Week in Review: encampments, SPD, and gender-affirming care

Guest hosts Mike Davis and Libby Denkmann discuss the week’s news with freelance health journalist Joanne Silberner, PubliCola’s Erica Barnett, and The Stranger’s Vivian McCall.

A ruling this week by a King County Superior Court Judge may change the way that Seattle clears tents and encampments on sidewalks, in parks or on other public property. King County Superior Court Judge David Keenan ruled against the city in a case brought by two unhoused people who say they were repeatedly swept without warning. The summary judgement says that the city has been relying on an overly broad definition of "obstruction" to sometimes remove unhoused people's property without giving notice or offering shelter. And that practice violates the state and federal constitution. what does it mean for how the city clears encampments?

After a three-hour meeting Monday night, Burien city council decided to move forward on drafting an encampment ban, modeled after Bellevue's, that criminalizes living in the city unsheltered. It seems like more and more of Seattle's surrounding cities are heading in this direction. Why are these cities moving towards criminalizing homelessness instead of providing more support and resources?

On Tuesday, after the revelation that SPD officers kept a mock tombstone of Damarius Butts, who was killed by officers, in the break room in the East Precinct. Chief Adrian Diaz acknowledged that his department caused mistrust and trauma in the community. Chief Diaz, who did not apologize to the Butts family, said the department is committed to making it right, and the Office of Police Accountability has launched an investigation into the incident. Should he have apologized?

Amazon reported a dip in its carbon footprint for 2022, the first time that emissions number has shrunk since it began releasing the data. The company emitted 71.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2022 according to its latest Sustainability Report. Amazon started its "Climate Pledge" back in, and that set the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. 390 companies are now participating. What do you make of this announcement from the retail and cloud computing giant?

There's a local LGBTQ+ Pride event that's been delayed and is finally happening this Saturday. Pride organizers in Arlington say the city put up a bunch of unexpected hurdles this year that forced them to push back the celebration. What’s going on in Arlington?