>>> THANK YOU.
I'M HERE TO GIVE A BRIEFING
FROM EVENTS THAT HAPPENED
OVERNIGHT.
AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF OUR
STRATEGIES OF MOVING FORWARD.
BEFORE I DO THAT WE ALWAYS
START BY ACKNOWLEDGING GEORGE
FLOYD , AND PAYING HOMAGE TO
HIS MEMORY AND THE FACT THAT HE
WAS MURDERED THE HANDS OF
POLICE.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY
HOW MUCH I LOVE THE GREAT CITY
OF SEATTLE.
AND HOW MUCH I LOVE AND
APPRECIATE THE MEN AND WOMEN ON
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT I
HAVE KNOWN FOR A LOT OF YEARS.
MANY OF WHOM WOULD BE ON THE
FRONT LINES PROTESTING AND
DEMONSTRATING RIGHT NOW FOR
FAIRNESS, EQUITY, AND JUSTICE.
EXCEPT FOR THEIR PROFESSION AND
JOB.
WE FIND OURSELVES IN THIS
SURREAL POSITION.
THOSE OF US WHO WANT TO HAVE
FAIRNESS, FREEDOM , AND THE
JUSTICE.
PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF.
WE ARE NOW THE TARGET OF
COMPLAINTS OF BRUTALITY AND
OTHER ISSUES.
IT IS SURREAL, PARTICULARLY
WHEN ALL WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE
SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING
PEOPLE'S OF FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS OF FREE SPEECH.
THAT WE ARE DOING THE GREAT
WORK AND THE GREAT EFFORTS WE
HAVE SWORN TO DO FOR THE CITY
OF SEATTLE.
I'M IN A PRECARIOUS SPOT WHERE
I HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A
MICRO-AGGRESSION, VIOLENCE ,
AND OTHER ISSUES.
NOW THE TARGET OF FOLKS THAT
THINK THAT I PERPETUATE THAT.
GENERALLY IT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
IT IS A VERY INTERESTING AND
ODD PLACE TO BE AS A POLICE
CHIEF IN THIS PREDICAMENT.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL
CONTINUE ON THE MISSION TO KEEP
EVERYONE IN THE CITY SAFE.
AND TO DO SO FAIRLY AND JUSTLY.
WITH THE LEVEL OF EQUITY THAT I
HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO EVER
SINCE I JOINED THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT 28 YEARS AGO.
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING
PEOPLE'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT
TO FREE SPEECH.
OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE NO
CONFLICTS.
UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT ABLE
TO MEET THIS GOAL ON SEVERAL
OCCASIONS THIS WEEK.
IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE
THAT WE MEET PEACE WITH PEACE.
MY FAMILY IS OUT THERE ON 11th
AND PINE JOINING THE
DEMONSTRATION.
I DEFINITELY WANT ON A PERSONAL
LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE
PEACE WITH ALL THE
DEMONSTRATORS THERE AT THE
SCENE.
I ALSO NEED TO BE HONEST.
THE STANDOFF SITUATION AT THE
EAST PRECINCT IS UNLIKE
ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN
BEFORE.
THE EAST PRECINCT HAS BECOME A
DANGEROUS FLASHPOINT FOR
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FOR OUR
OFFICERS.
NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
CONCERNS ME MORE THAN THE
POTENTIAL OF THREATS OF
VIOLENCE.
AND THREATS AGAINST THOSE
PEACEFUL PROTESTERS WHO HAVE
BEEN AFFECTED BY THE DEPLOYMENT
OF THE BLAST BALLS.
AND I AM SORRY FOR THOSE WHO
CAME THERE TO DEMONSTRATE AND
EXERCISE THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT.
I AM SORRY THAT THAT DEPLOYMENT
AFFECTED YOU.
I EXPECT A PROPORTIONAL
RESPONSE TO ANY ACTION FROM THE
CROWD.
OUR POLICIES AND TRAINING
EXPLICITLY STATE THAT.
THAT FORCE MUST BE REASONABLE,
NECESSARY, AND PROPORTIONAL.
AND THAT IS MY EXPECTATION.
WE WILL BE REVIEWING, I KNOW
MANY PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
THE PROPORTIONALITY OF THE
FORCE THAT HAS BEEN NEWS . WE
WILL REVIEW EVERY SINGLE ASPECT
OF THAT.
AND YOU WILL HEAR MORE OF WHAT
IS TO FOLLOW FROM THE MAYOR.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE ACTING IN PROPORTION TO
WHAT WE ARE CONFRONTING ON THE
FRONT LINES.
NO ONE IS MORE COMMITTED TO
MAKING OUR DEPARTMENT BETTER TO
CONTINUE THE IMPROVEMENT,
CONTINUE EXAMINATION AND
INNOVATION AND BUILD COMMUNITY
TRUST , NOT TEAR DOWN.
THE SITUATION ON CAPITOL HILL
AND ON 11th AND PINE.
HAS BEEN DIFFERENT.
LAST NIGHT PROTESTERS MOVED THE
BARRICADE WHICH WAS THE FENCING
WE HAD AT 11.
REPEATEDLY AS WE ASKED THEM NOT
TO DO SO.
AND THEN BOTTLES AND OTHER
INCENDIARY DEVICES WERE THROWN
AT THE OFFICERS.
SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED, SIX
OFFICERS WERE INJURED , AND TWO
WERE HOSPITALIZED.
THE SITUATION WAS TENUOUS AT
BEST.
AND PEPPER SPRAY AND BLAST
BALLS WERE DEPLOYED.
NO TEAR GAS WAS DEPLOYED.
AFTER 30 MINUTES THE BARRICADE
WAS MOVED BACK TO THE PREVIOUS
LOCATION.
WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
THANK THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN
THE CROWD WHO HELPED DE-
ESCALATE IT LAST NIGHT.
I KNOW THE VAST MAJORITY.
WE SAY THIS MULTIPLE TIMES.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF PROTESTERS
ARE PEACEFUL.
THERE ARE BAD ACTORS IN THE
CROWD IN AN ORGANIZED EFFORT TO
INCITE VIOLENCE.
I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH A LOT
OF FOLKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES THAT
ARE CONSISTENT IN POLICE
AGENCIES ACROSS THE NATION.
I TALKED WITH CHIEF RUSH FROM
PORTLAND , OREGON WHO WAS
CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF
THEIR OFFICERS , AND THEY HAVE
ERECTED FENCE LINES TO MAKE
SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO KEEP
DEMONSTRATORS AND THE OFFICERS
SAFE.
WE HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM THE FBI
THAT THERE ARE POCKETS OF THE
COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING
DELIBERATE AND INTENTIONAL WITH
ATTACKING GOVERNMENT AND POLICE
FACILITIES.
MOVING FORWARD I WILL BE ADDING
DEAL IF DIFFERENT WAYS TO DE-
ESCALATE THE SITUATION ON
CAPITOL HILL.
TONIGHT WE ARE MAKING CHANGES.
WE BELIEVE BARRIERS ARE
NECESSARY.
WE WANT TO MINIMIZE THE POLICE
POSTURE.
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE
NUMBER OF OFFICERS ON THE LINE
AND IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.
AND REMOVING THE PROTECTIVE GEAR
THAT WE WERE WEARING THE CAUSE
PEOPLE SOME CONCERN.
THE NATIONAL GUARD IS AVAILABLE
, BUT WILL NOT BE DEPLOYED ON
THE FRONT LINE UNLESS THE
SITUATION DETERIORATES.
IN THE FUTURE WE WILL TRY TO
WORK WIH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO
DEPLOYED DE-ESCALATION TEAMS TO
WORK WITH PROTESTERS AND
DEMONSTRATORS TO ENSURE THE
SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
INVOLVED IN THAT THERE IS
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE
PARTICIPANTS.
HELPING THEM MANAGE THE CROWD
AND THE EXPECTATIONS.
LAST NIGHT WE HAD MEMBERS OF
THE COMMUNITY WORKING TO DE-
ESCALATE ACTIONS ON THE FRONT
LINES.
AND I WANT TO THANK MR.
SAULSBERRY AND ALL THE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT
PARTICIPATED.
I GIVE YOU MY SINCERE PROMISE
THAT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE
CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE
IS SAFE.
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE REACTIONS TO WHAT WE ARE
EXPERIENCING ARE PROPORTIONAL
SO THEY ARE NOT QUESTIONED BY
AUTHORS WHO ARE THERE TO
DEMONSTRATE PEACEFULLY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>> THANK YOU AND GETTING IN ,
THANK YOU CHIEF PICK THANK YOU
FOR JOINING US.
I WANT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE
HERE NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE
MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.
BUT BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT IT HAS
SHOWN ON THE GENERATIONAL
IMPACTS OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.
WHILE WE ARE WITNESSING,
SHARING, AND EXPERIENCING MORE
PAIN THAN ANY TIME I CAN
REMEMBER.
THERE IS A REASON TO HOPE.
PEOPLE ARE RISING IN CITIES
ACROSS OUR NATION TO SPEAK OUT,
TO PROTEST, TO DEMAND CHANGE.
TODAY WE WANT TO LIFT A MARCH
FOR BLACK LIVES, TO MARCH
AGAINST THE SYSTEMIC RACISM.
PEACEFULLY PROTESTING AND
CALLING TO AN END OF POLICE
VIOLENCE AND THE SYSTEMIC
STRUCTURES THAT PERPETUATE IT.
I GRATEFUL FOR ALL THOSE OF
PEACEFULLY MARCHED AND
PROTESTED IN OTHELLO AND
THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.
TODAY AND EVERY DAY.
BY THE THOUSANDS WE'VE SEEN
PEOPLE MARCH IN EVERY PART OF
TOWN.
THIS IS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY
PAINFUL WEEK FOR CITY AND
COUNTRY.
A PAINFUL PERIOD OF TIME IN A
REALLY TERRIBLE YEAR.
IT IS ONE THAT IS SHINING LIGHT
ON RACISM AND INJUSTICE THAT
HAS HAUNTED OUR PAST AND
CONTINUES TO HAUNT OUR PRESENCE
PRESENT.
IT SUMMONS US TO DO MORE TO DO
BETTER.
PAIN AND ANGUISH HAVE BROUGHT
THOUSANDS OF NEIGHBORS TO
PROTEST AND DEMAND ACTION.
THEY MUST BE HEARD.
WE MUST ACT , AND WE ARE.
THIS LAST WEEK I HAVE HAD MANY
CONVERSATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF
THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND OTHER
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ABOUT HOW
WE GO FORWARD AS THE CITY.
THE BLACK COMMUNITY WANTS THEIR
VOICES HEARD.
ALTHOUGH PAINFUL BECAUSE OF THE
TRAUMA OF SYSTEMIC RACISM WHICH
IS IMMEDIATE AND GENERATIONS
DAY.
I APPRECIATE THOSE
CONVERSATIONS AND THE
WILLINGNESS TO HAVE THEM.
I BELIEVE WE TRULY CAN BUILD
TRUE , LASTING, GENERATIONAL
JUSTICE AND CHANGE.
TODAY I WAS HONORED TO JOIN A
NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE LEADERS, TO
SEE HOW WE CAN ADDRESS SYSTEMIC
RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH
CRISIS THAT AFFECTS EVERY
ASPECT OF A BLACK AMERICAN'S
LIFE.
A BRILLIANT DR. NOTED THAT THE
BLACK COMMUNITY IS EXPERIENCING
TWO PANDEMICS.
COVID-19 AND GENERATIONS OF
RACISM.
WE NEED TO BRING THE SAME
INTENSITY, AND MAKE THE SAME
COMMITMENT TO CURE THE
ILLNESSES OF RACISM THAT WE
HAVE BROUGHT TO COVID-19.
TONIGHT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT
SOME OF THE CONCRETE STEPS WE
ARE TAKING AS A RESULT OF THOSE
CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD.
I PLEDGE TO CONTINUE THE
DIALOGUE AND LEAD THE CITY AS A
PARTNER IN GENERATIONAL CHANGE.
FIRST I WANT TO BRIEFLY ADDRESS
WHAT IS HAPPENED ON CAPITOL
HILL THIS WEEK.
AND PARTICULARLY LAST NIGHT.
I KNOW THAT CHIEF BEST ADDRESS
THIS EARLIER TODAY.
AND THOSE TOPICS WILL SAY MORE
ON THE TACTICS OF THE EAST
PRECINCT AS THE NIGHT
CONTINUES.
I WANT TO THANK CHIEF BEST FOR
HER LEADERSHIP DURING THIS
UNPRECEDENTED TIME.
WHAT SHE AND OFFICERS THAT DO
FOR OUR CITY IS REMARKABLE.
SHE WILL ADMIT FAULTS, TAKE
ACTION, AND CONTINUOUSLY
IMPROVE HER POLICE DEPARTMENT.
YESTERDAY WE SAW AN ALL TOO
FAMILIAR PATTERN.
DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE
EAST PRESENT WERE PEACEFUL FOR
HOURS UPON HOURS UNTIL THE
SITUATION DEVOLVED IN THE LATE
AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING.
SINCE LAST SATURDAY CHIEF BEST
AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY
CONVERSATIONS EVERY DAY ABOUT
REDUCING TENSIONS, DE-
ESCALATING, AND D MILLER ME D
MILITARIZING ARE POSTURE.
WE CHANGED TACTICS AND
OPERATIONS TO ADJUST. USE OF
FORCE MUST BE RARE, NECESSARY,
AND PROPORTIONAL.
LIKE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY
WE KNOW THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.
NOT ONLY THIS WEEK BUT IN CASES
BEFORE.
BASED UPON THE BEST ASSESSMENT
AND SPECIFIC INFORMATION FROM
THE FBI ABOUT THREATS TO THE
EAST PRECINCT AND TO BUILDINGS
HERE IN SEATTLE , THEY
CONCLUDED THAT REMOVING THE
BARRIER WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE
SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE
COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE 500 RESIDENTS THAT
LIVE IN THAT BLOCK. FROM
BRIEFINGS WITH CHIEF BEST I WAS
INFORMED THAT PROTESTERS WERE
PUSHING THE BARRICADES AND
MOVING THEM AND THROWING
PROJECTILES IN SEVERAL OFFICERS
WERE INJURED.
THAT IS COUNTER TO BEING
PEACEFUL, THE RESPONSE OF THE
PLACE TO BE BETTER MANAGE
MANAGE.
THEY WERE TOO QUICK TO DEPLOY
FLASH BANGS, PEPPER SPRAY, AND
THE NATIONAL GUARD PICK THEY
BEEN WORKING LONG HOURS UNDER
DIFFICULT CONDITIONS.
BUT DE-ESCALATION SHOULD BE THE
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, BEFORE HE
USES EVERY EFFORT.
DE-ESCALATION IS CRITICAL IN
EVERY INTERACTION THAT OFFICERS
HAVE.
PARTICULARLY NOW AT THIS TIME
IN OUR COUNTRY WHEN IT FEELS
LIKE THE NATIONAL POLITICS
SLIDE EVEN FURTHER TOWARDS
DESPERATE.
OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE
DIFFERENT, AND WE MUST SERVE
THE PEOPLE. OUR POLICING MUST
REFLECT THIS.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH YOU AS
I HAVE BEEN WITH THE CHIEF PICK
MY EXPECTATIONS FOR THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS
OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE
EXPECTATIONS AND CORE VALUES
THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN SPD POLICY
AND CHIEF BEST.
AS A U.S. ATTORNEY I
INVESTIGATED SEPA YEARS AGO
BECAUSE OF THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
USE OF FORCE.
AND NOW IS THE MARRIED IS MY
JOB TO THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEY ARE COMMITTED TO A CULTURE
OF CONTINUOUS AND TRANSPARENT
REFORM . MY COMMITMENT HAS
NEVER BEEN DEEPER TO REFORMING
THE DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE MAYORS COME AND MAYORS
GO.
BUT CULTURALREFORM IS WHAT IS
MOST ENDURING.
WE HAVE AN ACTUAL OPPORTUNITY
TO BUILD ON THE LASTING
SYSTEMIC CHANGES THAT TRANSFORM
POLICING AND THE DEPARTMENT.SPD
MUST BE APARTMENT THAT LEADS
WITH DE-ESCALATION AND DOES NOT
USE FORCE UNLESS IT IS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY . THEY
HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH IN 10
YEARS.
WE MUST CONTINUE TO IMPROVE,
PARTICULARLY AS WE HAVE SEEN
THIS WEEK WITH CROWD
MANAGEMENT.
CRITICAL COMPONENT AT SPD IS
OUR OPA.
THESE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS
WORK.
OPA ANOTHER DEPARTMENTS
EXPEDITED REVIEW , AND
RECOMMENDED AGAINST USING TEAR
GAS, LEADING TO THE ORDER BY
CHIEF BEST ON FRIDAY.
I ALSO HAVE TO BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE AND I MUST HOLD
CHIEF BEST AND THE DEPARTMENT
ACCOUNTABLE.
I KNOW THAT NOT EVERY DECISION
I MAKE IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ONE
. MY ACTIONS NEED TO BE
SCRUTINIZED ALSO.
THE ACTIONS THAT CHIEF BEST AND
I HAVE TAKEN HAVE BEEN FOR THE
INTEREST OF SEATTLE , BUT THEY
HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT THEM
HONESTLY.
FROM CANCELING THE CURFEW, TO
SUSPENDING THE USE OF TEAR GAS
, THOSE WERE THE RIGHT
DECISIONS.
WE ACTED IN DAYS THAT WE
SHOULD'VE ACTED SOONER CAPITOL
HILL IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR ME.
IT'S WHERE I WENT WHEN I FIRST
CAME OUT, WHERE I SAW
HORRENDOUS ACTS OF HATE , AND
WHERE THE LGBT COMMUNITY CARVED
OUT A PLACE OF SAFETY.
I KNOW THAT THAT SAFETY WAS
SHATTERED FOR MANY BY THE
IMAGES, SOUNDS, AND GAS THAT
WERE FITTING OF A WAR ZONE.
FOR THAT I AM SORRY.
TO ALL THOSE WHO CAME
PEACEFULLY AND HAD THEIR
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PROTEST
IMPACTED, I AM SORRY.
TO ALL OF THOSE WHO FELT THAT
THERE VOICE WAS DROWNED OUT ,
BOTH CHIEF BEST AND I ARE
ACTING TO THE THOUSANDS ARE
CALLING FOR BETTER CITY AND
COUNTRY. I DO NOT PRETEND TO
HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS , I'M
GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO
LEARN, GROW, AND BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
I WANT TO THINK THOSE IN THE
COMMUNITY THAT HAVE DE-
ESCALATED THE TENSION.
WATCHING THEM GIVES ME HOPE.
CHIEF BEST IS MAKING
OPERATIONAL CHANGES, THEY
SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE A MILITARY
ZONE, BUT THEY HAVE TO RESPOND
TO THE REALITY ON THE GROUND TO
KEEP THE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC
SAFETY AND TO TAKE THE THREAT
IN REAL-TIME . WE WILL SEE
THINGS CHANGE EVERY NIGHT.
YOU CANNOT PREDICT EVERYTHING,
BUT YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT YOU
HAVE THE TRAINING TO KNOW THAT
YOUR JOB IS TO NOT
ESCALATE.CHIEF BEST AND I AGREE
TO REDUCE THE NATIONAL GUARD
PRESENCE AND THAT THE USE OF
RIOT GEAR SHOULD BE CURTAILED.
THE HELP OF THOSE ON THE FRONT
LINE TO MAINTAIN PEACE IS
INSTRUMENTAL TO MAKING SURE
THAT EVERYONE REMAIN SAFE.
I ASK THAT DEMONSTRATORS
PARTICIPATING IF YOU OBSERVE
UNSAFE BEHAVIOR HOLD THOSE
FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH A
NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO FELT THAT
THEY WERE NOT SAFE , AND THERE
VOICE COULD NOT BE HEARD
BECAUSE OF OTHER PEOPLE ON
THEIR SIDE OF THE BARRICADE.
OUR SHARED GOAL HAS TO BE TO
KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.
WE ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION AT
THIS TIME TO NOT LET THE
MESSAGE, THE NARRATIVE, WHY WE
ARE HERE BE DROWNED OUT.
I WANT TO CENTER OUR DISCUSSION
ON REMEMBERING AND HONORING
GEORGE FLOYD WHO WAS MURDERED
BY POLICE IN MINNEAPOLIS.
WHOSE UNJUST KILLING STARTED
THIS RECKONING WITH POLICE
VIOLENCE AND SYSTEMIC RACISM.
GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER IS NOT
THE ONLY REASON THAT THOUSANDS
OF SEATTLE RESIDENTS ARE TAKING
TO THE STREETS EACH DAY.
HERE IN SEATTLE PEOPLE ARE
PROTESTING A CULTURE OF
SYSTEMIC RACISM, AND POLICE
ACTIONS THAT EXIST IN OUR OWN
BACKYARD.
THERE HAVE BEEN BLACK AND BROWN
PEOPLE KILLED RIGHT HERE IN
SEATTLE.
THEIR LIVES WERE CUT SHORT
BECAUSE OF AN INTERACTION WITH
THE POLICE THAT SERVICE.
THOSE KILLINGS REMIND US OF THE
PROFOUND INJUSTICE OF HOW THEY
WERE FAILED BY THE CITY AND THE
SYSTEM.
IN SEATTLE WE HAVE TO DO SO
MUCH MORE.
OUR COMMUNITIES ARE PROTESTING
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
DEMONSTRATIONS.
A CULTURE THAT CAN USE FORCE
BEFORE DE-ESCALATION AND THEY
ARE PROTESTING THE GOVERNMENT
AND A CULTURE THAT PERPETUATES
AND SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES.
PARTICULARLY BLACK AMERICANS.
PEOPLE ARE PROTESTING HOW WE
CAN BE BETTER AND AS A CITY AND
MAKE REAL CHANGES. I WANT TO
TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE
TO DO SO FAR ON THE
CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD.
YESTERDAY I WAS FORTUNATE TO
MEET WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER,
SEATTLE, KING COUNTY , AND THE
URBAN LEAGUE , OVER THE LAST
SEVERAL DAYS I MET WITH SEVERAL
COMMUNITY GROUPS, INCLUDING
PROTEST ORGANIZERS, THE
COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION,
FAITH LEADERS, AND OTHERS.
WE DISCUSSED HOW TO MOVE
FORWARD AND ADDRESS THIS TO
SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES IN OUR
CITY.
WE AGREED ON MANY ISSUES
INCLUDING SHORT-TERM AND LONG-
TERM ACTIONS THAT THE CITY CAN
TAKE TO DISMANTLE INEQUITY AND
BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR BLACK
AMERICANS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE,
AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
BY DOING THAT WE BUILD A BETTER
CITY FOR EVERYONE.
FIRST I SAID THAT SPD IS READY
TO TURN ON THEIR BODY CAMERAS.
I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE THAT STEP
NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
I WILL ISSUE AN EMERGENCY ORDER
TOMORROW AND SEND IT TO THE
CITY COUNCIL.
RECOMMENDING THAT OFFICERS HAVE
THEIR BODY CAM'S TURN TO ON AND
RECORD.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WANT
THOSE CAMERAS ON TO PROVIDE
ACCOUNTABILITY.
I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE
ISSUE HAS COMPLEX PRIVACY
ISSUES.
THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPENT
TIME ADDRESSING.
TO KEEP A POLICY THAT TRULY
LAST AND WILL NOT BE DISMANTLED
BY A LAWSUIT.
WE ARE READY TO WORK WITH THE
CPC, THE CITY COUNCIL, OPA AND
EXPERTS LIKE THE PUBLIC
DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION TO REVISE
POLICIES ON THE USE OF BODY
CAMERAS DURING A LAWFUL EVENT
LIKE A PIECE PROTEST.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT WE
LET PEOPLE EXERCISE THEIR FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHTS WITHOUT
GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE.
UNTIL THEY GET THOSE
RECOMMENDATIONS WE WILL WORK
WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
TO PROTECT ALL DATA COLLECTED
FROM BEING USED IMPROPERLY.
WE MUST FIND A SOLUTION THAT
ENSURES OFFICERS ACCOUNTABILITY
WILL NOT IMPROPERLY SURVEILLED
ARC ME.
THE CHIEF ISSUED A DIRECTIVE TO
ALL OF HER OFFICERS CALLING
THEM TO REMOVE THEIR MORNING
BAND AND MAKE SURE THAT THEIR
BADGE NUMBER IS VISIBLE TO THE
PUBLIC.
THERE HAS BEEN REPORTS THAT
OFFICERS CONTINUE TO HAVE TAPE
OVER THEIR BADGE NUMBERS.
THAT IS A VIOLATION OF POLICY
THAT WILL BE INVESTIGATED BY
THE OPA.
AND ANY OFFICER VIOLATING THAT
POLICY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE
. THIRD, THE CITY ATTORNEY
PETE HOLMES WILL WITHDRAW THE
CITY'S FILING TWO IN THE
SUSTAINED PERIOD, SO THAT WE
CAN GO BACK TO THE COURT AFTER
EVALUATING THE RESPONSE OF SPD
úAND A SET ON DEEP ENGAGEMENT
AND THE REFLECTIONS OF OPA,
AND THE COMMUNITY VOICE.
WE HAVE ASKED THE CIVILIAN
PARTNERS OPA, , TO EXAMINE THE
CURRENT SPD POLICIES.
THIS INCLUDES EVALUATING RECENT
EVENTS AND EVALUATING THE NEED
TO DE-ESCALATE.
OVER THE NEXT 30 DAYS THEY WILL
REVIEW WHETHER TO PERMANENTLY
BAND TEAR GAS AND MAKE
RECOMMENDATIONS TO USE LESS
LETHAL CROWD MANAGEMENT TOOLS.
IF THEY NEED MORE TIME THAT
WILL BE EXTENDED.
THE SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
WILL UPDATE POLICIES TO
SUCCINCTLY AND CLEARLY REFLECT
THE BEST PRACTICES FOR USE OF
FORCE RELATED TO THE 2016
CAMPAIGN ZERO POLICY SURVEY.
INCLUDING THE BAN ON CHOKEHOLD,
FIRING A WEAPON AT A MOVING
VEHICLE, AND EXHAUSTING ALL
OPTIONS BEFORE USING FORCE.
THIS WILL RESTRICT THE USE OF
EXCESSIVE AND DEADLY FORCE.
AS I SAID ON FRIDAY I BELIEVE
THERE SHOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT
PROSECUTOR AT THE STATE LEVEL
FOR INVESTIGATIONS OF POLICE
OFFICERS OR STATE ACTORS THEY
COMMITTED DEADLY FORCE.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE
INVESTIGATIONS DONE CURRENTLY
IN THE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM.
I AM HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH
CHIEF BEST AND GOVERNOR INSLEE
ABOUT SCALING BACK THE PRESENCE
OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND
REASSIGNING THEM TO CONTINUE
ASSISTING IN THE FOOD SECURITY
EFFORTS RELATED TO COVID-19.
I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR
SERVICE.
SEATTLE WANTS TO SEE THE DAY
WERE WE DO NOT HAVE SOLDIERS ON
OUR STREETS.
PROTESTING AND DEMONSTRATING
ARE NOT CRIMES.
I HAVE BEEN CLEAR FROM ME
OUTSET THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE
ARRESTED OR HAVE CHARGES FILED
AGAINST THEM FOR PEACEFULLY
PROTESTING OR VIOLATING THE
TEMPORARY CURFEW WHEN IT WAS
IMPOSE.
CITY AND COUNTY PROSECUTORS CAN
ENSURE THAT THIS IS THE CASE.
I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS.
ADVANCES WE HAVE MADE TODAY ARE
THE BEGINNING OF ADDRESSING THE
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT PERVADE
OUR SOCIETY.
OUR COLLECTIVE FAILURE TO
ADDRESS RACISM AND INEQUALITY
ISN'T JUST IN THE AREA OF
POLICING AMERICA, IT IS IN
HOUSING, HEALTH, EDUCATION,
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
WE ARE GOING TO BE EVEN MORE
INTENTIONAL IN INVESTMENTS THAT
WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE
LIVES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN OUR
CITY.
SUPPORT RESILIENT COMMITTEES ,
AND UNDO SYSTEMIC RACISM.
THIS WORK MUST BE AND WILL BE
GUIDED BY THE COMMUNITY.
TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY DOES NOT
COME FROM POLICE AND POLICE
REFORM.
TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY MEANS THAT
EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR
BACKGROUND HAS THE OPPORTUNITY
TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE WITHOUT
FEAR FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR
LOVED ONES.
AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE
SERVICES THEY NEED.
HEALTH CARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING
, EDUCATION, JOBS.
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE
CREATED PROGRAMS LIKE THE
SEATTLE PROMISE, TO HELP
SEATTLE YOUNG PEOPLE,
PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE OF
COLOR REACH THEIR FULL
POTENTIAL PICK WE HAVE BUILT A
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAN
EVER BEFORE.
MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.
TO DO THAT WE NEED TO ADJUST
OUR PRIORITIES IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE.
AND WE NEED TO DO THAT WITH OUR
DOLLARS.
THERE ARE BROAD CALLS TO DEFUND
THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND
INVEST IN THE COMMUTE.
THAT IS REFLECTIVE OF A DEEP
PROBLEM THAT OUR GOVERNMENTAL
SYSTEM HAS IN WHICH SYSTEMS WE
INVEST.
THE SYSTEMS THAT TOUCHES THE
BLACK COMMUNITY THE MOST IS THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THAT IS WHERE WE INVEST OUR
MONEY , THAT NEEDS CHANGE.
WE NEED TO EXAMINE THE BUDGET
OF SPD, AND IN ADDITION TO THE
PARTNERSHIP WITH CHIEF BEST WE
NEED TO HAVE A COMMUNITY DRIVEN
BOYS AND THAT BUDGETING.
BLACK LIVES MATTER SEATTLE
COUNTY RECOMMENDED A COMMISSION
TO CENTER BLACK VOICES IN THE
CITY ADVISORY GROUPS.
FROM THE MAYORS COUNCIL ON
AFRICAN-AMERICAN ELDERS TO THE
SPD PICK WE NEED TO CREATE A
NEW COMMISSION CRAFTED BY AND
DIRECTED BY THE COMMUNITY THAT
FOCUSES ON INCREASING THE
HEALTH , WEALTH, SAFETY, AND
PROSPERITY OF OUR BLACK
RESIDENTS.
WE NEED TO CHANGE HOW WE THINK
OF POLICING.
IN SO MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN
PEOPLE CALL 911 , THEY DON'T
NEED SOMEBODY WITH A GUN TO
SHOW UP.
WE NEED TO ADD TO PROGRAMS LIKE
THE CIVILIAN COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICERS, CRISIS INTERVENTION
TEAMS, THE STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN ENGAGING IN
CONNECTING SPD WITH COMMUNITY.
IN THE COMING WEEKS WILL HAVE
MORE TO SHARE ABOUT HOW WE WILL
DO THE BUDGETING IN THIS YEARS
SPD BUDGET.
WE WILL START BY HOLDING OFF ON
PLANNED EXPENDITURES ,
TECHNOLOGY , WEAPONS, VEHICLES,
AND FACILITIES . WE CANNOT
CONTINUE WITH SPENDING THAT WAS
PLANNED UNDER THE OLD POLICE
BUDGET UNTIL WE HAVE DEVELOPED
A PLAN WITH COMMUNITY FOR THE
NEW POLICE BUDGET.
DURING THE PANDEMIC I KNOW WE
HAVE HAD TO RETHINK OUR
PRIORITIES.
I WILL BE WORKING WITH MY
CABINET , INCLUDING CHIEF BEST
TO DETERMINE WHAT WILL WE DO
FOR THE 2021 BUDGET THAT WILL
BE PROPOSED IN THREE MONTHS.
AS PART OF RECENT CONVERSATIONS
, I HAVE COMMITTED TO
IDENTIFYING $100 MILLION TO
INVEST IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
BEEN NEGLECTED FAR TOO LONG.
INCLUDING NEW COMMUNITY-BASED
PROGRAMS THAT INVEST IN BLACK
YOUTH AND ADULTS.
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, BLACK-
OWNED BUSINESSES, AND PROVIDING
ALTERNATIVES TO ARREST AND
INCARCERATION. WHAT IS SO
ABUNDANTLY CLEAR IS THAT THE
WAY WE HAVE STRUCTURED AMERICA
AND AMERICAN SOCIETY IS NOT
WORKING.
WE ARE FACING AND NATIONWIDE
RECKONING WITH POLICE VIOLENCE,
THERE IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT
IS EXPOSING THE VAST GAPS IN
THE CURRENT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO BE
PRESENT, AND AN EVER-GROWING
CRISIS THAT IMPACT THE
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
DISPROPORTIONATELY.
THE WEALTH DISPARITY BETWEEN
WHITE AND BLACK AMERICANS
CONTINUES TO WIDEN.
CORPORATIONS GROW WEALTHIER AND
MORE POWERFUL WITHOUT GETTING
GIVING ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO
THE WORKERS PICK PUTTING SMALL
FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES UNDER.
WE ARE AT AN INFLECTION POINT
IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.
I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT
SEATTLE LEADS THE WAY IN
BUILDING A BETTER AND MORE
PROGRESSIVE FUTURE.
I AM COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT
SEATTLE SHOWS THE REST OF THE
COUNTRY HOW TO MAKE REAL AND
LASTING INVESTMENTS IN
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
PARTICULARLY THE BLACK
COMMUNITIES.
I KNOW WE ARE UP TO THE TASK.
IT WILL NOT BE EASY.
IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US
TOGETHER.
I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [ INAUDIBLE QUESTION ]
>> I AM NOT GOING TO GET
DISTRACTED BY POLITICAL PLOYS.
I HEARD THAT KIRK CLEARLY FROM
ALL THE GROUPS I HAVE BEEN
TALKING TO PICK IT IS
IMPERATIVE THAT WE NOT LET THIS
MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY BE
DROWNED BY POLITICS AS USUAL.
I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN.
>> REGARDING THE BUDGET, TO
MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND
WHAT YOU MEANT BY THE $100
MILLION?
WAS THAT $100 MILLION REDUCED
FROM THE SPD BUDGET ? IF NOT
WHAT WAS THAT?
>> UNTIL WE DO THE ENTIRE
REVIEW I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH
THE SPD BUDGET WILL BE CUT.
WE WILL FIND $100 MILLION IN
THAT BUDGET . THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR MAYOR
DURKAN OR CHIEF BEST.
DO YOU FEEL THAT IT HELPS OR
HURTS THE SITUATION TO HAVE
COUNCIL MEMBERS SPEAKING OUT?
>> I HOPE THAT LEADERS COME
TOGETHER, TO COME AND DE-
ESCALATE AND ASSIST THE CITY.
RATHER THAN JUST POSTURE.
I'VE TALKED TO THE COUNCIL
MEMBERS, AND I HOPE WE CAN WORK
TOGETHER WITH CONCRETE ACTIONS.
THEY FEEL DEEPLY ABOUT THIS.
THEY HAVE RESPONSIBILITY.
I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH
THEM AND TALK TO OTHERS.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT
EVERYBODY WORKS TO DE-ESCALATE
THE SITUATION . THERE ARE WAYS
THAT PEOPLE WILL GET OVER THE
BARRIERS AND PEOPLE WILL HAVE
TO RESPOND.
IT'S A VERY FLUID SITUATION,
AND THEY'RE TRYING TO DE-
ESCALATE THEIR TACTICS
APPROPRIATELY.
SEATTLE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT
THERE WAS TOO MUCH ESCALATION
TO QUICKLY.
AND IT IMPACTED PROTESTERS WHO
WERE THERE PEACEFULLY
EXERCISING THEIR FIRST
AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THAT YOU
MISHANDLED THE PROTESTERS
RESPONSE, HOW WOULD YOU RATE
YOUR PERFORMANCES SO FAR?
>> THE I TOUCHED ON WHAT WE
NEEDED TO IMPROVE, I THINK WE
SHOULD'VE LIFTED THE CURFEW,
ELIMINATING TEAR GAS, WE WILL
CONTINUE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN.
SOMETIMES WE WILL NOT GET IT
QUITE RIGHT.
THE CHIEF IS IN THE BEST
POSITION TO ASSIST WHAT TACTICS
AND OPERATIONS NEED TO BE.
AND DOES THAT BASED ON
HAVE AN INTELLIGENCE THAT THEY
GATHER.
SO FAR I HAVE RELIED UPON THE
CHIEF TO DO THAT.
>> TWO BRIEF QUESTIONS.
IS THE COUNCIL VOTES TO BAN
CHEMICAL WEAPONS.
REALISTICALLY WHAT OUR OFFICERS
POST TO DO IF THERE ARE
SITUATIONS WHERE THEY NEED TO
DISPERSE A CROWD?
I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM A LOT
OF POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE
HEARING THE LANGUAGE COMING
FROM THE PROTESTERS, SOME OF
THEM ASKING COPS TO KILL
THEMSELVES , AND LANGUAGE
COMING FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
THEMSELVES.
LAST YEAR THERE WAS AN ISSUE
WITH THE STAFF RETAIN MEN.
DO YOU FEAR THAT THIS WILL LEAD
TO OFFICERS LEAVING?
DO YOU THINK THIS WILL AFFECT
MORALE ?
>> THIS WEEK HAS BEEN
EXHAUSTING FOR EVERYBODY IN
SEATTLE, EXHAUSTING FOR THE
OFFICERS ON THE FRONT LINE, AND
TIRING FOR OTHERS.
AND IS THE OBLIGATION OF EVERY
ELECTED OFFICIAL TO HOLD
EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE AND DE-
ESCALATE INSTEAD OF ESCALATE
THE SITUATION.
WE DO NOT NEED MORE DIVISION ,
WE NEED MORE SOLUTIONS.
WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL THE MORE
WE FOCUS ON WHY WE ARE HERE ,
HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF
BLACK AMERICANS.
WE ARE NOT DOING WHAT WE NEED
TO DO AT THIS MOMENT IN
AMERICAN HISTORY.
>> MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THE GAS
CANISTERS THAT WERE USED.
THE ATTEMPT TO STOP GUESSING,
YOU CANNOT TARGET THEM THE SAME
WAY THAT YOU TARGET PEPPER
SPRAY.
IS A TECHNICALITY THAT THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STILL
USING THIS METHOD WHICH IS
INDISCRIMINATE?
WOULD YOU CONSIDER RAPPING THAT
IN WITH THE BAN ON TEAR GAS?
>> I WISH THAT CHIEF BEST WAS
HERE TO DESCRIBE THAT.
WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO REVIEW
ALL OF THE TECHNIQUES,
INCLUDING THE USE OF
WWW.SEATTLECHANNEL.ORG/WATCH-
LIVE OC CAMP , WE WILL HAVE
CHIEF BEST FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
>> MAYOR DURKAN WE KNEW THAT
THERE WERE GOING TO BE BUDGET
CUTS BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
CAN YOU OUTLINE A LITTLE BIT
MORE TO WHAT EXTENT IS THIS
SHIFTING GOING ON A REALITY OF
THE PANDEMIC, TO WHAT EXTENT IS
THIS A RESPONSE TO THE CALLS TO
PROTESTERS TO DEAL WITH THE
BUDGET.
>> WE HAVE A BUDGET PLAN IT'S
GOING TO BE PRESENTED TO THE
COUNCIL THIS WEEK.
IT WILL NOT BE RESOLVED UNTIL
2021, WE WILL CENTER THAT ON THE
EXPERIENCES PICK AND WE HAVE
THAT CONVERSATION ON WHERE
THOSE INVESTMENTS WILL BE THE
BEST , AND HOW WE GET THOSE
INVESTMENTS TO THOSE COMMUNITY-
BASED ORGANIZATIONS THEMSELVES
THAT KNOW THE COMMUNITIES ,
THEIR NEEDS, AND BEST HOW TO
IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THOSE
COMMUNITIES.
>> I WANT TO MAKE ONE QUICK
CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE MORNING
MOURNING BAN, THEY SHOULD STILL
BE ABLE TO SEE THE BADGE NUMBER
. TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WAS
CLARIFIED.
I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO TAKE
OFF.
WE HAVE OPERATIONAL ISSUES TO
WORK THROUGH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU CHIEF.
>>
>> WE WILL TRY TO FOLLOW UP AND
GET AN ANSWER FOR YOU
>> THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL
SAID THAT THEY INTENDED TO TEAR
DOWN AND REBUILD THEIR POLICE
DEPARTMENT.
CAN THE SEATTLE POLICE
DEPARTMENT BE SUCCESSFUL
STRUCTURE THE WAY IT IS?
>> I BELIEVE WE CAN PICK WE
ROAD TESTED A LOT OF THOSE
POLICIES WE NOW KNOW WHERE WE
NEED TO MAKE CHANGES.
AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE LOOKING
TO THE FEDERAL MONITOR , AND
THE OPA AND OIG.
THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE
DEPARTMENT HAS NOT BEEN THROUGH
A PROCESS LIKE THAT BEFORE.
THAT HAS HAPPENED IN LIEU OF
THE DISSENT DECREE PROCESS.
>> THE FINAL QUESTION WILL BE
FOR KIRO7
>> YOU SAID THAT YOU SPOKEN TO
COUNCIL MEMBERS BUT YOU WILL
NOT BE CONCERNED WITH THE
DEMAND BY COUNCILMEMBER KSHAMA
SAWANT WHO WANTS YOU TO RESIGN
OR SHE WILL INTRODUCE ARTICLES
OF IMPEACHMENT.
>> I HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH HER
AND I AM NOT CONCERNED.
>> THANK YOU MAYOR THAT
CONCLUDES THE Q&A PORTION OF
THE PRESS CONFERENCE PICK MAYOR
CLOSING WORDS?
>> I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE REAL
TIME WHAT IS GOING ON ON
CAPITOL HILL FROM SO MANY LIVE
FEEDS FROM PROTESTERS.
IT'S BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME
FOR PEOPLE ON CAPITOL HILL.
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE AND
CONSIDER THAT THEIR COMMUNITY.
WE ARE GOING TO WORK HARD TO
RESTORE THE TRUST OF COMMUNITY.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH
TIME.
THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO FELT THAT
THOSE TWO BLOCKS AND CAPITOL
HILL WERE A TIPPING POINT.
WHERE THE THINGS THEY WERE
CONCERNED ABOUT WERE BEING
DROWNED OUT.
I HAD A NUMBER OF AFRICAN-
AMERICAN LEADERS DESCRIBED THAT
THEY DO NOT FEEL SAFE FROM SOME
OF THE ACTIVITIES OF OTHER
PROTESTERS.
I URGE PEOPLE, WE CAN SPEAK UP,
AND SPEAK LOUDLY, AND DISAGREE
WITH EACH OTHER, WE SHOULD DO
IT PEACEFULLY, WE NEED PEOPLE
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BARRICADES
TO DO MORE , IT'S THE POLICE'S
JOB TO DE-ESCALATE EVERY TIME,
THEY DID NOT DO THEIR JOB LIKE
THEY SHOULD HAVE, AND CHIEF
BEST IS HOLDING THEM
ACCOUNTABLE, WE AS A COMMUNITY
úHAVE TO HOLD EACH OTHER
ACCOUNTABLE , TO SPEAK UP ,
MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU SEE
PEOPLE DOING THINGS THAT ARE
VIOLENT THAT YOU HELP STOP THAT
AS WELL.
I HEARD FROM A GENTLEMAN WHO
WAS INJURED WHEN HE WAS DE-
ESCALATING AND PROTESTERS
ACCUSED HIM OF WORKING FOR THE
POLICE.
HE'S LIVED THERE FOR YEARS.
WE NEED TO STOP THAT DIVISION ,
WE NEED TO GET TO OUR BEST
INSPIRED SELVES , WE HAVE A
MOMENT IN HISTORY AND IT IS UP
TO US TO GRAB IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.