City of Seattle Invests $1.2 Million in Domestic Violence Supports
April 17, 2024
The City of Seattle is awarding $1.2 million to support community-led services that address domestic violence outside of the criminal legal system.
Winter 2024 Newsletter
February 17, 2024
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights’ winter 2024 newsletter is available now! This issue features a new video illustrating enforcement services offered by SOCR, highlights from our commissions, and an update on next steps toward participatory budgeting project implementation. Also included are a list of upcoming community events and opportunities. Read… [ Keep reading ]
2023 Year in Review
December 12, 2023
As 2023 comes to an end, the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) is reflecting upon the ways in which we worked in partnership with powerful communities to advance civil rights, end barriers to equity, and cultivate shared healing and belonging. Together, we: Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) Commissions … [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Announces $27M in Winning Participatory Budgeting Projects
November 21, 2023
Six proposals selected through the community voting process SEATTLE (November 21) – Following a month-long voting period, Seattle’s $27 million participatory budgeting (PB) process resulted in six winning proposals to improve community safety through investments in education, housing, mental health, and economic development. Over 4,000 people voted on PB proposals… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Participatory Budgeting Vote Launches October 10th
October 11, 2023
Seattle Office for Civil Rights announces community members can vote to decide how $27.25 million of the City of Seattle budget will be allocated Seattle, WA – As the historic Participatory Budgeting (PB) process comes to a close, the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) and third-party administrators Participatory Budgeting… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Human Rights Commission Seeks Candidates
April 24, 2023
SEATTLE, WA – The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) is currently recruiting to fill seventeen vacancies on the Seattle Human Rights Commission. The Commission seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds in human rights, law, public policy, advocacy, social services, education, and business. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, City Council,… [ Keep reading ]
Historic Race & Social Justice Ordinance Passed by Councilmember Morales, Mayor Harrell, Office for Civil Rights
April 20, 2023
SEATTLE – Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales (District 2 – Southeast Seattle & Chinatown-International District), Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Seattle Office for Civil Rights Director Derrick Wheeler-Smith celebrated the unanimous passage of an ordinance officially codifying the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI) into law. This will permanently solidify… [ Keep reading ]
Healing, Belonging, and Unity Highlighted at Race & Social Justice Summit
March 10, 2023
Featured speakers—Dr. Ben Danielson, filmmaker Gilda Sheppard, Rachel Heaton, community leaders and city staff Seattle, WA – The Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), in partnership with Seattle Center and Converge Media, will host its annual RSJI Summit event on March 23 and 24 as a hybrid event. This is the first… [ Keep reading ]
Statement on Tyre Nichols
January 27, 2023
A statement on the murder of Tyre Nichols from Seattle Office for Civil Rights Director Derrick Wheeler-Smith.
Participatory Budgeting moves forward in City of Seattle
April 7, 2022
Seattle Office for Civil Rights announces Participatory Budgeting Project as awardee for Participatory Budgeting contract. Seattle, WA – The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) has selected the third-party administrator who will run the Participatory Budgeting process in the City of Seattle. The awardee of the request for proposal is… [ Keep reading ]