Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLMSKC) has announced a slate of demands and direct actions for supporters to take during today’s National Strike for Black Lives.
BLMSKC will post online actions hourly on their Facebook, beginning at 8 a.m. PDT. The full slate is available at blackliveseattle.org.
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County organized the day of action in solidarity with local and national labor unions.
“Every day, Black and Brown bodies are sacrificed to protect society’s comfort and save the economy,” said BLMSKC Board Chair Ebony Miranda. “With cases on the rise statewide, we need to make sure we are supporting workers with proper testing, PPE and overall healthcare. The health and wellness of essential workers is currently an afterthought. This is a public health crisis. This is racism. Racism is a public health crisis.”
The actions call on supporters to stand with Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County in demanding change from city, county and state officials.
At noon, BLMSKC will hold a live strike on their Facebook page for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd, killing him. Partner organizations will be hosting similar events on their pages.
Hourly actions
8 a.m.
Declare racism a public health crisis in Washington state
9 a.m.
End youth incarceration in King County by 2026
10 a.m.
Defund the police
11 a.m.
End cash bail in Washington state
12 Noon
Strike now on Facebook
12:10 p.m.
End legal loopholes for hate and bias crimes against LGBTQ+ and BIPOC residents in Washington state
1 p.m.
Dismantle the school to prison pipeline
2 p.m.
End homeless encampment sweeps, during COVID and beyond
3 p.m.
PPE and ongoing testing and medical care for all incarcerated persons in Washington state
4 p.m.
Free public transportation and an immediate end to fare enforcement on Sound Transit and King County Metro
5 p.m.
Restore the right to vote for people convicted of felonies as well as those currently incarcerated
Locally, the strike is being coordinated with SEIU 775 and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
“When caregivers see the lives of Black people being diminished, we are called to take action,” said SEIU 775 President Sterling Harders. “We have fought systemic racism since we became a union—and we will not stop. Our work has been undervalued because historically many caregivers were Black women, who remain a large part of the national caregiving workforce. It’s time for the essential health care work of caregivers to be respected. Caregivers are proud to support today’s Strike for Black Lives because Black Lives Matter every day.”
Nationally, other participants in the Strike for Black Lives include: Movement for Black Lives, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, American Federation of Teachers, United Farm Workers, Athena, United Food and Commercial Workers, National Domestic Workers Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union.
