‘Blood on your hands’: Activists decry ban on public drug use passed by blue city leaders

Harris Marley

Global Courant

Signs and shouts filled Seattle City Council chambers Tuesday night as councilmembers voted to approve an ordinance making the use or possession of illicit drugs a gross misdemeanor.

“You have blood on your hands,” activists can be heard shouting after the 6-3 vote in a video by journalist Jonathan Choe.

Critics call it a War on Drugs 2.0, but supporters hope enforcement will improve public safety and help push addicts into treatment.

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Lewis and Councilmember Lisa Herbold both voted in favor of the revised ordinance after originally voting against it in June.

Police officers check on a man who said he has been smoking fentanyl in downtown Seattle on March 14, 2022, in Seattle, Washington. Use of the powerful opioid has surged in the last several years, especially in Seattle’s large homeless community.  (John Moore/Getty Images)

‘THEY WERE LAUGHING’: WOMAN VICIOUSLY BEATEN AT SEATTLE-AREA GAS STATION OVER CASH, CIGS AND CANDY

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