Renton Tuesday Tea (April 13)

Here is the tea in Renton this April 13th, 2021 (last week’s tea):

• Residents called into the city council meeting asking the Renton City Council and other levels of government to take more action to make the AAPI community feel safe. Residents described concerns about incidents during regular activities such as going for walks. (watch here)
• Renton City Council passes resolution allowing 0.1% sales tax for housing to pool with regional partners with SKHHP.
• Judge Jessica Giner has been appointed by Mayor Pavone and unanimously approved by the council. The Mayor’s newsletter says, “She has earned top ratings from six minority bar associations: QLaw, Latina/o Bar Association, Cardozo Society, Joint Asian Judicial Evaluation Committee, Washington Women Lawyers, and Loren Miller Bar Association.” On April 1st, Judge Giner officially started on the Municipal Court bench.
• Councilmember Girmay Zahilay joins the growing call for the King County Sheriff to step down. Councilmember Dave Upthegrove has also called for the resignation. Other officials have come out in favor of the resignation including Deputy Mayor Krystal Marx of Burien.

Today, I join the voices calling on King County’s Sheriff to resign. The families of Tommy Le, Mi’Chance Dunlap-Gittens, & others we’ve lost to police violence, have spoken. They’ve said, and I agree, that the Sheriff’s statements do not reflect the values we need in that office.

— Girmay Zahilay (@GirmayZahilay) April 7, 2021

• The Renton Police Department is now carrying hearing assistant cards to help identify the best way to communicate with hard-of-hearing and deaf communities. Residents can print them at home or request them from the department. All officers will have them in their vehicles.
• The Washington Legislature passed a package of police reform bills applauded by advocates.
• Renton Progress joins the newly formed Renton Anti-Racism Coalition in a commitment to promoting anti-racist local journalism. Some other organizations involved include the Renton-King County Alliance for Justice and Renton Residents for Change.