 With a saddened heart while holding anger and outrage, I write this message to you after once again, the world, our nation, and the Black community witness another occurrence of police brutality against a Black male. On January 7, 2023, 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was fatally beaten by five police officers from the Memphis Police Department during a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee. Officers initially stated the Tyre was pulled over for alleged reckless driving, but police investigation has found no such evidence to substantiate the claim. Tyre Nichols was hospitalized in critical condition from his injuries and died three days later. The preliminary autopsy results found that Tyre suffered “extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating.”
Over this past weekend, the City of Memphis and the nation awaited and braced for the release of the police video footage. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis prepared us before the video's release that we would see were “acts that defy humanity,” “incomprehensible,” and “unconscionable.” Unfortunately, chief Davis’ depiction was accurate. I watched a horrendous “prison yard” style beat down of a young man who looked like me, who was just trying to get home. A young Black man that was met with immediate aggression. A young Black man not “fleeing from police" but running for his life. A young Black man being bullied by officers much larger and stronger than himself. I witnessed a complete disregard for another human being.  Historical photographs of Dorothy Hollingsworth (left), Seattle education leader, and William Owen Bush (right), noted Thurston County farmer and legislator.
OLYMPIA — The Governor’s Mansion Foundation is presenting Black History Month tours at the Mansion on Wednesday, Feb. 1 and Wednesday, Feb. 8. The 45-minute tours are free and open to the public. The tours will include information about the Mansion. They will also feature biographical information about notable Black Washingtonians, presented throughout the house by members of the Black community in Thurston County. The tours will end with a short live performance. Exiting tour-goers will receive a special bookmark/flier with information about additional resources on Black history in Washington. Learn more about the Black Washingtonians featured on the tour and Black history in Washington. Attached [below] is the Martin Luther King Day of Service Proclamation declaration for all to see. For more information on Martin Luther King JR, read the article "BUILD Celebrates Martin Luther King" on BUILD's website. Martin Luther King Day of Service Proclamation PDF   Important Update for Social Equity Cannabis Retail License Applicants: New Instructional Courses and Upcoming Webinar Series Jan. 24 and Jan. 28, 2023
The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) will soon be opening the application window for a limited number of retail cannabis licenses that have been reserved for social equity purposes. The LCB has partnered with MakeGreenGo! to provide technical assistance and business education for potential social equity applicants. MakeGreenGo! is a company with experience providing technical assistance to cannabis businesses in several state and local jurisdictions.  On Monday, January 16, 2023, we celebrate, commemorate, and honor the life and legacy of an American Hero and icon, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The observance of the King Holiday is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the powerful teachings and relevant messages of Dr. King. The work and sacrifice of Dr. King have been instrumental in the effort to achieve equality for African Americans and also significant to the progress of humanity.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy has inspired numerous other civil rights movements within the United States and worldwide. Dr. King’s support for Latino activists such as Cesar Chavez during the United Farm Workers union acknowledged and highlighted the similarities in the struggle for African American rights and the rights of Latinos. Elements and strategies of the early Pride and Gay Rights activism borrowed and relied on much of the foundation laid by the Black Civil Rights Movement. The recent George Floyd protest movement in 2020 gave us images strikingly similar to the civil rights marches in the 1960s. Multiethnic groups of men and women, children and elders, and gay and straight people came together in solidarity to protest racial injustice in our county. Dr. King bonded people together, allowing them to see themselves as part of the same-shared struggle and inspiring them to be a part of the solution. |
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