On April 24, 2017, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution brought forward by the May 1 Action Coalition, the Coalition of City Unions, immigrant rights activists, and me, proclaiming City of Seattle workers have the right to take the day off on May 1, 2017 without retaliation. The resolution further asks that all […]
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April 18, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My Speech on the Creation of a Legal Defense Fund for Immigrants Detained by ICE
On April 17, 2017, the Seattle City Council voted to allocate $1 million to create a Legal Defense Fund for immigrants detained by ICE. It’s essential that we back legal action with mass political action. See my full remarks below. I am very happy to be able to vote in favor of this ordinance to allocate $1 […]
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April 12, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My response regarding allegations against Mayor Murray
On April 12, 2017, I issued the following statement. Since Thursday, our city has been shaken by the allegations of sexual abuse brought forward against Mayor Murray. While I cannot speak to the veracity of the claims, allegations of rape and abuse should always be taken seriously and investigated with care and diligence. I also […]
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April 10, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Council Majority Shamelessly Vote Down Affordable Housing in South Lake Union
On April 10, 2017, the Seattle City Council voted in favor of upzoning South Lake Union and Downtown. Councilmember Herbold introduced an amendment to increase the pitiful 2.1% affordable housing requirement included in the bill to 5%. This should have been a straightforward yes vote for a City Council that claims to be progressive. And even 5% […]
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April 10, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My Speech at the March for Health – Build the Fight for Medicare for All!
On April 1, 2017, I rallied with healthcare providers, labor activists, and ordinary people organizing for world class healthcare to discuss the defeat of Trumpcare and how we can build the movement for “Medicare for All” style single-payer healthcare in Washington and the US. See my speech below (video may not be visible if you are […]
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March 29, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Defund Keystone XL! Fill City Hall for the Final Council Vote on 4/3 at 2 pm!
On March 24, 2017, President Trump announced his approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, and our local activist community did not hesitate to begin building the fightback! Organizers from 350 Seattle, indigenous leaders, and members of the #Defund DAPL coalition reached out to my office and asked me to co-author a resolution calling on the City of […]
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March 16, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My Speech at the Umoja PEACE Center Defense Protest
Yesterday, I wrote Mayor Murray, Sheriff Urquhart and Chief O’Toole to urge them to immediately halt the physical eviction of the Umoja PEACE Center, one of the pillars of the Central District and Seattle’s black community. Nothing demonstrates the unacceptable impacts of gentrification and de facto redlining taking place in Seattle like the eviction of […]
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March 15, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Do Not Evict the Umoja PEACE Center! A Letter to Mayor Murray & Sheriff Urquhart
On March 15, 2017, I sent the following letter to Mayor Murray, Sheriff Urquhart, and Chief O’Toole, opposing the eviction of the Central District’s Umoja PEACE Center. Dear Mayor Murray, Sheriff Urquhart, and Chief O’Toole; I am writing to urge you to immediately halt the physical eviction of the UmojaFest PEACE Center House, a pillar of […]
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March 9, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My Speech on International Women’s Day 2017: Build the Fight for Women’s Rights and Against Trump!
On March 8, 2017, over a thousand people braved wet and cold weather to rally on International Women’s Day in Seattle. The energy at the rally demonstrated the emergence of a new women’s movement in America. Amidst renewed attacks by Trump and the Republicans on abortion rights, trans rights, and health care, millennial women and […]
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March 1, 2017January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
The Socialist Response to Trump’s Address to Joint Session of Congress
On February 28, 2017, Trump gave his first address to joint session of Congress. I gave the socialist response. Tuesday February 28, 2017 Sisters and Brothers, In just five weeks, Donald Trump has unleashed a series of vicious attacks on one group of Americans after another: From his Muslim ban to the ramping up of […]