The family, friends, and local activists fighting against Black oppression gathered outside the Seattle Public Theater at Green Lake on Sunday, July 4, for a vigil to remember the life of Summer Taylor, who died one year prior, from injuries sustained while participating in the Black Femme March on Interstate 5.

"Summer season all year," said Tru, a protest leader, who led the assembled crowd of approximately 75 people in a chant. The saying has become a rallying cry for protests in Seattle organized in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer on May 25, 2020.

"Summer was the absolute life of the party," said Marilyn Manslam, who danced the Cupid Shuffle with Taylor on I-5. "Summer had a magnetic personality.

"Getting to dance with Summer that night was one of the best experiences of my life."

Taylor, who identified as nonbinary and used they/them pronouns, had been a veterinary assistant and kennel supervisor at Urban Animal on Capitol Hill. They were said to have loved animals and had been pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. They had two cats, Tango and Zucchini; one dog, Ginger; and two guinea pigs, Carrot and Bubbles. They were also a fan of music and of the science-fiction and fantasy genre. They were just 24 years old.

Taylor's mom, Dalia Taylor, said that the family "was so touched" by the vigil and wanted to convey they that they "continue to be proud of the courage — shown not only by Summer but by all of you: the activists, the media, the brave body and souls fighting for equity and justice in Seattle, America, and around the world."

"You are our heroes, and you are my hero," she said.

Taylor's brother, Luke Taylor, and his partner Angelina and grandparents Randel and Diane Williams were also present at the vigil. They joined others in lighting candles for Taylor.

The family announced that they were also planning a memorial service for Taylor, which had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Friends were on hand to share funny and inspiring stories. Fellow protesters stated that Taylor was in inspiration to them, including one that transitioned their gender identify from nonbinary to female. A co-worker noted that Taylor affirmed them as someone who was also nonbinary.

One protest organizer in attendance reminded those assembled that "life is always going to knock you down" but noted that "you can get back up and keep going."

"We can hurt and do nothing, or we can heal, and do a hell of a lot more," said TK. "We are the cornerstone of change."

Background
Protests had taken to I-5 for 18 days in a row prior to the morning of July 4, 2020, mostly during off-peak hours. In response, the Washington State Patrol had shut down the roadway between SR 520 and I-90, including all access ramps. However, the driver of the car that struck Taylor, Dawit Kelete, is believed to have driven the wrong way on an interstate off-ramp.

A livestream showed the events as they unfolded, including Kelete's car driving on the shoulder to avoid protest vehicles blocking the roadway to protect the demonstration and swerving back into the fleeing protesters. The video showed the collision and resulting chaos.

Kelete fled the scene but was blocked by the protest vehicles and was arrested by the Washington State Patrol a few minutes later. It is believed he was under the influence at the time of the incident. He has been charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving. He is out of jail on a $100,000 bond awaiting trial.

Diaz Love, who is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, was also hit by Kelete. They have spent the last year physically recovering from their injuries and have shared their dramatic recovery and mental health struggles online following the incident.

Protests bore fruit
Omari Salisbury of Converge Media stated that sustained protests over the last year bore fruit in Olympia, where the Washington state legislature passed multiple police accountability measures. "[Gov.] Inslee signed... bills for police and police accountability," he said. "Seattle is maybe the only place in America that you can say you can see a straight line [from] people being in the streets to actual change.

"That's part and parcel of these young people who came out and made their voices heard, and, in some cases, lost their lives."

The police accountability measures include requiring officers to intervene in instances of excessive force and report bad conduct to their supervisors. Police tactics such as chokeholds and neck restraints have been banned. The use of tear gas and the acquisition of military equipment have been restricted.

Gov. Jay Inslee (D) said that the 12 police accountability bills he signed will "work in coordination with one another to create a system of accountability and integrity stronger than anywhere else in the nation."