Sawant Calls Out “Shameful” Court Ruling Allowing Police Use of Banned Crowd-Control Weapons As Trump Sends In Federal Agents
“Unfortunately, while Donald Trump’s Department of Justice and Jenny Durkan’s Seattle Police Department are superficially the two sides of this court case, they are in total agreement on repression of protests, and both want to continue to use the weapons with impunity.”
Councilmember Kshama Sawant (District 3, Central Seattle), chair of the Council’s Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee, released the following statement after Judge James Robart granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Seattle Police Department from implementing the City Council’s ban on crowd-control weapons.
The Seattle City Council unanimously passed its crowd-control weapons ban on June 15, 2020. The ordinance, sponsored by Sawant, banned police use of chemical weapons and other so-called “crowd control” devices.
“Just over a month ago, Seattle’s #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd movement won a historic victory, when the City Council voted unanimously on the ordinance from my office to ban police use and purchase of militarized weapons such as tear gas, flash bangs, and blast balls.
“Seattle became the first American city with this ban, after the city’s police – under the watch of Democratic establishment Mayor Jenny Durkan – had viciously used the weapons repeatedly against the Black Lives Matter protests.
“Now a federal judge has shamefully ruled that these weapons can continue to be used by Seattle police. While the judge says this is temporary, our movement understands this is a serious threat. It is particularly chilling that this comes in tandem with Trump’s decision to send border patrol agents like an occupying army into Seattle.
“Just like in Portland, Seattle’s working people will courageously protest and march against this horrific decision. Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations.
“Unfortunately, while Donald Trump’s Department of Justice and Jenny Durkan’s Seattle Police Department are superficially the two sides of this court case, they are in total agreement on repression of protests, and both want to continue to use the weapons with impunity. We will need continued peaceful resistance to send the courts a clear message that our movement demands its right to protest without being met by the heavily-armed forces of militarized police prepared and planning to inflict harm.”
Posted: July 25th, 2020 under Councilmember Sawant, News Releases, Sawant.
Tags: Sawant
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Pingback from Seattle councilmember rips ‘brutality of American capitalism’ for endangering ‘peaceful protesters’ – News Portal
Time July 26, 2020 at 11:15 am
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
Pingback from Seattle councilmember rips ‘brutality of American capitalism’ for endangering ‘peaceful protesters’ – UpdexNews
Time July 26, 2020 at 11:23 am
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
Pingback from Kshama Sawant, Seattle councilmember: 'Brutality of American capitalism' endangering protesters-Autopresse.eu – Autopresse
Time July 26, 2020 at 11:31 am
[…] “Quite than be certain that peaceable protestors are stored secure from federal brokers, this courtroom ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to try to violently suppress demonstrations,” stated Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
Pingback from Kshama Sawant, Seattle councilmember: ‘Brutality of American capitalism’ endangering protesters – MAGAtoon
Time July 26, 2020 at 11:31 am
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
Pingback from Kshama Sawant, Seattle councilmember: 'Brutality of American capitalism' endangering protesters – Inquirio News
Time July 26, 2020 at 12:21 pm
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
Pingback from Kshama Sawant, Seattle councilmember: ‘Brutality of American capitalism’ endangering protesters – Washington Times
Time July 26, 2020 at 12:40 pm
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
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Time July 26, 2020 at 1:00 pm
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]
Pingback from Kshama Sawant, Seattle councilmember: ‘Brutality of American capitalism’ endangering protesters – DC Daily Journal
Time July 26, 2020 at 11:13 am
[…] “Rather than ensure that peaceful protestors are kept safe from federal agents, this court ruling reveals the brutality of American capitalism readying its full arsenal of weapons to attempt to violently suppress demonstrations,” said Ms. Sawant in a Saturday press release. […]