Social justice advocates around the state of Washington are gearing up to make changes that extend far beyond the scope of local police departments. Formed in part by Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance is pushing for reform that extends into education, workspaces and healthcare. Organizers state that moving their efforts outside the scope of police reform is necessary because institutional racism extends far beyond a badge and a gun.
“It’s a broad push, recognizing that racism is in every facet of our lives,” Marlon Brown of the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance told the Seattle Times.
“It’s never happened, we’re going to be pushing at all of these at the same time.”
Among other initiatives, Brown and fellow advocates are demanding that Washington Governor Jay Inslee declare racism is a public health crisis. This request is not unlike others at the local and state level. Most notably, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declared was racism a public health crisis following the killing of Breonna Taylor.
“For too many Louisvillians, racism is a fact of daily life, a fact that was created and documented in our country’s laws and institutional policies like segregation, redlining and urban renewal,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.
“Laws and policies that restrict the freedom of all Americans to exercise their constitutional rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Laws and policies that can restrict where people live, what schools they attend and what jobs they can get. And laws and policies that effectively limit the wealth they can earn and pass on to their children."
In addition to declaring that racism is a public health crisis, members of the alliance are pushing for larger investments in arts and culture and increased educational funding, Also, the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance is demanding that Gov. Inslee end the state's ban on affirmative action.