By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The retired members of the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association (SBFFA) secured a legal victory in its ongoing fight over the disputed sale of a historic property in Seattle’s Central Area. Retired SBFFA members and other plaintiffs have been contesting the sale, which they argue was conducted without proper authorization, and in violation of a previous court ruling.
Last week, King County Superior Court Judge Josephine Wiggs-Martin ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding the defendants in contempt of court. The ruling stems from a January 17 court hearing, where plaintiffs sought to reverse the sale of the property and halt the ongoing renovations being done by the buyer of the property. While Judge Wiggs-Martin initially postponed the decision and scheduled a follow-up hearing for January 31, the latest ruling confirmed that the sale violated a 2022 court order that had blocked the sale of the property.
“The judge ruled today that defendants are in contempt and went in great detail orally on how they did it intentionally,” said Yohannes Sium, attorney for the plaintiffs. “The judge also ruled that the plaintiffs’ motion to force a judgment was granted. The only issue that remains outstanding is whether she will rescind the sale, but that will be heard on February 25.”
Sium also noted that the ruling included financial penalties against the defendants.
“Another part of the judgment granted attorney’s fees to the plaintiffs as a punishment for what they did, so I see this as a win,” he continued.
The property at the center of the dispute, located at 2302 E. Pike St., has been a significant cultural and historical site for Seattle’s Black community since SBFFA purchased it in 1972. Originally acquired as a resource for African American firefighters and the broader community, the building has served as a meeting place and a hub for advocacy, education, and mentorship.
The plaintiffs argue that despite a 2022 King County Superior Court ruling that blocked the sale, the SBFFA executive board allegedly proceeded with selling the property in October 2024 without notifying or obtaining approval from the association’s full membership. Retired SBFFA members, who played a key role in the property’s history, claim that they “were deliberately excluded from the decision-making process”, fueling frustration and legal action.
Retired SBFFA member Clarence Williams expressed relief and optimism following the court’s decision.
“Today was a victorious day for us,” said Williams. “The judge ruled with compassion that the opponents had violated her order to let retired Black firefighters vote on the sale of this property. They (current board members) went out of their way to make sure retired firefighters did not have a voice and sold the property without our consent and in disregard of the court’s order. So, she was confirming today what her order was and that they were in violation of it. We are excited and happy regarding this verdict today.”
Supporters of the plaintiffs believe the case extends beyond the property itself—it represents a fight to preserve Black history and community influence in Seattle’s rapidly changing Central Area. Many community advocates see the property as a landmark that must be protected from gentrification and private development.
The courtroom was packed with supporters from both sides of the case, including prominent civic leaders like civil rights and community activist Eddie Rye, who attended in solidarity with the retired firefighters.
“This is the first step towards getting justice for the retired Black firefighters,” said Rye. “There had been all types of violations of the law, protocol, and procedures. I’m just happy to see that Judge Josephine Wiggs-Martin ruled in the right fashion, weeding out the discrepancies and violations. Hopefully, on February 25, things will be squared away, the property will be handed over to the organization that paid for it, and some people will have shame on their faces.”
While the legal battle is not over, as the February 25 hearing will determine whether the court will formally rescind the sale and return the property to the association, many believe that the decision could have lasting implications not only for SBFFA members but also for the broader community’s efforts to maintain historic Black-owned spaces in Seattle.
For now, retired SBFFA members remain hopeful that justice will ultimately be served, ensuring the historic property remains in the hands of those who fought for its legacy. They view this ruling as a major step forward in holding leadership accountable and ensuring that the voices of longtime members are respected in major decisions affecting the future of the organization.
“We have fought too long and too hard for this property to let it slip away without a fair process,” Williams said. “This place was meant to serve our community, and we are going to do everything we can to protect it.”
Source: Seattle Medium
