we actually pulled it off and forced them to scrap those awful plans for hostile architecture and extra security. i cant thank you enough for sticking by me on this because we really proved that people are watching. lets keep an eye on things just in case but for now …
July 22, 2021
Final supporters
KEEP SAM’S UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS SAFE
The Seattle Art Museum is in the process of implementing a hostile new policy of deterrence towards our unhoused neighbors. Museum management has approved two new policies to accomplish this goal:
-The installation of hostile architecture
-The hiring of an outside security company who will be outside the museum 7 days a week
Both of these tactics are intended to prevent our unhoused neighbors from being on SAM property.
The City of Seattle finds itself amidst an unfathomable crisis; well over a year has passed since the COVID-19 lockdown began, and as such- the disuse of both the city and neglect of its most vulnerable has become rampant.The impact of the lockdown on Seattle's unhoused population has been staggering, and as their numbers swell- so do the shelters they've made in the vacant streets. This is clearly evident to all of SAM's frontline workers who have commuted to work throughout the pandemic. As jarring as it may be to returning workers and visitors alike, the Seattle Art Museum is by no means alone in the challenges of reopening that all of downtown Seattle now faces. As the museum prides itself in being a cultural landmark of Seattle’s downtown, it would be most unfortunate for us to even tacitly condone a policy towards the unhoused so devoid of sympathy. To attempt to remove the reality of the harsh effects COVID-19 has had on the people of the downtown area is detached, cold, and cruel. We believe that there are far more productive and neighborly ways to spend the funds that would be spent on this anti-houseless policy.
Stay updated or contact us - https://linktr.ee/Samworkers
EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS:
(suggested by current member’s of SAM security, who do NOT endorse this new policy)
-Hiring of a liaison (helps with social services and communicating needs, preferably someone who has experienced homelessness and/or drug use)
-Installation of a portable bathroom and sharps containers on the premises
-hiring biohazard cleaners or exterior cleaners
-a survey to help make conditions better for ES (do folks need more space, more breaks, slower pace, better placed trash cans, less furniture moving)
-basic supplies for houseless individuals: sharps containers, water, socks, forms for orca cards, protein bars, etc.
-additional (harm reduction-based) training for current security
-an external audit of how the museum can best serve the unhoused community
-survey of the unhoused community to find out how we can best serve them (could we partner with other organizations to provide our neighbors with the care they need to be safe)
We believe that the museum can do better to achieve its core value of equity “think[ing] critically about the role art plays in empowering social justice and structural change to promote equity in our society” using alternative methods.
PETITION STATEMENT
The undersigned oppose the use of hostile architecture and the hiring of an outside security company by the Seattle Art Museum. We also specifically oppose the use of physical force and/or intimidation as a tool to clear people from museum property. We also specifically oppose the destruction of tents and possessions of these extremely vulnerable people. We believe there are alternative policies and solutions that would offer the museum an opportunity to be a leader amongst downtown properties as a positive and productive member of the community.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 28, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
June 24, 2021
105 Comments
As a member of the Seattle Artistic Community, it is disheartening to see this kind of behavior from SAM. SAM cannot display the work of artists who have stood against this nor claim a role in justice through art while behaving this hypocritically. Protect our neighbors.
As a former Visitor Services (Security) Officer at SAM, I support this petition, especially the additional harm reduction-based training for current Security; let them do their job, as they have always done it, effectively and compassionately.
As a local tour guide who tells the story of SAM to hundreds of tourists each week, I am extremely disappointed to hear that SAM management has chosen brute force over compassion for our neighbors in crisis. Choosing an option that is both more expensive and less humane is just heartbreaking and cruel.
I love trips to the Seattle Art Museum and bringing the young people in my life. I’ve looked forward to returning as Seattle reopens. However, I cannot return in good conscience support the museum going forward knowing that this is SAM’s response to the existence of our unhoused neighbors.
anti-homeless hostile architecture is violence, art has no value if it’s creator/stewards treat people trying to survive as disposable. Shame on Seattle Art Museum, sincerely an Artist
Shame on SAM
As a former resident and SAM fan who worked with the unhoused population, I'm appalled at the action of the museum's administration.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
we actually pulled it off and forced them to scrap those awful plans for hostile architecture and extra security. i cant thank you enough for sticking by me on this because we really proved that people are watching. lets keep an eye on things just in case but for now …
July 22, 2021
Final supporters
KEEP SAM’S UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS SAFE
The Seattle Art Museum is in the process of implementing a hostile new policy of deterrence towards our unhoused neighbors. Museum management has approved two new policies to accomplish this goal:
-The installation of hostile architecture
-The hiring of an outside security company who will be outside the museum 7 days a week
Both of these tactics are intended to prevent our unhoused neighbors from being on SAM property.
The City of Seattle finds itself amidst an unfathomable crisis; well over a year has passed since the COVID-19 lockdown began, and as such- the disuse of both the city and neglect of its most vulnerable has become rampant.The impact of the lockdown on Seattle's unhoused population has been staggering, and as their numbers swell- so do the shelters they've made in the vacant streets. This is clearly evident to all of SAM's frontline workers who have commuted to work throughout the pandemic. As jarring as it may be to returning workers and visitors alike, the Seattle Art Museum is by no means alone in the challenges of reopening that all of downtown Seattle now faces. As the museum prides itself in being a cultural landmark of Seattle’s downtown, it would be most unfortunate for us to even tacitly condone a policy towards the unhoused so devoid of sympathy. To attempt to remove the reality of the harsh effects COVID-19 has had on the people of the downtown area is detached, cold, and cruel. We believe that there are far more productive and neighborly ways to spend the funds that would be spent on this anti-houseless policy.
Stay updated or contact us - https://linktr.ee/Samworkers
EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS:
(suggested by current member’s of SAM security, who do NOT endorse this new policy)
-Hiring of a liaison (helps with social services and communicating needs, preferably someone who has experienced homelessness and/or drug use)
-Installation of a portable bathroom and sharps containers on the premises
-hiring biohazard cleaners or exterior cleaners
-a survey to help make conditions better for ES (do folks need more space, more breaks, slower pace, better placed trash cans, less furniture moving)
-basic supplies for houseless individuals: sharps containers, water, socks, forms for orca cards, protein bars, etc.
-additional (harm reduction-based) training for current security
-an external audit of how the museum can best serve the unhoused community
-survey of the unhoused community to find out how we can best serve them (could we partner with other organizations to provide our neighbors with the care they need to be safe)
We believe that the museum can do better to achieve its core value of equity “think[ing] critically about the role art plays in empowering social justice and structural change to promote equity in our society” using alternative methods.
PETITION STATEMENT
The undersigned oppose the use of hostile architecture and the hiring of an outside security company by the Seattle Art Museum. We also specifically oppose the use of physical force and/or intimidation as a tool to clear people from museum property. We also specifically oppose the destruction of tents and possessions of these extremely vulnerable people. We believe there are alternative policies and solutions that would offer the museum an opportunity to be a leader amongst downtown properties as a positive and productive member of the community.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
June 28, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
June 24, 2021
105 Comments
It's disgusting for SAM to promote exhibits with black artists at the same time as they're attacking our black unhoused neighbors. I work in the area. I see the black unhoused people who sleep near SAM. They need support, not police or rentacop terror.
As a member of the Seattle Artistic Community, it is disheartening to see this kind of behavior from SAM. SAM cannot display the work of artists who have stood against this nor claim a role in justice through art while behaving this hypocritically. Protect our neighbors.
As a former Visitor Services (Security) Officer at SAM, I support this petition, especially the additional harm reduction-based training for current Security; let them do their job, as they have always done it, effectively and compassionately.
As a local tour guide who tells the story of SAM to hundreds of tourists each week, I am extremely disappointed to hear that SAM management has chosen brute force over compassion for our neighbors in crisis. Choosing an option that is both more expensive and less humane is just heartbreaking and cruel.
I love trips to the Seattle Art Museum and bringing the young people in my life. I’ve looked forward to returning as Seattle reopens. However, I cannot return in good conscience support the museum going forward knowing that this is SAM’s response to the existence of our unhoused neighbors.
anti-homeless hostile architecture is violence, art has no value if it’s creator/stewards treat people trying to survive as disposable. Shame on Seattle Art Museum, sincerely an Artist
Shame on SAM
As a former resident and SAM fan who worked with the unhoused population, I'm appalled at the action of the museum's administration.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
It's disgusting for SAM to promote exhibits with black artists at the same time as they're attacking our black unhoused neighbors. I work in the area. I see the black unhoused people who sleep near SAM. They need support, not police or rentacop terror.