Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Faces CID Protests as World Cup Leaves Nearby Businesses Down 10%-20%
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 6
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Faces CID Protests as World Cup Leaves Nearby Businesses Down 10%-20%
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 6
Summary
Chinese and Vietnamese community groups protested Mayor Katie Wilson ahead of Seattle’s U.S.-Belgium World Cup match, accusing her of letting crime, open-air drug use and homeless encampments overwhelm the Chinatown International District and Little Saigon.
Business owners near Lumen Field say safety fears are keeping fans away, with Tanya Woo citing 10%-20% sales declines and describing the district as largely a rideshare pickup and drop-off zone instead of a World Cup destination.
Gary Lee, a CID advocate, called the neighborhood a "human dumping ground" and a "ghost town," contrasting it with packed crowds at the waterfront and Pioneer Square.
Wilson said the city had tried to encourage visitors to venture beyond downtown, while her office said crime and disorder in the CID had gone unaddressed for too long and that it is working with the community on safety.