World day of remembrance event hosted by the mlk transportation justice team
The MLK Transportation Justice Team hosted an event on November 10, 2024 in South Seattle, honoring the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The event highlighted the dangers pedestrians and cyclists face on MLK Jr. Way and Rainier Ave, where traffic collisions and fatalities are prevalent. Speakers, including local leaders, shared personal experiences and called for safer streets and greater transportation justice, advocating for everyone’s right to travel safely in their communities.
King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay emphasized that 70% of train-related collisions and deaths in King County occur on South Seattle’s surface-level lines, which he sees as a pressing issue. He also highlighted that other roads in the area, such as MLK Jr. Way and Rainier Ave, are among the county’s most dangerous. Despite a decrease in overall collisions, traffic fatalities have more than doubled from 2017 to 2022. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña urged drivers to recognize the potential dangers of speeding around vulnerable road users.
Jonathan Chen, a climate justice adviser, shared his story of being severely injured by a car while biking in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, emphasizing the importance of transportation justice. He highlighted that everyone should feel safe using alternative transportation without fearing accidents. Chen called for greater awareness and safer streets to ensure people can choose biking or other means of transit with confidence and security.
Amy Shatzkin, Sound Transit’s Government and Community Relations Director, expressed the agency’s commitment to enhancing equity, safety, access, and mobility in the Rainier Valley. She emphasized that safety improvements are a top priority and highlighted the importance of collaboration with the community to guide these efforts effectively.
