Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) issued the following statement regarding recently released footage that includes disturbing comments from a Seattle Police officer. The incident took place last May during a counterprotest at Cal Anderson Park. 

“I am disturbed by the newly released body-worn camera footage related to the May 2025 protest response at Cal Anderson Park, including remarks made by an officer prior to the confrontation and how public demonstrations are being policed in Seattle.

“In the video obtained through a public records request, an officer says, ‘We’re going in this time with guns blazing and all our pieces in place… We are past talking to people; we’re here to f— people up now. We’re done with these guys and the sh– they’re doing. They’ve pushed the envelope and now they’re going to get the full [unintelligible].’

“Seattle residents have a fundamental constitutional right to free speech and peaceful assembly. Policing decisions at protests must be guided by de-escalation, clear standards, and accountability.

“I am calling for the swift release of the Sentinel Event Review (SER) process and final report related to this incident, including any findings and recommendations on crowd management, command decisions, and the actions taken before and during arrests. The public deserves transparency, and the City has an obligation to share what it learns quickly and clearly so we can prevent future harm.

“I also expect thorough investigations by the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), independent oversight by the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and engagement with the Community Police Commission (CPC), including a clear public timeline for findings, disciplinary determinations where warranted, and concrete corrective actions.

“Seattle must uphold both public safety and civil liberties. I will continue working with community partners, oversight bodies, and the City to ensure our policies, training, and on-the-ground practices reflect Seattle’s values: dignity, constitutional rights, and safety for everyone.”

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