By Omari Salisbury

A passionate plea for justice and the preservation of Black heritage echoed through Seattle's Central District yesterday as members of the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association (SBFFA) rallied in front of their former house. The gathering was a call to action, raising awareness about the Association's fight to reclaim the house they say was illegally sold and to galvanize support ahead of a crucial court date next week. This rally was much more peaceful than the previous one held two weeks ago, in which the new property owner, Camila Borges, showed up and attempted to disrupt the peaceful assembly occurring on the sidewalk in front of the house (video below).

A House of History, A Legacy Threatened

The house on 23rd and East Pike Street, purchased in the 1970s, isn't just a building; it's a living testament to the struggles and triumphs of Seattle's Black firefighters. For decades, it served as a sanctuary, a meeting place, and a launchpad for countless careers and community initiatives.

Echoes of the Past, A Vision for the Future

Speakers at the rally, many of them retired firefighters who had spent countless hours within the house's walls, painted a vivid picture of its importance.

Charles Gill, a 35-year veteran of the South Park Fire Department, lamented the current situation, stating, "It's really sad that it's come to this, that black men and black women cannot sit down and have a discussion about something that's been so valuable to this community and to us."

Gill and others recounted how the house served as a place where Black firefighters could gather, strategize, and support each other in the face of systemic inequities. It was a hub for community engagement, hosting voter registration drives, first aid classes, and even Sunday school classes.

Jason Willis, the son of a retired Seattle firefighter, spoke emotionally about the profound impact the SBFFA house had on him and countless other young men in the community. "They knew if they needed to speak to responsible... African American males, they didn't have some in their life, they knew this was a place they could come," Willis emphasized, highlighting the house's role as a safe haven and source of mentorship. He issued a call to action, urging younger generations to recognize the house's significance and join the fight to preserve it. "We need to continue working where we're at," Willis declared, underscoring the importance of community and collective action in maintaining the legacy of the SBFFA house.

Claude Harris: A Trailblazer's Fight to Preserve a Legacy

At 91 years old, Chief Claude Harris, a living legend in Seattle's firefighting history, stands at the forefront of the battle to reclaim the SBFFA house. His journey began in 1959 when he broke barriers as Seattle's first Black firefighter. Rising through the ranks, he shattered another ceiling in 1985, becoming the city's first Black Fire Chief. His commitment to equity and justice led him to found the Seattle Black Firefighter's Association, with the house serving as a vital hub for the organization and the community it served.

Harris's voice resonates with a mix of determination and disappointment as he recounts the house's significance and the current dispute. "We opened this house up to the Black police officers," Chief Harris recalled. "We also opened it up to the Black transit workers. So this was a meeting place for a lot of black organizations."

"We've been to court on that, and the judge has said that they can sell the house only after the active firefighters and retired firefighters agree and vote on it," he stated, emphasizing the legal basis for their fight. "They are ignoring what the judges said, and we want to make them pay for it through the judicial system."

A Legal Battle for Community Control

The central dispute revolves around the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association's (SBFFA) former house.  Plaintiffs Erwin Chappel, Cardell Thompson and Clarence Williams contend that the house was illegally sold,  violating a court judgment that required detailed notice and an affirmative vote from both active and retired members of SBFFA before any sale could proceed.

Roberto Jordan, a 41-year veteran of the Seattle Fire Department and a past president of the SBFFA, provided insight into the house's rich history and the controversy surrounding its sale. He recounted the house's role as a community hub, hosting meetings with mayors and city council members seeking the Association's endorsement. Jordan also highlighted the house's educational function, stating that it was a place where Black firefighters could study and receive tutoring for promotional exams, a practice that later influenced the Seattle Fire Department's own training programs.

Regarding the sale, Jordan claimed that the decision was made without proper notice, communication or vote from the Association's members. He alleged that the president at the time, Douglas Johnson, did not present the offer to the body and that many members only learned about the impending sale through word-of-mouth and a "for sale" sign on the property in 2022. After a trial in August of 2023, the court issued a judgment that Defendant Douglas Johnson illegally put up for sale without proper notice or a vote of the members. This lack of transparency and disregard for the Association's bylaws and the non-profit statute fueled the members' outrage and their determination to reclaim the house. Defendant Douglas Johnson et al. appealed the trial court’s judgment. On October 31, 2024, while the appeal was pending, the Defendants suddenly sold the house without allowing any retired members and several employed members from voting or giving them notice. A motion to enforce the judgment and for contempt were filed by the Plaintiffs’ which will be heard on January 8, 2024, at 1:00 pm. The black firefighters asked for the community to attend the hearing, preferably in person (details below).

The Washington State Attorney General's office has also entered the fray, further highlighting the legal complexities of this dispute.  On July 24, 2024, The Attorney General’s Office wrote a letter demanding Douglas Johnson’s attorney give notice of any potential sale 20-days in advance, how the proceeds would be spent and for proof that the board was properly elected. This information was not provided to the Attorney General’s Office when the house was sold on October 31, 2024. The Attorney General's office, responsible for overseeing charitable organizations and nonprofits, is investigating the legality of the house sale and demanded transparency regarding the handling of the proceeds. On January 2, 2025, they filed a motion and amicus brief with the appellate court to intervene in these important legal issues. The office's involvement underscores the potential legal ramifications of the sale and adds another layer of scrutiny to the actions of those who facilitated it.

A Community United

The rally was a powerful demonstration of community solidarity, with attendees from all walks of life coming together to support the SBFFA's cause. Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth pledged her support, acknowledging the house's historical significance and vowing to work towards keeping it within the Black community.

"The significance of all these strong black men standing behind me and them putting in their heart and soul to build this community means a lot, right? It means a lot," Hollingsworth stated passionately. "So they have poured their heart and soul to this, and I feel it's such an honor to be able to try to do it on the back end, through the political spectrum and what that means, and being able to figure out a pathway forward. But my conclusion is I want this to stay in the black community and for our firefighters."

Community activist Emijah Smith, a native of Seattle's Central District, passionately voiced her support for the Seattle Black Firefighters Association. Emphasizing the historical context of gentrification and displacement in the community, Smith highlighted the continued fight for their legacy. "This is still part of us fighting for that legacy, and our firefighters, our black firefighters, who our leaders deserve, our land as it's been shared prior to this," she declared. Smith called upon the community to stand with the firefighters, stating, "We are still here. We have not gone anywhere." Her powerful words underscored the importance of collective action and intergenerational support in preserving the community's heritage and honoring the legacy of its Black firefighters.

Lifelong community leader and activist Eddie Rye voiced his support, emphasizing the house's role as a community pillar.

"I've been a supporter of yours for over 50 years, and this is just an absolute challenge to have this occur," Rye declared. "So I'm just here as a community supporter, and I'm encouraging all to stand up for justice, for righteousness, and for retired firefighters in Seattle. Keeping this property is the right thing to do."

Call to Action: Support the Seattle Black Firefighters Association

The Seattle Black Firefighters Association (SBFFA) seeks community support as they pursue legal action to reclaim their historic house. They are encouraging to get involved in the following ways:

• Attend the Court Hearing: Show your support by attending the court hearing on January 8th at 1:00 PM at the King County Superior Court, Maleng Regional Justice Center 401 4th Avenue North Kent, Washington 98032. If you cannot attend in person, you may be able to attend via Zoom although space is limited https://kingcounty.zoom.us/j/84368482733?pwd=fanKLyvYzPyacce5CtCdsrDtngyCCB.1

• Support the Legal Fund: Contribute to the SBFFA's GoFundMe campaign to assist with legal expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-historic-sbffa-house

• Spread Awareness: Share information about this issue on social media and within your community. Use the hashtag #SaveSBFFAHouse to amplify the message.

• Contact Elected Officials:  Reach out to your local representatives and the Attorney General's office’s representative, Delaney Hewitt 360-764-9907 to express your concerns and advocate for the SBFFA's cause. 

As stated by the Plaintiffs’ attorney, Yohannes Sium, "We need a lot of help... We do need you to continue to answer our call for action."