Black Lives Matter – Seattle/King County is organizing a statewide strike and silent march this Friday, June 12, to support Black lives in Washington State. In solidarity with growing calls to address systemic racism and end racial violence in our country, we are cancelling the June Advisory Council and Advocacy Committee meetings to ensure everyone has the opportunity to organize and show up for social change in whatever capacity they are able.
This is a hard time for many of us, especially the older adults in our community who are also experiencing deep anxieties brought on by COVID-19. While we will not be convening a standard business meeting this Friday, ADS Director, Cathy Knight, is offering to still hold space at the originally planned time (12 – 2 pm) for anyone who wants to talk about the recent events in Minneapolis and right here in King County. If you’re interested in joining our conversation this Friday, please reach out to Sariga Santhosh (sariga.santhosh@seattle.gov) for meeting details.
As advocates at heart, many of you are already doing important work – whether it’s protesting injustice, donating to black businesses and causes, or actively engaging peers in uncomfortable conversations about race and racism. However, this is our renewed call to action. The great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said “no one is free until we are all free” and we can all do more to support our collective liberation. To our Black friends, colleagues, and neighbors, we feel your pain and anguish. To our White and non-Black peers of color, we can do better than ‘not be racist.’ Racism is a powerful and destructive force in our society and it’s only when we stand together that we will begin to see real changes in our lifetimes.
In comfort and solidarity, Your Executive Committee
Advisory Council Liaison, Aging and Disability Services
Ava Frisinger, Advisory Council Chair
Dick Woo, Vice Chair
June Michel, Advocacy Chair
Cindy Snyder, Secretary
Larry Low, At-Large Officer
Who sent this message? The one address in it was @seattle.gov. Which is fine, but it’s obviously not an official City of Seattle communication.
Advisory Council Liaison, Aging and Disability Services
Ava Frisinger, Advisory Council Chair
Dick Woo, Vice Chair
June Michel, Advocacy Chair
Cindy Snyder, Secretary
Larry Low, At-Large Officer
Sariga Santhosh
(Pronouns: she/her/hers)
Advisory Council Liaison, Aging and Disability Services
Seattle-King County Area Agency on Aging
City of Seattle, Human Services Department
O: (206) 684-0652| C: (206) 379-3851|F: (206) 684-0689
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