Wednesday May 6th, 2015

City Council member Bruce Harrell, chair of public safety, civil rights, and technology was joined by council members Licata and Bagshaw to discuss the “May Day events and the demonstrations and the pubic safety response as a result of that”. Members of the public signed up to make public comment and their audio can be heard below. SPD commanders Steve Wilske and Chris Fowler were also on hand to answer questions and you can hear them beginning at the 36:10 mark.

Audio Recoring: May Day Police Response – Public Comment, City Council Members Harrell, Bagshaw, Licata, and SPD Commanders Wilske and Fowler 150506_0088

I’ve taken a few excerpts from the audio recording and quoted them below.

“My philosophy mirrors the department philosophy…We will do everything we can to facilitate peoples peaceful expression of first amendment free speech rights but we will immediately respond if there are acts of violence against any person or acts that constitute significant property damage. This philosophy was transmitted to every officer that worked this event from me to Captain Fowler to them in specific order that that is our philosophy on this event.” – Wilske

Incident Commander was Chris Fowler

Asked for and received assistance from Bellevue PD, the Valley team or Valley unit, (Tukiwila, Renton), King County Sherriffs office, University of Washington – Steve Wilske (No mention of Port of Seattle Police)

Chirs Fowler spoke on the anti-capitalist march, he arrived at 6pm.

“between 75-100-150 individuals gathered inside the park wearing what we would consider um anti-capitalist um anarchist, whatever the terminology may be used…it was masks, it was head coverings, um and a lot of the signs, black flags. Just a much larger group of people in that vein, that I had seen before certainly not since the WTO, not being pejorative with that statement…” – Fowler

“the mood of this crowd appeared to be more potentially confrontational” – Fowler

“Our first goal is to support and enhance a peaceful march for the protesting and first amendment, free speech rights, which is how we ended up initially deploying, to support that.” – Fowler

“The crowd became assaultive, the officers made the arrest at that point and they started hitting the officers with sticks and at about that point on the crowd  changed from one of a demonstration into what I termed eventually a riot.”- Fowler

I saw was marchers just marching and I saw what looked like a police officer on a bike ram them…I’m just telling you honestly what I saw. It looked unprovoked, and then after that, I’ll call it sort of a tackling if you will, it was like a ramming, then several other officers did it, and then all melee broke out and there was pepper spray. Things went completely sideways.” – Harrell

“…That seemed like the first act of violence, the first act of unfairness, followed by melee and I don’t know what provoked that and I have a hard time understanding that otherwise…” Harrell

“Not being there, and I haven’t talked to specific officers, but there was probable cause to arrest that individual, and again, the philosophy is always been in peaceful protest, but when people commit acts of violence or serious property damage, then we want them to take action and make that arrest. Those officers at the scene developed that probable cause. They quickly formed an appropriate plan to manage arresting that individual based on the configuration of the crowd. They made that arrest. They surrounded the arrestee, and the officers who were doing that physical arrest, making it safer not only for them but for the rest of the crowd.” – Fowler

“I guess what I’m having a hard time understanding, is why that was the chosen path to arrest. It seems like that created a melee… He wasn’t in the present act of committing a crime, he wasn’t running away, he wasn’t hiding, and it seemed like we could have been a little smarter on our approach…” Harrell

“Wouldn’t you agree that a person on a bicycle, trying to arrest someone while on a bike, from behind, is…it does seem a little idiotic” – Harrell

“The officers determined based on what had gone on up to that point, based on the assault on the officer and based on the crowd size which at that point was approximately 500 to 700. That that was the most tactically reasonable and safe way to make that arrest.” – Fowler

(The crowd grew from 150-500 in 30 minutes?)

If someone is willing to assault a police officer, I think it’s reasonable to infer that they would assault other people…The arrest that immediately followed the assault makes sense to me for the officers to arrest that person and prevent any future violence.” -Wilske

“Our department are said to be the experts on deescalation, the experts on smart policing, reasonable force,…there seems to be a better way to approach this” – Harrell

“On the use of flash bangs…there doesn’t seem to be an established policy on the use of flash bangs… what is the instruction on how to use, what are we telling our force on the use of flash bangs” – Harrell

“We don’t use flash bangs, what we use is what’s called a blast ball” – Wilske

“…We have specially trained officers on the department, it’s fairly limited number. We do annual training, our lead trainer in this is a nationally recognized expert in the use of these tools or less lethal devices. The training consists of a power point presentation and classroom instruction, a test to ensure you have proper knowledge of when and when not to use it, and a practical test to show that you can deploy it properly….These are small numbers of hand picked officers…” – Wilske

40 officers are trained to use blast balls, 28 are trained to use “blue tipped impact sponges” or 40mm launchers aka “direct impact, which just means it specifically targeted a particular person” – Wilske

“Does the training suggest you can just throw it up in the air? These devices are hitting people. Is that consistent with the training our officers are trained to do… Are they designed to be thrown in the air, at people, or on the ground?” – Harrell

You try for open areas, but again, people can move, so you try for open areas around people, but then again, people can move.” – Wilske

“When they hit people, is that inconsistent with our policy? – Harrell

“The blast ball is not intended as a direct munition against an individual. It’s intended to manage crowd control situations.” – Fowler

“The other one is a direct impact munition which is aimed at an individual.” – Fowler

Bruce Harrell also asked for exact numbers for “blue tipped impact sponges” fired and “blast balls” used. The SPD doesn’t have immediate information regarding those exact numbers.

“Up until the bike incident, I don’t think we used… blue tipped impact sponges or blast balls…after the bike incident, things went sideways” – Harrell

“…1. What is the policy for using impact sponges, what is the proximity, how many did we use, same thing with the blast balls….More importantly is, it seems like all this occurred after we decided to make an arrest on one person… What’s the smartest use of force?” – Harrell

“All use of force are going to be reviewed” – Wilske

Seattle activists return to the streets of Seattle, this time in the South of the city. One group of demonstrators started at the Rainier Community Center while another group met at 23rd and Union in the Central District. The groups converged at Massachusetts St. and Rainier Ave. South after SPD attempted to prevent marching on Rainier Avenue. The more than 150 activists held the intersection for approximately 30 minutes before continuing to Rainier Ave. South and MLK Way where the protest held traffic for over an hour at the intersection as SPD looked on. Speakers ranged from children of color to elders in the community, neighbors to college students, all speaking of oppression and brutality in their communities. There were no known arrests.

From the Facebook event pages…

“This Saturday May 2nd is a National Day of Action for Black Lives Matter. Seattle is responding to this vital call from our Brothers and Sisters in Baltimore United and Ferguson Action networks; we will march in solidarity on Saturday as we confront the violence, injustices, and mistreatment that our own Black Community faces here at home by the Seattle Police Department. We are demanding justice for

#RekiaBoyd
#MayHall
#FreddieGrey
All of the Black victims who have been terrorized and murdered by the police.

This will be a space that is intended to commemorate, highlight, grieve, and celebrate Black Lives in our community. We encourage ALL peoples within the Black Community to attend, especially those who often are most marginalized. We also invite allies who are truly in support of calling out law enforcement that is brutally profiling and murdering our Black mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers- to march with us.

“We support all of our emotions, from our bliss to our anger to our grief…We acknowledge that our uprisings are being fueled by the love we have for ourselves and one another. A love that challenges silence, repression, and death.” – #BlackLivesMatter co-founder Patrisse Cullors-Brignac”

– https://www.facebook.com/events/763616517089415/

and

“Saturday May 2nd is a National Day of Action for Black Lives Matter in which cities across the nation will be confronting state violence against our people. We’re responding to an urgent call from our comrades in Baltimore United and Ferguson Action who are organizing with us under the Black Lives Matter network.

We stand with our brothers and sisters in Baltimore, Chicago and across the country. We demand justice for #FreddieGrey #RekiaBoyd #MyaHall and all victims of police terrorism.

Instead of flooding Baltimore, organizers have been asked to mobilize locally, so that’s what we’ll continue to do.

BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors-Brignac described the radical Black love of these uprisings well by explaining:

“Black people, we are fully deserving of the room and space to fully express our humanity. That is what #BlackLivesMatter is truly about. We support all of our emotions, from our bliss to our anger to our grief…We acknowledge that our uprisings are being fueled by the love we have for ourselves and one another. A love that challenges silence, repression, and death.”

– https://www.facebook.com/events/609654545837523/

Black Lives Matter – May Day 2015 – MLK Park

Immigrants and Workers Rights March – Judkins Park to Seattle Federal Courthouse

Anti-Capitalist/Anti-Police Brutality March – Seattle Central College – Capitol Hill

Several hundred workers, students, teachers, activists, and union members gathered at Occidental Park in Seattle for a rally to mark the start of a protest for living wages in Washington. The demonstration, part of a national day of action, brought together workers from all walks of life, from WalMart to Seattle University, with a focus on labor rights and enforcing the $15 minimum wage in Seattle. The first stop on the route was in front of the Uber offices in Seattle, where activists demanded drivers receive fair compensation. As the march continued towards Westlake Park, workers could be seen raising fists of solidarity, waving, or honking horns as demonstrators walked by. Working Washington and other labor groups met the crowd at Westlake for a speaking event featuring workers from Macy’s, who receive less hours than required to pay their bills. Demonstrators then marched around Macy’s before heading to Cal Anderson to meet with workers from SEIU union members and continued down 12th Ave toward Seattle University. The protest entered the Pigott Auditorium, occupying the space with speakers, and banner drops. As the students filed out of the building, they were directed to 12th and Madison, where 21 activists were peacefully arrested for civil disobedience in protest of poor treatment of adjunct faculty at Seattle University.

From the Facebook event page…

“From SeaTac & Seattle to Olympia & Aberdeen and beyond, working people are rising up and taking on giant corporations like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Alaska Airlines.

We made history by passing a $15/hour minimum wage last year — but $15 in Seattle is just the beginning.

There will be actions & events across the state, but it all comes together in Seattle, when 1000+ will snake through downtown with rallies, actions, and more that let the world know: $15 is just the beginning.

$15 is just the beginning:
Worker rights and justice for all.

SEATTLE:
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
2:00 pm Occidental Park
3:00 pm Westlake Park
3:30 pm Cal Anderson Park
4:30 pm Seattle University (12th & Marion)

http://www.workingwa.org/15-is-just-the-beginning“

– Facebook event page… https://www.facebook.com/events/442588669251306/

Moments after voting to oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership, the Seattle City Council voted to allow three encampments on public and private land in the city, adding shelter beds and case managers, and helping other cities with their homeless populations. Housing activists packed the chambers, standing next to activists opposing the TPP, but showing solidarity by holding signs. Excellent reporting by Heidi Groover can be found here…http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/03/30/21980709/city-council-gets-chance-to-help-homeless-peopleand-does-it

Monday, March 30th 2015

Members of EPIC (Ending the Prison Industrial Complex) and YUIR (Youth Undoing Institutional Racism) joined with local clergy and activists to protest the “Children and Family Justice Center”, that will be replacing the current youth detention center in the coming years. The activists met at Key Arena and walked to the Howard S. Wright construction headquarters where activists set up a table in the lobby of the Wright Construction office. Then, scripture was read, first by Lauren Cannon, then Mike Denton. Rick Derksen then explained why a table was being flipped and compared the action to Jesus in the temple, flipping tables of the bankers. As soon as the collective group flipped the table, it was packed up, leaving coins and letters on the floor and a letter was delivered to the Howard S. Wright Construction company by Brandon Duran. Activists then left the building to meet back at Key Arena for a debrief.

From a pamphlet given out at the event

“Trinity of Talking points: We are here as people of faith in the spirit of Jesus, who overturned the tables in the Jerusalem temple at the beginning of Holy Week, thus challenging a religious, economic, and political system that was exploiting the poor and marginalized of his day.

1. Accountability: We stand in solidarity with Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR) and Ending the Prison Industrial Complex (EPIC) – groups led by youth of color who are collectively organizing to dismantle racist systems.

2. Shifting Narrative: As predominantly white churches/denominations we claim our complicity in upholding structural racism. We know that while we benefit in very tangible ways from these unjust systems, we also pay a very real price both economically, physically, emotionally, morally, and spiritually.

3. Fix Racist Systems: This new youth jail project is an extension of the prison industrial complex in this country and in the U.S. as a whole, a system of modern-day slavery that has a destructive impact primarily on communities of color. We call on you to put your contract with King County on hold until King County agrees to listen to EPIC and YUIR, that is to listen to those communities most impacted by the juvenile justice system in this country.”

Space Needle workers, union members, and labor activists gathered on the steps of the Space Needle for a rally demanding a fair union contract and protesting current low wages. Seattle city council members Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant joined the demonstration and spoke about the need for the symbol of Seattle to treat their workers well and provide a living wage. The National Labor Relations Board has found the Space Needle guilty of 65 labor violations and instead of rectifying the situation, the Space Needle instead chose to fight each separate charge in court, further delaying negotiations and adding to the already 1000 plus days the workers have not received a raise. After the rally, Space Needle workers marched to the head office, located four blocks away, and demanded to be seen by the CEO but were once again blocked by the Director of PR, Dave Mandapat.

From the Unite Here Local 8 Press release…

“SEATTLE – Space Needle workers and labor and community supporters rallied Wednesday to again send the message to Space Needle management that workers deserve a raise.

Wednesday’s rally at the base of the Space Needle featured statements by workers at the Symbol of Seattle who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living in the city.

“I sat my parents down and we went over all the bills that we are responsible for monthly. Just looking at the rent alone, my whole paycheck was used up” said valet cashier Veronica Chernichenko, who stood surrounded by her coworkers next to a banner reading “1,000+ days without a raise.”

The Space Needle has refused to give the cooks, elevator operators, greeters, and other workers a raise for over 1,000 days, instead offering their employees an insulting webinar on how to “live on less.”

“It’s heartbreaking to know that the struggles I’m facing wouldn’t be such a struggle if we got the raises we deserve,” said Chernichenko. “Without the dedicated staff it has, the Space Needle would not be the icon that it is today.”

Space Needle workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 8, have been operating under an expired contract for nearly three years.

Ingersoll Gender Center founder Marsha Botzer MC’d the event, which also featured words of support from Seattle City Council members Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant.

Councilmember Sawant called the behavior of the Seattle landmark “disgraceful.”

Since the union contract expired, Space Needle management has committed a number of violations of federal labor law, including coercing and intimidating union workers. A January ruling by the NLRB would punish the Space Needle for its attempted union-busting and bring two workers back to work with significant back pay. However, the Space Needle has chosen to appeal the ruling, further delaying justice for workers.

“I encourage the Space Needle to drop its appeal of the NLRB ruling and to restore my and your employees’ pride, faith and trust in the Space Needle Corporation,” said Councilmember Licata.

Following the rally, which drew over 75 workers and labor and community supporters, workers marched to Space Needle corporate headquarters on 6^th Avenue. There, they delivered a petition with the signatures of a majority of Space Needle workers and over 500 supporters calling on the company to drop its legal appeal of the NLRB decision and to give workers a raise.

This is the second time that a majority of workers have expressed their need for a raise directly to Space Needle management, and the second time that the company has failed to meaningfully address workers’ concerns.

Management did recently announced that they would be hiring 200 temporary summer employees, many at a higher wage rate than most current union employees. The first summer hiring fair was also scheduled to take place on March 18.

###

UNITE HERE Local 8, the hospitality union of the Pacific Northwest, represents nearly 5,000 workers in hospitality and foodservice throughout Washington and Oregon, including SkyCity restaurant employees, banquet servers, elevator operators, greeters, and other workers at the Space Needle. For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.unitehere8.org

Abby Lawlor

UNITE HERE! Local 8

2800 First Ave. Ste. 3

Seattle, WA 98121

(206) 963-6458

abby@unitehere8.org

www.unitehere8.org“

Hundreds of Seattle University students and faculty walked out of class to join Seattle city council members Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant in a picket on the grounds of Seattle University. Protestors demanded an end to union busting, as adjunct faculty are currently unable to unionize, although a vote by the adjunct professors shows interest. Kshama Sawant, who worked for both Seattle Central College and Seattle University as adjunct faculty at the same time, said “I was paid significantly more at Seattle Central, because I had a union that had negotiated a better contract”. Seattle University joined with other universities and colleges around the country for a national day of action in support of adjunct and non tenured teachers.

From the Facebook event page…

“On February 25 at noon many of our professors, both adjunct and tenured, will be going walking off the job. They are striking because Seattle University administration has been fighting adjunct unionization on the grounds that they deserve religious exemption from labor law. The NLRB ruled that religious institutions are not exempt but SU has not shown signs of budging. Adjuncts face inadequate working conditions, unfair wage compensation and have no job stability.

Your adjunct faculty are asking for your support in their strike. Please consider attending the walkout in solidarity with our professors as well as faculty nationwide who will also be walking out.

Meet at the flagpole for a teach-in by professors. We will then move to 12th Ave and Columbia for a picket to draw public attention to the plight of SU adjuncts.

Please also sign our student letter committing to support of the SU unionization efforts: https://925.seiu.org/page/signup/we-are-seattle-university-and-we-are-walking-out-1.”

For more information on the National Adjunct Walkout Day…

http://nationaladjunct.tumblr.com/