human rights Archives - Seattle City Council Insight

CHOP: a tragedy of errors, now entering its final act

On 06/23/2020 By Kevin Schofield In human rights, mayor, public safety

After a weekend of late-night violence in the CHOP, today Mayor Jenny Durkan and SPD Chief Carmen Best signaled that their hands-off approach to the protest area on Capitol Hill is changing, and “it’s time for people to go home.” It’s been nearly a month since George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, surrounded by other officers who stood by and did nothing. The ensuing weeks here in Seattle — the protests, the violent police response, the looting and destruction, the abandoning of the East Precinct, and the occupation of a small section in the heart of Capitol …

Changes to sexual harassment code advance out of committee

On 03/27/2018 By Kevin Schofield In human rights, labor

This morning the City Council once more took up some proposed changes to the city’s anti-discrimination code to make explicit prohibitions against sexual harassment and extend the statute of limitations for filing a complaint. After making a further amendment, the bill was voted out of committee but put on a slow train to full Council approval to allow for some additional analysis and community outreach.

Council to consider changes to discrimation and sexual harassment rules

On 02/26/2018 By Kevin Schofield In crime, human rights

This week the City Council will take up some proposed changes to the city’s laws prohibiting discrimination by explicitly broadening the definition to include sexual harassment and extending the time allowed for filing charges.

Council starts to update rules on surveillance technology

On 04/13/2017 By Kevin Schofield In ethics, human rights, police, public safety

The City of Seattle has a law on the books requiring The City Council to approve any department’s acquisition of surveillance equipment. The law is old and badly in need of updating, as last year’s Geofeedia incident made clear. Yesterday the Council started its formal consideration of a refreshed version more in keeping with today’s technology.

“Welcoming City” resolution passes

On 01/30/2017 By Kevin Schofield In federal government, full council, human rights, immigrants

This afternoon the City Council unanimously passed a resolution that affirms Seattle’s status as a welcoming city for all, regardless of immigration status. This isn’t just a feel-good resolution; it lists a number of very specific actions and policies for the city.

The cost of being a sanctuary city in Trump’s USA

On 11/10/2016 By Kevin Schofield In budget, human rights

President-elect Donald Trump (yes, it pains me to write that) has stated that in his first 100 days in office he will cancel all federal funding to “sanctuary cities” such as Seattle, where by ordinance city employees may not inquire into a person’s immigration status (except in specific law-enforcement circumstances). Yesterday Mayor Ed Murray held a press conference, in which he stated that Seattle will continue to be a sanctuary city, even if it loses federal funding. So how much is at stake?

The debate over unsanctioned homeless encampments continues

On 10/07/2016 By Kevin Schofield In homeless, human rights

Among all the noise over other issues this week, the City Council has continued to discuss the pending legislation rewriting the city’s protocol for handling unsanctioned encampments. It’s been a quiet discussion behind closed doors, but that looks likely to change next week.

Category: human rights