By Chris B. Bennet
The Seattle Medium
The public perception of the Black Lives Matter organization is one of taking to the streets, marching, agitating, rallying and protesting the deaths of unarmed Black people at the hands of the police. However, despite common belief, Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLM), the local Black Lives Matter organization, has no involvement in organizing or formally participating in the recent protest in Seattle.
In fact, the organization “cautioned our communities to not participate in protests due to COVID-19; which Black and other people of color are disproportionately impacted by.” Even though the organization, which is comprised of a 12-member board, was not actively taking to the streets, they have been working very hard, outside of the public view, to be supportive and proactive in their attempts to address the issues of police misconduct/accountability in a meaningful way to effect change. One of their support initiatives was their establishment of a BLM Seattle Freedom Fund, which raised over a quarter of a million dollars in just a few days, in order to help protestors with bail and arrest related expenses here in Seattle.
“Black Lives Matter Seattle King County has had no role in any of the protests that have occurred in the Greater Seattle area,” says Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County Chair Ebony Miranda.
“However, while we didn’t want to encourage people to risk their health protesting, we understood the need and demand for direct community support,” continued Miranda. “This is why our organization has donated to bail funds across the country, and soon after created our own bail fund to provide local support.”
BLM board member Marlon Brown agrees with the importance to prioritize safety when it comes to the current need of addressing the killing of Black people at the hands of law enforcement in lieu of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Our board of directors was initially conflicted about whether to boost these demonstrations, as your safety is of utmost importance,” says Brown. “Ultimately, we decided that the situation is too dangerous for us to encourage greater attendance at these in-person protests.”
“We recognize that protesting is a tool, a powerful demonstration of collective communication,” added Brown. “[But] When using this tool, we must also consider the question, what will we gain from protesting? We want to be strategic, leveraging every ounce of effectiveness from the investment of time, talent, treasure, and risk to physical safety.”
“We refuse to encourage our community members to needlessly risk their lives and their health during this time when other avenues of action are available,” concluded Brown.
In keeping with their commitment to progress and justice, BLM issued a list of demands to state and local officials, three of which have already been addressed. These include:
• The City of Seattle rescinding its motion asking to end the consent decree with the Justice Department. That motion was rescinded earlier this week by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan.
• Ending the city-wide curfews imposed during the protests. Mayor Durkan announced the termination of the curfews on Weds., June 3.
• That all law enforcement at demonstrations turn on their body cams and leave them on throughout the entirety of their shift, and that each officer’s badge number be unhidden and on full display.
In response to officers covering their badges for mourning, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best issued a public statement with instructions on how officers should properly wear “mourning bands.”
“Mourning bands have deep meaning in law enforcement and are a long-standing way of honoring those who are killed in the line of duty,” said Best. “However, some of the public’s perception is that it is a way of officers to possibly hide their identity, even though name tags are prominently displayed on the outer most clothing. The Department must strike a balance between honoring officers who are killed in the line of duty and our responsibility to maintain the public’s trust.”
“Effective immediately, all officers will have their badge numbers prominently displayed.
Therefore, when donning a mourning band, it must be placed horizontally so that your badge number is not obscured,” added Best.
BLM is also asking that the City of Seattle to establish a de-escalation team that is dedicated solely to de-escalating tensions in the community and during protests.
“Our demands so far are common sense means of de-escalating the recent violence,” says BLM Treasurer Livio De La Cruz. “Unfortunately, after seeing several years of Black Lives Matter activism, it appears that “de-escalation” is stillnot in the City’s vocabulary or operating mindset. In fact, every decision that the City has made this week seems intent on escalating the violence. A team dedicated solely to de-escalating tensions will be much more effective at remedying the current situation.
In addition, BLM is demanding that local officials take the following actions:
• That the City Council, the state legislature, and Congress all consider efforts to decrease funding for police and instead increase funding for health and social services.
• Address the holes in I-940 and revise the legislation.
• End the sweeping of homeless encampments.
• Abolish fare enforcement on public transit.
• The suspension of public transit fares for the rest of the year.
• that the City of Seattle drop the inquest lawsuit with King County.
• and that Community Oversight be a part of the bargaining process.
At the end of the day, BLM says that they reserve the right to take to the streets in the future. They also want protestors to know that they stand with them and want them to keep their eye on the prize, and that its going to take a collective effort to bring about the change they are fighting for.
“We understand why people are marching for Black Lives,” says Brown. “We see you. We hear you. We appreciate you. We need local and state officials to feel you and hear you, too.”
“The demand is simple. Stop killing us,” continued Brown. “Do whatever is required to save our lives and to prevent the next murder by excessive force. This is a marathon, not a sprint. The victory will be hollow if we’re at the finish line alone.”
Additionally, BLM cautions there may be people outside of their organization who may imply or present themselves as members of Black Lives Matter. BLM advises that they are not currently selling shirts, banners, or other merchandise; nor are they currently partnering with or running joint fundraisers with any other groups, organizations. The only way to purchase official items that benefit the organization or to make a donation this through their website blacklivesseattle.org.
“If it’s not on our website, then it’s not from our chapter, and the proceeds from those sales are likely not supporting BLM Seattle-King County,” say De La Cruz.
