Members of the Snohomish County Public Defender Association and others marched through north Everett on Monday with the Black Lives Matter movement to call attention to the death of George Floyd. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Members of the Snohomish County Public Defender Association and others marched through north Everett on Monday with the Black Lives Matter movement to call attention to the death of George Floyd. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Public defenders call for partial defunding of sheriff dept.

Meanwhile, the governor proposed the creation of a panel to investigate officer-involved killings.

EVERETT — Dozens of public defenders hit the streets Monday to protest the death of George Floyd and urge the Snohomish County Council to redistribute half of the county Sheriff’s Department budget into housing, counseling and other social services.

Participants issued their call for partial defunding of the sheriff’s $75 million budget after a march through downtown and rally outside the county courthouse.

“I felt that we as public defenders really needed to take a stance and say the bold thing, which is to defund the police, and push the call to action,” said Snohomish County public defender Erika Bleyl who organized the event.

It was one of roughly 60 events around the country Monday in which public defenders added their voices to the nationwide movement protesting the death of Floyd, an African American man who was killed May 25 while in police custody in Minnesota.

A protester waves a Black Lives Matter flag outside the Snohomsih County Courthouse on Monday. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

A protester waves a Black Lives Matter flag outside the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Increasingly, those calling for racial and economic justice, are also pushing for defunding of law enforcement agencies, and using the money to bolster social services. Research shows that approach could lower crime rates, Bleyl said.

“I think it is public safety to put our tax dollars toward those things,” she said.

The group called into a meeting of the County Council’s Law and Justice Committee Monday afternoon to push for consideration of their defunding request.

Councilman Jared Mead, the committee chairman, said he’s open to looking into other options when it comes to funding the department — but he can’t speak for other members of the council.

Conversations about next year’s budget are starting in the next couple of months, he said following the afternoon meeting.

“I think everything has to be on the table at this point,” Mead said. “If anything has been shown in the last week or two, it’s that the system has not been working for everyone, and it’s not working for anyone at that point.”

In Olympia, Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday called for a statewide restriction on use of chokeholds by police, creation of a panel to investigate officer-involved killings and enactment of legally-binding obligations for police to report misconduct by fellow officers.

“We have to rethink policing in Washington state,” Inslee said at an afternoon news conference.

At least 100 people gathered Monday to protest the killing of George Floyd, and to call on the Snohomish County Council to partially defund the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

At least 100 people gathered Monday to protest the killing of George Floyd, and to call on the Snohomish County Council to partially defund the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

The governor said he will convene a work group to craft reform proposals for consideration in the 2021 legislative session – or sooner, in a special session, if they are ready.

Inslee did not endorse defunding law enforcement agencies.

“If there are things that can be trimmed, sure, we’ll have those debates,” he said. “But you don’t want to cut a service that if some woman is being domestically abused, they want to get that call answered pronto so there can be a police response.”

On Monday, Inslee again heaped praise on those peacefully demonstrating in communities around the state

“Thousands of people in our state have been crying out for justice,” he said. “And these footsteps in the street I think and I hope are footsteps in history. To the protesters, I want you to know this: I hear you. Black lives matter.”

At least 100 people gathered with the Snohomish County Public Defender Association to march through north Everett Monday afternoon. Their route was almost a mile long.

The rally started just before noon, outside of the Snohomish County Courthouse. They all laid on the pavement for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time a police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck.

After, the group headed downtown and stopped at main intersections, including Broadway and Everett Avenue. Public defender Nikita Parekh led the group using a megaphone.

The Snohomish County Public Defender Association and their supporters march Monday afternoon on Broadway in Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

The Snohomish County Public Defender Association and their supporters march Monday afternoon on Broadway in Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Police officers guided traffic around the protesters as they chanted “No justice, no peace, no racist police,” and “Hands up, don’t shoot.” Drivers honked car horns as they passed, seemingly in support. Some raised a fist outside the window as they passed.

By 12:40 p.m. the group had made it back outside the courthouse. Once there, people were invited to speak.

Michael Larson helped lead a protest Saturday with organizers John Wilson and Gabe Maggio. All three met in high school, but have since graduated.

Larson, 20, joined the protest Monday to get young people involved and because he believes these kinds of demands are some of the most important when it comes to change. He lives in Everett.

Using a microphone, Larson shared his perspective.

Michael Larson speaks outside the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday after marching through downtown Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Michael Larson speaks outside the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday after marching through downtown Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

“As a black man over these last few weeks, I’ve had to ask myself the question, ‘Am I next?’”

He paused.

“So, I just want to talk to you all today about continuing to put pressure on the people in power,” he continued. “These demands will make change.”

He asked the others in attendance, and specifically white people, not to give up in a few weeks and carry on with their normal routines.

“This is my life,” he said. “This is the fear I have to constantly be living with until the day that I die. The older I get this will only get worse for me as a black man in America, unless you, and you, and you, and you, everyone here decides to do something about it.”

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.