By Associated Press - Wednesday, October 7, 2020

SEATTLE (AP) - The Seattle Human Rights Commission on Wednesday called on Mayor Jenny Durkan to immediately resign or be removed from office, accusing Durkan of “failing to uphold her duty to serve and protect the rights of Seattle citizens.”

In a letter to the mayor and the City Council, the commission cited actions related to police brutality, homelessness, income inequality and city governance in arguing that Durkan should no longer lead Seattle, The Seattle Times reported.

“It is our duty to speak up and speak out for our least privileged community members and not to be complicit in the harm done to them by City leadership,” the commission’s letter said.

The commission’s letter accuses the mayor of committing “violations of constitutional and human rights” partly by authorizing “the use of police violence and tools of military force against peaceful demonstrators, civilian bystanders, legal observers and members of the media.” The letter notes that tear gas and similar weapons “are so toxic that they are currently banned for use in warfare.”

Durkan didn’t immediately comment Wednesday. She was elected in 2017, defeating Cary Moon with 56% of the vote.

Established in 1963, the commission is a city-sanctioned body of volunteers who advise the mayor, City Council, Office for Civil Rights and other departments on matters related to human rights.

Separately, a petition to recall Durkan at the ballot has been moving through the courts. Durkan has described the efforts to push her out as distractions, vowing to concentrate on Seattle’s many challenges.

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