Seattle meeting erupts as public protests proposed rollbacks to city ethics rules tied to renter protections

Summary

Dozens of public commenters pressed the Seattle City Council on May 13 to oppose a proposed change to the city's ethics code they say would clear the way for council members with landlord interests to vote on renter-related legislation; the meeting was disrupted, recessed and public comment ultimately ended and the council continued business.

Dozens of people filled Seattle City Hall chambers on May 13 to oppose a proposed change to the Seattle ethics code that they said would enable council members with landlord interests to vote on renter-related laws.

The issue dominated the meeting's public-comment period: multiple speakers urged the council not to alter the city's ethics rules and warned that the change would pave the way to roll back renter protections such as a $10 cap on late fees and bans on winter and school-year evictions. Speakers disrupted the meeting repeatedly; Council President Sarah Nelson called for order, the council recessed for five minutes, and later ended in-person public comment and continued the meeting remotely.

Why it matters: Commenters said the ethics change is a first step toward undoing renter protections that they described as won by tenant organizing and past council…

Seattle meeting erupts as public protests proposed rollbacks to city ethics rules tied to renter protections

Summary

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