SEATTLE—The board of directors of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLMSKC) today released the following statement on King County’s anti-racism reforms proposed for the upcoming budget:

“The priorities presented today will begin to address some of the injustices the Black community and other communities of color have experienced for decades. This budget demonstrates that the reimagining of our justice system doesn’t require superpowers. It requires will—the will to change power structures. Black activists have been fighting for and examining anti-racist, pro-equity actions with King County for years.

“This budget is a significant step toward the change we know communities want to see. It is a step. We must do the work to ensure it’s passed, and when it is, we must do the work to ensure that those responsible for implementing it are accountable for doing so.

“The budget is a reflection of our morals as a County.

“This proposed budget is evidence that our elected leaders can both speak about reckoning with brutal racism and bias and back those words up with meaningful commitment.

“Beginning to take steps toward righting historic wrongs is a moral decision. Putting measures in place that will change Black Lives is a moral decision. We thank Executive Constantine for listening to and working with our community, and for making sure Public Health is at the table helping to lead this work. We are eager to help push these budget priorities forward with the County Council.”

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About Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is a grassroots, volunteer-run, social-justice nonprofit organization focused on the empowerment and liberation of Blacks and other people of color through advocacy and direct action. BLM Seattle centers leadership on Black femmes, women, queer and trans people organizing and taking direct action to dismantle anti-black systems and policies of oppression.

Online: blacklivesseattle.org
Facebook: @blmseattle
Twitter: @BLMSeattleKC
Instagram: @BLMSKC