Tag Archives: 2023

Seattle Protest for Palestine Shuts Down Capitol Hill Starbucks and Disrupts Westlake Christmas Tree Lighting

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November 24th, 2023

Seattle, WA

Nearly 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room on Capitol Hill in Seattle to protest Starbucks and their alleged* support of Israel. After disrupting the full coffee business, customers were told to exit through side doors, all entrances were locked and workers were sent home through alley exits.

The protest then moved to Westlake Park by marching down Pine St. via Melrose Ave. Upon entering the area of the holiday event, a circle was formed in the street after meeting up with another group of pro-Palestine protestors. Using banners and the bike brigade to create space, the area between the Westlake stage and the tree became a protest area. Some tables were overturned as activists took over the stage to hold a banner.  Despite some yelling from those there to see a tree with lights, there was little interaction between them and those protesting for human lives.

Activists took turns speaking about the atrocities in Palestine, some protestors released balloons with signs reading “Merry Genocide”, “Free Palestine”, and “Let Gaza Live”, and eventually the tree was lit, and the crowds began leaving.

*(A key element of Starbucks’ potential backing for Israel is found in its most prominent private shareholder, Howard Schultz. Recognized for his unwavering advocacy of Zionism, Schultz possesses a significant ownership stake in Starbucks and has actively endorsed Israel’s economic endeavors. Particularly noteworthy is Schultz’s high-profile investment of $1.7 billion in an Israeli cybersecurity startup named Wiz. This financial commitment underscores Schultz’s dedication to fostering Israel’s economic prosperity and technological progress, raising inquiries about Starbucks’ implicit alignment with Israeli interests.). https://fortune.com/2021/04/07/wiz-howard-schultz-investment-fundraising-cybersecurity-startups-starbucks-ceo/

According to Reuters, “Asked for comment, Starbucks referred to a statement on its website about its operations in the Middle East that was updated in October. The statement said the company was a non-political organisation and dismissed rumours that it had provided support to the Israeli government or army. Starbucks, which earlier this month reported record revenues for the fourth quarter, said it had nothing further to share on its business.” https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/boycott-campaigns-over-gaza-war-hit-western-brands-some-arab-countries-2023-11-22/

Seattle Activists Target Boeing In Protest Of Military Aid to Israel

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November 8th, 2023

Tukwila, WA

Some Pro-Palestinian organizations have called for an International Day of Action on Wednesday, November 8th 2023. The intent nationwide is to focus on “weapons manufacturing facilities” to include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Elbit Systems, Amazon, HP and Microsoft.

Nearly 200 activists showed up at the Boeing Military Delivery Center in protest of Boeing’s role as a supplier of military hardware to Israel. Boeing is responsible for fast tracking US made “GPS Guidance Bomb Kits” to Israel which is currently responsible for the deaths of over 10,000 Palestinian civilians. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-18/boeing-accelerates-delivery-of-up-to-1-800-gps-guidance-bomb-kits-to-israel#xj4y7vzkg

From @resist.seattle on Instagram “Every year, U.S. war profiteers — Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon and Elbit Systems — fuel violence here and abroad by arming violent regimes in Israel, the Philippines, and local police departments across the United States. We choose to fight back. We call for an end to the genocidal siege on Palestine.”

Indigenous People’s Day 2023

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Westlake Park to Seattle City Hall

Seattle, WA

Monday, October 9th, 2023

The Indigenous People’s Day Proclamation says the following:

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that would later become known as the Americas have occupied these lands since Time Immemorial; and that Seattle is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the City would not have been possible; and

WHEREAS, the City values the many contributions made to our community through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of the City of Seattle; and

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises; and

WHEREAS, the City promotes the closing of the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, in 2014 the Mayor, City Council of Seattle, and the Seattle Human Rights Commission declared the second Monday of October as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” to promote tolerance, understanding and friendship, and to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination stemming from colonization: and on March 29, 2022 the City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 126559 establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a legal holiday;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE MAYOR OF SEATTLE AND SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 9, 2023 TO BE Indigenous Peoples’ Day to commemorate and support Indigenous Peoples and encourage all businesses, organizations, public institutions, and City residents to recognize this day and honor the legacy and contribution of Seattle’s American Indian, Alaskan Native and Indigenous communities who have been here since Time Immemorial.