Paving the way to disability justice: Remembering the Section 504 Sit-ins
By Dorian Esper–Taylor, ADA Disability Specialist, Office of Equity and Social Justice When we think of the life-changing civil rights movements in the U.S., the road to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is often a forgotten struggle. Historically, civil rights movements in the U.S. have begun as radical struggles. Equal rights have been earned and fought for rather than given; disability rights and the pathway to the ADA were no different. One of the early victories was the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the first disability rights law… Read More
Celebrating Disability Pride and people with disabilities
Dear fellow King County employee, July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the pride people with disabilities have in themselves and their many successes and contributions to our workforce and community. Disability Pride Month coincides with the anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, better known as the ADA. The ADA has created civil rights protections and better access for people with disabilities. Disability Pride builds upon the legacy of the ADA with the demand for visibility, acknowledgement, and acceptance from society. Disability spans all… Read More
Inaugural Muckleshoot Pride event
Originally posted in King County Sheriff’s Office News The King County Sheriff’s Office and Muckleshoot Tribal Police partnered and participated in a recent Pride event at the Muckleshoot Pow Wow grounds. This event was monumental as it marked the first Pride event for the community. In attendance were Chief Val Kelly, MRO Sergeant Corbett Ford, and Communications Liaison Zoe Birkbeck. Muckleshoot Tribal Police Detective Jason Rich and Deputy Damian Walburn were also there to hand out pride beads and bracelets and meet with community members.
Fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant: A spotlight on farmers markets serving our immigrant and refugee communities
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider After a winter that stayed too long, a cooler than average spring, and as summer moves in with the promise of endless sunshine, so do the annual summer farmers markets that emerge across the county each year. For many residents, buying fresh local food at one of the 30-plus farmers markets is a highly-anticipated seasonal ritual. These market programs provide communities with access to local, fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant produce. Read more.
King County Council and King County Executive proclaim Juneteenth
The King County Council and King County Executive Constantine have formally proclaimed June 19, 2022, as JUNETEENTH. “Juneteenth is an important opportunity to honor the principles of the Declaration of Independence and to celebrate the achievements and contributions African Americans have made, and continue to make, in King County and across the nation” the Council and Executive proclaimed. View the official proclamation below.
Local Food Initiative supports farmers, protects land, and increases access to healthy foods
King County strives to be a healthy community, where residents can access opportunities and receive the support needed to succeed. One way it does this is through the Local Food Initiative. This program was started in 2014 and aims to make the local food economy more equitable and resilient to climate impacts. The initiative is overseen by Mike Lufkin, Food Economy Manager in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Mike has been with King County since 2015. His work includes growing the food and farm sectors, increasing access to healthy nutritious… Read More
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee, Happy Pride Month! Every June we celebrate Pride and honor the fight for equality and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people that began in June of 1969 with the Stonewall Riots led by trans women of color. Pride is a time to recognize the accomplishments and many contributions of LGBTQ+ people to our communities here in King County and around the world, to our shared history and our shared future. It is a time to reflect on the adversities that LGBTQ+ people have faced throughout history and their… Read More
Juneteenth an observed County holiday, June 20
King County government will observe Juneteenth as a new paid holiday for the first time this year, on Monday, June 20. Last year, King County Council passed two Ordinances and King County bargained Agreements for represented employees to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October) as paid holidays starting in 2022 for King County employees who are eligible for comprehensive leave benefits. Click here to read more.
Honoring the fallen
On Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of each May, we honor the more than 1.2 million military personnel who have given their lives in service to our country. We pay tribute to those who bravely answered the call to protect and preserve freedom here at home and around the world. We take this time to also honor the families of those who did not come home. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served, and particularly to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As a community, we must… Read More
King County Law Library webinar: Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration
As part of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage month, the King County Law Library recently hosted a webinar titled “Executive Order 9066 and Japanese Incarceration.” The first part of this program is a screening of Alternative Facts – a film that uncovers the history of lies used to justify the incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans. It was followed by a powerful panel discussion with the filmmaker Jon Osaki, attorney, author, and former Seattle University School of Law professor Lorraine Bannai, and King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi. The discussion was moderated by attorney Serin… Read More
