We at Seattle Indian Health Board are here to kneel in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters against the long-standing police violence and the continued oppression against black and brown lives. This is a public health crisis and should be given the attention of such.

– Dr. Socia Love-Thurman (Cherokee, Delaware, Yuchi)

Last Friday, doctors and staff from Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) kneeled in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and to protest police brutality. The demonstration was a part of a larger effort in coordination with the University of Washington Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows.

Dr. Love-Thurman, who organized the SIHB event, shared a statement before staff kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds in silence to remember the many black and brown lives that have been lost. Danson Coin (Hopi/Thomson) sang an honor song as a close to the protest. 

Images from the demonstration can be viewed at the Seattle Times.