Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell released the following statement:
“In recent months, our City has witnessed an uptick in hate crimes and bias incidents targeting Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and Jewish members of our community, as well as threats of violence to synagogues and mosques. This is not acceptable – violent, hateful attacks must not be allowed to harm our neighbors or define our communities, our people, or our places.
“Concerning increases in bias reports against our Arab, Jewish, and Islamic communities are indicative of a disturbing trend nationwide, leaving many local Seattle community members feeling unsafe. The bomb threats, suspicious packages and hate speech directed at local synagogues and mosques are similarly disturbing – there’s no place for this anywhere in our society, especially not at peaceful houses of worship.
“I have consistently spoken out against hate toward communities of all backgrounds – no matter your race, faith, gender, country of origin, or any other reason, Seattle should be a place where you feel safe and where you are safe. This is what my administration strives for every day.
“No matter the context of world events, hateful words or actions, especially due to the color of a person’s skin, where they’re from, or their religious affiliation are never acceptable. Put simply, there is no excuse for hate and no place for it here in Seattle.
“Entering a new year, we can reject this behavior and embrace compassion and understanding that reflect the inclusive spirit of our region and the people who call it home. We must remain steadfast in our promise to care for one another despite our differences. My administration remains focused on creating a safe and welcoming Seattle for everyone – and this is an area where we can all step up and lead by recognizing our neighbors and centering the human dignity that every person holds.”