(Image: City of Seattle)
After advocating for worker rights at the Washington State Labor Council, Teresa Mosqueda was sworn in to the City Council’s Position 8 Tuesday at Seattle City Hall.
“I look forward to unifying our progressive movements and fighting harder than ever to protect our most vulnerable,” Mosqueda said, “and maintain our identity as a city of hope, progress and inclusion in the upper left-hand corner of our country.”
Position 8 is one of two citywide chairs on the council intended to represent Seattle as a whole along with the seven geographic districts.
Much of Mosqueda’s platform focused on furthering Seattle’s equity and focusing on communities of color. Another frequent Mosqueda talking point is finding common ground.
“In this city, in our corner of the country, we have not only won, but we have lead the nation in these victories,” she said. “We did this here in Seattle by working together, by finding common ground and leading even in the face of extreme odds and opposition.”
Mosqueda’s takes over the temporary spot Kirsten Harris-Talley held as Position 8 rep after the bureaucratic reshuffling following Ed Murray’s resignation after several sexual assault allegations bumped retiring council member Tim Burgess into the mayor’s office.
Mosqueda’s background largely involves advocating on behalf of immigrant and refugee rights against workplace discrimination at WSLC. Last month, CHS spotted her in the Hill’s Kaladi Brothers Coffee helping young workers going through just that. She drafted and lead the campaign to pass Initiative 1433 which allowed paid sick and safe leave for all Washington workers and raised the minimum wage.
Growing up, Mosqueda says she watched her parents organize in the community, attending rallies and protests. She thanked her mom and dad for leading by example, teaching her to fight for change, and showing how to make it possible. Mosqueda is a third-generation Mexican-American whose grandparents immigrated to the United States.
“I am so proud to have been elected by you,” Mosqueda said, “at a time and in a City
that is proving what it means to be the resistance.”
Here’s her recorded acceptance speech (and the transcript). For social, here’s her Twitter and Facebook.
#GivingNewsDay — SUBSCRIBE TO CHS TODAY — OR TELL A FRIEND — THANKS!
OK. Now it can be #GivingNewsDay. We're almost to 700 subscribers. That would be fun and nice and useful! https://t.co/uD6MvHMqYF https://t.co/8m4uv6zFq4
— jseattle (@jseattle) November 29, 2017
Ms. Mosqueda is part of the Council’s shift to the left, because she seems to be to the left of the person she replaces (Tim Burgess), but my hope is she will be reasonably moderate…..at least compared to the temporary occupant of the seat (Kirsten Harris-Talley), who seemed to be a Sawant wannabe.