Gonzalez, Herbold request review and report on injuries and other impacts during a Special Wednesday Committee meeting of the Whole
Seattle, WA – Council President M. Lorena Gonzalez (Position 9 // Citywide) and Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle & South Park), Chair of the Public Safety Committee, issued the following statement in response to the events in downtown Seattle on Saturday afternoon and evening:
“We are united in our commitment to protect and support all those who exercise their constitutional right to peacefully protest. The recent killing of George Floyd has angered, saddened and moved many of us to use our collective power to march on the streets to demand justice for the taking of his life and so many other black lives across our nation.
“The destruction we saw tonight will not correct the wrongs of police brutality in Minneapolis, in Seattle or throughout the nation. We know that many people came into downtown Seattle to protest George Floyd’s death, while it appears others came to distract us from the necessary focus on police violence inflicted upon black people.
“Like many members of the public, we have watched much of the news coverage and videos posted on social media related to the Seattle Police Department’s response to the protests that have occurred since Friday, May 29. As a result, we have invited the Mayor’s Office, Chief Carmen Best, and Chief Harold Scoggins to brief the City Council on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, during a remote Council meeting of the Whole, and provide updates regarding the number of injuries and arrests, as well as the health and safety impacts on our downtown core.
“At that time we will ask for a detailed after-action, incident report which should include details specific to rifles stolen, police vehicles destroyed, damage to property and to the Interstate as a result of the demonstration. We will also request a review of whether the policies for policing of demonstrations in the SPD Policy and Procedures Manual, following implementation of recommendations of the Community Police Commission, were followed.
“We expect the Council to have an opportunity to pose questions, and be afforded answers on behalf of the people we serve.
“Thank you to the fearless leadership and dedication of first responders whose safety was compromised, journalists who took risks to report on the occurrences honestly and in real time, and the quiet leaders who ensured there was no loss of life.
“We ask that people who are still downtown to please go home; we do not want additional escalation nor to learn of more injuries, whether to protesters or first responders.”
###