This Thanksgiving Day, 2016, I sent the following letter to President Obama, calling on him again to end the police violence in Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline project. November 24, 2016 President Obama, Today, as millions of people in the U.S. celebrate Thanksgiving in the warmth of their family homes, the courageous indigenous Americans standing […]
Category: Councilmember Sawant
Home » Councilmember Sawant » Page 38
Post
November 22, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
My Final Comments on the 2017 City Budget
On Monday, November 22, 2016, the Seattle City Council cast our final votes on the 2017 budget. Once again, the People’s Budget movement won a number of progressive budget victories. Most notably, our Build 1,000 Homes Coalition was able to wrest $29 million in bonds for affordable housing — funding that many Councilmembers had sworn they would never […]
Post
November 17, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Build 1,000 Homes Coalition Wins $29 Million for Affordable Housing!
Dear fellow housing justices advocates, Congratulations to you all! Our affordable housing movement scored a major victory yesterday! We forced the City Council to approve $29 million for affordable housing in the 2017-2018 Seattle budget. Let’s be clear: We won this because we built our Coalition and a movement. We made it impossible for corporate […]
Post
November 11, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Coalition to Build 1,000 Homes: Aid for Calling Councilmembers
Thank you for calling councilmembers today! Our coalition thanks Councilmember Mike O’Brien, who has signed on to the budget proposal to Build 1,000 Homes. While it can feel intimidating to make these calls, this kind of advocacy can have a large impact on councilmembers’ decisions to support or oppose legislation, especially when done as an […]
Post
November 8, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Next Steps for 1,000 Homes!
Dear fellow housing justice advocates, Thank you so much for all of your great work on the Build 1,000 Homes campaign! In the last two weeks, our coalition of 65-plus organizations has called, emailed, and met with City Councilmembers to urge them to Build 1,000 Homes. We have succeeded in showing the Council that there […]
Post
November 2, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Eliminate the Corporate B&O Tax Break for International Investment Corporations
Washington State has the most regressive tax system in the entire nation. Every year, my fellow City Councilmembers lament the failure of the state legislature to put in place progressive taxes to fund basic needs like education, affordable housing, healthcare, and social services. While I fully agree, Councilmembers have a responsibility to fight for every […]
Post
October 28, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
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
October 26, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Faith Communities Agree: It’s Time to Build 1,000 Homes!
On October 25, the Church Council of Greater Seattle led a coalition of 18 congregations and 68 faith leaders calling on Councilmembers to support the growing campaign to build 1,000 homes, and to vote YES when the budget amendment comes before Council. Read their letter (PDF) below. For the full list of sponsors, click here. Learn more […]
Post
October 26, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
The Build 1,000 Homes Coalition Keeps Growing!
The Build 1,000 Homes Coalition keeps growing! From the People’s Budget Town Hall to the public hearings on the budget, one thing is clear: When ordinary people in Seattle have the opportunity to weigh in on the budget, they point to the urgent need for affordable housing and human services. In October, grassroots organizers rallied around […]
Post
October 14, 2016January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Coalition to Build 1,000 Homes – Frequently Asked Questions
On Tuesday, Oct 18, activists, human service providers, and community members will be gathering for the People’s Budget Town Hall at City Hall, to organize and fight for a budget that meets the needs of ordinary people in Seattle. At the heart of this year’s demands is an amendment to reallocate the $160 million once […]