SCAR
Why not try real solutions?
Spokane could just decide to love its community more. Everyone wants less crime, but leaning on police to do all the work just creates more prisoners. We need to actually invest in our community; in each other.
About us
Overview
Our Mission
Our mission is to identify and address racial disparities through a variety of community efforts which include education, advocacy, research, community engagement, policy impact, and challenges to the existing organizations and structures.
Our History
SCAR was started on May 13th, 2017 after an appeal was made to the Spokane Community when (earlier in the week) a white man was found not guilty of shooting a black man in the back after claiming self-defense. All 12 jury members were also white.
SCAR was formed out of necessity. In order to understand why harassment, assaults and shootings continue to happen in our community, we must understand how things work in the police department, the sheriff’s department, at the Spokane Regional Law and Justice Council and in the judicial system. We have sub-committees dedicated to SRLJC accountability, racial justice education, housing and social policy, and host public events and communications.
Our Structure
SCAR is a 100% Black-owned LLC and led by a steering committee of eight people; six of whom are people of color. We have a multitude of affiliations with local, state, and national organizations. SCAR uses the Hub and Spoke model of organizing with the Steering Committee in the center. General members include anyone who participates with our group in any capacity from volunteers to monthly and yearly donors.
What we do
Amplify the voice of the Community
Through our members, social media outlets, PR connections, community outreach, and relationships with other community organizations, we bring awareness and give a voice to those underrepresented. We are committed to disrupting the status quo and want to use our focused outrage to motivate action in our community.
Strategy
By working with deep thinkers, community leaders, and other actively anti-racist organizations, we look for root causes and correlations in the larger systems in and around Spokane which we can then work to reform.
Watchdog
(Conscience of Spokane)
We provide hearing and trial observation, and attend SRLJC meetings, City Council Meetings, and police ombudsman meetings to decide on how or if to respond to specific incidents. We then publish open letters and PR releases to ensure that things meriting our community’s attention are not swept under the rug.
Liaison
We foster connections and relationships with other like-minded groups and individuals to provide support, no matter how small, for those organizations.
Education (Internal/External)
We often have educational speakers at our general meetings and work in many other ways to educate Spokane on a variety of issues that cause racial disparities in our community.
Attend a General Meeting
When:
None currently scheduled
Where:
Morning Star Baptist Church is located at 3909 W Rowan Ave, Spokane, WA.