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Articles by RC Staff

Sounding an alarm

By RC Staff | January 30, 2013

Dorli Rainey, top right, sounds the gong in front of Seattle City Hall Friday, Jan. 25, during the Homeless Gong Ringing. Bottom right, Lisa Gustaveson of Seattle University’s Faith & Family Homelessness Project takes a turn banging the gong. Each strike signified one person found sleeping on the street during the night’s One Night Count. The event was organized by Occupy CEHKC, a coalition of homeless activists that includes Real Change, SHARE/WHEEL and Nickelsville. ...

Marching toward equality

By RC Staff | January 23, 2013

Close to 1,000 people participated in the 31st annual rally and march honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 21. The event began with the rally at Garfield High School, where attendees heard spoken-word and musical performances, including “Lift Ev’ry Voice,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem. People then participated in a march from Garfield to the Federal Building. ...

Gates Foundation gives $400,000 to efforts to address homelessness among LGBTQ teens

By RC Staff | January 9, 2013

On any given night, LBGTQ young people may make up as much as half of the total homeless youth populations in Portland and Seattle, according to Kris Hermanns, Executive Director of Pride Foundation, a donor-supported Northwest LBGTQ nonprofit.

Many of these teens have been rejected by their families, abused or forced out of their homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and some have aged out of the foster care system. ...

Licata, marijuana and better banking give Seattle Nation’s top honors in 2012

By RC Staff | January 2, 2013

Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata made The Nation magazine’s Progressive Honor Roll this year.

For more than a decade, the publication has honored politicians, journalists and organizations who advance progressive agendas.

Licata joins The Colbert Report, recognized for its satirical coverage of campaign finance, and Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who was named “Most Valuable Progressive.” ...

Number of homeless veterans declined in 2011, report shows

By RC Staff | January 2, 2013

In 2010 the Obama administration and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pledged to end homelessness among veterans by 2015.

So, how’s that going?

In a December 2012 report to Congress, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) said the VA’s efforts are making a dent. ...

Disdain for coal trains

By RC Staff | December 19, 2012

Protestors gathered outside the Washington State Convention Center before the Dec. 13 public forum on the Gateway Pacific Terminal proposed for the Bellingham area. More than 2,300 people showed up. The majority opposed the project on grounds that it would increase the number of trains carrying uncovered coal through the Puget Sound region, harm the environment and tie up traffic. Whatcom County, the state Department of Ecology and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are conducting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process for the project. It can be seen at eisgatewaypacificwa.gov/. ...

Garfield student, Arab-American activist among Human Rights Award recipients

By RC Staff | December 19, 2012

A Garfield High School senior who raised money to support girls’ education in Rwanda, along with a long-time advocate for Middle Eastern people in the Puget Sound received Seattle Human Rights Awards Dec. 13 at the annual event sponsored by the Seattle Office of Civil Rights.

The organization bestows awards on one activist, one organization and one young person each year. ...

Chase donates $750,000 to Yesler Terrace redevelopment

By RC Staff | December 19, 2012

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation gave $750,000 to the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) for the design and construction of a pedestrian hillclimb connecting Yesler Terrace and Little Saigon.

The hillclimb will run along 10th Avenue South, connecting South Jackson Street to South Main Street. It will open up pedestrian flow between Yesler Terrace, First Hill, Little Saigon and the International District.

The redevelopment will replace the 561 units of housing that sit on 30 acres of land bordering Yesler Way east of Interstate 5. ...

Indian commission lawsuit against city dismissed by state’s high court

By RC Staff | December 12, 2012

The Washington State Superior Court dismissed the bulk of a lawsuit filed by former and current members of the Seattle Indian Services Commission against the city of Seattle.

Mayor Mike McGinn took over the commission in October because of its financial problems. With approval from the Seattle City Council, the city took over management of the commission and installed the city’s director of finance and administration, Fred Podesta, as the chair of the commission’s board. ...