Even before the pandemic, small businesses in Seattle were struggling.

Beneath the surface of a thriving tech and real estate boom, small businesses were being pushed to the brink of survival, threatened by rising rents and rising taxes, while public safety issues were ignored by the Seattle City Council.

Enter a global pandemic.

As of this week, at least 152 street-level businesses in downtown Seattle have closed permanently, according to the Downtown Seattle Association.

And restaurants have closed in staggering numbers. A recent survey by the Washington Hospitality Association placed the number of restaurant closures in Seattle at more than 600.

These businesses exist in an ecosystem. Small businesses need large businesses–and their employees’ foot traffic–to thrive.

So what does the Seattle City Council do at the start of a global pandemic? Pass Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s tax on Amazon. While it is clearly a punitive tax on a company the Mosqueda campaigned against around the country, it will ultimately hurt small businesses in Seattle the most.

And Instead of working with small businesses to collaboratively solve problems, the Seattle City Council has ignored calls concerned about public safety.

In the face of a pandemic the council is effectively cutting off the lifeblood to COVID-19 recovery through a punitive tax that will drive jobs away.

We’re resolved to keep the pressure on the Seattle City Council. Share our video with your friends and family today.