March 15, 2017 The Skanner Page 5
News
Events & Announcements
Community
Calendar 2017
cont’d from pg 4
turns 104 years old on March 19, and visitors are invited to help
celebrate by enjoying a State Park for free that day. All-day
event.
SEATTLE’S 5TH ANNUAL FRENCH FEST: This event is free and open
to the public. During the event, festival goers of all ages have an
opportunity to enjoy many activities all with a French twist. 11
a.m. – 6 p.m., Seattle Center Armory, 305 Harrison St.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED
COMPLEX EXCHANGE: This edition will include two free pro-
grams, one held at the Northwest African American Museum
to discuss “An Elegant Utility.” 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., NAAM, 2300 S.
Massachusetts St.
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
We Stand Together
Dozens of neighbors in South Seattle gathered March 12 at the corners of S. Ferdinand Street and Rainier Avenue S to show their
support for their Muslim, Jewish and immigrant neighbors. South Seattle: We Stand Together was a chance for the neighborhood to
embrace its diversity and show the community that it will stand against hate.
Briefs cont’d from pg 4
Seattle News Briefs
Seattle King County NAACP
Disappointed But Not Surprised by
Prosecutor’s Decision
On Tuesday morning, King County Prosecutor Dan
Satterberg announced that he will not charge the offi-
cers involved in the police killing of Che Taylor. This
decision came after an inquest was held in early Feb-
ruary to look into the facts surrounding the death of
Taylor. In response, the Seattle King County NAACP
released the following statement:
“We are deeply disappointed that the officers re-
sponsible for the shooting death of Che Taylor will
not be held accountable, but we can’t say that we’re
surprised. It proves what we’ve known all along: that
our criminal justice system is set-up to protect police
officers, even when it comes at the expense of protect-
ing the community.
The NAACP stated at the time of the inquest that we
deserved answers from Seattle Police Department
(SPD) to fill in the gaping holes that exist in their ver-
sion of the story. The answers that we got from the in-
quest: The all-white jury unanimously agreed that (1)
Officer Michael Spaulding did not observe Che Taylor
wearing a holstered handgun on his right hip (Ques-
tion 10), (2) Officer Scott Miller did not see Mr. Taylor
move his right hand to his right hip area (Question
41), (3) Taylor was complying with officers demands
when he was shot (Questions 33 and 34), and (4) Tay-
lor was not carrying a gun when he was shot (Ques-
tions 46 and 47). SPD’s own video footage confirms
that Taylor was doing what the officers asked when
he was shot and killed—ask any prosecutor, evidence
does not get better than a killing caught on tape.
In broad daylight, police shot an unarmed man who
was doing what police asked. Yet, no murder charge.
No criminal consequences at all. No justice for Che
Taylor or his family. Our question is simple: if not in
this case, when?
Today, King County Prosecutor Satterberg failed
to press charges against the officers responsible for
killing Che Taylor, just like he did back in 2011 when
he chose not to press charges against Officer Ian Birk
who killed John T. Williams (despite the fact that the
police department found the shooting unjustified).
The death of Williams is what triggered the Depart-
ment of Justice investigation into SPD; now, six years
later and despite a consent decree, we’re still seeing
the same results.
This represents a long and troubling pattern of
prosecutors refusing to hold police officers account-
able for the senseless deaths of people of color across
our country, from Ferguson to Seattle. We need pros-
ecutors to have the political courage to do the right
thing; to hold officers accountable to the law and en-
sure that transparency and faith are restored in our
justice system. If Satterberg can’t commit to holding
police officers accountable and restoring communi-
ty trust in our justice system, maybe it’s time to elect
someone who can.
The prosecutor’s decision clearly indicates that we
need to change the Washington State deadly use of
force law to remove references to malice and good
faith, creating a clear pathway to accountability and
transparency within our police department. This is
not simply about the senseless death of Che Taylor.
It’s about fixing our criminal justice system so that it
actually makes our com-
munities safer, instead
of leaving people of color
vulnerable to police bru-
tality and excessive use
of force.”
OPEN HOUSE AT WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: Come see our big
changes! Please join the board of directors and staff to learn
about our new “Shopping Style” distribution, our many programs
and how we collaborate to serve our West Seattle neighbors.
Beverages and appetizers will be served. Bring your children,
bring a friend, everyone is welcome! 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., Seattle
Food Bank, 3419 SW Morgan St.
to have an attorney look over your contract, rescis-
sion, and negotiation strategies.
The presentation will be followed by a Q & A ses-
sion.
Katrina Brede earned her Bachelor’s Degree from
the University of Kansas where she majored in film
studies and U.S. history. She received her J.D. from Se-
attle University School of Law. A former media pro-
ducer, Katrina as a unique understanding of the legal
needs of artists, non-profits, and small businesses.
RSVP
at
https://www.facebook.com/
events/1876678432547168/.
Information is powerful.
Central District
Forum Holds
Legal Workshop
for Artists
Central District Forum
for Arts & Ideas is host-
ing a legal workshop for
artists from 9 a.m. to 11
a.m. March 18 at Langston
Hughes Performing Arts
Institute, 104 17th Ave S.
This workshop will be
imperative and timely
for artists looking to gain
knowledge about the le-
gal issues related to art-
ist’s work including pro-
tecting and copyrighting
one’s property.
Attorney Katrina Bre-
de will give a presenta-
tion on legal issues fac-
ing artists today.
Topics covered will
broadly include:
• Entity
formation,
non-profit formation,
and setting yourself up
for fundraising.
• Issues related to en-
tertainment law such
as copyright (both for
themselves and in us-
ing other people’s IP),
trademark, and public-
ity rights.
• Issues related to con-
tracting such as when
The power is
in your hands.
NEWS
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