PROTEST: Nighttime marchers back in West Seattle, this time in county executive's neighborhood

Concerned July 30, 2020 (9:08 pm)

Are they maintaining 6’ apart and all wearing masks?

Lispector July 31, 2020 (11:46 am)

It’s the cops that aren’t wearing masks…

Vee July 30, 2020 (9:25 pm)

Need to keep off baseball field

WSB July 30, 2020 (9:35 pm)

They’ve long since moved on.

Will o Wisp July 30, 2020 (9:45 pm)

The group went east on Alki then south on 56th.

sc July 30, 2020 (9:45 pm)

I wish they could protest earlier in the day. Dog is barking, kids can’t sleep. I probably support their message (it’s hard to tell exactly what it is) but I just wish they could do this earlier.

Iron July 30, 2020 (10:34 pm)

The whole point is to disrupt! :)
Chickadee July 30, 2020 (11:06 pm)

They do protest earlier in the day: morning, evenings…EVERYDAY. Black Lives Matter!
- Pelicans July 31, 2020 (1:50 am)
  
  Yay!
Charity July 31, 2020 (4:51 am)

It’s weird how you think your discomfort for one day should be more important than black people being murdered.
- dftl July 31, 2020 (9:36 pm)
  
  By whom, mostly?
Rara July 31, 2020 (3:07 pm)

There is a noise ordinance here in Seattle. 10pm to 7am. 250.00 ticket IF the police come out. They have to be loud enough that you can hear them from 75 feet. And are not supposed to be in neighborhoods. So far it seems they are just hitting up the council members. I don’t know if there’s noise. I can’t here anything when I’m sleeping. It’s good that the council members are at least coming out and listening to them. Maybe they’ll get their message heard by them.

cherrypink July 30, 2020 (9:48 pm)

They’ve moved on for the moment but they are all parked in the neighborhood surrounding Bar S and they will be back after they are done on Alki

Ok July 31, 2020 (7:10 am)

👋👋👋

mrsB July 30, 2020 (9:55 pm)

They’re now blocking Admiral and Lander. I’m outta Seattle as soon as possible.

Alkimark July 30, 2020 (10:29 pm)

Me too…
K to the F July 30, 2020 (10:50 pm)

👋
Sue July 30, 2020 (11:12 pm)

Me too! I grew up here and never thought I would leave. I am disgusted what this city has become.
- Pelicans July 31, 2020 (2:04 am)
  
  Word, since 1985.
  - A-Red July 31, 2020 (9:35 am)
    
    Whoa! I didn’t even realize you guys were here. Any houses for sale??
    - lol July 31, 2020 (10:07 am)
      
      👍🏾✊🏾
- Tsurly July 31, 2020 (5:48 am)
  
  Good riddance. Where will you be moving? Perhaps China or some other place where suppression of free speech is the norm would better suit you.
  - MovedOut July 31, 2020 (11:19 am)
    
    Oh Tsurly, tsurly you jest. I’m good with just moving out of Seattle to Cle Elum. Good riddance, and good luck with the future of Seattle!
- WestSeattle 3rd Gen July 31, 2020 (9:14 am)
  
  I’m going to leave this place too. I grow up here and it’s time to move.
  - Ken July 31, 2020 (6:02 pm)
    
    I’m leaving too. I absolutely despise Seattle now. Can’t put a finger on just what changed and when, but when I was growing up, I never expected to leave. Fifth generation West Seattleite, still living in original family home. It’s going to be hard to leave all that behind, but certainly far better then staying any longer then is truly necessary. This city has become an absolute joke. Very sad. In years past, when someone would ask where I’m from and I’d say “Seattle”, they’d always comment about the rain all the time. Now if I say I’m from Seattle, they just say “I’m sorry”. These are the people who understand and get it.
    - combo August 1, 2020 (3:44 pm)
      
      You will surely have to put your ‘finger on it’ if you want anyone to give a damn.
Ali July 31, 2020 (6:40 am)

I’m leaving too. Will watch Seattle crumble in the review mirror.Amazon’s high paying jobs will likely be leaving with me!
Hortsig July 31, 2020 (8:35 am)

Ditto…
- heartless July 31, 2020 (11:43 am)
  
  Such sweetness when people learn the waters around them have grown.
  
  You better get out, better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone. For the times they are a-changin’…
  
  Adios folks, maybe you’ll find temporary haven in whiter pastures.
Lispector July 31, 2020 (10:48 am)

Bye, Racists! Don’t let the door hit ya!

WJRW July 30, 2020 (10:15 pm)

I met these folks at 53rd and Admiral. A woman stopped to speak with me and my son and I wish I would have connected with her longer. Everyone was peaceful but also strong. Black lives matter and we should be proud to have this happening in our neighborhood. I am.

Kam July 31, 2020 (2:35 am)

Agreed

Hello July 30, 2020 (10:23 pm)

They’re going to Dow’s house.

adm July 30, 2020 (10:24 pm)

They are at Dow’s house now.

heartless July 30, 2020 (11:04 pm)

He comported himself well.

Colin July 30, 2020 (10:33 pm)

From Alki and 56th

NW Mama July 30, 2020 (10:33 pm)

How about they get fired up about how the Seattle library hasn’t been open- further worsening the educational divide for children of color and lower socio economic status? They should be marching to the SPL chief librarian’s house to demand book access for POC. Get those libraries open in neighborhoods of diversity yesterday. (King County has, a month ago as has other major library systems across the country- safely lending books!!)

MC July 30, 2020 (11:30 pm)

if you had been out there marching and listening to these strong black women, you would know what they are doing to actively help kids in our communities
chickadee July 30, 2020 (11:38 pm)

Um…you’re welcome to organize your own protest/march to the librarian’s house since you’re clearly fired up. It’s still your right to protest and a good time to support and protect that right. Telling others how, where, and what they should protest is not such a good look though.
- ALKIbum July 31, 2020 (8:59 am)
  
  Hope you do not live on my street. Thank you.
Savannah July 30, 2020 (11:38 pm)

Okay, but first we need to get kids out of jail and stop youth jails from being built. Then we can give kids access to books!
- Nw mama July 31, 2020 (12:16 am)
  
  Just saying. There’s 19 kids in youth jail. And it’s not like they are real sweeties and easy to place in society. I suggest lower hanging fruit for impact
  - Pelicans July 31, 2020 (2:18 am)
    
    If they are remanded to the “Youth Justice Center,” then their parents have failed. Bring in the parents and the kids for mandatory counseling. Make it compulsory. If they don’t comply, lock them up.
    - Xman July 31, 2020 (8:32 am)
      
      Well this is already happening Pelican. Are you familiar with RCW 71.34? Children over 13 have a right to refuse counseling. There is nothing mandatory so they end up getting locked up. My own son spent time in the detention center because he refused treatment. I pulled my hair out trying to understand this absurdity. My son desperately needed treatment and I had to take him out of state to get it. Do you know the heartache of losing a child to mental illness? Do you know it’s a blow when I read your comment about parents being a failure? Truly it is. I’m still fighting for my child and he’s over twenty now!
    - PedroTheLion July 31, 2020 (9:11 am)
      
      Have you seen the types of charges these minors have been convicted of?They have no place in a civilized society with behavior like that. They made a bad choice and should pay the price. Their parents, if they have them, obviously failed big time. And the notion that some restorative justice program is a deterrent is ridiculous. These kids laugh at those initiatives and just see them as a free pass. The joke of all jokes. Yes people, there are bad kids and bad people in the world. It’s called reality. And we have to deal with it in a realistic fashion, not idealistic wishful thinking.
    - X'ergirl July 31, 2020 (4:46 pm)
      
      I share a similar heartbreak Xman. My daughter is in her early 30’s now and I’m afraid I’ll never get her back. Before Seattle got wise to the idea that our girls are victims of sex trafficking, they simply called them whores and locked them up. I spent every penny I had to try and get her the help she needed and the system worked against us, not with us. People like to believe it is as simple as good parent = good kid; bad parent = bad kid. That way they can think their children are immune. It is this type of narrow-minded thinking (pedrothelion- great band, but man is your mind and heart closed) that perpetuates the systemic ways in which we as a society, not just parents, fail our children. Dow speaks out both sides of his mouth. I am proud of and grateful for those who are advocating for our kids.
    - SEATTLE SINCE BIRTH-WTF WHO KIDNAPPED THE CITY July 31, 2020 (9:22 pm)
      
      ever been a psychologist taking care of a kid a kid who killed his dog–they eventually kill people.
  - Savannah July 31, 2020 (8:45 am)
    
    19 kids is 19 too many.
- JR July 31, 2020 (8:42 am)
  
  Please explain something to me: Why is “no youth jail” a good thing? It is a (sad) fact that sometimes young teenagers commit serious/violent crimes (up to and including murder).So, you MUST be advocating for either NOT arresting violent criminals, or incarcerating them in ADULT jails. I simply don’t see either of those as sane strategies.Or, do you think that if there is no youth jail, the crimes will stop? As in, stop building hospitals and no one gets sick?? No, that cannot be it. I agree that there are many systemic problems in our system (and society), and that too many youths end up in that system and that it has many inadequacies. But while a youth jail may be a potent symbol, I just do not see it as a problem… it should be part of the solution. Saying “No Youth Jail” seems to me to be diverting the effort at reform.
  - Mark July 31, 2020 (11:25 am)
    
    Well-said.
  - Hello July 31, 2020 (3:03 pm)
    
    Exactly! And next these so-called activists will be demanding prisons be shut down and violent criminals be freed, because, you know… no police, no jails, no prisons — means no crime.
  - Savannah July 31, 2020 (8:05 pm)
    
    I appreciate the concern and intent behind this! However, in my opinion if there was more funding to underfunded communities- often communities of color and more access to education/social services kids/teens would be much less likely to actually commit crime in the first place. We need to find community and human-dignity solutions that focus on helping the whole person not throwing their life away. No solution is perfect, but I think that the protestors ideas are better than things remaining the same.
DH July 31, 2020 (5:21 am)

You should instead march to the governors house. Libraries won’t open to the public until phase 3. Curbside pickup is in the works.

Pissed off July 30, 2020 (10:47 pm)

They are on Niesz Ct….my kids are freaked out…..get the f out of our neighborhood!!!

Anne July 30, 2020 (11:08 pm)

Wow!! why are your kids are freaked out? Instead of being angry maybe you could use this as a teaching moment?
- MAC July 30, 2020 (11:33 pm)
  
  I AGREE! such a great teaching moment. I saw several kids chanting and supporting from their windows tonight:)
- teechee July 30, 2020 (11:38 pm)
  
  How about honk your kids up at midnight and teach them that’s someone’s right?
- Pissed off July 30, 2020 (11:38 pm)
  
  Freaked out because there were a bunch of loud people on our very quiet street and no, not a teaching moment because they are too young to understand, but thank you for waking them up!!
  - Savannah July 31, 2020 (12:49 am)
    
    Too young to understand? Or too privileged to have to deal with this? Black kids and kids of color must be taught from a young age about the harsh realities of police brutality and how to be careful around cops so they do not wrongly assume the child is dangerous.
    - Kam July 31, 2020 (2:37 am)
      
      Well said
    - lol July 31, 2020 (10:09 am)
      
      👍🏾
    - Save our city July 31, 2020 (10:42 am)
      
      I think parents have the right and ability, based on their beliefs, to distinguish a teachable moment from a dangerous moment. BTW these are children! Imagine getting suddenly woken in the middle of the night to a mob outside their house, it is terrifying. This is not a teachable moment. This is a disturbing nuisance to our community. Also, 6 foot distancing anyone? No.Protesters you’re contributing to the spread, you have disregarded and sacrificed the safety and health of our community. No one can hear the message anymore you might as well be pitching to the wind! The police in West Seattle are amazing, support them, we need them because it is now complete chaos, save our city!
    - Elizabeth July 31, 2020 (4:06 pm)
      
      A dangerous moment?? What are you saying? No one was in danger.
  - sorry not sorry July 31, 2020 (1:17 am)
    
    There is a great children’s book you can read them called “antiracist baby” by award winning author and scholar Ibram X. Kendi. It is sooooo good. Fun fact for you: babies start to learn race bias within the first year of life. Sooo that means your kids are NOT too young, you would just rather be a Karen. Do your kids a favor and educate them. Activists aren’t scary. Activists make change and your kids and future kids are going to need to make a lot of change. Perhaps after NW Mama leads a protest to open the library, you can go with her to check out the book
    - heartless July 31, 2020 (8:27 am)
      
      I just got his book for adults–only a few chapters it, but it’s good. Someone in another thread recommended it, so whoever it was–Thank you!
    - Tsurly July 31, 2020 (9:00 pm)
      
      You are welcome!
    - Savannah July 31, 2020 (8:49 am)
      
      I agree! It’s never too early to have these conversations. This is a great resource and the instagram “theconsciouskid” has tips as well.
    - Mark July 31, 2020 (11:33 am)
      
      If you have no idea how old these kids are (e.g., 2 months, 6 months, 7 years), can you really call them out for not being woke enough? The poster doesn’t list an age.
    - Savannah August 1, 2020 (9:34 am)
      
      You are completely right- I don’t and I didn’t realize that until after but I thought it was a good opportunity to make a point for whoever reading.
  - Blbl July 31, 2020 (9:00 am)
    
    So they freak out at parades, then too, I guess. Because last night’s protest was no louder than the Torchlight parade. The only difference really, is the color of the protesters…oh, never mind. Got it.
    - Medium July 31, 2020 (1:04 pm)
      
      The Torchlight parade doesn’t go down residential streets. And has all colors involved.
  - helpermonkey July 31, 2020 (10:47 am)
    
    careful – clutch those pearls any harder and they’re going to break.
  - Elizabeth July 31, 2020 (5:04 pm)
    
    My mom grew up in Lowndesboro, Alabama, which is an all-white town halfway between Selma and Montgomery (where I grew up). She recalls, at 7 years old, being absolutely terrified during the Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches. Why? Because the adults caring for her were terrified of the “mob.” You know, John Lewis, MLK, and the peaceful protestors marching for their basic rights. Sure, there was violence associated with the police response (although not as much in her area), but it was specifically the protestors that she was groomed to fear. White people couldn’t fathom what protestors had to complain about and thought it was absurd for them to be disrupting order.
    
    That’s to say, you don’t have to use it as a teachable moment if you think it’s inappropriate, but you also don’t have to instill fear in your kids. Disrupting order is not inherently dangerous. A peaceful protest is not a “mob.”
- Also John July 31, 2020 (8:53 am)
  
  Because her kids could be young babies and they’re scared by the noise..
Bill July 30, 2020 (11:27 pm)

Niesz Ct? — What did they do? – get lost?
They could get all mixed up in those dead end streets — tell them to go back to Grayson – go West – then down hill all the way!
Gozer July 30, 2020 (11:33 pm)

Let your kids know that the group is just exercising their freedom to protest and there is nothing to be worried about. It is in your power to remain calm yourself which will probably give them comfort.
- Elizabeth Angous July 31, 2020 (2:12 am)
  
  Thank you.
- Jon July 31, 2020 (9:07 am)
  
  No. Their right to protest requires a tiny bit of planning and permitting, which is really easy to do. This is a mob, and this isn’t the right thing to do.
  - Actually Black in West Seattle July 31, 2020 (11:50 am)
    
    That doesn’t actually describe how this is a ‘mob’ and not a ‘protest’’. You’re just making baseless assumptions.
  - Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (12:05 pm)
    
    Good news, Jon! I just looked at my copy of the constitution, and the right to assemble actually doesn’t require any permits! Hope this helps.
The Rog July 30, 2020 (11:34 pm)

Perhaps you should have thought about how to handle and teach adversity before you had children. No better time to start learning and teaching than now. One neighbor does not speak for the neighborhood. Find your zen, and your children might have a chance.
Lynn July 30, 2020 (11:45 pm)

Ah. That should have been a teaching moment, parent.
- Pelicans July 31, 2020 (12:57 am)
  
  Gee, good on you for telling people how to parent. Not.
- Pelicans July 31, 2020 (1:21 am)
  
  No.Waking up babies and kids? Pissed off parents? Good going. Try marching at high noon and win more supporters.
  - WSB July 31, 2020 (1:28 am)
    
    This group also has morning and midday protests, daily.
    - Pelicans July 31, 2020 (1:56 am)
      
      Well, good. That didn’t make as much news as this did. But maybe daytime marches didn’t alienate as much potential supporters as the night time protests have. Know your audiences, people.
    - ally cat July 31, 2020 (8:29 am)
      
      These protests and demonstrations aren’t about gaining ‘potential supporters.’
      
      It’s about fighting for human rights.
      
      If you are on the fence about supporting that based on time of day, tactics used, or how it inconveniences you, maybe you’re missing something and should consider this.
Bill July 31, 2020 (12:14 am)

Niesz Ct? — Are they lost?
Elizabeth Angous July 31, 2020 (2:09 am)

YOUR neighborhood? Really? MARCH ON!!!
- C July 31, 2020 (9:08 am)
  
  You’re right! MARCH ON (somewhere else)
tsurly July 31, 2020 (7:35 am)

Pissed off, I think you need some perspective. Your kids could have been woken up by the cops shooting you in your bed while serving you an erroneous no-knock warrant, like what happened to Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY.
A July 31, 2020 (9:53 am)

Grow up…or maybe that’s part if the problem why your kids are freaked out. You’re kids live in one the more bougie neighborhoods in Seattle. We have a beach, great neighborhoods, green parks and trails, low crime rates, fantastic restaurants and local shopsMaybe YOU should look at the issue from 30,000 feet instead of your front window and get grasp on what’s going on. Educate yourself. Then help your children understand why this time in history is so important.
- Mark July 31, 2020 (11:41 am)
  
  So many assumptions here. You have no idea whether the poster rents, owns, squats, lives with their parents, has just been laid off, has a kid on the spectrum… Just that their kids (of unstated age) were upset by the sudden appearance of protestors in the street after dark. Try a little empathy.
Lispector July 31, 2020 (10:51 am)

It’s not your neighborhood. You live in a neighborhood filled with anti-racists. Maybe you should get out…

Anon July 30, 2020 (11:00 pm)

Going to people’s houses like this is BS. Enough.

Cycleman July 30, 2020 (11:04 pm)

“Get the f out of our neighborhood” ???? They probably ARE your neighbors!! Hello?!?!

Pissed off July 30, 2020 (11:36 pm)

No our neighbors were all in bed!
- Niesz Neighbor July 31, 2020 (1:46 am)
  
  Wait, you did the rounds and read bedtime stories? You skipped me!!
- ally cat July 31, 2020 (8:37 am)
  
  Not everyone is so lucky, some are having to fight for their (or others) human rights day and night, rather than getting to relax and sleep.
  
  Maybe consider this next time you’re feeling po’d at the disruption. Take a deep breath and have some compassion.
Protester July 31, 2020 (8:43 am)

Hi, I just want to say this is true! I live in this neighborhood and was there making noise. I love this neighborhood so I want to hold it accountable to be better! That’s what real love is to me.

Anon July 30, 2020 (11:07 pm)

If this is the same group that was on Queen Anne last night someone in the group hit a man filming them. He was hit in the head and is in the hospital.

Ts July 31, 2020 (12:10 am)

Wow, so wrong. I hope they caught the person that did it. People may not like being filmed but it’s legal. Physical violence against another person is not legal. Anyone who supports destruction of property and or violence towards others is apart of the problem. According to comments, both have been either verbalized or displayed by marchers in WS and on QA.
- heartless July 31, 2020 (8:22 am)
  
  If this is the same group that was in Magnolia on Thursday, I heard they saved a drowning baby and then helped an old woman fix her front porch. The baby is doing fine and the woman is really happy.
Brian July 31, 2020 (8:51 am)

Yeah this is is certainly the same group that was in Queen Anne. They all put on scuba gear and made their way to Alki later in the day I’m pretty sure.
- WSB July 31, 2020 (10:43 am)
  
  The Queen Anne protest was a night earlier, also the Everyday March group.

sbre July 30, 2020 (11:32 pm)

11:30 and they are heading west on Admiral from 47th.

Eric July 30, 2020 (11:33 pm)

11:31 here. They have NOT concluded. Loud and clear from 47th and Andover. They are north of here some blocks. Rockin!

WSB July 31, 2020 (1:33 am)

The conversation concluded at the time we noted, not the march.
Pelicans July 31, 2020 (1:59 am)

Yay!

TM7302 July 31, 2020 (12:44 am)

Sign the petition… https://stopdefunding.com/

TMT187 July 31, 2020 (6:09 am)

Oops, wrong link! Sign the petition here
- NotTMT187 July 31, 2020 (10:33 am)
  
  Nope, they had it right. Nice try though.
Helpermonkey July 31, 2020 (7:08 am)

Defund the police, Refund the Community!
Sarah July 31, 2020 (7:40 am)

SPD continue to demonstrate their lack of restraint, civility, and safety during these protests. They do not deescalate. They do not make us safer. The protesters passed by my house around 11:45. They were loud but not violent. I was worried the police would come and escalate things, and felt relieved when they didn’t. Defunding SPD is an excellent first step toward a more just, fair, and peaceful Seattle.
- SEATTLE SINCE BIRTH-WTF WHO KIDNAPPED THE CITY July 31, 2020 (9:30 pm)
  
  start with community work, protesting is easy. Go to a domestic violence call then get back to me on what you find and how the conversation went–if you don’t get shot
  - heartless August 1, 2020 (7:26 pm)
    
    People are not clamoring for no police. There will be plenty of police to respond to violent crimes such as domestic violence. This sufficiently addresses your specific concern as posted.
Mj July 31, 2020 (7:46 am)

Thanks for posting this, signed!
WS Resident for Social Justice July 31, 2020 (7:51 am)

Thanks for posting.
Mok4315 July 31, 2020 (8:07 am)

Signed! But I don’t think it’ll do any good. The council seems to have made up its mind.
heartless July 31, 2020 (8:23 am)

De funding, Boss, de funding! We got to stop de funding! Sounds good.

EDIT
That website does not actually support reducing funding–very misleading.
Mr J July 31, 2020 (8:28 am)

Defund the police re-fund education.
Brian July 31, 2020 (8:52 am)

No thanks.
Lispector July 31, 2020 (10:53 am)

Fixed your link: sign the petition

Kam July 31, 2020 (2:40 am)

The amount of White privilege on here is disgusting.

Chickadee July 31, 2020 (11:45 am)

White Privilege Exists loud and clear here in West Seattle, and if you’re white, no matter how hard you worked for what you have, you still benefit from white privilege. It’s pretty gross to see it so blatantly expressed.&nbspby some
dftl July 31, 2020 (9:51 pm)

Properly fund & train the police. Jail violent youth (and adults too) equitably, without regard to color. Political statements matter.

Me July 31, 2020 (6:14 am)

How soon can I get out of seattle? Never thought I’d see the day I was ready to leave. I’ve lived here my whole life. You can disagree, but going to city/county leaders’ houses late at night is somewhat inappropriate. City council members are being threatened if they don’t agree to defund. Is this your tactic? A scare tactic? And like someone else said I know these aren’t my neighbors because all of them were annoyed by the wake up when we have young children and jobs to go to in the morning. Call it privilege if you want, but you’d be wrong.

Lispector July 31, 2020 (10:55 am)

We are your neighbors. We’re all around you. Until you get out that is. Bye, racist! Thanks for leaving Seattle.
K to the F July 31, 2020 (11:03 am)

👋
Mark47n July 31, 2020 (11:34 am)

You can get out right now. What’s stopping you? Are you being compelled to stay? Or are you just griping and complaining because you disagree with something but won’t actually leave.
Actually Black in West Seattle July 31, 2020 (11:59 am)

Black people have been abused with ‘scare tactics’ and incarceration and even death. If you can’t handle the minor disruption this situation has made in the span of your life, then by all means, give up on this city and move to the next.

D Del Rio July 31, 2020 (7:02 am)

I don’t understand why they are marching in a progressive area like West Seattle. Just preaching to the choir. There are a lot of areas outside of Seattle and the immediate suburbs where this message needs to get across. Another thing I would like to add is that I as a brown person, am not as oppressed as many of you seem to think. Not saying that I have not experienced racism, but some of these comments seem like minorities are so oppressed, poor, and uneducated that we are unable survive without the majorities help. The majority of black and brown people are not in poverty. Yes, a higher percentage compared to whites, but still not the majority of us are.

helpermonkey July 31, 2020 (10:45 am)

@D Del Rio: they’re marching to where the councilmembers live. Not that hard to figure out. If you read the article, the previous night they were in Queen Anne.
Mark47n July 31, 2020 (11:38 am)

I don’t think WS is as progressive as you think, I believe that there are a lot of closet Republicans around here, especially as real estate and housing costs continue to climb.Just because you are not oppressed and not poor doesn’t reflect the experiences of others or that, statistically, there are more minorities in poverty and at risk than there are us white folk. It’s all in the percentages.
- Alkimark July 31, 2020 (2:55 pm)
  
  So no Republicans are allowed here?
Actually Black in West Seattle July 31, 2020 (12:01 pm)

The choir is privileged as hell. If you don’t see why EVERYONE needs to be aware, you’re part of the problem.This is everyone’s problem, not just ‘Their’ problem.
- Savannah July 31, 2020 (8:09 pm)
  
  I completely agree!! This speaks volumes. Also West Seattle folks may believe Black Lives Matter- but what are they doing to show it? Usually nothing- other than placing a sign in their lawn. We need to take action to be in true solidarity. Myself included- I say this as a white person with privilege.

AdmiralE July 31, 2020 (7:06 am)

Thanks for the link TM7302. These folks will never be satisfied, he’s giving them the jail closure, not fast enough… even if he closed it tomorrow they would think up something else and if they got that, it would be another thing. Appeasement will not work.

Dale July 31, 2020 (7:21 am)

It will be clear, when the stopdefunding.com petition signers are counted, that the marches/protests/riots represent a minority of the residents of Seattle. They just get all the press coverage. I hope the Seattle City Council pays attention to that, but I doubt it.

WS Resident for Social Justice July 31, 2020 (7:34 am)

How am I supposed to support this movement when it clearly embraces tactics of violence and intrusion? Its not good enough that you exercise your right to free speech, but you have to engage in violence and tactics of intimidation by taking your complaints into neighborhoods in the dark of night.
You assault those (like in Queen Anne) who confront you for disturbing the peace at 12 midnight.
You threaten people who are exercising their rights to video tape you walking in the middle of a public street.
You do nothing to stop the arsonists and persons who seek to engage in violence in the middle of what people call, ‘a peaceful protest’.
It’s a bit hypocritical to complain about violence against innocent people while either engaging in it yourself OR silently supporting those who engage in it by doing nothing.

Sorry, you just lost this supporter to your cause.

Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (11:47 am)

Oh no! What are they going to do without your obviously deep and principled support?
ally cat July 31, 2020 (5:50 pm)

‘taking your complaints into neighborhoods in the dark of night’

The next time you think to complain about this, I want you to think about black history in this country, and specifically picture kkk members in spooky robes and hoods at night, burning things and terrorizing black people, out of racist hatred.

Then maybe think twice about villainizing concerned citizens simply protesting at night with a message of supporting BLM, and bringing their voices to council members.

And to others who have said this is ‘threatening,’ we haven’t heard there were any threats made, so anyone implying or assuming this is curious.

March on, Blm

Rod July 31, 2020 (8:07 am)

There are at least 10 people in those photos not wearing masks properly, let alone the yelling and lack of social distancing. I’m all for BLM, but please stop acting like the community Covid parade, your actions are literally killing people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. If you are going to protest, wear a damn mask and wear it properly.

rpo July 31, 2020 (11:40 am)

I saw 3 people not wearing masks properly during the 30 minutes they spoke with Dow.

Friend O'Dinghus July 31, 2020 (8:23 am)

The intentional echo chamber set up and maintained here in the comment section is so non-organic. <yawn>. Obvious attempt to make your behavior seem acceptable, and your individual group more impactful than it really is. Movements should not alienate populations that they hope to incorporate into their movement. Is that clear enough for you? I still support the BLM for sure, and believe their is indeed work to do to stop systemic racism, but these late-night protests, and the report of the man being assaulted for asking them to desist, has me calling each and every council member’s office to ask that they NOT defund the police. If this was your intended consequence, then great job on your late-night residential protests. I invite others to do as I have done. It’s easy to look up their telephone numbers and give them a call to let them know how you feel, and it won’t keep your neighbors awake. As an aside, I don’t recall ever hearing of any group MLK was associated with turning violent towards dissenters in their vicinity…only the other way around…so who here is about peaceful protest again? Watch the video to see how the group responds to anything less than positive feedback. Call your council members if you feel, as I do, that this behavior is highly disruptive, yet brings little to the discourse that isn’t already out there. No arbitrary defunding of police. Just because they’re youths doesn’t mean they can’t commit adult crimes, and punished accordingly. Good day to you all.

heartless July 31, 2020 (10:59 am)

“I still support the BLM for sure”

Oh? How?
- Friend O'Dinghus July 31, 2020 (10:43 pm)
  
  We’ll start with me vocalizing support for the movement like I just did. The donations won’t be brought up. I owe you nothing in regards to proof by the way. I am not interested in a ‘holier than thou’ contest with you, because that’s just all about feeding egos isn’t it?
  - heartless August 1, 2020 (9:13 am)
    
    “I still support the BLM for sure”
    
    “Oh? How?”
    
    “We’ll start with me vocalizing support for the movement like I just did.”
    
    Ok readers. We have someone who says they support BLM. When asked how they support BLM they say, uh, by saying I support BLM.
    
    They also say they are against two of the primary demands of the local BLM, going so far as to actively work against defunding.
    
    I dunno, does this person really support the BLM movement? You decide…

Chuck Jacobs July 31, 2020 (8:27 am)

Blocking roads without a permit is extremely dangerous.

Mark47n July 31, 2020 (11:41 am)

It’s a tactic called ‘civil disobedience’. It was used in the 1960’s and has been effective at communicating dissatisfaction with the body politic and the status quo around the world.I would say, also, that it is definitely getting the message out.
Actually Black in West Seattle July 31, 2020 (12:03 pm)

So is being pulled over by a police officer when black.I wonder which happens more often…🧐🤔

Tom Ripple July 31, 2020 (8:38 am)

West Seattle needs a time to heal and grow together as a community. The social injustices must end. We have learn how to love eachother and tell the truth as our hearts see it.

Christy C July 31, 2020 (8:41 am)

Can anyone connect me with the organizers of these marches?

Jose' X July 31, 2020 (9:10 am)

Is there a schedule ? Are people allowed to join the march ? I would like to attend.

Cid bloom July 31, 2020 (9:14 am)

When all are free!!!

Bz July 31, 2020 (9:48 am)

Wow! What a beautiful sunset in that picture.

WSea Parent July 31, 2020 (9:50 am)

Can we make special requests for their late night visits? Thousands of unemployment payments are still being withheld months after the ESD fraud/security issue. I’m surprised we aren’t seeing folks march against that. It’s a basic safety net issue that is still not fixed.

Lispector July 31, 2020 (10:59 am)

You can protest that yourself, lazy. This is about systemic racism and the endless murdering of Black people by the hands of the police. It’s a basic safety net issue that is still not fixed.

Paradise July 31, 2020 (10:14 am)

They won’t be coming up my street, heck the Grub Hub driver gets lost.

So enjoy your “disruption protests” although you’re most likely losing support amongst residents who are clearly annoyed by your late night antics.

Just to put that in context, you already live in a very liberal city. The vast majority of Seattle citizens support BLM & the elimination of racial profiling, & police brutality.

Let me say that again, WE ALREADY SUPPORT WHAT YOU’RE PROTESTING FOR.

So really all you’re doing at 10pm is pissing off people that are trying to get a good night’s sleep so they can be productive the next day.

That’s not, as John Lewis would call “Good Trouble”, that’s immaturity … we already support you!

heartless July 31, 2020 (10:55 am)

Just curious, how do you support them? By that I mean what have you done in, say, the last month to support the aims of the BLM movement?
Lispector July 31, 2020 (11:14 am)

If you actually read this blog you would have seen the stories cars being shot up because of BLM stickers, and BLM signs being stolen from buildings.If you actually supported Black people you’d actually go to a protest and listen to some of them tell you their worries and struggles. If you paid attention at all you’d see the stories through the years of police killing Black folk right here in Seattle and our surrounding areas, such as Che Taylor and Charleena Lyles.No justice, no peace. Buy some earplugs.
Derek July 31, 2020 (11:25 am)

Wrong. Dow does not support the defunding that we protesters asked for. It’s important to disrupt his life until he listens to constituents and people he serves. This is how things get done.
Mark47n July 31, 2020 (11:48 am)

If this temporary inconvenience is what dissuades you to support the changes that are being demanded, in some measure, then you probably only pay lip service anyway. To say that the protests here are unnecessary is ridiculous. We still have racial and other forms on inequity here, in Seattle. All you are being asked is to tolerate a brief moment of discomfort in support of trying to eliminate a lifetime of desperation and fear of others. Seem to be a pretty light lift that’s being asked of you. If you support the message in those protests why are you not joining in? So you’re not a little tired at work the next day?
- Friend O'Dinghus August 1, 2020 (7:21 am)
  
  Purity tests are a feature of the extreme right. Is that the standard you really wish to apply? For me, no thanks, as it is every bit as toxic when applied to movements on the left as it is on the right. Horseshoe much?
Ws rez July 31, 2020 (3:19 pm)

Paradise. You are so off base it’s sad. You don’t speak for everyone and the goals have not yet been met, hence the continued protesting. Support the cause or don’t. You can’t be in the middle. BLM ALWAYS, even if we get woken up. How will we ever survive. Always BLM.

OhSheila July 31, 2020 (10:19 am)

Why not head over to Highland Park or White Center and see how you can be of help? Maybe offer some free babysitting so an exhausted parent can do some of the things we professionals call “self-care”?

heartless July 31, 2020 (10:58 am)

I believe many of the protesters already volunteer in communities such as those.
WSB July 31, 2020 (11:39 am)

They were in Highland Park last Friday night, including a chat with Councilmember Herbold outside her house. We missed that one.

Christopher Rogers July 31, 2020 (11:17 am)

So many comments on here sound exactly like the white moderates that MLK was talking about, more concerned with the preservation of order and convenience than human rights.Shame on you.

Derek July 31, 2020 (11:24 am)

Dang I wish I knew about this! I live close and love and support this protest!Black Lives Matter!!!! Defund police!

Brynn July 31, 2020 (11:25 am)

To all the people stating you support BLM but….. (insert excuse here), you are the “white moderate” MLK spoke about . By saying you support BLM but only on your terms, you continue to do harm to BIPOC folks. You must actually listen to black voices even when it is not convenient for you.

“…the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action” – Dr. Martin Luther King

Actually Black in West Seattle July 31, 2020 (12:05 pm)

This in 2020
Kim July 31, 2020 (3:07 pm)

Right-o!well said.
ally cat July 31, 2020 (8:02 pm)

+1

Erik July 31, 2020 (12:45 pm)

I thought Dow was great. Came out of his house, faced potential danger, and took the time to answer every question. When the kids ran out of questions, we all left. I admire elected officials who take the time out of their off hours to talk to citizens.

Gina July 31, 2020 (12:58 pm)

I’m glad that no-one was struck by the speeding cars and other motorized modes of transportation on the streets last night. The revving and modified mufflers were much louder than than the marchers.

Yamadog July 31, 2020 (1:12 pm)

This whole thing about the youth jail closure. Does anyone remember the tuba man who “used ” to play before all the Mariner and Seahawk he’s. Well 3 of those 19 are the ones that beat and murdered that man. He had mental issues and I believe was homeless. Those three poor little boys didn’t give a s— about him before beating him and stealing his change. You want to let them go? I have a feeling most of you that are protesting aren’t originally from here but you tell the ones born and raised here to leave. Look up the tuba man if you don’t believe me. #makeseattleawesomeagain Does anyone just want to get along anymore or have respect for one another’s opinions? You can’t even say who you are voting for or what you believe without getting a death threat. Let’s just be people.

Mj July 31, 2020 (2:38 pm)

Thank you for the real info!
Sue July 31, 2020 (3:52 pm)

Those 3 kids are right where they belong. Keep them locked up!

Me July 31, 2020 (1:51 pm)

To all of you talking about “privilege” or “white privilege”, the real privilege is thinking you can defund the police without negative consequences. The people who will suffer most are those who live in poorer or underserved neighborhoods. It’s such a joke. Just because you’ve never had to call the police personally doesn’t mean a lot of people don’t rely on them.

Ws rez July 31, 2020 (3:21 pm)

Me, do some research on what defunding the police means.
Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (3:23 pm)

I would highly recommend reading Chris Hayes excellent work “A Colony in a Nation” to understand why this perspective is so wrong. You may “rely” on the police as the sort of middle-class person who comments on neighborhood blogs, the people who actually live in poor neighborhoods tend to experience the police as an oppressive rather than helpful actor in their lives.
- Insanity Reigns July 31, 2020 (4:15 pm)
  
  I would highly recommend you moving into one of these poor neighborhoods for a brief time and speak to the residents there and experience how oppressive they think they police areorYou could read a book written by an Ivy League white guy…whichever you think is more informative
  - Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (11:00 pm)
    
    Conveniently, many of the residents of those poor neighborhoods have been making their feelings about the police known in public events all across the country! It’s called Black Lives Matter. Spoiler alert: they’re not happy with the current oppressive state of policing in poor neighborhoods that frequently results in extrajudicial murder by agents of the state.

Insanity Reigns July 31, 2020 (2:04 pm)

If you are an American citizen in 2020, you have American privilege regardless of you race, ethnicity, gender, sex, etc…and there are literally hundreds of million, if not billions of people, that would leave everything and everyone they know to travel across deserts and jungles, risk human trafficking and worse to switch spots with you. Americans are more privileged than 99.96% of all human beings that have ever lived. Protesting while wearing slave labor made apparel and tech items stretches beyond hypocrisy. Almost as unbelievable as a bunch of privileged West Seattleites protesting to defund the police when you don’t have to worry about rampant gun violence on your street corners and your children making it home safe.

Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (3:18 pm)

I’m submitting your comment to Webster’s to put next to the entry for “Whataboutism” in the dictionary, congratulations!
- Friend O'Dinghus July 31, 2020 (10:54 pm)
  
  Perspective is not whataboutism, and for the record, the two are not mutually exclusive.

heartless July 31, 2020 (2:32 pm)

Because things could be worse we shouldn’t strive to make them better.

Got it.

Insanity indeed.

Insanity Reigns July 31, 2020 (4:03 pm)

Because West Seattle doesn’t require a large police presence to make the community safer we should decide to strip away that protection for communities that may…
- heartless July 31, 2020 (5:23 pm)
  
  How Defunding the Police Makes Us Safer

Science27 July 31, 2020 (2:37 pm)

Can we march on Suzi LeVines house next? There are thousands of us that still have not recieved any unemployment benefits for 18 weeks. Going on 19. This is nuts!

heartless July 31, 2020 (4:18 pm)

Yes. I, Heartless, random internet commentator, give you permission to march and protest.

Please wear sunscreen.

wetone July 31, 2020 (7:52 pm)

Curious if people Protesting and with Bikes blocking and moving traffic have flaggers cards ? As all people directing traffic are required by LAW? If they don’t, Durkan and Best should be removing them, no questions. Only time before bad things happen again. VOTE and restore normalcy and common sense.

Ron Swanson July 31, 2020 (11:13 pm)

Wow, very nice of this group to be doing street repairs while protesting, as construction is the only reason you’d be required to have a flagger…

KK August 1, 2020 (5:56 pm)

Do you think we’d be welcome to join with a “Fix the Bridge” sign?

Lbalm August 2, 2020 (11:48 am)

Excepts from the Seattle Times–The U.S. Supreme Court recognizes the following: “A special benefit of the privacy all citizens enjoy within their own walls, which the state may legislate to protect, is an ability to avoid intrusions. Thus, we have repeatedly held that individuals are not required to welcome unwanted speech into their own homes and that the government may protect this freedom,” Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote for a 6-3 majority in Frisby v Schultz in 1988. The paths to civil engagement are plentiful: Vote. Run for office. Speak at a city council meeting. Write a letter to the editor. Protest in public spaces. Shout dissent in the streets. Join a peaceful rally.