Author: Clay Showalter (Clay Showalter)

Post

End the Political Repression Against Standing Rock Protesters

Thursday in North Dakota, a police force backed by corporate paramilitary agents and armored vehicles moved against indigenous people and other activists courageously protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. Organizers were beaten, maced, shot with rubber bullets, threatened with automatic weapons, and more than 100 arrested for having the audacity to stand up and protect indigenous […]

Post

Free Nestora Salgado! / Libertad para Nestora Salgado!

Join me and community organizers on Monday, February 22, at City Hall, 2 PM, in support of a resolution calling on the authorities in the State of Guerrero and in the Mexican Federal Government to end the illegal detention of Nestora Salgado immediately, and calling on Secretary of State Kerry and the U.S. State Department to prioritize Nestora’s […]

Post

No Room for Rape Culture, Homophobia & Misogyny!

In recent weeks, an international group of misogynists (yes, seriously) that call themselves “Return of Kings” online began coordinating meetups around the world for this upcoming weekend. Multiple venues were advertised for Seattle, including the Central Library. It’s an understatement to say that the views that this group hold on women and the LGBTQ community […]

Post

Q&A with Real Change on our Homelessness Crisis

In this week’s issue of Real Change, Councilmembers were asked about the homelessness crisis here in Seattle. For space limitations, I provided abbreviated answers. Longer responses to these critical questions can be read below. 1) What do you want to get done on homelessness in the next year? The Mayor declared homelessness a Civil State of […]

Post

On the Paris Climate Conference and the Trial of the Delta 5

On January 12, 2016, we held the first meeting of the Energy and Environment Committee. The committee, in my view, is mandated with providing leadership on environmental policy and energy and allied technology policy. Below are my introductory remarks, regarding the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris and the beginning of the trial of courageous climate activists […]

Post

Why I voted against Amazon’s alley vaction

On January 11, 2016, the Council voted on whether to grant an alley vacation for the development of a new Amazon building, despite strong opposition from workers and community members. I was the only Councilmember to vote against rubber-stamping this decision. I advocated for the Council to first hold Amazon accountable to community concerns and for […]

Post

“Socialism is Rising!” (2016 Inauguration Speech)

On January 4, 2016, people packed City Hall to celebrate our victories, and demand that our new City Council take bold action to make Seattle affordable for all. It’s clear that an overwhelming majority of working people in Seattle support taxing the rich, fair scheduling and rent control, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all […]

Post

“Socialism is Rising” (2016 Inauguration Speech)

On January 4, 2016, hundreds of people packed City Hall to celebrate our victories and demand bold action from our newly inaugurated City Council. It’s clear that an overwhelming majority of working people in Seattle support taxing the rich, fair scheduling and rent control, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all workers. For […]