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 …
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Changes to sexual harassment code advance out of committee
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.
Continue readingCouncil to consider changes to discrimation and sexual harassment rules
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.
Continue readingCouncil starts to update rules on surveillance technology
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.
Continue reading“Welcoming City” resolution passes
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.
Continue readingThe cost of being a sanctuary city in Trump’s USA
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?
Continue readingThe debate over unsanctioned homeless encampments continues
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.
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Happy Friday! Get out there and enjoy Seafair weekend!
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While we wait for yesterday’s election votes to be counted, here’s today’s news coverage of the City Council.
Continue readingNews roundup: conversion therapy ban
The big news story is yesterday’s vote to ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors.
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