SEATTLE — Protesters gathered to send Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan a strong message Sunday evening by bringing their protest to her neighborhood.
Through chants, signs and speeches, protesters made it clear they’re demanding to see a difference in Seattle and don’t feel Durkan has done enough.
“There’s been a huge demand in Seattle black and brown communities for decades now. Defunding SPD (Seattle Police Department) by 50% is just the beginning of that, but there needs to be a lot of progress and restorative justice for our black and brown folks,” said Wes, Seattle Democratic Socialists of America organizer.
Hundreds gathered at Magnuson Park Sunday evening for an event, they called, “March to the Mayor’s Mansion.”
They stopped in the middle of a nearby neighborhood to hold a rally that was equipped with a stage. Speakers laid out their demands, which include: defunding the Seattle Police Department by at least 50%.
“Using that money in black and brown communities, specifically building affordable housing, giving access to health care, improving education in our black and brown communities,” said Wes.
They also want charges against protesters to be dropped.
KIRO 7 was there as protesters made their way deeper into the neighborhood and stopped in front of a home they said was Durkan’s.
Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant took the microphone and added one more request that got cheers from the crowd.
“Last but not least, Mayor Jenny Durkan must go,” said Sawant. “I, as an elective representative of Seattle’s working people, have pledged to bring articles of impeachment.”
As the rally began, Durkan tweeted a series of tweets defending her actions and plans for change.
She said, in part, “In recent weeks, I’ve had more than a dozen meetings with organizations, Black leaders, and protesters. Right now, I am at City Hall doing the work… But I know we need to do more, and hear the voices demanding change at the local, county, state, and federal level. I’ll continue to meet with people that have different points of view. It is my job to listen and act.”
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