Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

It’s been over three weeks since SPD officers violently arrested three people protesting an Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) speaking event, where one officer pressed his knee into a protester’s neck and upper back. Despite increasing demand for accountability and resources for victims and survivors of police brutality, Seattle’s mayor and council have neglected to even comment on the arrests, let alone hold officers accountable.

The arrests happened when protesters made a human chain to prevent attendees from entering the Seattle Town Hall, where the StandWithUs Northwest event was taking place. One attendee yanked a plastic bag a protester was wearing over their head, and they swung in self defense with a punch; SPD barreled in.

On April 24, the Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced an open letter it would send to the Seattle City Council and SPD Chief Shon Barnes demanding accountability for using “knee-on-neck restraints,” which exercising First Amendment rights.

“Instead of protecting them, SPD deployed a military-grade tactic used by the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinians and supporters – prioritizing the comfort of a foreign military and its supporters over the constitutional rights of their own community,” CAIR WA said. “Our tax dollars should never be used to suppress our own people in defense of a foreign army.”

Elected officials who have signed the letter are:

• Rami Al-Kabra, Bothell City Councilmember
• Darya Farivar, State Representative of 46th legislative district
• Toshiko Hasegawa, Port of Seattle Commissioner
• Jessica Forsythe, Redmond City Councilmember
• Teresa Mosqueda, King County Councilmember
• Yasmin Trudeau, State Senator of 27th LD
• Cindy Ryu, State Representative of 32nd LD
• Chipalo Street, State Representative of 37th LD
• Osman Salahuddin, State Representative of 48th LD

But Mayor Wilson and city councilmembers seem more preoccupied with optics than protecting Seattle’s residents. The first three months of a mayor’s first term generally consist of ribbon cutting ceremonies and photo opportunities, but Mayor Wilson hasn’t slowed down on that front halfway into the fifth month of the year. Rather than using her social media accounts to provide the public with crucial city updates, she has posted about red pandas, the Children’s Friendship Festival, sports, and more. When it comes to mass surveillance (which she continues to receive backlash for), like artificial intelligence expansion within city operations, Mayor Wilson neglected to update community members via social media, but rather sneakily posted it on her blog.

Justice for Herbert has been demanding the city provide direct resources and hold officers accountable for their brutality, and the need is only growing, with more people banding together to seek justice. Mayor Wilson refused to meet with victims for months, finally did, then has since ghosted them. The same goes for several city councilmembers, including Rinck and Hollingsworth.

At the most recent city council meeting on May 12, one person named Howard spoke about the officials silencing victims. He cited that morning’s public safety committee meeting, and how several people who spoke were victims of SPD’s violence at last year’s May 24 Christian fascist event in Cal Anderson Park. Howard also noted how the meeting would include different accountability departments, such as the Office of Inspector General and the Office of Police Accountability. He said those departments protected the people who victimized LGBTQIA+ community members and their allies.

“You denied any voice to the people that were actually the victims- two of whom were in this council chamber. This is unacceptable. And I was chastised for doing that- for bringing this to people’s attention, and yes, disrupting the meeting, because it’s appropriate for you guys to make decisions we don’t like. It’s not appropriate for you guys to gaslight us and to silence victims,” Howard said.

At the public safety committee meeting, Gabriel Dias said the city has had regular opportunities to hold Seattle Police officers accountable, but chooses not to.

“If we want to have real accountability, we would’ve invited the victims to speak today, which is why I also demand that myself and Kelsey, who were victimized that day [May 24], have a seat at this table,” Dias said. “If a force believes they can do whatever they want- they will.”

Dias noted how only one officer received a written reprimand for the blatant violence that occurred that day. Dias said these officers need to be held accountable, and fired, because they will continue to carry out violence against the community.

“What happened nearly one year ago in Cal Anderson was not an anomaly. The neck-kneel has been banned since 2020, yet in less than one year I have personally experienced and witnessed on three separate occasions the neck-kneel,” another community member spoke into the microphone. “Those of us who are speaking out against hate and bigotry and a fucking genocide that’s being waged with our taxes are actually doing your job. We’re doing your job!”

Castill Hightower also spoke to support survivors and victims of police brutality, and brought up how her brother, Herbert Hightower Jr., was murdered by police over two decades ago, with little changes being made.

“We’re asking for a voice. The presentation you’re going to see today does not include the voices of survivors. That is not okay. On top of us continuing to not hold the police who brutalize and murder us accountable. On top of the continued refusal to grant any level of resources to people who have been brutalized,” Hightower said. “You treat survivors, you treat surviving family members as if they are guilty until proven innocent, but you treat the police officers who brutalize us as if they are innocent until proven guilty.”

Hightower stated that community members shouldn’t have to plead with the council to have a voice when it comes to their own trauma and lived experiences. She asked if they’re willing to center their voices, hold the police accountable for their behavior, and create basic resources to ensure their lives aren’t torn apart.

The committee moved on to discuss the MayDay 2025 Sentinel Event Review, but Howard interrupted and said they needed to listen to the victims. Councilmember Kettle told him to sit down, and more community members began chiming in saying victims deserve a voice. Howard was given one strike and was called “beyond disrespectful,” and things became more tense. Councilmember Kettle asked security to ensure they remain quiet, then took a recess before resuming.

But community members weren’t letting up, demanding a seat at the table. Dias was also cited for engaging in disruptive behavior, and was from further participation. Dias was severely injured and punched during the May 24, 2025 event, and is unable to work as a direct result.

“It’s very important for the information and for the accountability partners to present. It’s very important for the OIG,” Councilmember Kettle said before being interrupted by survivors and victims. “This meeting is designed to give voice to the accountability partners who are charged, who are commissioned, who are created to give and represent those in [the] community.”

As community members routinely said they do not need representatives speaking on behalf of them, but rather for their own voices to be heard, Councilmember Kettle said the accountability partners also need to have their voices heard. He said his top goal is to give voice to the accountability partners, showing disregard for victims. The committee went to recess again and switched to remote.

While disappointing, this behavior from Seattle’s elected officials was unsurprising. And while some may view it as a setback for survivors and victims, the coalition demanding police accountability and direct resources is continuing to pick-up momentum.

We need your help to keep reporting Pacific Northwestern antifascist news. Become a monthly donor now on our website or at Ko-Fi.com/ThroughtheStatic or Venmo @ Saundershannah. Thanks for your support!