Bakra Bata, a long-time pillar of the Seattle world music community, is facing a tough situation. The home of group members Chrisceda Clemmons and Michael Shantz was trashed when Seattle police descended on their house looking for Chrisceda’s nephew, Maurice Clemmons, who had called asking for refuge after shooting four police officers in Lakewood. Maurice turned out not to be in the house, but the home was rendered uninhabitable, and most of the family’s tools and musical instruments were covered in toxic residue from the tear gas the police used.
The Leschi Community Council has established a fund to help the Clemmons/Shantz family. Make sure you reference the “Clemmons Family Fund” on your check and mail it to:
Clemmons Family Fund
Leschi Community Council
P.O. Box 22391
Seattle, WA 98122-0391
Here’s some background info on the situation:
She’s still waiting for normal
Trusted aunt chose to do the ‘right thing’
Help for Leschi Residents Caught in the “Crossfire”
Visit the Bakra Bata website to learn more about the group or to book them for a show. You can catch them this Wednesday at Neumo’s.