‘From Our Coast to Yours’: Alki banner sends love to Orlando

The Alki Statue of Liberty has long been a place to gather, a place for tributes, and today it becomes that again: Sam Samaniego decided to make a sash for Lady Liberty, as a show of love in the wake of this morning’s Orlando massacre. It’s inscribed ‘From Our Coast to Yours’ and as we write, they’ve added a banner along the base that you’re invited to sign:

Sam says she’ll of course be sending the banner to Florida – but before then, she sees power in the photographs people will take, and hopes that they’re seen in Orlando so people there know people here care:

15 years ago, Alki’s mini Statue of Liberty became a gathering place to mourn the 9/11 victims, and five years ago, it drew hundreds for a tribute on the 10th anniversary of the attack.

sc June 12, 2016 (8:25 pm)

Hope is the thing with feathers

that perches in the soul –

and sings the tunes

without the words –

and never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson

Ws resident June 13, 2016 (10:47 am)

Is this still up? When is it being sent to FL?

If it’s still there I’ll make my way to Alki to sign it for sure!

Signed,

Seattle transplant from Orlando

WSB June 13, 2016 (10:53 am)

WSR, we actually were headed to Alki to look, when we had to divert to the SWAT situation in Morgan Junction. Hoping to head that way once this is over.
- WSB June 13, 2016 (11:59 am)
  
  Gone.
  - WS Resident June 13, 2016 (12:10 pm)
    
    Thank you for checking. :)

Samuella Samaniego June 13, 2016 (1:30 pm)

I’m a little bit in shock. Came home this afternoon and then I was going to the Statue to check the sash and banner. I never took it down. Its not that i do not believe you guys, i’m just, well i’m not sure how i feel. But I’m heading down there now. I don’t understand.

WSB June 13, 2016 (1:35 pm)

Sam – Our report is based on a drive-by, albeit a drive-by with view of the west and south sides. It looked bannerless so we didn’t stop. If you didn’t take it down, I hope my eyes deceived me, then, and we’ll go back!

Samuella Samaniego June 13, 2016 (2:34 pm)

Yes. It’s gone. And i definitely have no idea who removed it. I looked around within a generous radius of space. Checked the dumpsters also.

Samuella Samaniego June 13, 2016 (2:38 pm)

I just want it back. No questions asked.

WSB June 13, 2016 (2:40 pm)

I’m going to check with the media folks at Parks.

Samuella Samaniego June 13, 2016 (3:48 pm)

Am calling around various City departments. Talked to Alki Cafe workers since they come in pretty early for work. No luck at all yet with specifics or reaching people. Can i just ask on this post who saw the sash and banner later in the day yesterday?

WSB June 13, 2016 (3:54 pm)

I’ll have a separate item up shortly. Parks just told me their crew removed it ‘after receiving complaints’ … I have a followup question asking where you can go get it.
- West Seattle Hipster June 13, 2016 (4:06 pm)
  
  Wow…..unbelievable.
  - WSB June 13, 2016 (4:12 pm)
    
    I’ve posted the separate story now. Even back in 2013 when we had several rounds of guerrilla art at the plaza, the policy was stated that a removal warning would be posted and then after a couple days if still there, the item would be taken away.
    
    Meantime, I will e-mail Sam this as well, but if you see this first – Southwest Crew Headquarters, 684-7457, is who you can call to get the banner back. I’m deciding who else to call for reaction. – TR

Samuella Samaniego June 13, 2016 (4:10 pm)

The largest massacre since 911. And my fellow Americans cannot be memorialized there the way others can? I am in a different kind of shock. I am an American. I am an Indigenous American. It cannot possibly be acceptable that I am not permitted to express love and a heartfelt loss like others have in this exact location.