REALCHANGE June 3 – 9, 2020 $2 CASHorVENMO

JUNE 3 – 9, 2020 n VOLUME 27 NUMBER 23 n REALCHANGENEWS.ORG

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$30,000 WHAT MATTERS COVERAGE OF THE PROTESTS AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE, p. 5 $20,000

$10,000 SPRING FUND DRIVE See page 10

A DRIVE TO COLLECT SIGNATURES For grassroots organizations, getting the Tax Amazon initiative on the ballot during the pandemic is tough, p.3

RESPONDING TO THE RESPONSE Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best’s statement about gets some feedback, p.4

AMERICAN EPIDEMIC BOOK REVIEW: Even before the pandemic, our poor and working-class adults had been facing an epidemic of premature death, p.8 REALCHANGE REALCHANGE 2 OPINION June 3 – 9, 2020 June 3 – 9, 2020 NEWS 3 ‘I can’t breathe’ 6 years later — and the

Real Change exists to provide opportunity and a voice for low-income and homeless fight against police violence rages on people while taking action for economic, REPORTER’S social and racial justice. By NGA BUI No amount of “sensitivity” protection of the bigoted status quo. Look NOTEBOOK Real Change offices Contributing Writer at how social distancing is being enforced 219 First Ave. S., Suite 220 training or bodycam tech all across the country. Cops are brutal- Seattle, WA 98104 ynching never actually went away. izing Black communities for not wearing Justice must 206.441.3247, www.realchangenews.org The powers that be have enshrined will change the racist DNA masks, while also handing out masks to be served it into state power. whites in wealthier areas who are doing BOARD OF DIRECTORS L Yolanda Altamirano (President), Malou Chávez, Just in the last four months, George underpinning the police. the same. With the devaluing of Black lives fficer of the Min- Shelly Cohen, Matthew Hayashi, Floyd, Sean Reed, Breonna Taylor, Ah- and the super-exploitation of Black labor, neapolis Police Department has Hannah Hunthausen, Pamela Kliment, Getting rid of a few bad apples Jim Lauinger, Maria Elena Ramirez, Mary Riski maud Arbery and Tony McDade were it’s no surprise that African Americans O been charged with third-degree executed by cops — their only “crime” are among the hardest hit by many health murder and manslaughter in the death of EDITORIAL STAFF being that they were Black in the U.S. in will do nothing because the problems, including covid-19. Immigrants, George Floyd, a Black man whose death Staff Reporter Ashley Archibald Editor Lee Nacozy 2020. Floyd cried out, “I can’t breathe,” Latinx and Indigenous peoples are right at Chauvin’s hands incited days of protest Features Reporter Kamna Shastri as three Minneapolis cops barbarically entire damn root system of the alongside them. in Minneapolis. Art Director Jon Williams held him down — the deadly knee on his A witness took a 10-minute video of orchard is rotten. REAL CHANGE STAFF neck came from Derek Chauvin, a white Unite for real Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck as the Circulation Specialist Wes Browning cop. Bystanders were prevented from The four cops involved in Floyd’s man cried out, telling the officer he could Organizer Evelyn Chow intervening by a fourth cop and, instead, white supremacy has been used to delude killing have been fired, but they and all not breathe before he went limp. Officers Volunteer Manager Katie Comboy Managing Director Shelley Dooley were powerless witnesses to Floyd’s last working-class whites into thinking their cops who have senselessly killed people responded to the scene on a report of forg- Communications and Development breaths. interests lie with wealthy whites instead must be prosecuted and convicted. We ery, which is not a capital crime. Associate Alexis Estrada Taylor, an Emergency Medical Techni- of their own class brothers and sisters of demand financial restitution for all Photo by Ashley Archibald Rage over Floyd’s death, which oc- Founding Director Timothy Harris Field Organizer Neal Lampi cian, was killed in a botched search war- color. Some people of color erroneously families reeling from police murders. Emily MacArthur guides volunteer Dave Ellenwood through the process of the contactless signature-gathering effort called Amazon Tax curred the night of Monday, May 25, Vendor Program Manager Rebecca Marriott rant raid. Black women die at the hands misplace their allegiances with the op- Grassroots organizing in New York City Prime. The goal is to collect 22,000 signatures so the initiative can be presented to voters in November. sparked protest in Minneapolis Tuesday Lead Organizer Tiffani McCoy Vendor Case Manager Ainsley Meyer of police and are sexually harassed and pressors. The cop keeping bystanders is gaining traction in the fight for po- that picked up over the weekend in U.S. Office Manager Ari Shirazi assaulted in devastating numbers by cops. away during Floyd’s murder is an Asian lice accountability through an Elected metropolises. Development Director Camilla Walter Trans and queer people of color, such as American, and there have been other cops Civilian Review Board, and other cities Prime organizing is on the move Thursday night, protesters set fire Tony McDade, are also common targets. of color connected to killings of Black should take up that fight. Take from the to the precinct building where Chauvin VOLUNTEERS Editorial Committee Susan Storer Clark, It’s been six years since Eric Garner people across the country. bloated police budget and invest in areas worked with the three other officers Laura Ditsch, Willie Jones, James Jenkins, Dagmar said “I can’t breathe,” and it’s clear that No amount of “sensitivity” training or that will actually protect and serve the who stood by him as Floyd died, and Matheny, Paige Owens, Tiron Rowe to send ‘Amazon tax’ to voters none of the cops then or now believed they bodycam tech will change the racist DNA people: education, housing, healthcare to some commercial businesses and Contributing Writers Rabbi Olivier BenHaim, would be held accountable. underpinning the police. Getting rid of a and public jobs programs. Capitalism and By ASHLEY ARCHIBALD cause the political establishment will not Seattle must be. They were ready to move one affordable housing project under Hanna Brooks Olsen, Wes Browning, John Helmiere, Michelle Galluzzo, Dave Gamrath, few bad apples will do nothing because the police go hand in hand and we can Staff Reporter lift a finger,” Councilmember Kshama the outfit under the eave of the church, in construction. Kelly Knickerbocker, Joe Martin, Patrick “Mac” Cops serve the wealthy the entire damn root system of the orchard only fight for real accountability through Sawant told supporters on a May 16 Zoom case of rain. All four officers at the scene were fired McIntyre, Jill Mullins, Oscar Rosales Castaneda, Susan Storer Clark, Megan Wildhood, Mike Wold Since their origins in Southern slave is rotten. There will be no end to police multi-racial working-class solidarity. n ev. Angela Ying and Emily Ma- video call. “I checked the weather and I’m like, within days of Floyd’s death. Protests con- patrols, the police have always been in violence until we get rid of capitalism. cArthur stood, appropriately The next week, stations like the one come on, God,” Ying said. tinued unabated. The killings of Ahmaud Photographers and Artists Alex Bergstrom, the service of capitalism and white su- But the fight starts in the here and now. Nga Bui is writing on behalf of the Na- distanced, on a gravel turnout MacArthur and Ying helmed popped up While the volunteers canvassed, Ying Arbery, a Black man who was jogging in Matthew S. Browning, Sam Day, Natalie Dupille, R Jeffrey Few, Valerie Franc, Susan Fried, Seth premacy. We don’t even have to look to police tional Comrades of Color Caucus of Radi- in front of the Bethany United Church of in Council Districts 2 and 3 to begin the worked to get signatures of her own. She Georgia, and Breonna Taylor, an EMT who Goodkind, Derek Gundy, Lisa Hagen Glynn, Lara Ever since then, the corrosive power of murders for examples of the cops’ blatant cal Women & Freedom Socialist Party. Christ, waiting for their first volunteer. hunt for signatures. waved at passing cars and busses, invited died in her bed when police mistakenly Kaminoff, Ted Mase, Dave Parish, Joseph Romain, Wes Sauer, Katie Wheeler Ying stood behind a card table with The strategy sounds straightforward. pedestrians to come learn about the move- invaded the wrong house in Kentucky, rows of medical masks, disposable Volunteers come to a station and may ment and passed out protective gear to were still fresh. Copy Editors Pamela Bradburn, Mason Duke, Merry Nye, Morgan Wegner gloves and small, reusable bottles filled acquire personal protective equipment, whoever would take it. The three Black people, all of whom DIRECTOR’S CORNER | Timothy Harris, founding director with hand sanitizer that MacArthur had like masks and gloves. Then, they move to “How are you!” she called out, explain- were conducting peaceful activities at the Real Change Volunteers Yolanda Altamirano, hat do the 1968 po- member Lisa Herbold Meanwhile, a database maintained by sourced on multiple trips to big box stores. a second table where a stack of envelopes ing that she wanted to tax Amazon, but time of their deaths, exemplified a sys- Cathie Andersen, Carla Blaschka, Maridee Bonadea, Pamela Bradburn, Chris Burnside, lice riot, the 1988 Tompkins revealed that, while the Post reveals that 59 per- For her part, MacArthur prepped stacks containing petitions are waiting, along she needed their help. Those who came in temic injustice in the where Cathy Clemens, Jim Freier, Candace Gallerani, Square Park police assault on the Office of Police sons of color have been killed by police in of envelopes that read “Tax Amazon,” a with a packet of information including a received a squirt of hand sanitizer and a pen Black Americans are disproportionately Michelle Galluzzo, Anne Jaworski, Carlo Jones, W Kevin Jones, Ron Kaplan, Jesse Kleinman, homeless people in New York, the 2000 Re- Accountability is in- Washington state since Jan. 1, 2015. These clipboard with a sign-in sheet and a spray route. Each route covers roughly 50 to 60 to sign the petition. MacArthur used sani- killed by arms of the state. Pamela Kliment, Daniel Kramer, Joe Martin, publican National Convention in Philadel- vestigating the as- include Che Taylor, Charleena Lyles, John bottle filled with sanitizing solution, ready houses. Volunteers approach the house, tizer to rub down each pen for safety’s sake. This reality, and white people’s com- Dagmar Matheny, John Maynard, Patrick McIntyre, Juan Montes, Carl Nakajima, Eileen Nicol, phia and last weekend’s sault, Campbell was T. Williams and Antonio Zambrano-Montes. for the next hands to affix a signature. stuff an envelope in the door jamb and Taxing large corporations to pay plicity in it, was highlighted by video from Deb Otto, Maria Elena Ramirez, Merri Jo Seil, protest in Seattle all have in common? misidentified and not According to Chief Best, the band is Next to her station was a pink plastic move on to the next place. for social goods was not just a personal Christopher Cooper, a Black man in New Lawrence Soriano, Susan Storer Clark, Jeremy Tarpey, Moriah Vazquez, Jed Walsh, Mike Wold If you guessed outrageous police bru- involved. More that currently being worn by SPD in honor of box, as large as their ambitions. It’s unlike other door-knocking efforts, principle, but a religious one for Ying. She York, who recorded a white woman as she tality, you would be right, but there’s more. 12,000 complaints State Patrolman Justin R. Schaefer, killed That Saturday, Ying and MacArthur which often involve staying and talking to mobilized 72 faith leaders to sign a letter called the police on him for asking her to The Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project is a In each of these, police covered their have been filed with the OPA since Sat- on March 24 during a vehicle pursuit, and were running one of the first socially the occupant, informing them on the is- encouraging the City Council to pass the put her dog on a leash in the Bramble, an 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Real Change is a member of the North American Street Newspaper Association badge numbers to intimidate, beat and urday. Correctional Officer Berisford Anthony distanced signature collection drives for sues and convincing them to get on board. tax when they had the chance. area of Central Park where dogs must be and the International Network of Street Papers. tear gas protesters without consequence. The mourning band is promoted by the Morse, who died on May 17 of covid-19. the Tax Amazon initiative, the newest “This is uncharted territory,” MacAr- “It’s so important that the rich pay leashed at all times. REAL CHANGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA Seasoned activists know that when Officer Down Memorial Project (ODMP) Since memorial services are not al- iteration of a years-old idea to squeeze thur said. their fair share,” Ying said. Mayor Jenny Durkan told KUOW’s cops tape their badge numbers, that and may be ordered from a variety of lowed under coronavirus protocols, SPD money for housing and jobs out of the most Two volunteers, Molly Whittaker and Seattle has tried to get corporations Bill Radke that she would have pursued means you’re about to get your ass kicked. online sources. It’s a half-inch wide black officers are permitted to cover their badge lucrative company in the world. Jordan Lewis, approached the two card to pay more taxes before. In 2018, they charges against the officers involved in It’s the well-understood universal symbol elastic designed for placement over the numbers until further notice. For a grassroots organization, getting tables. Whittaker is in a construction union. passed a $47 million tax that required Floyd’s death. Her comments come as @RealChangeNews of police vigilantism. center of the badge. There is also a “thin Mayor Durkan and Chief Best have dis- an initiative on the ballot is a tough under- She’s one of many people building the luxury employers who brought in more than $20 her administration requests a pause from But now, covering badge numbers has blue line” version that some police depart- missed concerns because officers’ names taking in the best of times. apartments that the average Seattleite can’t million in gross revenue to pay $275 per Judge James Robart for monitoring the Se- become mainstream. And here in liberal Se- ments have banned as overly adversarial. are embroidered on the uniform, but with Groups with deep pockets can hire afford to rent, and she’s sick of it. employee. That was repealed within a attle Police Department’s consent decree attle, Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Section 3.170 of the Seattle Police protective vests and other hardware that signature-gathering firms to ensure that “None of us can afford to live in the month as the City Council faced polling with the federal Department of Justice. Carmen Best have defended the practice Manual authorizes mourning bands as police routinely carry, this may or may not their issue du jour gets in front of the places we’re building,” Whittaker said. that showed an opposition campaign The consent decree followed an inves- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR as a matter of established police protocol. a means of honoring those killed in the be visible. voters. Lacking that, Tax Amazon needs “Seattle is so expensive.” could win the day. tigation opened in 2011 that found issues Have something to say? Real Change accepts letters to the editor. Send them to editor@realchangenews. They’re not wrong. It is. And this is line of duty. Both the solid black and thin With trust between communities and volunteers to gather the minimum 22,000 Taxing Amazon and putting that mon- Sawant tried again this year, but her with SPD’s use of force and indications of org or visit realchangenews.org and click precisely the problem. blue line versions are allowed. The band is police at an all-time low, police all over signatures to give Seattle voters the op- ey toward social housing, not to mention council colleagues agreed that the measure racial bias, but no conclusive evidence. “Write the Editor.” The “mourning band” came to local at- worn over the center of the badge, cover- America have adopted a known symbol portunity to pass legislation that the City jobs that people like her could fill, would didn’t fall under Gov. Jay Inslee’s coronavi- According to the Seattle Times, Durkan tention when Officer Jared Campbell was ing the badge number. of police repression as a means to mourn Council will not — a 0.7 percent tax on be a substantial step toward making the rus order that governs remote public hear- sent a 27-page memo saying that “[t]he accused of macing a 10-year-old girl at the “Upon the death of a Seattle Police Of- fallen officers. payroll for companies that spend more than city a more welcoming, equitable place. ings. Taxing Amazon, even to get money City is unable to fully address the ac- Black Lives Matter protest last Saturday. ficer or Seattle Fire Fighter,” the manual How can Seattle police talk about $7 million in compensation, excluding non- Amazon needs to pay back what it’s into the pockets of low-income Seattleites countability issues in this filing, because A recent aerial video reveals how police reads, “sworn personnel will affix the community trust being “absolutely para- profits and grocery stores, among others. taking from Seattle, Lewis said. He’s cur- and build affordable housing, was neither it is now confronting an unprecedented violence erupted quickly and without mourning band to their badge or wear mount” when this blatant form of intimida- Normally, volunteers would hang out in rently unemployed but is part of a deep-sea routine nor connected to the virus, City public health crisis caused by the co- warning shortly after the protest began. the Honor Guard Mourning Badge. The tion is promoted from within and by top crowded places, talking to strangers and fisherman’s union. Council President Lorena Gonzalez decided. vid-19 pandemic.” She and others had no opportunity to get mourning band/badge is displayed until city leadership? encouraging them to sign the petition even The pair went off, petitions in hand, The initiative is the third attempt to According to The Seattle Times, the out of harm’s way. the interment or memorial service is com- This is why the rage has boiled over: if they were curious; a signature was not a ready to scour the neighborhood for po- get the tax through by putting the matter memo doesn’t ask to do away with the Numerous witnesses report that plete.” Employees may wear the band for People of color are dying from police vio- vote, after all — just an opportunity to vote. tential supporters. straight to the people. consent decree, but it could pave the way Campbell’s badge number was covered, up to 72 hours after the memorial service. lence across America, and nothing seems But the deadly and communicable coro- It was a good day for canvassing. The By the end of the Memorial Day week- for future action. The memo was sent last ON THE COVER and that he chose not to respond when So, who died? to change that. America has collectively navirus made that strategy unworkable, sun shone, the skies were clear and, given end, more than 5,000 signatures had been week, around the same time that Seattle Protesters gather around Seattle’s Westlake Park to asked to identify himself. According to the ODMP fallen officer said “no more.” and elections officials have stated they will the stay-at-home-order, many people were gathered from 78 volunteers, MacArthur said. experienced two “officer-involved” shoot- hear speeches and rally in response to the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, and to Since then, a Change.org petition to list and the SPD website, the last Seattle Making thin excuses for toxic cop not waive or reduce the signature require- stuck in their homes. “It’s a pretty exciting start, from our ings. n support all Black people who have been killed or fire Campbell has been signed by more officer killed in the line of duty was Timo- culture can only be seen as part of the ment nor will they accept them digitally. Ying was prepared for bad weather, perspective,” MacArthur said. “There is harmed in the police violence endemic of American racism. Story on page 5. Photo by Susan Fried. than 160,000 people. On Monday, Council- thy Brenton in 2009. problem. n “We are forced to take this step be- as anyone who lives, works or plays in still a steep hill to climb.” n — Ashley Archibald REALCHANGE REALCHANGE 4 NEWS June 3 – 9, 2020 June 3 – 9, 2020 SPECIAL REPORT 5

In response to Chief Best’s statement sweeps, Seattle to officers regarding lawmakers splinter George Floyd

By ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Issued by CHIEF CARMEN BEST on May 27, 2020, 5:27 pm Staff Reporter To the Men and Women of the Seattle Police Department: n attempt to curtail homeless encampment sweeps during the A coronavirus pandemic stalled I wanted to take a moment to address the tragic May 27 in the face of resolute opposition by members of the executive branch, by the Minneapolis Police Department officer. despite testimony from some frontline In the video, we hear Mr. Floyd’s repeated calls for help. We hear him say workers that the status quo is hurting their clients. over and over again that he cannot breathe. The emergency ordinance, sponsored The video is upsetting, disappointing, and infuriating. It does not show the by Councilmember Tammy Morales, would put additional guardrails on when policing we know. Policing is an honorable profession filled with honorable the city could sweep encampments in the public servants. We are committed to protecting life and serving the com- name of health and safety, leaning heavily on guidance from the Centers for Disease munity. Control and Prevention (CDC) that recom- Because of the Seattle Police Department’s high level of training, our com- mends leaving encampments in place dur- ing the pandemic if there is not “individual mitment to de-escalation, and our track record of limiting the use of force, I housing” inside for each camper. have confidence that something like this would not occur in our city. The City Council uses the power of the purse to defund operations that do not fit “It’s time to Especially troubling about the video, was the officers who stood by while these parameters. Mr. Floyd called for help. The Mayor’s Office opposed the stop treating councilmember’s proposal from the As a police officer, you have a sworn duty to uphold the law and do what outset and showed no signs of relenting is right. We prioritize the sanctity of life in every situation. during a sometimes-heated exchange homelessness with councilmembers that launched the If you see a co-worker doing something that is unsafe, out of policy, unac- Photo by Mark White five-and-a-half-hour marathon meeting like a crime ceptable, or illegal, you need to act. This goes beyond reporting. If someone’s of the Select Committee on Homelessness A Seattle protester holds a sign quoting the last words of both George Floyd and Eric Garner — Black men who were killed by white police officers, Floyd in Minneapolis and Garner in New York. Strategies and Investments, which ended problem and life is unnecessarily in danger, it is your responsibility to intervene. without a vote. We each have a right to go home at the end of the day, but we also have Councilmember Andrew Lewis, who chairs the committee, pushed the discus- start treating it a responsibility to ensure that others enjoy that same right. We must hold sion to June 10, when he hopes to convene Seattle protests in one corner ourselves accountable if we are to maintain the trust of the community who another meeting between the commit- like the public tee, the Human Services Department, grants us the privilege to serve them. the mayor’s executive team and the City health crisis I know it can be challenging to see these incidents, even when they do Budget Office to discuss alternatives to for George Floyd the legislation, such as modifying exist- not happen here. You all should be proud of how we provide police services ing rules that govern certain encampment that it is.” here in Seattle. cleanups. — Tammy Morales By ASHLEY ARCHIBALD to the list — local tragedies that brought “I want to take the executive up on Staff Reporter the trauma close to home. Several high- the offer to come to the table and talk to Thank you for all that you do, every day. Stay safe. profile cases have made an impression Council,” Lewis said. Fire Chief Harold Scoggins — pushed Carmen Best up today and I was angry. on Seattle: Charleena Lyles, a pregnant Encampment sweeps have long been back forcefully on the idea that limiting You’re looking at an angry Black mother killed in front of her children when a contentious issue in Seattle, and one sweeps was in the public interest, pointing “I woman.” two police officers entered her apartment where both sides attempt to stake out to extreme examples of criminality such Sheley Anderson, First Vice President in Sand Point in 2017, and Che Taylor, shot the “health and safety” high ground. The as drug trafficking, child sex trafficking Feedback to Chief Best’s statement of the Alaska Oregon Washington State- in Wedgewood while officers attempted to recent debate has focused on three large and other activity that they say is masked area Conference of the NAACP, stood in arrest him in 2016. sweeps that took place in May, including within tent encampments. about the murder of Mr. George Floyd front of Seattle City Hall with a micro- Those deaths and countless more, for one in Ballard Commons and two in the Arresting people committing these phone, facing the Seattle Police Depart- which no officers faced repercussions, Chinatown International District. crimes while leaving the rest of the en- irst, I would like to thank you for that racist acts are still being committed ment (SPD) headquarters, where police created the conditions for an uprising. City officials say that the three en- campment intact is ineffective, Best said. taking the time to reflect and share but not yet uncovered. The problem is the lined up behind metal barriers. Hundreds Floyd’s killing lit the spark. campments were rife with criminal activ- “We can arrest the criminals, but more F a statement regarding the murder rot in the tree, not just the apples. of people waited quietly on Fifth Avenue, The protests that seized Seattle ity and unsanitary conditions that posed a will come and take their place,” Best said. of Mr. George Floyd by Minneapolis police. But given the fierce resistance of the on the sidewalk and spilling west onto throughout the weekend, starting Friday danger to the surrounding communities. The legislation is silent on the regular It is refreshing to read such a message SPD and the Police Guild to comply with Cherry Street, their attention focused on night, May 29, peaking Saturday and flow- Sweeps opponents counter that giving work of the Seattle Police Department. It from the Chief. As you said it well: Polic- judicial decisions and recommendations Anderson. A cold rain fell. ing into Sunday, were largely peaceful, if people the choice between being forced only deals with encampment removals, ing is to protect. for change, it does not give me peace of They had gathered to protest the disruptive. People marched through the out of an encampment, where they have and does allow for removals under certain That being said, I respectfully disagree mind to hear you say that we are OK here. killing of George Floyd — a Black man streets, took over Interstate 5 and came some separation and where outreach circumstances, such as if the encampment with your assertion that incidents like What we need are actions. So, while I com- killed by a white police officer, as three to Westlake to hear speakers condemn- workers can find them, and into congre- constitutes a health hazard, if it does not those do not happen here. What you say mend you for the beautiful statement to other officers looked on, in Minnesota. Photo by Susan Fried ing the circumstances that brought them gate shelter when the best medical advice allow four feet of clearance on a sidewalk could be interpreted to mean that the Se- your department, I urge you to work more Video of Floyd’s agonizing last moments, together and calling out for the aid of — to shelter away from other people — is or if it’s in a children’s play area. attle Police Department is different, and diligently and closely with your officers as the life was crushed out of him under People gather in Seattle to protest the May 25 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. true white allies in dismantling the white no choice at all. The power of the bill, according to a thus, we Black people are safe. We are not. — and the Police Guild — to ensure that Derek Chauvin’s knee, ignited actions supremacy and oppression that made it The City Council must ensure the summary prepared by Council Central As you know, Seattle has had its share the SPD can be proud to say that we are throughout the previous week, starting in possible. health and safety of all residents, Morales Staff, is that it removes discretion given to of police brutality and violations of the a pool of honorable officers serving all Minneapolis and rippling outward. The protests were also, at times, vio- said, not just a select group. the executive under Mayor Jenny Durkan’s basic rights and dignity of people of color people of our city. n On Saturday, May 30, Seattle joined It was a cry that echoed in major me- death followed that of Breonna Taylor, an lent and destructive, and met aggressive “It’s time to stop treating homeless- March 17 order that ended sweeps outside on numerous occasions. Our people have the fight. tropolises throughout the United States emergency medical technician who was actions by the Seattle Police Department, ness like a crime problem and start treat- of “extreme circumstances,” which was been oppressed, tortured and killed in the Thank you, “I know that I don’t stand alone in that day. killed in her bed by Louisville police, and which protesters blamed on police and of- ing it like the public health crisis that it undefined. blink of an eye for no justifiable reason. It turning my anger into action,” Anderson Thousands of people gathered shoul- Ahmaud Arbery, who was jogging when ficials blamed on a rogue element. But the is,” Morales said. Under that order, the number of could be said that those violent acts were Ahoua Koné continued. “When people are angry, they der to shoulder to demand change of the a former law enforcement official and scale and ubiquity of the protests here and The executive team — represented by sweeps went down from more than 300 in committed by bad apples in the SPD and Attorney, community activist and faculty bring about a change. racist systems that allow the murder of his son hunted him down and shot him elsewhere drove the point home: Enough deputy mayors Michael Fong and Casey that the department has been able to rid at the University of Washington/Health “Who is ready for change?” Anderson Black men and women by agents of the because they suspected him of burglary. Sixkiller, Police Chief Carmen Best and See SWEEPS Continued on Page 11 itself of such individuals. It is more likely Alliance International called out. The crowd roared in response. state, often without consequence. Floyd’s Every city had its own names to add See PROTEST Continued on Page 6 REALCHANGE REALCHANGE 6 REALCHANGE SPECIALJune 3 – 9, 2020 REPORTJune 3 – 9, 2020 June 3 – 9, 2020 7

“When we go to a house and the house is burning, we do not throw water on all of the houses. We make sure we bring water to the house that is burning.” — Sheley Anderson, First Vice President of the Alaska Oregon Washington State-area Conference of the NAACP

Photo by Susan Fried During the first part of Saturday, May 30, protesters marched, attended rallies and listened to speakers.

PROTEST Continued from Page 5 The results of systemic oppression moment passed. The marchers continued made it dangerous for Black people to their loop, rejoining Fourth Avenue until is enough. leave their homes before the coronavirus they hit Westlake Park, where another pandemic — which also disproportion- wall of police prevented them from con- Ringed in ately kills Black people — turned gather- tinuing north. The first of the Saturday downtown ings into a breeding ground for the deadly The marchers pooled in the park Seattle protests, where Anderson spoke, disease. One Seattle protester nodded to where a second rally, held by Not This began at noon. As many as 500 people this fact, displaying a sign that read “You Time — an organization begun by Andre squished into the space, listening to know it’s bad when we’re protesting dur- Taylor, Che Taylor’s brother, to reduce speakers and engaging in call and re- ing a pandemic.” police violence and help heal communi- sponse. The constant danger and sorrow ties impacted by it — was set to begin at Photo by Susan Fried “Whose lives matter?” weighs on Black people, according to 3 p.m. Some huddled under overhangs and “Black lives matter!” Michelle Storm, executive director of trees to avoid the constant rain; others A protester photographs a burning police vehicle. Protesters smashed the windows and slashed the tires of the vehicle before setting it on fire, creating smaller explosions that some posited were caused by ammunition still in the vehicle. The phrase, which became the name the local American Civil Liberties Union dispensed with the idea of being dry and of the longstanding movement, doesn’t chapter. climbed onto play equipment in a section discount the value of other lives, Ander- “I am weary,” Storm said. “I am ex- of the park closed due to risk of spreading son explained. hausted. I can’t take this anymore.” the virus. Two women passed out surgical “When we go to a house and the house As speakers wrapped up, the crowd masks to people who wanted them. is burning, we do not throw water on all of began to move down Cherry Street to A young man, dressed head-to-toe in the houses,” she said. “We make sure we Fourth Avenue, guided by a wall of police black, stood underneath one of the over- bring water to the house that is burning.” that prevented them from walking north hangs on the east side of the park. He did Black America is that house on fire. on Fifth. They passed black-and-white not want to give his name, but he told Real Black Americans lag behind their white posters bearing a depiction of Floyd’s Change that systemic change achieved counterparts in almost every measure face and the words “End Police Brutality” by a revolution of the people, united in a of wellbeing, from household wealth to that someone had plastered on walls and common cause, was what was necessary educational attainment to life expectancy. city signs. to end the crisis of violence against Black They exceed white America in death at “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” they yelled people. the hands of police, particularly when the as they crossed into Belltown before “I’ve heard about stories like this my victim is unarmed. looping around on Fifth back toward City whole life. I know that’s just a small por- According to the Mapping Police Vio- Hall. “Say his name! George Floyd! Say tion of what actually happens. Like Will lence project, there were only 27 days in his name!” Smith said, it’s just getting filmed,” he 2019 where police did not kill someone There was a minor moment of panic said. “Seeing this many people come out in America and, despite being only 13 when marchers turned and ran back the for George Floyd, I am hopeful.” percent of the population, Black people way they’d come upon hearing reports of That is when the explosions started. Photos by Mark White made up 24 percent of the deaths tracked a man with a gun at Fifth and James, but by the project. the individual joined the march and the See PROTEST Continued on Page 11 Police launch pepper spray and tear gas at protesters who writhed and doused their faces with milk to ease the pain. Anecdotes, including firsthand reports and social media posts, placed the blame on police; city officials said protesters started the violence. REALCHANGE REALCHANGE 8 ARTS June 3 – 9, 2020 June 3 – 9, 2020 OPINION 9

‘Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism’ CARTOON | By Katie Wheeler By Anne Case and Angus Deaton | Princeton University Press | 2020 | 312 pages Access Denied

Hanna Brooks Olsen

AMERICAN EPIDEMIC Racial disparity in home- According to Case lessness? It’s nothing new and Deaton, a plague of his is the reality, which most people death and despair in in Seattle already know: People T of color are overrepresented in the US predates the our homeless population, both nationally current pandemic and locally. Black folks, especially, are impacted; Black families are seven times Review by JOE MARTIN more likely to become homeless than white Contributing Writer families. And while African Americans ac- count for just about 13 percent of the gen- ven before the formidable and de- eral population, they represent 40 percent stabilizing march of coronavirus of the homeless population. E throughout our nation and world, The reality that fewer people know, a significant segment of the American though, is just how long this has been citizenry had not been doing very well. happening and how much anti-Blackness For some time, white, middle-aged, poor, is a feature of the housing and homeless- working-class adults have been afflicted ness system. by a raging epidemic of premature death. The roots of this disparity reach “In 2017, 158,000 Americans died from what back to Reconstruction and well before. we call deaths of despair … That is the After the Civil War, vagrancy laws were equivalence of three 737 MAXs falling out of enacted to limit the activity and move- the sky every day, with no survivors.” This ment of Black folks, which helped outline tragic reality has been investigated in depth a lot more racist laws moving forward. by two Princeton professors of econom- Citations and incarceration have long ics—authors and married couple Angus been used to keep Black folks poor. The Deaton and Anne Case. In 2015 Deaton was Great Depression hit African-American awarded a Nobel Prize for his work in the families harder than any other group; they area of consumption, poverty and welfare. were not only put out of work but were Disturbing trends this duo have as- My longest digression ever. also subjected to state-sanctioned hate siduously analyzed are detailed in their crimes, including beatings and lynching. most urgent book. They expound upon the Meanwhile, the white “hobos” of the 1930s, inordinate rise in drug addiction, alcohol- Batter up! who were unstably housed out of necessity ism and suicide manifesting within the or by choice, were glorified in their own ranks of low-income white citizens. This he funniest thing I’ve read all “Oh, yeah. Right.” time and still are. demographic is characterized by minimal week was President Trump’s That was most of the set-up. We’d Fast forward to the Reagan admin- academic achievement and bleak job pros- T threat to stop using his mark the bases with rocks or boards or istration, when funding for hud and pects. The same grim calculations do not account. cardboard. A coin toss would settle which other social services were cut and cash Illustration by Jon Williams seem to apply to other parts of America’s Of Twitter, NPR quoted him saying, Adventures team got to bat first. I’d strike out every welfare was all but obliterated. While poor and working class. While they may mocracy is the worst form of government discouraged workers — have stopped look- “Free-market competition does not and “I think I’d be hurting it very badly if in Irony time it was my turn at bat. When I had this did impact some white folks, it was experience similar economic straits, except for all those other forms that have ing entirely and are no longer accounted cannot deliver socially acceptable health- we didn’t use it anymore. We have other to play in the field, I’d be assigned the African-American families living in cities Black and Hispanic people do not show up been tried from time to time.” Case and for in labor statistics. Pride once felt by care.” This is a resounding imperative and sites we can use, I guess, or we’d have to Dr. Wes Browning far outfield, unless a really strong batter who were, again, hit hardest. Similarly, markedly in the lethal statistics populated Deaton are not oblivious to the glaring multitudes in their places of work and the thorough reforms are long overdue. While develop other sites.” stepped up, in which case they’d move me Reagan’s unwillingness to address the almost exclusively by distressed whites. flaws that abound in the system. Within adequate remunerations they earned have they do not advocate for one approach, the It brought back warm memories of members would be made. Some random in close and put someone else out deep. I HIV/aids crisis led to new biases in health Case and Deaton also note that this the current capitalistic arrangement, the been stripped from millions of lives. The fear- economists argue against a full-blown gov- sandlot baseball games. I guess I should method would assign first choice to one don’t remember how many fly balls landed care and a pandemic that has devastated alarming phenomenon is absent elsewhere authors decry that throngs of poor and some disruption of coronavirus is predicted ernmental intervention. Genuine democ- explain sandlot baseball games to those captain or the other, and then they would close but untouched by me, or how many the Black community. in just about every other wealthy demo- working-class individuals are ill-served to make this situation even more egregious . racy can guide other versatile and creative who were born too late. take turns picking their preferences to be times I tried to throw the runner out, only Presently, the disparity among the cratic dominion where income disparities and locked out from the fruits of material Desperation is pervasive among citizens solutions. None of this is going to be easy Before never-ending real estate devel- on their teams. to miss the player I was throwing to by homeless population is related to a num- and class inequities exist. One exception is prosperity. Readily admitted, the present whose sense of connection to community in our divided country. A recent article in opment, there were vacant lots. They just I’d always be the last one remaining half a block. ber of issues, including structural racism found in the United Kingdom, in Scotland. structure is profoundly unfair. and traditional institutions has been eroded. The Nation salutes the trenchant analysis sat there unused, except when children after all the other kids got picked. Al- But here’s something I remember that hinders the lifetime earnings of Black There is a serious persistence of deep The writers offer a symbol of unbridled, It is a result of “a long-term and slowly un- performed by the authors, but critiques played on them. Unsupervised children ways. I’m not exaggerating. I completely clearly: In one of these games, when I was individuals and a legacy of legislation poverty in the social topography of Ameri- cutthroat capitalism: Robin Hood’s archri- folding loss of a way of life for the white, their recommendations as too diffident, wandered around loose in those days. No understood. You don’t want a player on 9, around the 7th inning, the guy-with-the- that has made homeownership nearly ca, and the challenges of working-class life val, the Sheriff of Nottingham. The villain- less educated, working class.” This has gone as “half-measures” when a far deeper and parents around! Nobody cared! your team who can neither hit a ball nor gear at that time (I’ll call him Steve) was impossible. Add in the impacts of mass here are more onerous than in most other ous sheriff personifies the ruthlessly rigged hand-in-hand with mounting alcohol and extensive transformation is a necessity. Eventually, some 10-year-old would catch one. That’s just solid, goal-oriented running toward home plate and tagged incarceration — lower earnings, unstable wealthy countries. Historically, a support- capitalist dynamic. Long has this venal drug abuse, and the ultimate expression of Writing in The New York Times in April, show up with a bat, a ball and some base- thinking. I was fine with sitting the great with the ball just as he reached it. The family units, and the costs associated ive social infrastructure has been in place machine been distributing wealth upward alienation and disconsolation: suicide. as coronavirus was surging, the authors ball gloves, and say, “Let’s choose teams game out. Or standing. The sandlot didn’t umpire called him out. with detention and the legal system — throughout much of the developed world. to the opulent American echelons. Simul- Case and Deaton excoriate American state: “Yet we cannot go on as we have been. for a baseball game!” have seating. Steve was furious. “I touched the plate! and it would be surprising if somehow In various configurations, humane pro- taneously accompanying this outrage is health care. It was the “absurd and oppres- America is a rich country that can afford a It could take up to an hour for us to But that could not be, because 10-year- There’s no way I could be out!” There was Black folks weren’t overrepresented in grams provide reliable safety nets to their the evacuation of long-standing corporate sive” system itself that cynically opened world-class health care system. We should be decide how the teams could be chosen olds then were not into that kind of goal- a half hour of squabbling, as the teams our shelters. impoverished and working-class citizens. operations and businesses from many lo- the floodgates to dangerous prescription spending a lot of money on care and on new “fairly.” First, there’d be a debate regard- oriented thinking. They were into weird took the sides they would be expected to. Homeless service providers are al- No comparable comprehensive system has calities. This abandonment is compounded drugs that went unchecked long after the drugs. But we need to spend to save lives and ing the application of the concept “fair” ethical absolutist ideas, like “Everyone But the umpire wouldn’t budge. ready overwhelmed with the demands ever existed in the United States. by a changing work environment perme- dire consequences of such narcotics were reduce sickness, not on expensive, income- to the situation at hand. A debate, among has to get to play,” and “It’s not fair if some- The inevitable happened. Steve finally of the job — which certainly hasn’t been So, what’s happening? The economists ated by automation and novel technologies. known. A carnival of greed and chaos generating procedures that do little to improve mostly 9- and 10-year-olds. Fortunately, one’s left out.” Even if that kid’s fine with said the words we were all expecting to made any easier by covid-19. But they’re proffer pointed explanations to provide The dignity of work is a critical factor allowed slime-ball profiteers to rake in health. Or worst of all, on enriching pharma there were usually a couple of older kids it — maybe especially because of that. hear: still working to center racial equity in their clarity and encourage practical ways to ad- in this study. A vast number of solid jobs vertiginous sums as they fostered a grow- companies that feed the opioid epidemic.” standing by who, based on their longer “If we don’t make him play, someone else “This is all wrong! I won’t stand for work. Unfortunately, it can’t be just up to dress this calamity. They are not engaged endeavored over the lifetime of working ing population of addicts. One particularly An alarming piece by journalist Wil- institutional memory, could recommend might decide not to play” was never said, this! I’m taking my ball and bat and gloves them to address this massive imbalance; in a condemnation of capitalism. Quite people — employment that offered decent egregious example: “In one two-year pe- liam Wan appeared this month in The long-accepted standard practices. but only because they didn’t want anyone and going home. You can all have fun play- by the time a person is homeless, they’ve the contrary: They argue it is a productive wages, security and consistency for workers riod, nine million pills were shipped to a Washington Post warning of a looming Team captains would be selected. to get the idea. ing baseball with sticks and rocks!” already been failed by the system too system that has generated wealth and in- without college degrees — are increasingly pharmacy in Kermit, West Virginia, popu- mental health crisis related to psycho- The guy who brought the gear would, of So, I’d be forced onto one team or And he did! It wasn’t a bluff! many times. Racial disparity in homeless- novation and afforded an enhancement of a thing of the past. Union membership has lation 406.” This is only one aspect of dys- logical stress precipitated by coronavirus. course, be one team captain. Some other other, which invariably meant that team I’m so hoping Trump isn’t bluffing and ness doesn’t start when someone becomes living conditions for multitudes in many shrunk drastically. Too many of today’s avail- functional elements in for-profit medicine. The same afflictions detailed by Case and guy would assert flatly that he’d be the then had an extra player. really does quit Twitter. n homeless; it started 200 years ago and has parts of the world. able jobs are low-paying and/or part-time In 2019, the Global Health Security Index Deaton are arising anew. Our perenni- opposing team captain, and hopefully that The solution to the inequality: One been perpetuated ever since. n This evokes the comment Winston affairs with no benefits. The so-called gig reported that of 195 countries surveyed, the ally incoherent and underfunded mental would be that. (Objections could mean player on my team would be taken off Churchill uttered in the House of Com- economy is often the only option for those adequacy of U.S. health care — “the most health system will not likely be capable another hour spent arguing, so most of us that team and made umpire. I’d volunteer Sound off to Dr. Wes: Hanna Brooks Olsen is a writer. Her mons in 1947 regarding democratic gov- seeking a job. A growing portion of working expensive in the world” — was tied with of sufficiently meeting this burgeoning would just let it go with a shrug.) but be turned down. “You don’t know the [email protected] work has appeared in GOOD Magazine, ernance: “Indeed it has been said that de- age individuals — mostly men, the so-called Gambia in 175th place. challenge. n Then the actual selections of the team rules of baseball.” Bust, the Atlantic, the Nation and others. REALCHANGE REALCHANGE 10 CROSSWORD/CALENDAR June 3 – 9, 2020 June 3 – 9, 2020 NEWS 11 DOWN Olly Olly Oxen Free 1 Misters, in old India PROTEST Continued from Page 6 Puzzle by Patrick “Mac” McIntyre 2 An association of teams, nations or voters, or three nautical miles VOTING 3 Like the decors of Trump Tower and A block away from the stage where ACROSS Mar-a-Lago Not This Time would speak to the gath- 1 S l i p p e r y ____ 4 Hog’s home sweet home ered masses, protesters milled at Fifth RIGHTS 6 Nos. and ltrs. on checks (Abbr.) 5 Head lines, for short? (Abbr.) 10 Take down a ____ (humble) and Pine, reeling from the tear gas that 6 U.S. Supreme Ct. Justice Samuel 13 Hawk’s home police launched into the crowd. Several 7 Wounded combatant’s battlefield cry FOR 14 Some jeans 8 Places for crowns people crouched as others poured milk 15 Inlet 9 Kazakhstan, once (Abbr.) down their faces to stop the effects of 16 Foot-launched aircraft (2 wds.) (4,6) 10 Plug-in carpenter’s tool (2 wds.) (5,3) the gas. Some launched plastic water FORMER 18 Has a tab 11 High point for many adventurous bottles into the gathered officers. 19 Alternatives to Krogers and Safeways Sherpas (Abbr./acron.) Accounts of what prompted the 12 Some appliances (Abbr.) FELONS 20 Going ___ (fighting) (2 wds.) (2,2) escalation against the protesters vary. 15 Brewski (2 wds.) (4,3) 21 Every Ray, but no Marlin? (Abbr.) Commentary on social media placed 17 PC linkup (Abbr./acron.) 22 One on the losing end of a joke or a 21 Intended recipients of “...liberty and the blame squarely on the shoulders In the US, a person’s right to vote is joint, maybe justice...” per the Pledge of Allegiance of the police, saying that civilians had taken away when they are charged with 23 Restriction imposed by an NC-17 24 “Uncle” (2 wds.) (1,4) done nothing to warrant it. In a series a felony. Contributor Vendors Paul and rating (2 wds.) (2,8) 25 12/31, briefly of press conferences held the following Shawn have charges that happened more 26 ____ later, alligator (old slangy goodbye) 27 Electric guitar hookup 28 8 x 10, often day, Mayor Jenny Durkan and Seattle than 25 years ago, and they have not been 30 Not silently 29 Tiki bar cocktail (2 wds.) (3,3) Police Chief Carmen Best would tell able to get their voting rights restored. 31 Fleming who created 007 Photo by Susan Fried 34 ___ the Great (boy detective of kidlit) reporters that protesters had instigated Here are their stories. 32 Word after “bow” or “bolo” 35 Where well-camouflaged items and 33 Army crawler the violence by throwing frozen water Protesters weave through the haze of tear gas that police shot into the crowd on Pine Street. people may be hidden (3 wds.) (2,5,4) 35 Hoosier bottles, Molotov cocktails and rocks Paul A. 38 Feudal serf 36 Bright hue with radiance between at police. t would mean a whole lot if I could 40 Fair exchange for two fins (2 wds.) (3,3) the colors of orange and purple (2 It was the beginning of hours of sanctioned protests ultimately would ered, according to SPD. Reports that the vote. I do believe that everybody 41 Daily newspaper numbers puzzle wds.) (4,3) 43 Popular mints back-and-forth between protesters and not receive. guns may have been used to shoot other I should have that right to do what their 37 Close of business? 48 Feature of many Russian Orthodox police that took place at various loca- The situation at Westlake contin- vehicles have not been substantiated by conscience says. If I had the right or privi- 38 The fifth of August? churches and totally bald men (2 tions throughout the city. They clashed ued to escalate. Protesters smashed video evidence. The official SPD Twitter lege back, I think I would help the people 39 “Awe-SOME!” (3-4) wds.) (5,5) 42 Elizabethan dramatist Thomas who at Westlake and in front of police head- the windows and slashed the tires of a feed initially said that shots had not been who are running for office — maybe we 53 Heated competition? predated Shakespeare quarters, where the air was so thick police vehicle before setting it on fire, fired, and later revised their statement can get somebody in there that would 54 Guardian’s charge SOLUTION 44 Chef Lagasse with tear gas that this reporter could, at creating smaller explosions that some to show their uncertainty. have some common sense. When you 55 Love letter sign off 45 Modify, as software one point, feel the effects from a block posited were caused by ammunition still Just a block away, the Not This Time get the privilege back, it does help build 56 Plug-in vehicle, briefly (RACE Not Exactly 46 Joined (up with) anagram) away. Protesters took over I-5, flowing in the vehicle. Police reported two rifles rally continued unabated. Smoke billow- self-esteem — like you’re accomplishing 47 Pressure Bionic 57 Nota ___ (Pay particular heed to) (Lat.) north in the southbound lane, snarling taken from disabled police vehicles by something. Once you’re stamped as a felon, 49 Nitrous ___ (laughing gas) May 27 Issue 58 Chariot-race venue traffic and demanding attention that the protesters, both of which were recov- See PROTEST Continued on Page 12 you lose everything. You lose your right 50 Moved around slowly and aimlessly 60 Something a marksman might draw 51 Montreal nine, once to vote; sometimes your place to live. It’s Donate an old car to on a target? Solutions to 52 Michigan’s ___ Canals harder to find jobs. It hurts you all the way 61 Prefix with graph or logical this week’s 57 Air rifle ammo SWEEPS Continued from Page 4 services is challenging in the best of times Instead, Lucero wants to see the around. One mistake and you’re screwed. REAL CHANGE 62 West Wing workers 58 That guy because of the many contacts needed to Navigation Team transition into a com- Everybody has to learn by their mistakes. puzzle 63 RR stop (Abbr.) 59 “___ Kapital” (Marx’s masterwork) 1.877.537.5277 will appear 64 Prescription drugs, briefly a single quarter to just four since March, do something as basic as getting people munity-based policing model grounded We need to have better bus services. in the Sixkiller said. He maintained that those into shelter. If a client doesn’t have a reli- in mental health and a more collabora- I’d like to vote on that. Cutting property realchangenews.org/index.php/site/giving 65 Mushers’ vehicles next issue. individuals were given offers of congre- able means of communication, finding tive effort to share resources to tackle taxes — I’d like to vote on something like gate shelter, which also fit within CDC them in person is the only way of getting the crisis. that. Voting on, if they have it, healthcare. guidelines. them help. That’s far more difficult if en- Ultimately, the more than five hours [I’d also like to vote] on what they’re going Almost all King County events are canceled, so we’re listing “Congregate shelter is not unsafe, and campments are being swept, Kwon said. of discussion brought up new information to do for the homeless, because I’d like to Streaming to stay sane streaming events for optimal physical distancing I’m concerned about a narrative suggest- The meeting was split into two panels, and clarified details, but did not move see people get in office who are going to ing otherwise,” Sixkiller said. the first with the executive team and the toward any concrete action. Durkan’s do something for the homeless instead June 10 rights as a tenant and how to assert excellent event to include in your Pride to the covid-19 crisis, which is provid- Seattle and King County have invested second with service providers, including signature is still necessary for emergency of sweeping the homeless up and under those rights for themselves or their Month celebrations. ing meals, groceries, social worker Tenant Rights Bootcamp neighbors. outreach and other essential services in “de-intensifying” existing shelters since Kwon. That group had a split opinion on legislation, and the deputy mayors made the rug. 6:30 p.m., register at link, free Rainbow Truth or Dare Pajama Party, to local seniors. To play, you’ll have to the pandemic hit by moving people out of the efficacy and necessity of sweeps, with it plain from the outset that she would tinyurl.com/yayc7wmc June 12 7–8 p.m., register at link, $20 donation, create a team and go from there, so existing shelters where they can sleep as roughly half saying they were detrimental be unlikely to change her position on the Shawn L. This Tenant Rights Bootcamp is a panel Beyond the G: Intersectionality Panel, tinyurl.com/y9zc74vf recruit some friends and have fun! little as six inches apart and spreading to the public health effort as they are cur- matter. e, I’m not a voter. I can’t vote. hosted by Be:Seattle and about topics 6:30–8:30 p.m., register at link, pay what Calling all West Seattle residents! Syl- them out. That hasn’t stopped outbreaks rently executed and the other saying that “Just as there is no simple answer and And the reason why is because ranging from how apartment repairs you can, tinyurl.com/y7qshgcm via O’Stayformore’s beloved Rainbow June 12 and 14 in shelters, however. they can be necessary. solution to homelessness, there is no two- M I’m a felon. should be handled to understanding BINGO nights are back and starting the current situation with covid-19 Tune in to this panel of folx exploring Crispy Scallion Pancake Cooking Lesson, According to a document from Seattle Alison Eisinger, executive director page bill that can capture the nuances If I had a chance to vote, you want the queer art, expression and identity as with your neighborhood senior center! and how it affects you. Panelists While the facility may still be closed, 5 p.m./10:30 a.m., register at link, $15, & King County Public Health posted by of the Seattle King County Coalition on and substitute for the professional judg- people you’re voting for to do what they say include organizers from the Tenants well as any relevant questions you may tinyurl.com/y7cnfff9 Seattle Times reporter Sydney Brown- Homelessness, said that she didn’t oppose ment of the [Navigation] Team, police and they’re going to do. Don’t say that you’re have. The panel will feature Rebecca that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Union of Washington and the office This month, join in from the comfort Dash of Soy will be hosting this one- stone, 258 clients and staff in shelters moving people along if it meant they got firefighters, outreach workers and hu- going to do this [when in fact] you can’t of Councilmember Kshama Sawant. Mmm Davis, Chesty La Rue, Miss An- of your home dressed in your finest hour cooking class to teach you how to have been diagnosed with covid-19, the into a better situation than the encamp- man service providers to respond to the do it, or you don’t do it. Voting, yes, it does This bootcamp is a great resource for drea Mars, Coco Lopez, Beau NusHole and Isabella L. Price. Count it as an pajamas. This event aims to raise over make her family’s classic crispy scallion disease caused by the coronavirus. At ment. complex issues that present themselves bring good opportunities — but you just anyone who is looking to learn their $5,000 for the Senior Center’s response pancakes. The recipe uses three simple ingredients — flour, water and scallions least one shelter had to shut down as a “Unfortunately, that is rarely taking in some unsanctioned encampments,” want the people that you’re voting for to — and is largely influenced by the tech- result. place,” Eisinger said, noting that fewer Fong said. be realistic [about what they can achieve]. niques and tips you’ll learn in this class. While the CDC guidance does include than 100 new shelter spaces have opened Recognizing that, Lewis called for a I’ve been out for almost 13 years now, You can enjoy the pancake on its own recommendations for maintaining safe up and that making it harder for people second meeting on June 10 to talk about and I had 20 years in. You’ve always got with a chili sauce, or as a side to your congregate shelter, it also explicitly sug- to connect to services didn’t help anyone. potential changes to the multi-departmen- people who are trying to criticize you. dinner served as bread. Either way, it’s absolutely delicious and a great recipe gests leaving encampments where they Things need to change, but defunding tal administrative rules (mdars) that cur- When you’re trying to do right, they’re and skill to add to your repertoire. are “if individual housing options are not the Navigation Team isn’t the answer, said rently govern encampment removals. The trying to see the wrong in you. Anything available.” The guidance does not connect Esther Lucero, chief executive officer of mdars were revisited in a lengthy process that you do, they look at you as a criminal. June 13-14 the steps to make congregate shelter safer the United Indian Health Board. in 2017 that resulted in some reforms, but Whether you can vote or not vote, it’s Chase the Light, All weekend, register at with encampment clearances. Lucero’s staff has stopped three rapes. have mostly fallen by the wayside because a question. You gotta really look into who link, $20 suggested donation, tinyurl.com/ “Clearing encampments can cause Their building has been broken into sev- they only apply to sweeps where 72 hours’ you’re actually voting for. Sometimes I yaukvc4l people to disperse throughout the com- eral times, costing thousands of dollars notice is given. wish I could vote, and sometimes I’m Chase The Light is Photographic Center munity and break connections with ser- in repairs and heightened security. People Under Durkan’s time in office, the vast glad I can’t vote. And if I can’t vote for Northwest’s (PCNW) annual summer vice providers,” the guidance reads. “This have overdosed in their bathroom and majority of sweeps have been conducted them and I know they’re doing positive fundraising event celebrating photog- increases the potential for infectious thrown feces on staff. under the umbrella of “hazards or obstruc- things, then I’m going to represent them raphy and community. The event starts with a 48-hour weekend photo shoot. disease spread.” The burden of dealing with the crisis tions,” meaning they do not have to give [instead]. On my corner, I’m going to wear All you need is a camera (any kind will Jessica Kwon, an outreach worker on the streets, which has been exacer- warning and most protections under the my T-shirt and I’m going to wear my hat. do) and inspiration. You’ll then submit with REACH who works with people ex- bated by the coronavirus crisis, is falling MDARs do not apply. I’m going to pass out fliers to people I your work Monday, June 15. A panel periencing unsheltered homelessness, told on organizations like hers without mon- The three large sweeps in May all fell know. My mother used to campaign and of industry professionals will choose councilmembers that the CDC predictions etary support from the city or county, under these rules. work in the offices to help people become one image from each artist to show- case June 20, when anyone can order have already come to pass. Lucero said. “Esther Lucero pointed out rather well mayor or president. So that’s where I get a copy of your work. This fundraiser is “This was happening before covid “Everybody is doing this work inde- that we should be able to find a way to it from. n a great way to support the PCNW and and it’s happening during covid and I pendently and we’re not doing it together,” come together and come to some kind of your own photographic work. still haven’t been able to find most of my Lucero said. “So, we are left with scarcity accord,” Lewis said. — Hannah Herner clients,” Kwon said. of resources and no effort to gather to The council plans to resume the con- — Michelle Galluzzo Connecting people with resources and solve problems.” versation June 10. n Courtesy of The Contributor / INSP.ngo REALCHANGE 12 SPECIAL REPORT June 3 – 9, 2020

PROTEST Continued from Page 11 outside instigators. No evidence was who are used to reporting on protests presented to substantiate that claim. unmolested — posted evidence of being ing from the destroyed vehicle was vis- The next morning, people returned targeted by armed police online. ible, but the did not reflect to Westlake to clean up the mess left No one knows, yet, if Floyd’s death the nearby tension. by the protests the day before. They and the protests that followed will Andre Taylor spoke directly to white scrubbed graffiti off the walls and at- lead to the kind of change that the people in the crowd, chiding them for tempted to restore order. In a matter young man in Westlake Park believed attempting to “reduce” the privilege of hours, protesters were back and he might see. that spares them from the same lev- chanted and marched throughout Sun- It has caused many mayors and els of police violence as Black people day, standing off against police as the other officials, including Durkan and when they organize with the Black clock ticked past the curfew. Best, to commit to improvements. Many community. The rage that boiled over following advocates in Seattle will scoff at that, “That’s the wrong message,” Taylor Floyd’s death, like the overall Black given that Durkan is simultaneously said. “It’s almost insulting. We’ve been Lives Matter movement, has proven to paving the way to remove Department doing this a long time. We’ve got this be more than a passing phase. It was ac- of Justice oversight that SPD has la- together. companied by documented incidences bored under since 2011 due to findings “We need you to operate in your of police violence against protesters, be of excessive use of force. privilege,” he continued. “It is your Photo by Mark White it New York Police Department vehicles But Taylor sees the rhetoric as a privilege, your genius and the power of A protester holds up a sign with an anti- driving through crowds of people, a marker by which to measure actions your position that you need to bring.” racist social media hashtag. couple tased and dragged out of their moving forward. Behind him, a Black woman with a vehicle in Georgia or injuries from rub- “You can hold people accountable megaphone called on white people to ber bullets and other “non-lethal” forms for their words when they say them,” use that privilege in the confrontation of crowd control in Los Angeles and Taylor said Sunday afternoon, flanked with police. ers and pushed them into the street. As other cities. Dozens of journalists — by the same elected officials. n “I need white bodies in the front,” two seemingly white men attempted she yelled, her voice thick with emo- to break another window, a woman of tion. “That is what I need. I need white color began yelling at them to stop. bodies in the front.” “That’s what they fucking want,” she At 5:04 p.m. text messages from said, referring to the authorities. Alert Seattle popped up on cell phones At Durkan’s request, Gov. Jay Inslee declaring 5 p.m. curfews that night and approved the deployment of up to 200 Sunday. It was followed by an emailed members of the National Guard to assist statement from Mayor Jenny Durkan local police in keeping order. that suggested enforcement would be used only if necessary to keep order. Against the ropes The majority of attendees cleared Much would be made of who was out for the day. Some would return on responsible for the destruction and Sunday for another action. looting that went on late into the night. Others stayed and began breaking Durkan described them as predomi- windows and removing items from nately young, white men intent on chaos stores. They knocked over flower plant- and destruction. Best said they were