The SCAR Blog

Building community with accountability and equity.

Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council: What it was and why you should care

The Spokane Police Department is an integral part of Spokane’s flawed criminal justice system.

The Spokane Police Department is killing a lot of people, 17 of our community members in the past 8 years, and the SPD is killing more people than police departments…

Ordinance 1590 Is Not Enough

At APIC Spokane's Advisory Committee meeting on Nov. 18 concerns were raised about the current language for Ordinance 1590, the housing levy that Spokane City Council is scheduled to vote…

Statement on Protester Arrest

We must carefully evaluate the people to whom we entrust a license to use violence and deadly force. If they fall short, we must replace them. The safety of our…

Bad Boys – Bad Boys (Whatcha Gonna Do When They Won’t Leave Spokane?)

Sheriff Ozzie has COPS film crews in Spokane again despite public outcry. There is a reason these shows have been pulled from the air nationwide, why are we still allowing…

Cowardice Can’t Trump Change

At the August 24th event “A Culture of Health & Equity: Safe Schools without CRO’s A Community Forum” co-sponsored by SCAR and Every Student Count Alliance (ESCA), a “Zoom bomber”…

No Change? No Money!

Next Monday (8/31), the Spokane City Council will vote on an emergency budget request of $114,200 from the Spokane Police Department to spend on unmarked vehicles, night vision hardware, and…

We Call Bullshit on LAMAR

Did you catch the recent Spokesman Article? —> “Lamar Advertising removes anti-mask billboards, declines to display 3 of 4 ads from anti-racism group”Let’s cut through the narrative a bit. LAMAR…

Spokane Public Schools Passed the Resolution for Racial Equity!

We did it! Spokane Public Schools passed this resolution to work on anti-racism in Spokane Public Schools. The 500 plus emails, over 200 people in our virtual meeting, the 28…

Tell Spokane City Council: No Independent Investigations – No Police Guild Contract

In the wake of nationwide unrest due to the murder of George Floyd, Spokane’s Mayor Nadine Woodward released a draft police contract that would reduce independent oversight of the police.

The New Jail Proposal and the Unintended Consequences of COVID-19

There are very few positive consequences of CIVID-19. But with the implementation of social-distancing, the Spokane County Jail population has shrunk by approximately 400 people, these type numbers have not…

SCAR’s Statement on George Floyd

We are mourning. We mourn first with the family of George Floyd, who not only lost a father and friend, but who have endured the inescapable public images of his…

No New Jail—Talking Points

There is broad agreement, both locally and nationally, that several aspects of the criminal justice system are dysfunctional. Spending millions of dollars on a new and bigger jail invests in…

Spokesman Review: Guest Opinion: In baby murder conviction, a measure of justice

Lady Justice. There she stands. She wears a blindfold because she sees no color. She holds a scale that implies that there is an equal opportunity of justice for all.On…

March 25, 2019 General Meeting Minutes (No New Jail)

Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR) invited the public to attend a presentation Monday, March 25, to address efforts to build a new jail in Spokane and why alternatives are needed…

General Meeting

July 30, 2018 General Meeting Minutes

Pastor Kendricks welcomed us and we introduced ourselves to each other. Pastor Kendricks reminded us of our formation through the story of William Pondexter’s altercation with his girlfriend, how Eric…

Spokane County Republican Leaders Host White Nationalist James Allsup

An online video (archived here) shows key GOP leaders in Spokane County hosting hate group organizer James Allsup at a July event. Allsup is a prominent member of the white…

General Meeting

June 25, 2018 General Meeting Minutes

We had a special presentation on the Fascist Alt-Right by Dr. Joan Braune, there were over 150 folks in attendance. Here are the rough notes of what was discussed, provided to…