Mayor Harrell says Seattle's FIFA countdown clock sends a political message
Seattle started its official countdown Wednesday, marking one year until it hosts the FIFA World Cup.
Sounders FC owner and former player Steve Zakuani was on hand to help unveil a giant digital clock at the Seattle Center.
It’s counting down the 525,600 minutes until the city hosts six World Cup matches next summer. Zakuani grew up in London, but he originally came from Zaire, in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Congo is one of the 12 countries targeted this week by President Trump’s new travel ban.
Another country covered by the ban is Iran. Some consider Iran's team to be a strong World Cup contender.
RELATED: Washington state exploring options to fight Trump's travel ban
After unveiling the countdown clock, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell criticized the message the travel ban sends.
“Today, with this countdown, we are sending a completely different message," Harrell said. "That we are welcoming, and showing this country what welcoming looks like.”
FIFA countdown clocks were also unveiled today in other World Cup host cities, including Philadelphia and Dallas.
RELATED: Trump's travel ban is now in effect. Here's what to know
FIFA has promised that the upcoming World Cup will be the largest, and the most inclusive, in history. Games will be played in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
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Joshua McNichols
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As KUOW's Growth and Development reporter and co-host of KUOW's Booming podcast, Joshua's "growing pains" beat sits at the nexus of housing, transportation, urban planning, government and the economy. His favorite stories also include themes of history, technology, and climate change.
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