We're now beginning our 3rd panel with the City's civilian-led police accountability system: @SeaCPC, @SeattleOPA, and @SeaOIG. These three offices make up the "three legged stool" of our police accountability system.
Co-chair Prachi Dave starts by "acknowledging historical and generations of trauma, and that community has asked for fundamental change" and that they are "reviewing the many pictures and posts of what has been shared" from Seattle's #JusticeForFloyd demonstrations
OPA Director Meyerberg starts by sharing that "we have received about 15,000 complaints and that number is growing. A lot are related to the pepperspray incident. Monday night's dispersal and gas. Right now we have 14 separate investigations, each with individual case numbers
"I want to caution that an OPA investigation as a panacea for all that is going on...we are committed to these investigations, but these do take time. We're using 100% of our resources to work on these cases."
We are now joined by Inspector General Lisa Judge of the Office of Inspector General. She shares how OIG works with Director Meyerberg's office. Acknowledges the importance of what earlier speakers and community have shared
and she says "this moment as a catalyst for change on the systemic issues. It is important to not repeat previous mistakes...Change is long overdue, and it's coming with or without us...OIG has a role to provide systemic oversight of SPD.
"We are working on ways to community input into audits.
Currently, CM Pedersen shares that he has read the many emails his constituents have sent and says "Black Lives Matter."
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
I intend to vote to override the Mayor's vetoes at tomorrow's special Full Council mtg.
This morning @ Council Briefing, I stated that I stand by what Council did this summer & I continue to believe these are the right policy choices. I will continue to support divestment. /1
b/c Council is required to follow the Open Public Meetings Act, I don't know the outcome of tomorrow's vote.
If vetoes are sustained, then the work we have collectively done is erased. This will mean zero dollars from 2020's budget for BIPOC-led community safety investments. /2
Today, I introduced an alternative bill that is a compromise between the Mayor and Council.
This bill will *ONLY* move forward if the vetoes are sustained by my colleagues.
Again, I plan to vote to override all the vetoes. /3
This weekend has been marked by great personal loss to those of us who knew and loved Rahwa Habte and Sarah Leyrer. Both from different walks of life. Both loved community, organized community and staunchly fought for what was right. Both gone too soon. Rest in Power. /1
I first met Sarah in law school. She was effervescent, quirky and had a heart pure as gold. I convinced her to work at Casa Latina and we often stood in store parking lots volunteering as legal observers to make sure day laborers were protected from ICE raids in South Seattle. /2
Like many of you, I have watched with dismay as the SPD has failed to demonstrate restraint or exercise the de-escalation principles that should be the hallmark of a truly reformed law enforcement department.
The culture change we are pushing for, and have been since 2010, has failed to materialize. The City Council has taken the initial votes to begin the process of transforming how the City of Seattle ensures community safety for everyone, particularly our BIPOC communities.
Meanwhile, the Mayor insists on sowing seeds of fear, intimidation and misinformation from a bully pulpit, further dividing our community in a time of unprecedented crisis. All the while, she calls for unity.
Today is a down-payment on community investments and an ongoing commitment to transform how we deliver community-supported public safety services across the city. /2
Our collective commitments now, plant the seeds and provide a blueprint for massive divestment from our militarized police force and reinvestment in community-based public safety #solutions. Phase 2 of this work begins in just 7 weeks. /3
This is great news for Child Care Providers across the Country, who are essential to our collective recovery from the #COVID19 crisis! Thanks to the House Members who voted in favor and many thanks to our Senator @PattyMurray, who needs our support to get this done! 💪/1
If passed, the #ChildCareIsEssential Act, "would provide grant money to child care providers in an effort to help the facilities reopen safely amid the coronavirus pandemic and stabilize the sector’s operations on Wednesday." /2
Additionally, the "Child Care for Economic Recovery Act, includes a number of tax provisions that are aimed at making child care more affordable for families and providing assistance to child-care providers." /3