Mayor Durkan and Seattle Police Department,
 
Herbert Hightower Jr. was killed in 2004 by Seattle police officers, at the age of 25 during a mental health crisis. Seattle Police designated it as a justified shooting, with virtually no public accountability process.

Sixteen years later, the family of Herbert Hightower Jr. has still not been given access to the Public Records around their loved-one’s killing, despite repeated and persistent efforts. Seattle Police promised to release the records on September 21 this year, delayed until October 14, and then again until November 5. This is unacceptable! The family deserves to see the public records around Herbert’s death. Seattle’s working people, particularly Black and Brown communities, deserve real accountability and control over police.

Walter Wallace Jr.’s recent killing at the hands of the Philadelphia police, under similar circumstances, shows the tragic and deeply unjust consequences if working people don’t get organized in multiracial solidarity to win community control over police.

In solidarity with family members and #JusticeForHerbertHightowerJr, we demand:
*Release the Public Records of Herbert Hightower Jr.’s 2004 Police Killing NOW!
*For an elected Community Oversight Board over Seattle Police with full powers to hire, fire, and discipline officers.
*Defund SPD by 50% to fund Black and Brown community needs, including for people like Herbert Hightower suffering from mental illness.

Signed,