On Monday, several Black-led organizations announced the launch of Washington for Black Lives (W4BL), a new coalition that will aim to combat police violence in communities throughout Washington State.
Formed by Black member organizations of the Washington Census Alliance, the coalition has three stated goals: increased investment in Black and Brown communities; defunding of police and prisons; and demilitarization of local and state police. Thirty-eight Black-led organizations across the state have joined the coalition.
Monisha Harrell is the Chair of Equal Rights Washington – one of the W4BL’s founding organizations. She is also a member of Gov. Inslee’s task force to provide recommendations for legislation on independent investigations involving police use of force. I spoke with Harrell following the launch of W4BL about the coalition’s policy demands and organizing strategy.
