NEWS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayor Jenny Durkan Commends City Council’s Confirmation of Mariko Lockhart as Permanent Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Seattle (April 29, 2019) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan issued the following statement on the 8-0 vote by the City Council to confirm Mariko Lockhart, her nominee to serve as the permanent director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR):

“Mariko has built a career around promoting equity and will continue to do this for the people of Seattle. Under her leadership, the Seattle Office for Civil Rights has made critical contributions to ensuring civil rights and advancing race and social justice in our work at the City,” said Mayor Durkan. “With Mariko leading SOCR, I am confident that the City will continue to center the voices of the most vulnerable and expand opportunities for all.”

“It is truly a privilege to be confirmed today as Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights by the Seattle City Council. After 16 months serving in an interim capacity, I’ve been humbled by the scope and scale of the charge of the department. The team at SOCR has inspired me with their creativity, skills, and commitment to anti-racist values and civil rights,” said Lockhart. “Moving forward, I plan to strengthen relationships with and seek from guidance from community partners as SOCR develops our strategic plan and implements any future changes.”