West Seattle, Washington
24 Saturday
Two vigils for racial justice and equity in West Seattle today:
North Delridge neighbors lined the pedestrian overpass at Delridge/Oregon, and the sidewalk beneath it, for a #SayTheirNames vigil this evening.
Organizer Nancy planned it to be “a quiet and respectful demonstration of support for our African American neighbors, friends, and family.”
Earlier, a nine-minute vigil outside Providence Mount St. Vincent:
This was part of a national elder-care initiative calling for “a time of reflection and awareness building of racism as a public health crisis.”
Just this week, the King County Board of Health passed a resolution making that declaration.
Juneteenth arrives this year after weeks of demonstrations against racism and for justice and equity, and the day began in the shadow of the West Seattle Bridge, with a march – hundreds strong – from the ILWU Local 19 hall, headed to Terminal 46 and then to the Corrections Department Day Center, planning rallies at both stops. Here’s our video of the march’s start:
Motorcycles led the way as the march headed north on East Marginal, first on the frontage road and then to the open road:
The longshore workers’ union also stopped work up and down the West Coast during the day shift today in observance of Juneteenth, as noted in our preview.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN WEST SEATTLE: Both of these are open to all:
Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW), noon – Along 35th, kneeling for 9 minutes as “Providence Elder Place West, a PACE program (Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly), located on-site at The Mount, is joining the national PACE organization for a time of reflection and awareness building of racism as a public health crisis.” (Just this week, the King County Board of Health officially declared it to be one.)
Delridge/Oregon overpass, 5:30 pm – A #SayTheirNames vigil, as previewed here.
After almost three weeks, demonstrations against racism and for justice and equity continue in West Seattle. Until about 6 pm, Hate-Free Delridge is out on the corners at Delridge and Orchard.
As previewed earlier this week, the specific reason for this gathering is “to support Justice for Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, and all Black Lives.”
Tomorrow is Juneteenth, and we’ve received word of at least three events – two already previewed, and this one outside Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW):
Providence Elder Place West, a PACE program (Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly), located on-site at The Mount, is joining the national PACE organization for a time of reflection and awareness building of racism as a public health crisis. The gathering will be Friday, June 19th at 12:00 along 35th in front of The Mount.
All from the community are invited to join and kneel for 9 minutes, then continue to take a stand against racial injustice.
Sent by Nancy:
Neighbors will be gathering this Friday evening at 5:30 for a #SayTheirNames vigil at the pedestrian overpass across Delridge at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
People are invited to come with a sign with one name of an African American who has been a victim of either direct or indirect police violence. I will also have names printed out that people can use.
I would like this to be a quiet and respectful demonstration of support for our African American neighbors, friends, and family.
Also coming up this week:
*Hate-Free Delridge demonstration, 4-6 pm Thursday at Delridge/Orchard
*ILWU Local 19 march, 9 am Friday from Spokane/E. Marginal to downtown
Have you listened yet to “All Ways West Seattle”? It’s a semi-new podcast by longtime West Seattle resident Keith Bacon, and he’s just published a new episode that he tells WSB is:
… focused on the March for Black Lives and BLM protest in the Junction. Highlights are interviews with two of the youth speakers at the Junction event: 12-year-old Ericka, who read her poem “Monsters, Criminals, and Liars,” and 15-year-old Coco, who was also one of the event organizers. Plus an extended talk with regular contributor Kisha Vaughan, reflecting on the event (which she also spoke at) and the days surrounding it.
This is the seventh episode of “All Ways West Seattle” – the others have included a wide range of topics, from the West Seattle Bridge to how COVID-19 has changed lives and businesses in West Seattle. Keith (photo left) launched the podcast back in March, just before the pandemic changed everyone’s world. He describes himself as “a writer and producer who lives in (and loves) the Alaska Junction” and is producing new episodes every two weeks or so. The podcast was something he had been thinking about for a while before launching it, and with the challenges posed to our peninsula from both the pandemic and the bridge closure, he says, “I feel like the opportunity to do something good for my neighborhood has become more important and valuable.” So give it a listen and let Keith know what you think – you can offer feedback via social media.
The next major rally/march near our area will be on Friday, for Juneteenth, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the U.S. – Seattle’s ILWU Local 19 has announced a march during a West Coast-wide work stoppage:
This Friday, June 19th, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) will cease operations for the day shift along the entire US west coast, including Seattle, comprising 29 ports from Bellingham to San Diego, in observance of Juneteenth.
At the vacant Terminal 46 downtown, ILWU longshore workers will host a Rally and March to Stop Police Brutality and end Systematic Racism. The event will begin 9:00 a.m. at the ILWU Local 19 Union Hall – 3440 E Marginal Way S (corner of Spokane and East Marginal). Longshore workers will march as part of the coast-wide work stoppage and with other local labor, community, and faith leaders, including leaders from MLK Labor.
Participants will march (or car-caravan) to Terminal 46 for a rally and show of solidarity before continuing on to the WA Department of Corrections (DOC) Day Reporting Center, 1550 4th Ave S. This rally will call attention to victims of the criminal justice system while incarcerated. Recent concerns have been raised about incidents of retaliation by the DOC against incarcerated laborers, who requested PPE and appropriate safety measures to protect against COVID-19 infection.
Two weeks after leading two streetcorner demonstrations, Hate-Free Delridge plans another one – here’s the announcement:
Please join us for another peaceful protest in the neighborhood. Since the recent protests that our group organized on June 3rd and 5th, we have received a lot of positive feedback, and requests for more events like this, so we want to keep the momentum of our message going strong! See our message and the details below and bring your friends and family!
We mourn the murder of George Floyd and of so many other Black Americans at the hands of police in America. We sadly add to the list Rayshard Brooks, murdered in Atlanta this week. We want change in the systems of policy that are racist and oppressive. We want justice for Black Lives. Our goal is to keep our message alive and in the streets. Please join Hate-Free Delridge for another peaceful gathering in West Seattle and bring signs with your messages for justice! For everyone’s safety, masks are required and please maintain 6 feet of distance between each family group. Thank you for staying engaged and we will see you there!
WHO: Hate Free Delridge
WHAT: A gathering to support Justice for Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, and all Black Lives
WHEN: Thursday, June 18th, 4-6 pm
WHERE: The intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Orchard St.
The group was formed almost four years ago.
2:06 PM: We are at Walt Hundley Playfield, where West Seattle’s next protest march is about to start. Organizers just told us they plan to go west on Myrtle, north on 35th, east on Morgan/Sylvan, then on Delridge to Boren STEM K-8. Updates to come.
3:05 PM: After several speeches (added: some video above, including Karen Taylor singing the Black National Anthem), the march is about to leave the playfield.
3:17 PM: Headed out, NB on 35th.
3:47 PM: Approaching Delridge.
3:54 PM: Now on Delridge, stopping just north of the precinct, chanting “no justice, no peace, no racist police” and “Black rights are equal rights.” Also, “Say his name/George Floyd.”
(added) And an invitation for the police whose building was yards away:
4:07 PM: The hundreds of marchers have now headed northbound for the endpoint, Louisa Boren STEM K-8. The organizers were a group of 5friends who say they just came up with the idea less than a week ago because they thought there should be more marches “in more urban communities.’
4:37 PM: The march is over; some participants are still rallying in the Boren parking lot.
More photos later.
6:01 PM: We’ve added some photos above. Still to come: Video from just before the march. The speakers had many messages, including this one that was repeated by multiple speakers: Marching is not enough. “You have to put in the work,” said Amanda Scott. “There’s so much work to be done.”
Just south of the now-empty West Seattle high bridge sits Pigeon Point. That’s where, this morning, dozens of Pigeon Pointers of all ages showed up for a neighborhood march to affirm that Black Lives Matter.
As reported here on Friday, this is also a response to the defacing and removal of a support banner that had been hung in the neighborhood.
P.S. This was the first of two West Seattle events announced for today – the next is at 2 pm at High Point Community Center, with an announced plan to march to Delridge Community Center.
Lots of questions about protests coming up in West Seattle. Here’s what’s been mentioned to us so far. :
SUNDAY: As mentioned last night, Pigeon Point neighbors plan a demonstration at 20th/Charlestown, 11 am.
SUNDAY: Also as previously mentioned, a march is planned from High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW) to Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), starting at 2 pm. We’ve heard twice from organizer Brandon, who says this is the motivation:
MONDAT: Admiral Church is continuing with “Take a Knee for Justice”:
Admiral Church will be sponsoring weekly “Take a Knee for Justice” events on the church lawn at 8 pm on Monday evenings through the end of June (June 15, 22 and 29). We will kneel in silence for 8 minutes to grieve together the deaths of all those persons of color who have been murdered by white supremacy and to protest racial injustice. Then we will sing a song together; no speech-ing, no preaching, just coming together as a community. Bring masks and protest signs if you have them; we will also have some available. Join us!
Anything else? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
2:46 PM: A silent vigil right now on California south of Alaska. Updates to come.
(Added – photo sent by Eileen & Michael)
2:51 PM: Still silent, fists raised, some have moved northward into Walk All Ways.
3:05 PM: Applause broke the silence at 3, and everyone dispersed. More photos/video later.
ADDED 8:01 PM: There aren’t many words to be said about this; that was the point. The original Black Lives Matter-Seattle/King County call was for a day of action and silent marches “o honor lives lost and send a powerful message that Washingtonians no longer tolerate the racism that is built into so many of our institutions.” In West Seattle, organizer Sara had wondered earlier in the week if anyone else had planned one here; no one had, so she did. Two groups marched to The Junction, this one from Morgan Junction:
Like other recent West Seattle protests, participants spanned a wide age range:
Another group marched south to The Junction from Admiral, and everyone converged on California just south of Alaska, still silent.
For a while, everyone stayed there, and east-west traffic continued along Alaska. Then some moved north and filled the intersection for 10-plus minutes.
The demonstration was contemplative and peaceful. As they had done during last Saturday’s huge gathering, police were only seen on traffic control down the block.
P.S. Next West Seattle protests (that we’ve heard of) are on Sunday, 11 am at 20th/Charlestown (explained here) and 2 pm from High Point Community Center.
Educators, parents, and students lined fauntleroy Way by Gatewood Elementary earlier this hour, in the first of two planned West Seattle protests this afternoon on the day of action called for by regional Black Lives Matter leadership.
The school community also wanted to show it’s undaunted despite the theft of a BLM support banner the PTA had placed along the fence.
Coming up at 2 pm, groups are planning to march silently, also in support of the BLM call, to The Junction from Morgan Junction and Alaska Junction. Meantime, more than 50 local businesses have closed to support the general strike that’s also happening today – our list is here.
If you can’t, or choose not to, march, but want to contemplate action against racism, injustice, and inequity – take a short walk around Peace Lutheran Church. We happened onto this while out walking earlier this week. The signs are small – requiring a close look:
Along with explanatory signs, there are simple hand-lettered signs including these:
The church is at 39th/Thistle.
After regional Black Lives Matter leadership called for a general strike and silent marches today, some asked if any marches/protests were planned in West Seattle. We just got word of two this morning:
Sara sent word of that one – yoo can gather either at the Admiral Junction (California/Admiral) or Morgan Junction (California/Fauntleroy) at 2 pm to march silently to The Junction (California/Alaska).
Also: A group of parents/teachers will gather at 1 pm outside Gatewood Elementary (4320 SW Myrtle).
P.S. Reminder that many businesses have chosen to close to support the general strike – we’re continuing to update this list – westseattleblog@gmail.com if you have an addition – thank you!
A community-organized March for Black Lives took to the streets in White Center late today, starting with a rally at Greenbridge Plaza, then marching to the business district for a second rally, and then back to Greenbridge via Roxbury. For more photos, see our report on partner site White Center Now. Among the participants, a group that marched from Chief Sealth International High School – we stopped by while they were gathering:
WHAT’S NEXT: Still awaiting word on whether any West Seattle events are planned in conjunction with Friday’s general strike. We have heard from an organizer calling for a 2 pm Sunday (June 14th) march from High Point Community Center.
Protests for justice and equity, against racism and oppression, continue around our city, region, and nation. Parents organized this rally lining Delridge at noon outside Louisa Boren STEM K-8, first of three events today.
Coming up: 3 pm student-organized event outside Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), marching to White Center, where the Community March for Black Lives will begin with speakers at Greenbridge Plaza (8th SW south of Roxbury) at 4 pm, heading toward downtown White Center at 5 pm.
Thanks to Nancy for the photo of the “small but mighty” gathering at Delridge Playfield during “Take a Knee for Justice” around this time last night. For those looking to show their opposition to racism and support for justice and equity, here are three upcoming events:
WEDNESDAY: At noon tomorrow, a family rally is planned outside Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), “to proclaim that Black Lives Matter.” You’re asked to wear masks and spread out along the sidewalk.
Also tomorrow, White Center’s Community March for Black Lives is planned, starting at Greenbridge Plaza:
People of White Center, we stand together in solidarity to fight for justice for our black brothers and sisters.
-We will gather at Greenbridge Plaza at 4 pm
-Hear from community members and leaders
-Begin Peaceful March toward 16th Avenue at 5 pm .Please bring your face mask.
The plaza is on 8th SW just south of SW Roxbury.
(ADDED WED.) Per image in comments, there’s also a 3 pm march from Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) to White Center.
SATURDAY: The organizers of last weekend’s Peace Peloton ride from Alki have organized another ride – not in West Seattle but not far:
2nd PEACE PELOTON demonstration and bike ride to support black-owned businesses
Saturday, June 13, 2020Starting point is Tougo Coffee at Yesler Terrace. Riders gather from 10:00 am onward. Ride starts at 12 Noon and ends at Ezell’s Chicken/Garfield Playfield. Additional details and route map are in this link.
Anything else ahead? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Protests and rallies continue, keeping the spotlight – and pressure – on, in hopes of inspiring true change. Today, West Seattle High School student Deija Lewis (above) rallied some of her schoolmates to call for “a better future,” including “restorative justice at every school.”
The students listened to speakers. And they drew support from educators:
In opening remarks, Deija embraced the goal of working toward a future “without discrimination and hatred.”
12:07 PM: Two days after Saturday’s huge demonstration in the West Seattle Junction, protests against racism, for justice and equity, continue around the city, region, and nation. For everyone asking what else s ahead, we have word of two more this week.
TONIGHT: ‘Take a Knee for Justice’ is something you are invited to do at 8 pm outside yuur own home – or, outside Alki UCC, which just sent this announcement:
Alki United Church of Christ invites you to a vigil tonight, June 8, to “Take a Knee for Justice,” part of the worldwide peaceful demonstration of support for people of color who have sustained systemic injustice for far too long.
At 7:50 pm, we gather at outside at 6115 SW Hinds in West Seattle; the church bells will be rung promptly at 8:00 and 8:08 pm.
For those who choose not to kneel, bring a lawn chair to sit on, or stand by/sit in your vehicle. Please maintain social distancing and wear face masks. Questions/information: office@alkiucc.org
ADDED 3:45 PM: Two more churches have let us know they are participating: Tibbetts UMC (3940 41st SW; WSB sponsor) is gathering outside at 7:45, kneeling at 8. Also Fauntleroy UCC Church (9140 California SW): “Park in the church lot and be sure to wear a mask. We’ll social distance along the sidewalk. Bring a folding chair if you cannot kneel or simply stand in support of a bias-free society.” (One more addition: Per comments, Admiral Church, 4320 SW Hill.)
UPDATED 4:04 PM – 2 ON WEDNESDAY: At noon, a family rally outside Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), “to proclaim that Black Lives Matter.” You’re asked to wear masks and spread out along the sidewalk.
Also Wednesday, the Community March for Black Lives is planned, starting at Greenbridge Plaza:
People of White Center, we stand together in solidarity to fight for justice for our black brothers and sisters.
-We will gather at Greenbridge Plaza at 4 pm
-Hear from community members and leaders
-Begin Peaceful March towards 16th AVE at 5 pm .Please bring your face mask.
The plaza is on 8th SW just south of SW Roxbury.
Anything else coming up in West Seattle, White Center, South Park this week? Please let us know so we can add it to the list – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
One of the students who organized this afternoon’s massive protest in the West Seattle Junction told the crowd they weren’t sure anyone would show up.
Someone did. Four digits worth of someones.
(Aerial photo courtesy Paul Weatherman)
And they showed up early. Groups marched from Admiral and Morgan Junction, and by the time they arrived, a crowd was already filling Walk-All-Ways at California/Alaska, chanting and cheering. A cheer went up as the Admiral marchers arrived, hundreds strong:
Though there were speakers and even live music – with the roof of Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan‘s iconic black van turned into a stage – some of the most powerful moments were in the early going, as the crowd chanted – and filled the street with their prone bodies.
The most powerful speaker was the youngest – Louisa Boren STEM K-8 student Erica – with an impassioned poetry reading:
Earlier, the first speaker was entrepreneur Donald Watts, who spoke of family members – including his dad, Seattle SuperSonics legend Slick Watts, and his grandma in Mississippi, who he said would not believe today’s amazing turnout, so he took a photo to show her. He said it’s time for change, and he vowed that he would too, saying he had failed to speak out in the past when he was a target of racism, but would never let it go unchallenged again. “Figure out where your role is, to make a difference, put it in your heart, put it in action.”
Rain fell as Watts spoke; then the sun returned as he concluded, and the weather remained favorable for the rest of the event. Other speakers included Chris Porter, a longtime local activist and health-care professional. His theme: “Enough is enough,” as he called out a list of inequities.
He said he wants a world where “when my son leaves the house, I don’t have to hold my breath.” But, to remind everyone of what happened as George Floyd died in Minneapolis less than 2 weeks ago, he asked protesters to be silent and try holding their breath for 2 minutes – just a quarter of the time Mr. Floyd spent held down by a police officer. After half a minute or so, from scattered pockets of the crowd, people called out: “I can’t breathe … I can’t breathe.”
Another speaker drew some chants of dissent from around the crowd – King County Executive Dow Constantine, the only elected official to take the mic:
He spoke of reform, and led a round of “Say Their Names,” but voices could be heard yelling “No Youth Jail” – Constantine has been long criticized by activists opposed to the county’s new $200+ million juvenile-justice facility, which includes detention.
Another rebuke to the system: A short time later, as Ayron Jones played the Star-Spangled Banner on his guitar, the thousand-plus protesters dropped to their knees:
Before long, after more than two hours had elapsed since the early start, the protest ended – still peaceful, no confrontations (police were present at the perimeters, mostly to keep traffic away from the people-filled streets), as had been the case with the half-dozen smaller West Seattle demonstrations we have covered this past week.
So – what now?
Everyone will have to answer that in their own way, to back up their words with deeds. As for protests – so far we’ve heard of one more in West Seattle, a student-organized protest at WSHS at noon Monday.
P.S. Words of thanks from today’s organizers are here.
(This was our third and final report on today’s event. Earlier, we published as-it-happened notes and a look at some of the signs.)
So many sentiments – from demands, declarations, and denunciations, to lamentations and affirmations – filled the hundreds of handmade signs waved at today’s huge protest in The Junction. Here’s a sample.
The next four photos were sent by Holli Margell:
The next two were sent by Vy Duong and Evan Hilgenberg:
Our detailed report on the full event, with video, is still in the works.
12:58 PM: As previewed earlier, two groups of marchers are headed along California SW to join the 2 pm protest in The Junction – one from Morgan (more than 100 in our estimation) and one from Admiral.
More coverage to come.
1:20 PM: Already hundreds here at Walk All Ways. Follow the WSB Twitter account for updates. California/Alaska is blocked with protesters kneeling and lying down.
1:30 PM: After the arrival of Admiral marchers, the streets are full. (Added – aerial view from Paul Weatherman:)
1:54 PM: It’s raining. The crowd is listening to Donald Watts speak:
2:11 PM: Chris Porter speaks now. He leads the crowd in an attempt to hold their breath for 2 minutes. “Enough is enough” is his theme.
2:44 PM: The streets are still full. Students have spoken. So has King County Executive Dow Constantine, saying he’s never seen anything like this.
2:51 PM: Speakers are done; now musician Ayron Jones is performing.
The crowd has shrunk a bit around the edges but is still filling the heart of The Junction. Totally peaceful, by the way. (Added, another side note: The “stage” is Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan‘s iconic van.)
3:01 PM: The crowd knelt as Jones played the anthem:
3:22 PM: Finally able to add a few visuals here, pending full coverage later. Protest just wrapping up. It’ll take a while for the street to clear,though. One final view – as we arrived, Desmond Hansen was painting this by Jefferson Square:
3:44 PM: Traffic cam at California/Alaska shows most have cleared:
MUCH more to come in report #2 – this was just a bare-bones series of notes.
12:56 PM: Thanks to Lynn Hall for the view from above – those are some of the Peace Peloton riders who left Alki a short time ago. More coverage later.
ADDED 6:15 PM: A few more photos:
Organizer Reginald “Doc” Wilson led the 15-mile ride to the Northwest African American Museum, “in protest of the injustices endured by black, brown, disenfranchised, and underrepresented populations in our city”:
He says he’ll organize other rides this summer. Hundreds showed up today to join this one:
We recorded video as they headed out and will add that when it’s ready. (Added -here it is:)
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