BOYCOTT
SAM
The Seattle Art Museum is implementing new, inhumane policies that target Seattle’s Unhoused neighbors, despite months of opposition from SAM workers and community members.
‍
We are now calling for a boycott, and we need your support!
Learn More
Who are we?
Decolonize SAM is an anonymous collective of Seattle Art Museum workers and community allies. We are demanding transparency, accountability, and decolonization.
What's going on?
Since June 2021, SAM has planned to install hostile architecture on museum grounds, and hire a private security contractor. These new policies were met with immediate opposition by SAM workers and members of the community.

In a petition created following the announcement, workers listed cost-effective, compassionate alternatives that would support people experiencing homelessness in downtown Seattle, rather than punish or alienate them — including the hiring of social services liaisons and hazmat cleaners, renting portable washrooms, and providing essentials like food, water, and shelter supplies to people in need.

Why are we Calling for a boycotT?
SAM leadership has ignored SAM workers’ concerns, proposed solutions, and community petitions. Bollards have been installed outside, and a private security team started their contract with SAM at the end of August.

A culture of harassment, retribution, and intimidation has long plagued SAM workers who have voiced concerns over museum policies. Complaints to HR about racism, ableism, misogyny, sexual harassment, and concerns about the museum’s relaxed COVID-19 safety policies have been ignored as well.

what are our demands?
The boycott will not be lifted until the Seattle Art Museum reverses the installation of hostile architecture and hiring of private security, and commits to creating an accessible, beneficial experience for all visitors — regardless of housing and socioeconomic status, or mental and physical ability.

The SAM boycott is part of a larger effort to highlight and dismantle settler-colonialist structures existing in museums today. Decolonize SAM believes that museums, as institutions that have profited from stolen work of marginalized and colonized cultures, have a responsibility of community care and reparations. Investing in privatization and policing of community spaces perpetuates harm against marginalized people, and is a misuse of SAM’s funds that should be dedicated to reversing that harm.


take action today
Join us in demanding that the Seattle Art Museum reverses installation of hostile architecture and hiring of private security, and commits to creating an accessible, beneficial experience for all visitors — regardless of housing and socioeconomic status, or mental and physical ability. 
Take action today to help us hold SAM accountable.

1

#BoycottSAM: Cancel Your Membership Today

2

Submit a Comment to Seattle Art Museum Leadership

3

Raise Awareness with Our Social Media Graphics

4

Support Organizations Centering People of the Global Majority 
view our #Boycottsam action toolkit
ABout
Press Release
Updates
Resources
Action toolkit
what is decolonization?
community aid & outreach
Press Inquiries
Please email DecolonizeSAM@gmail.com.
Or, DM @DecolonizeSAM on Instagram and Twitter.
land acknowledgement
The Seattle Art Museum was built on land taken from the Duwamish People. As residents of Duwamish, suq̀ʷabš (Suquamish - “People of Clear Salt Water”), and (the Tribes collectively recognized as) Muckleshoot land, those of our collective who are descended from invaders and were raised on unceded homelands of various Tribes recognize we have no right to this land.
It is our express purpose to return Turtle Island to her people, who know how to care for her and appreciate her gifts. We are honored to offer ourselves to be of service to the First People of this land, and all peoples victimized by colonization and imperialism.
For transparency, we do use settler names for cities and states throughout this website, however, we welcome feedback on this practice.
More about decolonization here.