I received the following communique from an anonymous autonomous collective in so called Seattle:
Communique and Call to Action from the You Sweep, We Strike Collective
Who we are: an autonomous group taking direct action to increase pressure on the city of Seattle to immediately stop all "sweeps". We are your neighbors and friends. If this communique makes you imagine possibilities, you might be one of us too.
What we demand: an immediate end to all "sweeps" in Seattle, full stop.
Why: the sweeps are framed as ways to get services and offer shelter to those experiencing homelessness, but shelter offers are always inadequate in quantity and quality if they are made available at all. Instead, our homeless friends have their homes bulldozed and are moved on foot, weary, with nowhere to go, by police with guns on their hips. The continuous violation of the human rights of our neighbors cannot go on any longer. We've grown tired of asking for adequate shelter options and begging our politicians to leave people alone if they have nothing to offer but terror. We will begin increasing the cost of enacting this terror to the city of Seattle until the sweeps end. Our demands have teeth. We will begin with a wave of incredible property damage. It's really very simple: If you sweep, we strike.
When: beginning immediately and ending only on public announcement and action in the form of complete cessation of all sweeps. We will not negotiate. We will only increase our efforts until our goal is achieved.
Where: the possibilities are endless! The mayor has a house, and so do the council members who push the sweeps forward. SPD and parks and rec all have buildings with vulnerable windows. Herc rentals has assisted without consequences too long as well. Get creative - the possibilities are endless.
How: 1) get a brick! 2) Write you sweep we strike on it! 3) Cover up and throw that brick! 4) Repeat, repeat, repeat. (You can also leave one in the ashes of anything you burn!)
We invite you to join us. Our spirit is in the heart of so many of you. This is our first communique but not our last.
#yousweepwestrike #calltoaction #seattle #seattleprotests