On August 3, 2015, I was pleased to vote for a Seattle City Council resolution condemning the racist anti-Chinese legislation and policies that were so ubiquitous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This resolution cannot undo the harm done in the past. But acknowledging this history and recognizing the immense contributions Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans made […]
Category: Councilmember Sawant
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How many affordable housing units will HALA Recommendations produce?
On Wednesday, July 20, 2015, I asked representatives from the Department of Planning and Development and the Office of Housing to provide Councilmembers with an accurate accounting of the net number affordable housing units that will result from the implementation of the HALA Committee’s recommendations. The HALA Committee had announced that their recommendations would either produce or preserve 20,000 […]
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Over 1,000 Seattleites Attend Town Hall Debate on Rent Control
Sign the petition to Support Lifting the WA State Ban on Rent Control On Monday, July 20, 2015, more than 1,000 people overflowed Town Hall Seattle to watch a lively and at times heated debate on rent control. Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata and I organized the event and argued in support of rent control, while […]
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Statement on the leaked Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee draft report
The leaked report from the Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee (HALA) shows how quickly the primary issue of affordable housing is sidelined when housing advocates are required to reach consensus with big developers in secret, closed door meetings. Conspicuously absent in the draft report are any fundamental solutions, such as charging developer “linkage fees” […]
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Councilmember Sawant’s Statement on Supreme Court Marriage Ruling
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/26/2015
Councilmember Sawant's Statement on Supreme Court Marriage Ruling
SEATTLE - Councilmember Kshama Sawant released the following statement regarding the United States Supreme Court ruling on marriage today:
"Today's Supreme Court decision marks a historic victory for the movement for LGBTQ justice. Here in Seattle, we will celebrate marriage equality this Pride weekend, starting at tonight's third-annual Trans* Pride and ending on Sunday at the citywide Pride Parade.
"The court's decision shows the power of the LGBTQ mass movement in driving forward this change. It is no accident that the Supreme Court's rulings both today and in the overturning of DOMA in 2013 came just days before the massive annual LGBTQ Pride celebrations. It is no accident that the major steps forward in marriage equality took place after hundreds of thousands across the U.S. protested in 2009 in response to California's Proposition 8.
"Let us use this momentum to address the ongoing injustices LGBTQ people face every day: in their workplaces, in finding affordable housing, in being pushed out of their communities by big developers, and in confronting hate crimes and police brutality. In 29 states, it is still legal to fire someone because of their sexual orientation. Transgender people in particular experience especially high rates of poverty, unemployment, and hate crimes, including murder.
"While we celebrate, we recognize how far our movement has to go to win full LGBTQ justice.
"The movement in Seattle is fighting back against hate crimes and gentrification. We need an end to LGBTQ homelessness, and full shelter funding to provide beds for all LGBTQ youth. We also need an LGTBQ community center - Seattle is one of few major cities without one. We need to end the massive displacement being driven by big developers. Gentrification threatens to push this community out of their historic home in Capitol Hill, along with the LGBTQ small businesses that are also being displaced.
"This weekend's Pride events will be a historic celebration of decades of LGBTQ activism in the fight for equality. This victory should also be a launching point for building a powerful movement to address the culture of discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ people, women, and people of color. This means uniting and working together to overcome the domination of society by the 1%. Let's cut across all the ‘divide and rule' methods used against us.
"We will not rest until we win full equality and justice for LGBTQ people, and all those who face discrimination under this system.
"I hope you'll join me at the Trans*Pride celebration tonight and the Pride Parade on Sunday."
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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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Why the City of Seattle should not endorse the “Heritage and Freedom Flag”
On June 22, 2015, the Seattle City Council considered a resolution for the City of Seattle to formally recognize the South Vietnamese flag as the symbol of the Vietnamese community of Seattle. There is no question that the tremendous contribution of the Vietnamese community to Seattle must be recognized. However, for the Council, as the elected body […]
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On Juneteenth – Build the Struggle against Racism
Sisters & Brothers, Today is Juneteenth, the day we celebrate the end of the Civil War and the smashing of slavery – one of the most brutally oppressive systems the world has known. While the institution of slavery is gone, racism is not. There are now more black men ensnared in the criminal […]
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Letter opposing closure of Middle College at High Point
The following letter was sent to the Superintendent and School Board of Seattle Public Schools on June 17th, 2015 Dear Superintendent Larry Nyland and School Board Members Stephan Blanford, Sherry Carr, Sue Peters, Marty McLaren, Harium Martin-Morris, Sharon Peaslee, and Betty Patu; Thank you for your ongoing support for public education. I am writing […]
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Evergreen Commencement Speech
On June 12, 2015, I gave the Commencement Speech for Evergreen College’s 44th graduating class. Dear graduates, students, faculty, family, and friends, Sisters and brothers, It is an honor to share this day with you, a day that will always remain memorable to you, and to those who love you. A commencement ceremony is […]
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36The Others: A poem by Jackie Sandberg
LBT Jackie Sandberg is a Seattle musician/writer/activist. As an activist they fight for the rights and dignity of other homeless LGBTQI people in Seattle. As an artist, they use their words and music to make sense of the worlds and times around us as well as to uplift and unify the people who make up […]