality preschool for more than six million children; affordable, high-quality childcare with costs limited to no more than seven percent of income for families earning up to 250 percent of the state median income; and four weeks of guaranteed paid family and medical leave, guaranteed.
Speakers include:
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington Dist. 7.
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle City Council
Jenny Lowery, Hullabaloo Preschool
Councilmember Strauss, partners discuss new model of encampment removal used at Ballard Commons Park
Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6 - Northwest Seattle) and a coalition of homelessness service providers, city officials, business leaders and others highlight their successful work to offer people residing at Ballard Commons Park appropriate shelter and a path towards permanent housing.
Since August, Councilmember Strauss has worked to bring together a host of community members, city departments, and service providers to coordinate a robust response that ensured people living in the park were offered the support they needed, including 24/7 enhanced shelter with wraparound onsite services like case management and housing navigation.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Dan Strauss, Seattle City Council
Mike Stewart, Ballard Alliance
Chloe Gale, REACH
Rev. Canon Britt Olson, St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the council's Sustainability and Renters' Rights Committee, joins tenants at the Terrace Crest Apartments in Seattle's First Hill Neighborhood to demand their landlord, Breier-Sheetz Properties, fix the boiler which has been broken since mid-September, leaving tenants almost entirely without hot water and/or heating for the last two months. Councilmember Sawant shares a letter she has sent to the landlord in support of tenants and announces future plans for legislation to protect renters from landlord negligence.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Allison Rau, Terrace Crest Tenant
Fran Love, Terrace Crest Tenant
Thaddaeus Hug, Terrace Crest Tenant
Violet Lavatai, Tenants Union of Washington State
Melina McCombs, former Terrace Crest Tenant
Mark Dunn, Terrace Crest Tenant
Perry Holstein, Terrace Crest Tenant
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis (District 7 - Pioneer Square to Magnolia) and a coalition of service providers, members from the business community, and others provide an update about the team effort to successfully shelter 31 individuals experiencing homelessness on 1st Ave. and Yesler, all of whom accepted appropriate shelter voluntarily. The JustCARE alliance coordinates whenever possible with City-funded shelter options via the Human Services Department (HSD), and partners with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), and Public Utilities (SPU) for debris removal when people have voluntarily left items behind when they move. As Seattle wrestles with the homelessness crisis, this model - non-siloed teams of JustCARE and the City working in concert - has been repeatedly proven effective, both humanely providing shelter services for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness as well as clearing public spaces for everyone.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis, Seattle City Council
Dominique Davis, Wheeler Davis Safety Team
Emily Kim & Heather Hodge, The Pastry Project
Lisa Howard, Alliance For Pioneer Square
Jon Scholes, Downtown Seattle Association (DSA)
Karen Salinas, Evergreen Treatment Services - REACH
Nichole Alexander, Public Defender Association
Lyly Nguyen, JustCARE
Lisa Daugaard, Public Defender Association
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle) holds a press conference.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council
Liban Abdalla, Tenant
Annie Byse-Moore and Patricia Bruce, Tenants
Jacob Schear, Real Change
Kate Rubin, Be:Seattle
Lydia Rubenstein, Tenants Union
Councilmember Alex Pedersen (District 4, Northeast Seattle), Sound Transit, City of Seattle Human Services Department, Low Income Housing Institute, service providers, neighbors, and members from the local business community celebrate an Open House of Rosie's Village. This will be the first tiny house village to open on Sound Transit property.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Alex Pedersen, Seattle City Council
Sharon Lee, Low Income Housing Institute
Tracy Williams, tiny house village resident
Theresa Barker, Northeast Seattle community member
Barb Oliver, Sound Foundations NW
Kimberly Farley, Sound Transit
State Representative Frank Chopp
Don Blakeney, U District Partnership
Councilmember Sawant & others unveil legislation to fund affordable housing in Central District
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Council's Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee, joined Central District faith leaders, the Low Income Housing Institute, and community organizations to unveil legislation to support the New Hope Family Housing project and the compensation of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and others for land taken from them by the City of Seattle under the racist Urban Renewal programs of the 1960s. New Hope Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Robert Jeffrey Sr. documented this forced sale in a recent Seattle Times op-ed. The legislation will also fund affordable housing for displaced and low-income neighbors with roots in the neighborhood.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant, District 3
Rev. Dr. Robert Jeffrey, Sr., Senior Pastor, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Aisaya Corbray, Low Income Housing Institute
Rev. Lawrence Willis, Pastor, Truevine of Holiness Baptist Church
Rev. Angela Ying, Senior Pastor, Bethany United Church of Christ
Alvin Muragori, Socialist Alternative member, community organizer with Councilmember Sawant's office
Eddie Rye, Jr., Community Activist
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis (District 7 - Pioneer Square to Magnolia), service providers and members from the business community announce the publication of a University of Washington study demonstrating the effectiveness of the JustCARE model, and provide a tangible example of how 33 individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness on 3rd Avenue downtown were connected with appropriate shelter by JustCARE and voluntarily accepted. The JustCARE model is a team effort combining outreach workers from REACH/Evergreen Treatment Services, a field team from CoLEAD, and hotel-based teams with Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) & CoLEAD, along with the Wheeler Davis safety team. The JustCARE alliance coordinates whenever possible with City-funded shelter options via the Human Services Department (HSD).
Speakers include:
Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis, District 7
Katherine Beckett, UW Professor of Sociology
Nichole Alexander, JustCARE
Dominique Davis, Wheeler Davis Safety Team
SJ Percer, CoLEAD
Rachel Smith, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Rick Yoder, Wild Ginger
Lou Bond, Melbourne Tower
Chris Park, Downtown Seattle Association
Jesse Benet, Public Defender Association
Councilmember Tammy J. Morales (District 2 - South Seattle & The C/ID), housing advocates, tenant protection groups, renters and community members rallied for new protections for renters on Friday outside of City Hall. Morales introduced new legislation that provides an enhanced eviction defense for renters. The "Sound at Home" legislation provides a defense in eviction court for any renter who has faced a financial hardship caused by the pandemic that would have caused them to fall behind on rent. Speakers include:
Speakers:
Councilmember Tammy J. Morales, District 2
Anquida Adams, Chair of the Seattle Disability Commission & affected renter
Julissa Sanchez, Tenant Organizer at the Tenants Union of Washington
Tram Tran-Larsen, Community Engagement Manager at the Housing Justice Project
Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6 - Northwest Seattle), chair of the Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee, with the support of area business owners, announces the official extension of the city's existing Café Streets program through May 31, 2022. The program enables restaurants and other retail storefronts to utilize streets outside of their businesses for outdoor dining or displays for an additional year and creates a path to permanency.
Speakers include:
Councilmember Dan Strauss, City of Seattle
Mike Stewart, Ballard Alliance
Max Genereaux, Hattie's Hat
Hannah Carter, Bitterroot BBQ
Doug Farr, Seattle Farmers Market Association
Anna Zibarts, Disability Rights Washington