West Seattle sees protests and preparations
West Seattle sees protests and preparations
Sandra Callies, who is a former seven year resident of Minneapolis was in the West Seattle Junction with about 30 others protesting the death of George Floyd who died as a result of police actions last week.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Tue, 06/02/2020
Rumors swirled on social media about potential protest demonstrations to be staged in West Seattle which alarmed certain retailers including two of the largest at Westwood Village. Target closed early at put a line of shopping carts outside the front door, while QFC chose to board up their windows completely. The row of businesses just north of QFC also boarded up.
The Seattle Police were on hand "just making our presence known" said one officer but acknowledging that no specific threats had been made.
Meanwhile in the West Seattle Junction Jacks Restaurant, Menashe Jewelers, and Carmilia's Dress shop were boarded up.
A group of protesters, who were remarkably well behaved, waiting for the walk all ways signal to do much of their demonstration, shouted slogans from the corners and waved signs.
One protester there had some unique insight as to why she and others were there. Sandra Callise said, "I used to live in Minneapolis for seven years. I know exactly how the police act there and it makes a lot of people scared. What really pisses me off is that it depends on what color your skin is there, whether or not you're left alone and that's wrong." She went to say what is happening in her former home town. "All the entities are cancelling their contracts with the MPD (Minneapolis Police Department), (confirmed here). The Universisty of Minnesota will no longer work with them for security. (confirmed here), All these contracts are getting cancelled." She pointed out that the kind of change needed might be "Investing in your community so that you can see you don't need to have a brutal cop come in and police you. Making sure you are a part of your community, and making sure you know your neighbors, and talking to your neighbors, I hate fences."
West Seatle Junction Association Executive Director Lora Radford said, "There is supposed to be another protest Thursday and again on Saturday."
Mayor Jenny Durkan's office issued a new curfew announcement of 9pm to 5am through Saturday in the City of Seattle. www.seattle.gov/curfew
Comments
Wondering what time and…
Wondering what time and where you are gathering to protest on thursday and Saturday?
I would like to be informed
I would like to be informed
SATURDAY 2PM IN THE JUNCTION…
SATURDAY 2PM IN THE JUNCTION. NOT SURE ABOUT THURSDAY.
This is causing more hate…
This is causing more hate.
We Don't HAVE race issues in our sleepy spiritual beautiful safe spiritual town. A town I move to Specifically To Raise My Son Of Color. Go back to Minnesota. We don't spread toxic here. We thrice here. Go out of my peaceful town . Go now!
Thanks for covering West…
Thanks for covering West Seattle! I just want to urge you to be a bit more careful with letting stereotypes creep into your language. When you say protesters were "remarkably" well-behaved it conveys that peaceful behavior is somehow outside the norm. The vast majority of protesters have been peaceful. Using this word implies otherwise.
It's good to recall that…
It's good to recall that when blacks were burning down Minneapolis, white men were blasting into space. The juxtaposition is telling.
But black grievances go on and on. The resentment was captured long ago in this song.
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey's on the moon)
I can't pay no doctor bill.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.
(while Whitey's on the moon)
The man jus' upped my rent las' night.
('cause Whitey's on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no lights.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
I wonder why he's uppi' me?
('cause Whitey's on the moon?)
I was already payin' 'im fifty a week.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Taxes takin' my whole damn check,
Junkies makin' me a nervous wreck,
The price of food is goin' up,
An' as if all that shit wasn't enough
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face an' arm began to swell.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Was all that money I made las' year
(for Whitey on the moon?)
How come there ain't no money here?
(Hm! Whitey's on the moon)
Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill
(of Whitey on the moon)
I think I'll sen' these doctor bills,
Airmail special
(to Whitey on the moon)
The tune is here:
Never thought I'd be happy…
Never thought I'd be happy about the fact the bridge is closed.
What time and where are we gathering on Thursday and Saturday?