Actions Previous 2024

Previous Actions from 2024

For the Week of April 22, 2024

???? Thank you to those who joined us for our first Sunday evening Postcards-n-Letters Zoom get-togethers for 2024. We meet every other Sunday from 7-8 pm. You can register for future meetings and find information on both postcards and letter writing resources HERE.  Sign up once to receive reminder emails before the meetings.

???? Alphabet Resistance is back! Starting on Thursday May 9th (4:45 – 6 pm) and monthly thereafter,  we’ll be back at the overpass to share messages of hope and encouragement. Sign up using the access code ‘alpha,’ and choose one or more dates. For more information and dates, please check our website.

???? We have an update to last week’s action about funding for refugees and asylum seekers in Tukwila: King County Council has announced that designated organizations will receive $2 million in funding to assist those needing assistance with housing and other support. A further $3 million in grant funding will go directly to the cities of Tukwila and Burien for homelessness assistance.

???? The campaign to defend Washington state’s climate law launched last week. Vote No on Initiative 2117 is looking for everyone’s support to fight this potential rollback to critical legislation that was passed in recent years to combat climate change. Pledge to Vote No on 2117!

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Join us for a special meeting at Porchlight on Tuesday May 14th

Our next group meeting is going to be a little bit different and promises to be very special. We will be volunteering to provide and serve a meal for the residents of Porchlight (formerly Congregations for the Homeless), the men’s shelter in South Bellevue. We will also hear a presentation from a staffer at the facility about homelessness in Bellevue, as well as have a tour of the facility. The timeline that day, May 14th, is approximately 4:45 – 6:30, or later if you want to stay for dinner. 

In order to do this we need commitments to provide food for 100 residents, as well as enough for any IE volunteers who would like to eat dinner there, so food donations should serve 25 people. We will be purchasing the meat portion of the meal from Ezell’s Fried Chicken and are looking for donations of mac and cheese, salads/veggies and desserts to supplement. We will provide the recipe for the mac and cheese and large foil pans for consistency. 

There are options to assist if you are interested in helping with the event but can’t attend. If you are interested in attending but don’t want to provide food please register so that the facility knows how many people to expect. Please click on this link to sign up (access code ‘porchlight’ – all lower case) for attendance and food donation, and to see details of the schedule for the evening. 

If you are interested in volunteering at Porchlight on a regular basis you can sign up for one of their regular trainings HERE.

PorchLight provides shelter and services to 1,500 men each year. The organization is a part of the solution to the homelessness and housing crisis impacting our community. Come learn more about homelessness on the Eastside, tour the facility and break bread with the men we will be serving dinner.

✊ Action 2 – Give your input to elected officials about important healthcare legislation

In the past legislative session the Keep Our Care Act (KOCA, SB 5241), a bill that would have ensured oversight around healthcare consolidations, did not pass, despite support in the Senate and House. This needed oversight would have ensured that such mergers did not impact the quality of or access to healthcare. Specifically, we’ve seen mergers in the past lead to negative effects such as restrictions around abortion care and end-of-life care. 

Supporters of this legislation are not giving up and plan to hold meetings with legislators in the 41st, 45th, and 48th LDs this summer to discuss how best to address this issue in future sessions. If you are interested in participating in these conversations, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates would like to talk to you! Please send an email to lukas.phipps@ppallianceadvocates.org to let him know that you are interested in participating in these discussions. This is a great opportunity to have a direct impact on important healthcare legislation!

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of April 15, 2024

???? Thank you to those who joined us for our Indivisible Eastside in-person meeting at the Kirkland Library. We wrote letters to voters in Georgia using the tools provided by Swing Left and Vote Forward to help Get Out the Vote in November. You can see the notes and slides HERE. If you are interested in letter writing for this election, please use this link for information on how to sign up.

???? We are happy to announce that our Sunday evening Postcards-n-Letters Zoom get-togethers will be returning on April 21. Come join us!

???? The team at the Washington Indivisible Podcast have been busy interviewing both democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates recently. Be sure to check out the links at the bottom of the newsletter and take a listen.

???? Save the date for a special May meeting, a service project at the Eastside Men’s Shelter in Bellevue, on Tues. May 14th, 4:45-6:30 pm.

Here are your 2 actions this week. 

✊ Action 1 – Push back on attempts to block affordable housing plans in Redmond

A permanent supportive housing project in downtown Redmond, run by Plymouth Housing, will be discussed at the Redmond City Council meeting on April 16. Redmond residents, please consider attending and voicing your support.

Recent progress toward the supportive housing project has met with some opposition from a group sending out mass texts to Redmond residents, filled with misinformation. This is a well-funded group with ties to some national funders who are pushing “treatment first” approaches instead of “housing first” approaches. The research is super clear: housing first works way better than treatment first; housing first is the right solution to solve homelessness in Washington. They are trying to torpedo regional efforts to solve homelessness.

Here are some important points to counteract the inaccurate misinformation in the texts. More details can be found in this document; this is a summary addressing specific points made in the texts.

  • The reason that there was not an RFP process is because of the unique story of the funding and the fact that there wasn’t another active proposal for an RFP. After the Plymouth project was rejected in Kenmore with funding lined up, Redmond had the chance to save the funding by acting quickly to accept this project and save the funding. The City already had the land identified for affordable housing (including supportive housing). In addition, this action aligns with the City’s Housing Action Plan strategy and stated values, and WA cities usually do land disposition administratively anyway. It’s not usually a decision that is voted on by the public. 
  • ​​The claim that veterans and seniors won’t be eligible is unequivocally false. This building will provide permanent housing for adults who are exiting homelessness and live on extremely low incomes, with no restrictions on senior or military status. Veterans and seniors are actually more than twice as likely to meet these eligibility requirements than non-veterans and younger adults.
  • The City says this will NOT be a safe injection site so they will not be handing out pipes and needles to tenants.
  • Community safety concerns are intended to be addressed through an Operational Agreement process. This process is required and specific to Redmond. This requires providers to develop a Safety and Security Plan, which is approved by the Redmond Police Department.
  • Plymouth tenants must undergo criminal background checks including credit checks, rental history checks, and lifetime sex offender registration checks. Lifetime registered sex offenders and individuals with certain past drug-related convictions will not be eligible. Plymouth has a no-weapons policy, not even in cars. Quiet hours and respecting the property are within the lease. Plymouth keeps up a robust guest policy with potential bans so they can track who’s coming and going safely.

Redmond residents and others who work, shop or spend any time in Redmond should use these talking points in conversations to counteract the deliberate misinformation put out in the texts. Your attendance at the April 16 City council meeting would be appreciated to show support for this project.

Plymouth Housing units, Bellevue

✊ Action 2 – Contribute to funds to house migrants and asylum seekers

Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila, run by pastor Jan Bolerjack, began sheltering newly arrived migrants and asylum-seekers in December 2022. The church remains at the center of King County’s asylum-seeker crisis, and new asylum-seekers continue to show up at Bolerjack’s doors asking for shelter. However, due to the volume of people seeking shelter from countries as far away as Angola, the church has had to turn people away recently. Since then a number of agencies and organizations have stepped up to help fund hotel rooms and Airbnbs to house refugees (Thank You MAPS!). However, as piecemeal funding from local governments and private donors runs out, some of the refugees face regular threats of eviction. There are proposals in the works for King County to fund local nonprofits to provide temporary housing, food, support, and legal services for the asylum seekers. However, until they finish vetting the organizations who will be receiving the $1 million grant funds, there will be a lag between funding sources. Funding from the state legislature will not be available for several more months.

You can donate directly to Riverton Park United Methodist Church to help their work with this vulnerable population at this link. They also have an Amazon wish list where you may buy items that they need.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources: 

For the Week of April 8, 2024

???? Please join us Saturday April 13th from 3-4:30 pm for our Indivisible Eastside In-Person meeting at the Kirkland Library. We’ll have an overview of the VoteForward letter-writing program, information on how you can create or revive your VoteForward account to start writing on your own, and instructions and supplies so you can give it a try at the meeting. Most of each printed letter is filled in (see this sample), but you’ll have a chance to address 5 envelopes and fill in your nonpartisan message of “ I vote because …”. Please join us!

???? All donations to Indivisible Eastside through our ActBlue account will be matched by Indivisible National (up to a total of $500) through May 31st. $75 was donated last week – Thank you! If you were thinking of donating a few dollars, now is the time. We use the funds for technology subscriptions (Zoom, Website, Google Drive storage), a contribution to Washington Indivisible Network for their upcoming DEI workshops, and supplies for meetings and GOTV letter writing.

???? Redmond Residents – your presence is needed at the April 16th City Council Meeting in support of Affordable Housing. – details HERE.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Urge support for salmon in Biden’s budget

From Snohomish County Indivisible

The Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) announced in December was a major milestone on the path toward restoring salmon and honoring agreements with Tribal Nations, but there is still much left to accomplish. President Biden’s FY 2025 budget includes important funding for the CBRI.

Please take this action to SAVE OUR WILD SALMON to let your members of Congress know we must secure this funding to realize equitable solutions for salmon, orca, Tribal Nations, farmers, and power consumers.

If you are not familiar with the long and complicated history leading up to the CBRI there is a brief summary in This TAN Action.

The CBRI provides a long-awaited path in achieving equitable solutions for our region’s cultures and ecosystems. Maintaining the status quo definitely does not. Your ongoing advocacy is essential for realizing these solutions.

✊ Action 2 – WILA Wants to hear from you!

Did you take action with Washington Indivisible Legislative Actions (WILA) this legislative session? 20 Bill Trackers from 15 Indivisible groups used Take Action Network (TAN) to bring you well informed and strategic actions this session as part of the WILA team!

Please help us learn more about your experience with WILA and TAN this session by filling out this Survey for Action Takers:

2024 WILA Action Takers Survey

The survey results will be anonymously shared with the TAN administrators and Indivisible Eastside Steering.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of April 1, 2024

???? Indivisible National’s next matching campaign has just begun. All donations to Indivisible Eastside through our ActBlue account will be matched (up to a total of $500) through May 31st. If you were thinking of donating a few dollars, now is the time. We use the funds for technology subscriptions (Zoom, Website, Google Drive storage), a contribution to Washington Indivisible Network for their upcoming DEI workshops, and supplies for meetings and GOTV Letter Writing.

???? Speaking of which, we’re excited to once again partner with VoteForward to help GOTV by sending personal messages to voters in Georgia. In 2020 Vote Forward organized activists around the country to send 17.5 million letters to infrequent voters in 12 key states. Indivisible Eastside members contributed a whopping 11,600 letters! Huge Shoutout to Yvonne B for spearheading this project in 2020.

Please join us to give this a try at our April 13th Indivisible Eastside meeting at the Kirkland Library 3-4:30. We’ll have all the supplies you’ll need and information on how you can create, or revive your VoteForward account and start writing on your own. Most of each printed letter is filled in (see this sample), but you’ll be addressing the envelope and filling in your nonpartisan message of “ I vote because …”. Please join us!

???? Please also sign up for the Sat Apr 6, 10:30 am-noon – People First Redistricting Reform: Better Redistricting for Better Representation Webinar. Presented by Washington Indivisible Network.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Support affordable housing at the April 2nd Redmond City Council meeting

From Futurewise

Do you ever hear people complain about “the homelessness problem”, and say “someone ought to do something” but in the next breath say “not in my backyard”? That’s precisely what happened in Bothell recently and now in Redmond. The next Redmond City Council meeting is coming up Tuesday – and we’re asking for your support. We need to balance opposition with positive voices.

The City of Redmond has approved a permanent supportive housing project run by Plymouth Housing in downtown Redmond. Opposition groups have been organizing, putting out yard signs, and sending action alerts to agitate for Redmond to undo their recent progress. The Mayor pursued a land transfer to Plymouth Housing and salvaged state and local funding for the project. We need to keep support strong until the land transfer is officially completed (this could be mid-April or later). We are encouraging you to share support for this affordable housing development at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 2nd.

Here is an “action alert” document with information, suggested talking points, and background for those that are interested in sharing your voice or engaging others to speak up. Feel free to share the attached resource in advance of Tuesday (4/2).

What if you can’t make it on Tuesday? In addition to April 2nd there will also be an important advocacy opportunity at Council meeting on April 16th.

  • Let Brady Nordstrom from Futurewise (brady@futurewise.org) know if you, or someone in your network, is planning on testifying at any of the next two meetings (4/2, and 4/16).

✊ Action 2 – Support Climate, Learn some facts about I-2117 (initiative against the CCA)

From Carbon Washington

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is a great step forward, but Initiative 2117 would repeal it and prohibit future carbon tax credit trading.

For those of us who care about smart climate action, protecting the CCA from I-2117 is critical. Please start learning more about the CCA to help you encourage everyone you know – colleagues, friends and family – to vote “No” on I-2117 in November.

Read:

Join the mailing list and/or donate to one or more of the organizations working against I-2117:

  • NoOnI2117.org – a coalition of organizations including Carbon Washington and Washington Conservation Action
  • Fuse Washington (also working to defeat the other 2 initiatives)

Instead of repealing the CCA, we must do more to help people and businesses quickly transition off fossil fuels.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of March 25, 2024

???? Are you interested in protecting and expanding democracy in Washington State and nationally? Fix Democracy First and Fix Democracy First Education Fund are looking for new board members. Read more about these organizations and their boards HERE. Apply today!

???? The campaigns of Representatives Suzan DelBene, Kim Schrier, and Adam Smith and others will be participating in the six-week 2024 National Democracy Summer School. This one-of-a-kind Democratic Fellowship is dedicated to recruiting thousands of high school and college-age students and training them as the next generation of Democratic political activists and leaders. Do you know of a dedicated high school (16 years old and up) or college student (or recent graduate)? Please share this Program description and Application with them. Application deadline is April 12th.

???? Please save the date for Sat Apr 13, 3-4:30 pm for Indivisible Eastside’s next Monthly Meeting. We will gather at the Kirkland Library, hear some quick updates, then participate in a hands-on GOTV activity and share some refreshments.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Give Input to the 2026-2031 King County Parks Levy

The King County Parks Levy is a voter-approved property tax that keeps regional and city parks, trails, and open spaces available for everyone. No matter where you are in King County, the Parks Levy goes to support your local parks and trails.

Your voice matters. What should be in the upcoming 2026-2031 Parks Levy to improve the parks and outdoor spaces in your community?

Share your thoughts by completing the King County Parks Levy Survey by April 29, 2024.

✊ Action 2 – Participate in WIN Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshops

In order to save our democracy, grass-roots organizers must have the awareness, skills & language to be good partners & collaborators without doing harm.

Understanding & Mitigating the Impact of Implicit Bias and Stereotype Threat Workshop – April 20, 10:30 am – Noon. Register.

Through video, interactive activities, and discussion of the research, participants are challenged to examine their own bias and learn ways to mitigate the impact of implicit bias in decision-making. As a result, participants deepen their appreciation of the challenges facing people of color and grow in self-awareness.

Intersections of Identity & Racial Privilege – April 27, 10:30 am – Noon. Register.

Through lecture, discussion, and experiential exercises we will take a laser-like focus on unpacking racial privilege, exploring what it means to be White within a society that is racially stratified. We will discuss common ways that privilege manifests itself on an institutional level and how it influences relationships within and across cultures.

Racial Microaggressions: What Are They & Why Are They Harmful? – May 4, 10:30 am – Noon. Register.

When we engage in conversations across cultures, there is always the risk that what we say might offend someone. Oftentimes we don’t even know why what we said was offensive. But rather than risk offending, many people avoid cross-cultural dialogue altogether or cling to “politically correct” terminology. The tightrope we walk and the mental labor that ensues is exhausting and often leaves everyone involved feeling unheard or misunderstood. What has commonly become known as microaggressions will be presented.

Registering for any workshop will give you access to all 3 stand-alone events.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of March 18, 2024

⭐ It was great to see you all at our Group Meeting on Saturday. We heard information on how you can have an impact on the next election by becoming a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) and talked about what passed in the legislative session. You can find all the information that was shared, video recording, slides and resources on our Meeting Notes document. 

⭐ ESHB 1589 is sitting on the Governor’s desk waiting for his signature. This bill is about ensuring that PSE will take appropriate action to transition gas customers to electric heat, and as a company, quickly move away from the gas business (not just make a lot of claims). The bill that will accomplish it got passed, but a bad amendment got stuck onto it at the last minute, and Gov Inslee can veto that amendment. Please take this action asking Governor Inslee to strike that amendment and sign the bill. 

⭐ If you’re still fuming about the Alabama Supreme Court Ruling about IVF treatment and the hypocrisy of the Republicans scrambling to claim they support IVF, Indivisible National has a campaign going to raise funds for billboards to call those Republican Legislators out. Donate HERE.  

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Protect Redmond’s Plymouth Permanent Supportive Housing

From Futurewise

The City of Redmond has approved a permanent supportive housing project run by Plymouth Housing in downtown Redmond. Opposition groups have been organizing, putting out yard signs, and sending action alerts to agitate for Redmond to undo their recent progress. The Mayor pursued a land transfer to Plymouth Housing and salvaged state and local funding for the project. We need to keep support strong until the land transfer is officially completed (this could be mid-April or later). We want to balance opposition with positive voices.

We are encouraging our members to share support for this affordable housing development at the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 19th. Here is an “action alert” document with information, suggested talking points, and background for those that are interested in sharing your voice or engaging others to speak up. Feel free to share the attached resource in advance of Tuesday (3/19).

What if you can’t make it on Tuesday? In addition to March 19th, there will also be important advocacy opportunities at Council meetings on April 2nd and April 16th.

  • Let Brady Nordstrom from Futurewise (brady@futurewise.org) know if you, or someone in your network, is planning on testifying at any of the next three meetings (3/19, 4/2, and 4/16). In particular, we believe that the Council meetings on March 19th and April 16th will be important touchpoints.

✊ Action 2 – Learn about People First Redistricting

If you are concerned with fair representation in Washington state, we invite you to join WIN for a People First Redistricting presentation on Saturday, April 6th – 10:30 am-12 pm on Zoom.

Washington State may not be gerrymandered in the traditional sense, but the actions of the 2021 Redistricting Commission prove that Washington’s maps are a bi-partisan gerrymander that does NOT fairly serve the people of Washington.

The Soto Palmer v Hobbs Federal lawsuit declared a Yakima Valley district (LD15) discriminatory towards Latino voters. Redrawing this district may force the redrawing of 12 additional legislative districts in central Washington. The State has deferred to the courts to draw the maps. The new maps must be finalized by March 25th.
Learn more about how comprehensive changes to the redistricting process will help us avoid this hidden bi-partisan gerrymandering in the future and assure communities have the best chance to elect the representative of their choosing.

Here are two articles from ProPublica to give some background on how partisan politics affected our redistricting process:
Republicans Hatched a Secret Assault on the Voting Rights Act in Washington State
And
The Failed Promise of Independent Election Mapmaking

Register to join us for a Zoom presentation on Saturday, April 6th from 10:30am – 12pm, including Q&A, about better redistricting for better representation.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out: 

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of March 11, 2024

⭐ Tuesday, March 12th is Election Day! Be sure to follow the instructions carefully to make sure your vote can be counted, and return your ballot to a drop box by 8 pm. Most ballot challenges result from a failure to select a party on the envelope. Please track your ballot and sign up for ballot alerts so you can resolve any issues – signature or party selection. Make sure your vote counts!

⭐ Save the Date for our next Group Meeting on March 16 (3-4:30 pm on Zoom.) We will hear from a speaker from the Poor People’s Campaign, as well as information on how you can have an impact on the next election by becoming a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO). 

⭐ If you are curious about how elections are run in King County, please join us for a field trip! We’ll take a tour of the King County Elections headquarters in Renton on March 13th from 10-12 am. Email hello@indivisibleeastside.com if you’re interested in joining. Carpools are available from Bellevue.

Here are your 2 actions this week. 

✊ Action 1 – Get ready to start writing!

2024 is a pivotal year for our country. Past elections have shown us that personal handwritten contact with voters is impactful for voter turn out. You’re probably chomping at the bit to start writing, and many of the organizations are now starting to organize their campaigns. Browse through the organizations below and see which ones inspire you to write!

  • Vote Forward – Letters across the country, many different campaigns to choose from.
  • Environmental Voter Project – Get trained to send postcards to low propensity environmental    voters
  • Postcards to Voters – Campaigns targeted to voters giving Democrats a winning edge in close, key races coast to coast. 
  • Postcards4WA – The 2024 volunteer opportunity will start in July. If you’ve written with them – you’ll receive a kickoff email in June. If you HAVEN’T written with them before, and would like to be added to their mailing list to be alerted to 2024 volunteer opportunities, please email Postcards4WA@gmail.com.

 Ideas are in the works for letter-writing and postcard-writing parties. We’ll let you know!

✊ Action 2 – Volunteer at PorchLight

From PorchLight

Each night, hundreds of men experiencing homelessness on the Eastside have a new place to go that offers a full continuum of care in one place. PorchLight (formerly Congregations for the Homeless) brings all services together under one roof and continues to give men immediate access to a safe and dignified place. The new permanent home located at 13668 SE Eastgate Way in Bellevue opened for guests in June, 2023. 

PorchLight volunteers provide critical support to the staff and the men they serve. Each year dozens of volunteers donate and serve meals, give time and skills, and support PorchLight financially. Help us increase our impact by volunteering at PorchLight. Take the first step and attend a volunteer orientation by registering HERE. The next training is March 16th 1-2 pm online, but they always have new dates if that doesn’t work for you. 

If volunteering isn’t your jam, consider donating. There are many different donation opportunities!

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

All past Washington Indivisible Podcasts – youtube.com/WashingtonIndivisibleNetwork

For the Week of March 4, 2024

⭐ Save the Date for our next Group Meeting on March 16 (3-4:30 pm on Zoom.) We will hear from a speaker from the Poor People’s Campaign, as well as information on how you can have an impact on the next election by becoming a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO). 

⭐ Don’t forget to let us know if you can join us for canvassing in Issaquah to identify potential Democratic voters before election season is upon us. This will help to target Get Out the Vote efforts later in the year. The two remaining canvasses are March 5 and 10. You can sign up here. If you’d like to canvass with a member of our steering committee, please let us know at hello@indivisibleeastside.com.

⭐ If you are curious about how elections are run in King County, please join us for a field trip! We’ll take a tour of the King County Elections headquarters in Renton on March 13th from 10-12 am. Email hello@indivisibleeastside.com if you’re interested in joining. Carpools are available from Bellevue.

Here are your 2 actions this week. 

✊ Action 1 – Learn about plans for the new Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station

The Houghton Transfer Station in Kirkland is one of King County’s busiest transfer stations, but it lacks many recycling services and it’s too old and small to expand. Replacing the Houghton station will make services more convenient and accessible, and it will also help keep recyclables out of the landfill. The need for a new station was identified in the 2019 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan, which was adopted by 24 cities and the Washington State Department of Ecology. Once built, the transfer station will serve communities in Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, Sammamish, and unincorporated northeast King County.

There are two sites under consideration:

  • The current Houghton Transfer Station property at 11724 NE 60th St. in Kirkland.
  • A 12.9 acre-site comprising six properties in the 15000 block of Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE in Woodinville.

Both sites, along with a no-action alternative, will be studied in a formal review process known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). You can review a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and submit formal comments on this page (scroll down to the large “Submit a Comment” heading for several options) through April 9, 2024. The environmental review process will also include three public hearings, two in-person and one virtual: 

  • Draft EIS Public Hearing #1 (in-person): Wed, Mar 6, 6-8 pm
    • At Lake Washington High School, 12033 NE 80th St, Kirkland
  • Draft EIS Public Hearing #3 (in-person): Wed, Mar 13, 6-8 pm
    • At Woodinville High School, 19819 136th Ave NE, Woodinville

You can also submit your comments in an online Open House HERE.

✊ Action 2 – Ask our Senators to support reforming the filibuster

From Olympia Indivisible

The filibuster has been weaponized by MAGA Republicans to become one of their strongest weapons in preventing Congress from passing meaningful legislation. Some recent examples are:

It’s past time for the filibuster to go. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) has recently written a book called ‘Filibustered!: How to Fix the Broken Senate and Save America’. You can hear a recent interview with him by Indivisible’s co-founder Ezra Levin HERE. 

Please ask our Senators to support Senator Merkley in pushing for reform of the filibuster. We need strong voices to keep the pressure on to restore the talking filibuster as a first step to meaningful reform. 

☎ Sample Script:

My name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [CITY].

I would like you to publicly state that you will join Senator Merkley in reforming the filibuster. We have lost too much progress to continue as we are.  If we are ever going to end Citizens United, codify reproductive freedom or appoint a Supreme Court judge, we must reform the filibuster first. 

Restoring a modified version of the old-style, talking filibuster may just be our democracy’s path back from the brink. 

Please make a public statement to indicate that you support such a measure and let’s begin to reform this obstacle to progress.

Thank you.

[NAME]

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

For the Week of February 26, 2024

⭐ Presidential primary ballots are arriving. If you haven’t received yours yet please contact King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683). 

Please follow the directions on the ballot carefully. You must sign your name AND declare your party affiliation (Democrat or Republican) on the return envelope. Party affiliations are only retained on your voter record for 60 days after certification of the primary election. 

⭐ Become a certified Election Observer for the Democratic Party. There are a few slots left to attend a 2 hour training. You need to attend only ONE training, and once certified, your training is good for 2 years. Training and observation takes place at King County Ballot Facility in Renton. See more details and sign up HERE. We need you now! 

  • 3 slots: Wed Feb 28, 9:30 – 11:30 am

⭐ If you can’t commit to being an observer but are curious about how elections are run in King County, please join us for a field trip! We’ll take a tour of the King County Elections headquarters in Renton on March 13th from 10-12 am. Email hello@indivisibleeastside.com if you’re interested in joining. 

Here are your 2 actions this week. 

✊ Action 1 – Take actions to get ready for election season

Action 1a

Last week we told you about upcoming canvasses to identify Democratic voters in our area so we can more effectively Get Out the Vote when the election comes. King County Democrats have set up these events to doorbell in Issaquah, where Rep. Kim Schrier is in a critical race to hold her seat in the House. If this is your first time canvassing, they’ll provide training and pair you up with an experienced canvassing buddy. There will be members of our Steering Committee canvassing on March 3, 5, and 10, and they would be happy to buddy up with you. Everyone who canvasses gets a free King County Democrats “I Voted” t-shirt!

For dates and times, sign up HERE. If you’d like to canvass with a Steering member please let us know by emailing steering@indivisibleeastside.com so that we can coordinate dates.

Action 1b 

Are you interested in learning how to text bank for elections? There will be a big need for trained text bankers over the course of this election season. There are two virtual trainings coming up (March 2 and 16, 11 am), organized by Swing Left. They are just an hour long and will show you how to reach out to voters (and prospective voters) and mobilize them to take action.

All you need is a computer with an internet connection, and a willingness to learn. They will show you how you can easily and quickly connect with voters in key states all over the country during this huge election year. (You can do as little as an hour of text banking a week or as much as you want.)

To sign up for either of these trainings please click HERE.

✊ Action 2 –  Call on our Members of Congress to Improve Local 988 Response

From NAMI

The ability to call 988 and talk to a mental health responder is already making an impact in our communities and saving lives, but improvements need to be made to ensure that everyone can get the help they need in a crisis. Congress is considering legislation that will improve the accuracy of crisis response by matching 988 calls to the caller’s closest call center using their general location instead of their phone’s area code. 

If you call 988 today, you’re connected to a call center based on your phone’s area code, which still ensures help is available over the phone, but can delay connection to mobile crisis teams—if needed—or additional local services. As many people retain their original phone numbers when they move, this can mean that there can be delays to potentially critical responses.

The Local 988 Response Act (S. 3444) was introduced in the Senate in late 2023. In addition to matching 988 calls to the caller’s closest call center (without revealing their address), it requires carriers to allow calls and texts to 988 even if the caller’s plan is inactive. It also extends Kari’s Law so that calls from an office or hotel would require only 988, without requiring 9 or another number to be dialed first. The NAMI page provides more details. 

This bill needs more support to make it through the Senate. Please ask our Senators to co-sponsor and support this important legislation so that access to help can be improved for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis in our communities. It is especially important to contact Sen. Maria Cantwell as she chairs the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation where the bill now sits.

☎ Sample Script:

Hello,

My name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [CITY]. I’m reaching out today to ask for your support of the Local 988 Response Act ( S. 3444). This legislation would expand access to life-saving care by ensuring that calls to 988 are routed based on the caller’s approximate physical location, not their phone’s area code. It also includes other improvements to 988 service.

The policy changes included in the Local 988 Response Act would ensure your constituents are connected to the local care they need when experiencing a crisis. Please cosponsor and advance S. 3444, the Local 988 Response Act.

Thank you.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Additional sample text to add into an email (if you write instead of calling):

Currently, if someone was to contact 988 from a phone number with an area code that is different from their physical location, they’d be routed to a crisis call center based on the area code, not where they are located when calling. While they’ll still be connected to trained crisis counselors over the phone, this could lead to delays in connecting the caller with local resources or hand-off to additional local services.    

The Local 988 Response Act improves the access and accuracy of 988 response by:

  • Requiring the FCC to route calls based on the proximity of the caller to the nearest call center, not their cell phone’s area code. The bill specifies that a caller’s specific location should not be revealed or discernible. 
  • Requiring carriers to allow calls and texts to 988 even if the plan is inactive or the carrier is experiencing service interruptions or failures.
  • Extends Kari’s Law to 988, requiring multi-line systems like hotel and office phones to support the direct dialing of 988; rather than requiring a caller to dial 9 or another number before dialing 988.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Sat Apr 27, the new East Link Starter Line will finally roll through the Eastside, and provide local

For the Week of February 19, 2024

???? It was great to see so many people at our in person Group Meeting Sunday. Check out the meeting notes which include links to slides on the six initiatives that will be on the November ballot, and information on the work the Washington Youth Alliance is doing. Happy Birthday to US!

???? The Urbanist is seeking passionate, locally-engaged volunteers to help guide their political endorsements for the 2024 cycle by serving on their Elections Committee. See all the details HERE. 

???? Indivisible Eastside steering members are organizing a field trip to the King County Ballot Facility in Renton on March 13th from 10-12. email hello@indivisibleeastside.com if you’re interested in joining. 

???? Become a certified Election Observer for the Democratic Party. There are a few slots left to attend a 2 hour training. You need to attend only ONE training, and once certified, your training is good for 2 years. Training and observation takes place at King County Ballot Facility in Renton. See more details and sign up HERE. We need you now! 

  • 1 slots: Thurs Feb 22, 10 am -12 noon
  • 5 slots: Wed Feb 28, 9:30 – 11:30 am
  • 1 slot: Fri Mar 1, 1-3 pm

Here are your 2 actions this week. 

✊Action 1 – What to know about the Presidential Primary

Ballots for the Presidential Primary will be arriving this week. Here are some of things you must do correctly in order for your ballot to be accepted. Please share with friends and neighbors. 

  • You must sign your name AND declare your party affiliation (Democrat or Republican) on the return envelope.
  • You must vote for only ONE candidate on the entire ballot.
  • Your vote must be for a candidate from the same party as you declared on the envelope.
  • You must not write anything in the other party’s ballot slot.
  • You must turn in your ballot by March 12.

More info.  

✊ Action 2 – Help King County Democrats Identify democratic voters in Issaquah (CD8)

There are thousands of voters across King County who haven’t been identified as a Democrat or Republican. We need to accurately identify them so we can more effectively Get Out The Vote when election time comes! Join King County Democrats to doorbell in Issaquah, identify Democratic voters, and remind them to vote in the March 12th Presidential Primary! If this is your first time, they’ll provide training and pair you up with an experienced canvassing buddy. Everyone who canvasses gets a free King County Democrats “I Voted” t-shirt!

See times and sign-up HERE.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of February 12, 2024

???? Join us Sun Feb 18, 3-4:30 pm for our Indivisible Eastside IN PERSON Group Meeting at the Bellevue Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue. Topics will include a discussion about six initiatives that will be on the November ballot, the work the Washington Youth Alliance is doing, a mid-session legislative update, and information about the March Presidential Primary. We’ll celebrate our 7th birthday with cake and take our anniversary photo!

???? Continue your learning throughout Black History Month by exploring the Washington State Historical Society’s Black Washington Digital Exhibit. Explore the lives of iconic individuals, including business owners, faith leaders, politicians, journalists, dramatists, and musicians. Find cultural spaces, historic sites, and locations integral to Washington State’s Black communities. Scroll down on the web page to access an app for Apple, Google, or Browser access.

???? King County’s Citizens’ Election Oversight Committee (CEOC) is in the process of recruiting two new members, including representatives from the disability and Vietnamese communities. If you or someone you know might be interested, you can learn more and download an application at the King County CEOC web page. Deadline is March 4, 2024.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Advocate for Healthy Affordable Housing in Bellevue – by Feb 16

From Eastside for All

As part of the update to its Comprehensive Plan, Bellevue is considering allowing affordable housing to be sited close to freeways. To make sure that all housing is healthy housing, residential development should not be within 500 feet of freeways.

Bellevue is excluding residential uses from the list of “sensitive uses” despite housing being listed in definitions of sensitive uses in Bellevue’s own air quality report (for example, p. 36).

Please urge Bellevue to prioritize healthy affordable housing and prohibit residential building within 500 feet of freeways. This is a significant health equity issue.

Here are two places to share input before Feb. 16th:

Interactive map: Bellevue 2044 – Future Land Use Map | Engaging Bellevue

How to give input:

  • Click on the + sign on the left side of the map to display the blue Land Use Suggestion “pin” sign.
  • Click the pin and drag to somewhere next to a freeway and leave a comment for Bellevue to not build housing within 500 feet of the freeway to protect the health of residents and avoid exacerbating health disparities.

Land Use Questionnaire: Bellevue 2044 – Future Land Use | Engaging Bellevue

To give input, click “take the survey”, review the policy changes, then share the ones you agree with and describe what is missing.

Note: the first policy under Equitable Development is: New policy to promote the protection of day care, schools, hospitals, assisted living and other similar facilities by minimizing exposure to air pollution.

The policy change is good, yet it leaves out a major sensitive use – housing, and especially affordable housing. It also does not specifically identify freeways as a source of air pollution.

✊ Action 2 – Help Tukwila church help Asylum Seekers

Asylum seekers first started arriving at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila after a Seattle police officer asked the church’s pastor to house a migrant family at the church’s tiny house village for chronically homeless people in January 2023. Word spread, and the church’s asylum-seeker population eventually grew to around 500 people.

Read about the work the church is doing and some of the people receiving help:

and about the current efforts to secure funding:

Then, if you’re able, donate money, items or time to the Riverton Church.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of February 5, 2024

???? Lunar New Year 2024 will fall on Saturday, Feb. 10, starting the year of the dragon. Lawmakers, including Representative My-Linh Thai of Bellevue, introduced House Bill 2209 to celebrate the state’s Asian-American Community and combat the recent rise of anti-Asian hate. The bill has passed the house and is currently in committee in the Senate.

???? Continue your learning throughout Black History Month with the foundational course, Slavery in America: Inconceivable Struggle and Profound Resistance among African Americans hosted by Common Power. Online – Tuesdays, February 6, 13, and 20.

???? 2024 is a critical year for organizing and elections. The democratic party needs Precinct Committee Officers (PCO’s) in every neighborhood on the Eastside. Learn about becoming a PCO at your LD websites: 1st LD, 5th LD, 41st LD, 45th LD, 48th LD

???? Join us Sun Feb 18, 3-4:30 pm for our Indivisible Eastside IN PERSON Group Meeting at the Bellevue Library, 1111 110th Ave NE, Bellevue. Topics will include a mid-session legislative update, a discussion about six initiatives that will be on the November ballot, and information about the March Presidential Primary. Or just come for the birthday cake as we celebrate our seven years of progressive work!

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Tell Congress no one should live below poverty

From IE member Oolaa and People Power United

Many people are not seen by members of our society because they are dependent on SSI. Also known as Supplemental Security Income, the program provides vital assistance to over 7.5 million elderly people and people with disabilities (including 1 million children).

The limits on assets for SSI beneficiaries are unfair to individuals and families alike. SSI recipients can only have a little of anything in cash, bank accounts, retirement accounts, whole life insurance policies, investments, and certain types of personal property to be eligible for the benefit, which keeps them stuck in poverty. This often prevents family members from seeking promotions, accepting new jobs, or saving money for fear that their loved one will lose their benefits.

It also keeps people with disabilities from getting married because of the punitive SSI rules that disqualify married people if their combined savings exceed $3,000. SSI benefits are so minimal that recipients are below the federal poverty line.

In September of 2023, Senators Brown (D-OH) and Cassidy (R-LA) and Representatives Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Higgins (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (see the press release here). The bill would increase the asset limit from $2,000 to $10,000 for an individual and $3,000 to $20,000 for a couple. Additionally, it would exclude retirement savings from the countable assets.

Here’s a short video about the problems with current SSI benefit restrictions.

Express your support for this bill by using this easy action tool from People Power United. Tell your Senators that no one should live below the poverty line.

✊ Action 2 – Let’s get better representation on the Evergreen Hospital District Board of Commissioners!

From Jessica Forsythe

EvergreenHealth Hospital in Kirkland lies within King County Public Hospital District No. 2, and as such is governed by a board of publicly-elected commissioners, similar to a school board. EvergreenHealth Hospital Board of Commissioners has an open call for nominees for consideration for their vacant at-large seat (Position 5). Before the seat became vacant, Amber Wise ran an awesome campaign this past fall for Position 6, and unfortunately did not win. Then, in December 2023, Position 5 was vacated, so she submitted for consideration of that position. Amber HAS NOT been selected by the Board for an interview. In last fall’s campaign, Amber was widely endorsed by King County Democrats, LDs, an impressive number of Unions and Electeds, and earned an impressive 40% of the vote!

Here’s how you can help!

If you are a registered King County voter, first check to see if you reside within the overall district boundaries (roughly, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, and points east). To do this, click King County Public Hospital District boundaries, select “Public Hospital District #2” at the left and ensure all other items are DESELECTED, click the magnifying glass at the right, type the address, press Enter, then zoom out to view the district boundaries. If you reside with the boundaries, you may submit nominations by completing the Commissioner Nominee form and submitting it by February 14, 2024.

Learn more about the Board and who was selected for an interview here: https://www.evergreenhealth.com/about-us/governance-and-leadership/board-of-commissioners/public-notice-of-board-nominees/

For the SECOND page of the form, here’s Amber’s pertinent info:

Amber Christina Wise

PO Box 2372

Woodinville, WA 98072

amberwise4kc@gmail.com

717-805-5271

YES, she lives in King County

YES, she lives in District #2 boundaries

No, she is not employed by King County Public Health District #2

Sample statement for nomination (or feel free to write your own):

Amber Wise ran for Evergreen Hospital Board of Commissioners in 2023 with an impressive amount of support from the community. She would be an incredible addition to the Board and serve with thoughtfulness and dignity. Amber is smart, competent, and ready to work hard for the community. Please do not delay! Add Amber Wise to the list of candidates being considered for the vacant at-large seat.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of Jan 29, 2024

????February 1st is the start of Black History Month and the theme for this year is “African Americans and the Arts”. In celebration of Black History Month, the City of Bellevue, in partnership with Seattle architecture firm MG2 and Onyx Fine Arts Collective, is presenting the exhibit “Elevating Voices,” featuring the work of 17 Pacific Northwest Black artists. The exhibit will be on display throughout February, and the community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 1, 6-8 p.m., at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE. Registration is requested for the reception.

???? We need your advocacy on state legislation! The first cutoff date for bills to survive is this Wednesday, January 31st. If you’re already signed up for TAN but haven’t used it yet this year, take these three steps to make sure you’re receiving TAN emails, and you can keep track of your actions. Step 1, Step 2, then go to TAN and take some quick sign-in actions! New users register HERE.

???? King County Council Member Sarah Perry is looking for an experienced Legislative Aide for her District 3 team! Apply here or email libby.hollingshead@kingcounty.gov with questions. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, February 2nd at 11:59 PM.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – VOTE now for King Conservation District and Renton measure if applicable

Last week we told you about the King Conservation District election for Seat #1 on the KCD Board of Supervisors. The election will primarily rely on electronic ballot access. To request a physical ballot or get assistance with voting, please contact elections@kingcd.org or call 425-282-1900. King County Elections will tabulate (print & scan) all ballots and report all results. You can access your ballot online now until February 13th at this link. You can read statements from all three candidates at this link. King County Democrats endorsed Brittney Bush Bollay last week.

If you are a voter in Renton, there is a very important initiative on the ballot to raise the minimum wage. Your ballot should arrive by today. In 2015, the city of SeaTac landed a historic win as it became the first city in the United States to adopt a $15 minimum wage law. That same year, Seattle followed suit and enacted its own minimum wage increase. In 2022, the city of Tukwila passed a minimum wage ordinance mandating a $19 minimum wage, receiving widespread support with over 80% of the vote. And just this year, King County Councilmembers are proposing a near-identical $19 minimum wage ordinance for all of Unincorporated King County. Please see Raise the Wage Renton’s website for more information on the initiative.

✊ Action 2 – Volunteer with WAISN’s Rapid Response Teams

From Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network

Since the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network was formed in 2016, one of their biggest priorities has been fortifying their deportation defense mechanisms. An essential tool in protecting immigrant neighbors and family members has been the creation of Rapid Response Teams across the state. These teams are composed of community members who have stepped up to receive training to respond to ICE reports, verify and document ICE activity, and ensure that community members know our rights.

They are offering two opportunities to receive the training needed to be a Rapid Responder. These training sessions are virtual and held over Zoom, which means you can join from home.

If you are already a part of an existing team, you can join for a refresher. For new folks, after you are trained, you will be connected to one of 22 teams across the state. If you are the first in your area to receive training, they will make sure to provide you guidance and the support needed to start a new team!

Volunteers are needed now more than ever: WAISN’s Deportation Defense Hotline is seeing an uptick in calls reporting detentions, arrests at the US/Canadian border are increasing, and in just the last month they have received reports of violations of the Keep Washington Working Act, the state law preventing local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities for the purposes of enforcing immigration law.

Join the 700+ community members and 22 Rapid response teams who have been trained in a mutual aid effort to disrupt, hold accountable, and ultimately abolish the exploitative detention and deportation system. Register for one of these sessions:

Thur Feb 1, 5-7:30 pm

Thur Feb 8, 5-7:30 pm

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of Jan 22, 2024

???? The Seattle -King County free health clinic at Seattle Center is looking for volunteers for the weekend of Feb. 15 -18. Besides health professionals they need interpreters and support staff. There is full information and a signup at the link.

???? If you live in Bellevue there are several opportunities to engage with the city:

  • It’s your last chance to fill out the City of Bellevue’s Budget Survey, a biennial questionnaire that helps the city develop the 2025-26 budget. The online survey is open through Jan. 22 for all who live, work, and/or play in Bellevue, with questions available in multiple languages.
  • The Bellevue School District seeks to fill a School Board Director vacancy for Director District 3 due to Director Joyce Shui’s resignation. Nominations must be received by Jan 26.
  • Comment on proposed developments in the BelRed area by filling out the policy questionnaires on Engaging Bellevue. Questionnaires will be open until Feb 16.

???? Keep up to date with events in your city council by signing up for email updates. You can sign up at these links for Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. If you hear of events in your city that you’d like Indivisible Eastside to promote, please let us know by emailing indivisibleeastside@gmail.com.

This would also be a great time to fill out surveys from our elected representatives and sign up for their newsletters to keep up with what is happening. Congressional Representatives Suzan DelBene, Kim Schrier, and Adam Smith would all love to hear from you. King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci (District 6) also has a new survey out.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Share your concerns about Medicare Advantage with our Senators

From Indivisible and member Linda K.

More than 62 million people across the country rely on Medicare for their health care, and nearly half of those recipients are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, an alternative to traditional Medicare coverage for seniors through private health insurance companies. Funds from the traditional Medicare trust are used to pay the health insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage plans — and because these companies are private, their focus is ultimately on their bottom line.

Over time, Medicare Advantage companies have committed widespread fraud, put patients’ care and lives in peril by denying their claims, and threatened the solvency of Medicare. Local organization Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) are a great resource for information to learn about this and on how to protect Medicare.

Recently an industry-friendly Medicare Advantage letter was launched in the Senate, circulated by Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Scott (R-SC), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). This letter praises the program and asks for “stability,” which really means no changes that might protect seniors and people with disabilities. The letter is opposed by organizations such as Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), who are asking the public to contact their Senators to ask them not to sign on to this letter and have provided a script to contact them. The deadline for signing this letter is Jan. 24 so please contact them today!

☎ Sample Script:

Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY] WA. I’m reaching out about the Medicare Advantage program. Currently, there is a letter circulating in the Senate led by Senators Cortez Masto, Scott, Peters, and Capito praising the program and asking for “stability,” which really means no changes that might protect seniors and people with disabilities.

I’m calling to urge the Senator to NOT sign on to this letter.

The Medicare Advantage program has a record of harming patients by delaying and denying care, and by restricting our choice of doctor. Insurance corporations have also been caught overcharging taxpayers by up to 140 billion dollars per year. Rather than uncritically promoting Medicare Advantage, we need Congress to reappraise the program and hold health insurers accountable for their plans’ shortcomings.

Thank you.

[NAME]

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.]

✊ Action 2 – Learn about the candidates and vote in the King Conservation District Election

King Conservation District is a nonregulatory, special purpose district with a mission to promote the sustainable use of natural resources through voluntary stewardship in King County. They provide technical assistance to private residents in forest management, farm conservation planning, wildfire preparedness, and streamside and shoreline enhancement. They also work with cities and other organizations to support community gardens, urban forest canopy, and local food systems.

King Conservation District is holding an election for Seat #1 on the KCD Board of Supervisors. Voting begins January 23 and ends February 13. The election will primarily rely on electronic ballot access with alternate options for requesting physical ballots. King County Elections will tabulate all ballots and report all results. You can access your ballot online, starting Jan 23 at 8 am, at this link. You can read statements from all three candidates at this link.

Because of the unusual arrangements for voting in KCD elections, turnout is typically extremely low. They are committed to pursuing election reform with the State Legislature and making future elections more accessible to all voters by holding the election via the normal ballot in the fall. Please vote to support the great work that they do and support efforts to move voting to the regular ballot.

✊ Bonus Action – Don’t forget to sign up for TAN!

Please use this link and review the slides that give an overview of the new, improved 2024 version of Take Action Network (TAN). Videos will be updated soon.

If you’re already signed up for TAN but haven’t used it yet this year, take these three steps to make sure you’re receiving TAN emails, and you can keep track of your actions. Step 1, Step 2, then go to TAN and take some quick sign-in actions!

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of Jan 15, 2024

???? On this day when we celebrate the life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, the values he stood for — acceptance, equality, non-violent protest — are under threat. In a year when it is going to be harder than ever to sustain the progress that has been made, let us all recommit to the work that he inspired.

???? Thank you to those of you who joined us at our Group Meeting yesterday afternoon to learn about priority bills that WILA (Washington Indivisible Legislative Action) is tracking this session. Thanks also to Jim A, Sarah R, and Ruth L, as well as IE Steering members Hanna and Kat for sharing their expertise in different areas.

If you were not able to join us you can view the Notes from the meeting here.

???? The new session in Olympia started off with a bang last week, with over 950 bills being introduced so far. If you are not yet signed up for TAN and want a quick and easy way to make your voice heard with your state representatives on issues that are important to you, you can sign up at this link and review the slides that give an overview of the new, improved 2024 version of TAN (videos will be updated soon). You can also sign up for training provided by our friends at Indivisible Bellingham here. New dates have been added!

If you’re already signed up for TAN – terrific! Take these three steps to make sure you’re receiving TAN emails, and you can keep track of your actions. Step 1, Step 2, then go to TAN and take some quick sign-in actions!

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Ask our Senators to support a Resolution to address civilian harm in Gaza

From huffpost.com

As the humanitarian situation in Gaza becomes more desperate there is an increasing need for meaningful debate in Congress on U.S. support for Israeli operations, including the extent to which U.S. military aid may be supporting violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in both Gaza and the West Bank. Israel is currently targeting areas where Palestinians fled for safety while experts are ratcheting up warnings of famine among Gazans.

Members of Congress overwhelmingly support Israel’s intention to punish the Gaza-based militant group Hamas and its partners for a brutal surprise Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to more than 200 being taken hostage. But Israel’s conduct of the war since then has horrified many legislators and led to public calls for a change in policy from a significant number of Democrats.

Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced Senate Resolution 504, which would require the Biden administration to produce a report on Israel’s human rights practices and a vote has been scheduled for Tues Jan 16. Sanders’ bill is privileged, meaning Senate leadership has to allow it to be considered, opening up a rare chance for senators to extensively debate Israel’s Gaza campaign. Upon Senate passage, this resolution would require a report from the State Department on Israel’s human rights practices within thirty days and provide transparency into their utilization of US-funded equipment.

On Jan 11 a coalition of more than 70 national organizations, including Indivisible, sent a letter to members of Congress urging them to cosponsor and vote in favor of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ resolution. Please contact our Washington Senators and urge them to support this resolution.

☎ Sample Script:

Hello, my name is [NAME] and I am a constituent from [CITY], WA. I am writing to urge you to support Senate Resolution 504, which will be heard on January 16. This Resolution, which requires a State Department report on Israel’s human rights practices and US military aid to Israel, is an important step to ensure that US military aid is used in accordance with international law. There is no doubt that many of the actions that we have seen taken by the Israeli defense forces fail to meet these requirements. As the situation deteriorates daily, there is increasing urgency for Congress to address this.

Thank you.

[NAME]

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

✊ Action 2- Commit to fighting the regressive Initiatives that are heading for our November ballots

As you probably know, a series of six initiatives were filed recently with the Secretary of State’s office which aim to roll back progress made in recent years in areas such as Climate, Education, Criminal Justice, Healthcare, and Taxes. These initiatives have been made possible by funding from a wealthy Eastside businessman and sponsorship by state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who is also chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. (For another review of the initiatives you can read this Stranger article.)

Signatures have been turned in and are being reviewed, a process which will probably take several more weeks. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has informed the legislature that all six initiatives are likely to be on the ballot. One has already been certified.

If these initiatives appear on the ballot, as seems likely, we can expect an equally well funded and organized campaign to get them passed by those who wish to take our state backwards. We have to commit to put up a strong fight statewide so that the progress that has been made is not undone. There are plans being made by many ally organizations for a coalition to fight these initiatives and we expect to have more information soon.

One organization that has already begun a campaign to fight these initiatives is called Stop Greed. You can sign up for their mailing list via their website or follow them on Facebook for updates. We will keep you informed as we learn more about more groups.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

For the Week of Jan 8, 2024

???? As we pass the 3rd anniversary of Trump’s January 6th insurrection, use this gift link to read a motivational opinion piece – Make a New Year’s Resolution to Fight Trump. Writer Michelle Goldberg describes the dangers of this moment (dwindling donations, third party spoiler candidates), but also includes specifics about how to re-energize, including working for abortion protections in Arizona and Florida, donating to voter turnout organizations, and elevating down-ballot candidates to motivate voter turnout. “The first Trump presidency seemed like a grotesque accident, a civic disaster that befell us because we were too blithely arrogant to see it coming. Trump redux, however, is something we’re lurching toward with eyes wide open. If he wins again, it won’t be a shock, and no one will be able to claim, as so many did before, that this is not who we are.”

???? We look forward to seeing you at our next Indivisible Eastside Group meeting January 14th from 3-4:30 pm on Zoom. If you’ve previously registered, a zoom link will be emailed to you the day before. If you haven’t, please register HERE.

Here are your 2 actions this week.

✊ Action 1 – Get ready for 2024: Sign up, refamiliarize yourself or get assistance with TAN to take part in Washington Indivisible Legislative Action

The next 60 days are perhaps the most important opportunities to make your voice heard with our state elected representatives. The WA legislature begins January 8th and goes for 60 days.

Your electeds want to hear from you, how you feel about the issues, and why. Washington Indivisible Legislative Action team uses Take Action Network to make it easy for you to have your voice heard on important topics like police reform; reproductive rights; voter registration; firearms purchases/transfers; diversity, equity, and inclusion in school curricula; fair wages; environmental policy; privacy; housing & homelessness, and lots more.

In under 5 minutes a day you can support/oppose bills, and send pre-written emails to your senator and representatives. The easiest way for YOU to do that is by signing up for Take Action Network.

If you’re already signed up for TAN – terrific! Take these three steps to make sure you’re receiving TAN emails, and you can keep track of your actions. Step 1, Step 2, then go to TAN and take some quick sign-in actions!

If TAN is new to you, or you want some help – Indivisible Bellingham is offering 45-minute online Zoom training sessions in the coming weeks.

Prior to the meeting please sign in to your TAN account, or complete the TAN Signup Process.

✊ Action 2 – Save the “Carrot” and “Cabbage Patch” forests in Thurston County

From the Center for Responsible Forestry

The “Carrot” and “Cabbage Patch” timber sales within Capitol Forest in Thurston County are under threat of being auctioned off to the highest bidder by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for clearcut logging. These forests are vital for wildlife habitat, water quality, climate resilience, and biodiversity. We must act now to protect them. Ten months ago, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners wrote a powerful letter asking DNR to pause the “Juneau” timber sale (in the same area) and to stop logging mature forests in Thurston County. DNR should honor this request and stop the “Carrot” and “Cabbage Patch” sales as well.

Take 1 minute to send a pre-written email to members of the Board of Natural Resources, urging them to save these forests from clearcut logging.

Calendar of Events

Save the Date:

Recorded events to check out:

… and More:

Resources:

Previous Actions 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017

© Indivisible Eastside 2024. Allegiant theme by CPOThemes.