Issaquah council talks racial equity after large protest turnout

The council meeting, 7 p.m. Monday, June 15, will go over city initiatives addressing police, racial bias and community.

June 15, 2020 1:30 am

The Issaquah City Council is using its regularly-scheduled meeting tonight to have a community conversation about racially equity and policy changes. The meeting follows regional Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend, including an estimated 500 Issaquah residents that marched down Front Street in Olde Town toward City Hall, Friday, June 12.

“Here in Issaquah, kindness is our strength. We are welcoming and inclusive, but more work needs to be done,” Mayor Mary Lou Pauly stated in a June 12 newsletter.

Pauly stated that she attended the protest along with many councilmembers and the police chief, to listen to residents at the demonstration.

The council meeting, Monday, June 15 will include information on police policies, standards and the #8CANTWAIT campaign, which is eight policies that create more restrictive use-of-force by police officers which have been found to lower killings by police. According to the campaign’s website, organizers of #8CANTWAIT have acknowledged that the eight policies are a short term solution— there are also protesters calling for abolition: a defunding of police departments and reinvestment in communities.

The meeting will also touch on the Issaquah Municipal Court’s efforts to address racial bias and more equity initiatives within the community.

The virtual meeting is 7 p.m. June 15 and can be viewed via the city livestream or YouTube stream. Those who want to speak at public comment are asked to sign up by 5 p.m. using the form here.

According to the presentation documents, the city will also be offering other public forums in the future on this issue, and reviewing the budget of the Issaquah Police Department.

For more information, visit issaquahwa.gov.