50+ leaders call on Gov. Inslee to declare racism a public health crisis in WA state

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

SEATTLE WA — More than 50 leaders from the business, labor, social services, activist, media, and culture sectors today called on Gov. Jay Inslee to issue an executive order declaring racism a public health crisis in Washington state.

In a letter, the leaders said:

This declaration is necessary to uproot anti-Black racism within the Evergreen state, including its government and agencies.

Black, Indigenous, Latinx, immigrants, and communities of color have faced deeply rooted racism in every system we interact with as human beings on a day-to-day basis, a reality shamefully illuminated as our communities suffer disproportionately under COVID-19….

This truth has resulted in poorer health, less economic mobility, higher rates of incarceration, and higher mortality rates. This is a public health crisis….

Washington state must urgently divest and redirect its budgetary, legislative, and administrative power and resources to anti-racist-centered laws, policy changes, practices and principles.

We demand the protection and liberation of all Black Lives in Washington state.

The letter marks the fourth time Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County or the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance has called on Inslee to declare racism a statewide public health crisis.

Read full text of the letter and the list of signers.

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About the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance
The Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance is a non-partisan, statewide coalition of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County. It is led by a steering committee of Black leaders representing organizations from across the state.