Seattle Protests Take Center Stage At City Council Monday

SEATTLE, WA — A Seattle City Council meeting scheduled Monday afternoon is poised to be lively, amid mounting calls for Mayor Jenny Durkan's resignation and weekend protests that again led to crowds hit with pepper spray and flash bangs on Capitol Hill.

Several videos shared by local reporters showed apparent tear gas Saturday, despite the ban that went into effect Friday. Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best told Q13 no CS gas was used, but an "OC canister" was deployed. Videos posted on social media showed large amounts of gas used again early Monday morning, just hours after a man drove into demonstrators and shot a protester Sunday.

The police department tweeted two photos they said showed "improvised explosives" thrown at officers Saturday. Hundreds of commenters noted the items pictured appeared to be candles.

Following officers' actions early that evening, a group of state and local leaders arrived on the frontlines of the protest, demanding police de-escalation. King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay livestreamed the demonstrations on his Instagram page.

Earlier on Saturday, Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant formally called for Durkan's resignation, citing the mayor's handling of recent protests, and said she was prepared to introduce articles of impeachment.

Sawant's announcement followed a letter signed by other progressive leaders last week. On Sunday, several state, county and city leaders signed a new letter urging the mayor to "end the damage that SPD has caused by overreaction to mostly peaceful protests."

Asked by reporters to address Sawant's remarks, Durkan dismissed them as a distraction and a "political ploy."

"I've not spoken with her, and I'm not concerned," Durkan said.

In a video posted from Saturday's protest, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda promised the council would formally address the mayor's performance.

"We have a list of demands and she has not met them," Mosqueda said. "I don't see another way. We are going to have to make a statement on Monday."

Mosqueda also voiced full support for three specific demands from organizers, seeking a 50 percent cut to police funding, new investments in community-led programs, and an immediate halt of the prosecution of protesters.

Sawant to introduce bills banning crowd control devices, police chokeholds

Councilmember Sawant plans to introduce two pieces of legislation Monday seeking more restrictions on police use of force.

The first would prohibit police from buying or using all forms of tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, water cannons and sonic weapons. The second bill would ban officers from using chokeholds. Late last week, the Bellevue Police Department suspended the use of "neck restraints" in "circumstances where deadly force would not be justified."

Sawant urged constituents to sign up for public comment by noon, to secure a spot for the 2 p.m. hearing.

The councilmember will also host a public meeting at Cal Anderson Park on Tuesday, June 9.

Monday's city council meeting will take place remotely and can be streamed on the Seattle Channel's website or YouTube page.

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