Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Midday at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute on February 17, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson gave her first State of the City Address. While her speech encompassed some of the greatest and longstanding issues facing Seattle, like homelessness and rental costs, she also tapped into gun violence strategies, immigration enforcement, and surveillance technology. 

“It is especially meaningful to be here because this is Black History Month, and this year actually marks the 100th anniversary of the first declaration that February is a month to honor the history, experiences, and power of America’s Black and African American communities,” Wilson stated.

She brought up the recent murder of two Rainier Beach High School students, and said she is working to create a gun violence strategy that will incorporate the voices of those who have lost their loved ones to gun violence, while refusing to meet with numerous family members of people murdered by officers at the Seattle Police Department. 

Regarding federal enforcement activities in the city, Mayor Wilson said she sent several staffers out to Minneapolis, who brought back lessons from activists, like that people are ready to stand up and support one another. She said her office is doing all it can to prepare for a surge, including highlighting the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. 

“Together, we just launched a webpage to serve as a centralized place to communicate city policy and provide resources and updated information about federal immigration enforcement activity. That web page is now available at Seattle.gov/stand-together,” Mayor Wilson added. 

Mayor Wilson said she’s taken “concrete steps” in explaining the Seattle Police Department’s responsibility with federal officers, including documenting unlawful acts, preventing officials from staging on city property, and “to invite private property owners to post notice clarifying that their property may not be accessed by federal agents without a warrant.” 

 But after publicizing SPD’s responsibilities, Mike Solan, president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), said the department will not comply. 

“The concept of pitting two armed law enforcement agencies against each other is ludicrous, and will not happen. I wil not allow SPOG members to be used as political pawns.” 

— Solan

Mayor Wilson has yet to respond to Solan’s message, and SPD had the highest number of officers who attended and took part in the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol. 

“I also know that the pending expansion of the city’s CCTV surveillance system is on a lot of people’s minds,” Mayor Wilson said. 

Data security remains a top-of-mind concern of hers, but noted how she understands that CCTV can be useful as it pertains to solving crimes, reducing profiling, and protecting witnesses. 

“My team and I will continue to dig in, meet with people who have different opinions, and try to find the best way forward. My overriding goal is that whoever you are, and wherever you come from, if Seattle is your home, then this is your city, and there is a place for you here,” Mayor Wilson added. 

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