June 29, 2022
electronically distributed to emailtheboard@soundtransit.org
Re: Remove Robust Transit Train Route Alternatives Near/Through Chinatown ID
Dear Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Kenmore Councilman David Baker, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez, King County Council Vice President Joe McDermott, WA Transport Minister Roger Millar, Renton City Councillor Ed Prince , Fife Mayor Kim Roscoe, King County Councilman Dave Upthegrove, King County Councilman Peter Von Reichbauer, Tacoma Councilman Kristina Walker and Labor liaison Mark Riker.
We write as civil rights advocates for the Asia Pacific Islander community from the Chinese American Citizens Coalition – Seattle (CACA Seattle), OCA Greater Community of Asia Pacific Advocates
Seattle was formerly the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA-GS), Japanese American Citizens Coalition, Seattle Chapter (JACL-Seattle), and Filipino American Political Action Group
Washington (FAPAGOW).
The hateful and frivolous proposal by Sound Transit staff to route trains through our fragile Chinatown ID (C-ID) will further damage and destroy our fragile historic district
A community that has suffered multiple historic racial divestments. The Sound Transit alternative appears to embed implicit, institutional, unconscious bias, and
Purposeful discrimination in complete disregard of your Anti-Racist Organization Policy and Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act, as amended.
We ask the sound transport committee to intervene immediately:
1) remove the disruptive alternatives associated with Chinatown IDs, and
2) Examine how your internal fairness system has failed to bring these racially harmful alternatives to this point. Maria Batayola will act as a point of contact for our organization.she can be mbjumpstart@msn.com Or call 206 293 2951. We look forward to a positive response over the next two weeks.
Sincerely,
Maria Batajola
Cathy Lee
Stanley N. Shikuma
Dr. Connie Sue
FAPAGOW Politics
CACA Seattle
JACL – Seattle
OCA-GS
Voice Co-Chair
president
Co-President President
c: Assunta Ng, NW Asia Weekly
Jill Wasberg, International Examiner
