STOP THE STASI TACTICS

Dear Councilmembers,

Mayor McGinn and the SPD have drafted a clever sound byte called the 20/20 plan to address the deterioration of the Seattle Police Department. I am concerned about the last bullet point under item #1 'Reform Management of Public Demonstration.' That last bullet point asks you, the Council, to allow police to 'proactively film demonstrations.' This creates a Stasi police state like East Germany had before the Wall came down.

I helped organize several large demonstrations during the 1990s, including Queer Nation surrounding KCTS when anti-Gay bigot Lon Mabon came to town in 1993. We had several hundred demonstrators on that occasion, locking arms around the building and making speeches. We peacefully allowed Mabon supporters to pass through our ranks to enter the building. I was in charge of police liaison.

This all worked because the SPD had an officer who was the 'demonstration coordinator.' I kept him informed as to expected numbers, routes of march, and intentions and he kept me informed as to police presence and actions. On the day of the protest, I contacted the officer in charge at the site and we kept in touch during the entire event. Nobody got hurt, no property was damaged, and the protest was successful. On many other occasions, the Queer Street Patrol worked with East Precinct to keep Capitol Hill safe while assisting protests.

20/20 videotaping by police is not only a Stasi tactic, it is evidence of the growing disconnect between the SPD and the public. The SPD is no longer our friend and neighbor. The situation has become Us and Them. That's not right nor is it productive. The City should shed the militarization of the SPD and get back to community policing. Dump the armored cars, drones, and videotapes, and get back to coordination between activists and officers.

Janice Van Cleve



NUNS DESERVE OUR SUPPORT

As a progressive Catholic educated by nuns who ingrained in me the social justice teachings of our faith, I find the hierarchy's inquisition against women's empowerment, women's rights, and women who enter the Catholic religious life utterly despicable and, sadly, totally contrary to Christian ethics. The hierarchy is using the excuse of 'tradition' and 'morality' to preserve power and privilege; indeed, even the most casual observer of the Vatican and its minions would easily assume that the hierarchy's sole purpose for existence is Darwinian self-preservation.

Control of territory, exclusion, and the exercise of absolute authority are predominantly male traits in nature. Is it surprising, then, that a thoroughly artificial, insular, all-male, celibate hierarchy would act any differently?

'What would Jesus do?' is exemplified by selfless Catholic nuns - teachers, social workers, hospital staff and missionaries - who are actively alleviating the inequalities in our society. They deserve our respect, admiration, support, and prayers.

Leo N. Egashira

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