Message from Mayor Mary Lou Pauly:
June 12, 2020 was a historic day in Issaquah, as an estimated 500 community members peacefully marched down Front Street to City Hall for a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
I was honored to attend this community-led march – along with many City Council members and our police chief – as we continue listening to our passionate residents. Similar to past demonstrations, Issaquah police and City staff coordinated closely with the organizers to ensure their right to gather and speak.
King County has declared that racism is a public health crisis, and Issaquah joins our regional partners in pledging to implement a racially-equitable response that’s centered on community.
We are committed to:
- Listening to a diverse range of opinions, stories and perspectives.
- Continuing the dialogue, and sharing what we’ve heard.
- Implementing change as a community.
Moving forward, we must come together in our community conversations – and ensure everyone has a voice that is heard.
Here in Issaquah, kindness is our strength. We are welcoming and inclusive, but more work needs to be done.
City Council’s June 15 Meeting
Our City Council held a virtual meeting June 15 (watch online) to continue this dialog with our community, and learn more about City initiatives and procedures concerning racial equity.
Topics covered included:
- Issaquah Police policies, standards, training and the #8cantwait campaign.
- Issaquah Municipal Court’s efforts to address racial bias.
- Equity initiatives within our organization and community.
View the presentation materials online.
Several community members also provided their perspective.
What’s Next
The City Council will hold another virtual meeting June 29. More details on how you can speak during audience comments will be updated on our website soon.
We’ll also find future opportunities to continue the dialog. This is a critical moment in our history where we can implement change, and create a better community for all. Let’s not lose this chance.
Yours in Service,
Mayor Mary Lou Pauly