Black Lives Matter Calls For Statewide General Strike Friday

SEATTLE, WA — Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County is calling for a statewide general strike Friday to recognize police brutality and racism.

Black Lives Matter organizers say they want everyone to use that time away from work to fight for lasting structural changes, improve police accountability and dismantle the institutionalized racism built into many of America's systems.

To that end, they're organizing a silent march through Seattle to mourn and honor those who have lost their lives to police. Organizers say they want the march to be respectfully somber, so they are asking participants to avoid chanting or booing, and instead bring signs to make their voices heard as they walk through the city.

For those who can't make it to the march or live outside Seattle, Black Lives Matter is encouraging them to take their issues and solutions to local lawmakers:

If you can’t march, take this time as an opportunity to familiarize yourself with your local elected officials. This includes your mayor, city council, county executive, county council, county prosecutor, and state representatives. It helps if you collaborate with friends and neighbors, and reach out to people you know who are more familiar with the local issues. It’s up to you to make sure your local officials feel the pressure to improve police accountability and dismantle the structural racism that has been built into all of our institutions.

Organizers are also encouraging those who do not live in Seattle to organize a similar march in their own communities.

Friday's march will begin with a gathering at 1 p.m. at Judkins Park. Then at 2, the march will begin down 23 Avenue S towards Jefferson Park. Organizers estimate that closing remarks will be held at Jefferson Park around 4 p.m. After that, they're asking everyone to disperse to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmissions.

Black Lives Matter says they are taking the pandemic seriously and want everyone involved in the march to be as safe as possible. They're also asking everyone to maintain a safe physical distance of six feet apart while they march, and to wear facial coverings and gloves where possible.

More information on the general strike and march can be found on Black Lives Matter's Facebook event here.