From The Socialist Alternative - Slumlord Haglund appeals suit against Sawant!

Slumlord Haglund appeals suit against Sawant!

<watson@socialistalternative.org>

7/23/2018 7:01 PM

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Friends, Last month a federal judge dismissed 4 of the 9 complaints by the notorious slumlord Carl Haglund in his defamation lawsuit against Socialist Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. Undeterred, Haglund has filed an appeal with the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Donate $15, $27, or $100 today to send a clear message to the corporate establishment that you oppose these intimidation tactics and stand shoulder to shoulder with Kshama! Haglund, along with two Seattle Police officers in separate motions, filed defamation lawsuits against Sawant in an effort to strike a blow against the growing movements for affordable housing and against racist police violence.  It’s clear these lawsuits are bullying tactics, taken straight from Trump’s playbook, to pushback against movements that have won important victories against Seattle’s developers, landlords, and the police department - most notably the high profile defeat of the Seattle Police bunker, the Block the Bunker campaign, led by Sawant and Black Lives Matter. In response to this intimidation, a Kshama Sawant Solidarity Campaign has been launched (read our exciting report about the June launch rally!) Haglund and his right-wing corporate backers, emboldened by the shameful capitulation of the majority of Seattle City Council to the extortionary demands of Amazon to repeal the Amazon Tax (a tax which would have funded thousands of affordable housing units for working people and the homeless), are determined to intimidate future movements of working people against the rapacity of developers and landlords profiting off Seattle’s affordability crisis by making an example out of Sawant. We can defeat Haglund and the developers trying to intimidate our movement, by building the largest Kshama Solidarity Campaign as possible. Just like we did when we built a movement of renters to force the new law - which was dubbed the “Carl Haglund law” - that prevents landlords from increasing rent in substandard, rat infested dwellings until they have addressed code violations, we’ll need to build a movement to defend political representatives like Sawant who tirelessly use their positions to challenge corporate domination and the Right. The Kshama Solidarity Campaign will continue to support actions and events to take the fight to the landlords and police, and to stand up to all attempts to intimidate activists, tenants, and anyone who speaks out against injustice. Chip in $15, $27, or $100 to help us get the word out and build the strongest fightback possible!  Check our facebook page to get updates and how you can get involved! In solidarity, Emerson Johnson Organizer