Reports on the human rights abuses in Donald Trump’s concentration camps get worse with each passing day. In fact, Dr. Dolly Lucio Sevier, a physician who visited the camps, told PBS:
“Basically, what we saw are dirty children who are malnourished, who are being severely neglected. They are being kept in inhumane conditions. They are essentially being warehoused, as many as 300 children in a cell, with almost no adult supervision.”
And make no mistake. The cruelty, neglect, and poor treatment of innocent children is intentional. The White House — and its GOP enablers — aim to strike terror in the hearts of our refugees and immigrant communities.
That’s why this week’s actions focus on their plight, and why we must urge our reps to close the camps.
In This Week’s Update…
This Week’s Actions: Call your reps, Close the Camps rally, and Lights for Liberty events.
Also, for a complete list of events for IT and our local allies, check out our Calendar of Events page. Want that latest news, current events, actions, meetings, and discussions? Join our lively Indivisible Tacoma Community group on Facebook.
This Week’s Actions
This week, we’ll call our members of Congress and hold demonstrations in front of their offices. We’ll then join in Lights of Liberty events next week in support of our immigrants and refugees. For more information, read on.
1. Call ☎️ Your Members of Congress and Say, “Close the Camps!”
The House has the “power of the purse.” This allows our members of Congress to push back on Team Trump’s human rights abuses by withholding funds. In this case, the White House claims they can’t afford basics for children in their concentration camps… Like beds, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and diapers.
The GOP-led Senate and the Democratic-led House each had their own versions of a humanitarian aid bill. So why did Reps Derek Kilmer (D-6), Denny Heck (D-10), andKim Schrier (D-8) vote for the Senate version instead of the House version? We all know that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) version doesn’t hold the Trump administration accountable for the funds. The House version backed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had stronger safeguards in place.
Demand that Kilmer, Heck, and Schrier explain why they caved to the GOP instead of sticking up for refugee kids. And if you’re in Rep. Adam Smith (D-9)’s district, thank him ❤️ for voting against the Senate bill!
Script: Hello. I’m [First Name, Last Name], [Rep.’s Name]’s constituent from [Zip Code]. I wanted you to vote for the House version of the bill for supplemental funding, not the Senate version. I also want you to make every effort to close U.S. detention centers, end family separation, and the Trump administration’s concentration camps on the border.
This Tuesday, July 2, we’ll gather at 12:00 p.m. at our reps’ offices, while they’re home for July 4th, & make these demands:
Close the human concentration camps
Not one dollar more for family detention and deportation
Bear witness and reunite families.
So far, we know of one action planned. Please bring signs!
Rep. Derek Kilmer’s Office
July 2, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
950 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
If Derek Kilmer’s not your rep., click the link below to find an action or start one. If you’ve never done this before, no worries. When you sign up, the site will give you all the info you need.
? Lights for Liberty: Actions to End Our Human Concentration Camps
Please Join the Washington Immigrants Solidarity Network (WAISN) and La Resistencia/NWDC Resistance for the following events on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, July 12th and 13th. These events seek to shed light on the deplorable conditions and daily fear our immigrant community members face.
? Lights for Liberty, Candlelight Vigil, Friday June 13th, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: Thousands of us will gather in locations around the world to reflect and protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees. Please bring candles and signs. Join us at Union Station/the U.S. District Court House. Address: 1717 Pacific Ave. In downtown Tacoma. Map.
? Spotlight on Detention, Saturday, July 13th 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Let detainees know they’re not alone. Join us in showing solidarity with and support for them and their families at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma. Activities will include call and response, music, pen pals, fundraising for commissary gifts, and more. This family-friendly event is hosted by La Resistencia/NWDC Resistance. Address: 1623 E J St, Tacoma. Map
Also co-sponsored by Seattle Indivisible, Seattle Womxn Marching Forward, Demand Democracy Seattle, Refuse Fascism, Indivisible Tacoma, and Wallingford Indivisible.
This is a jam-packed month with our Legislative Action team meeting, a meeting with LD 27’s Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey, our general meeting, and a picnic. For more listings for Indivisible Tacoma and our progressive allies, check out our Calendar of Events.
Legislative Action Team Meeting
Get involved in creating positive change by meeting with and contacting our members of Congress (MoCs), senators, and state lawmakers.
27th LD Meeting with State Reps. Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins
Tuesday, July 9th 2:00 p.m.
The Red Elm Cafe
1114 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma Map
Are you in the 27th legislative district (LD)? If so, join us for coffee and a meet and greet with our Washington State Reps. Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey. They’ll tell us what’s going on in the state legislature and we’ll share our hopes and concerns.
July General Meeting ? Disinformation and Elections
With featured speaker Desiree Williams Finch from FUSE Washington Pierce County and the Progressive Voters’ Guide
Weds. July 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St Tacoma, Wash. Map with Directions.
Indivisible Tacoma Picnic
Monday, July 15th, 5:00 p.m. Kobayashi Park
University Place (across the intersection for Fred Meyers on Bridgeport Map
Let’s talk about one of our nation’s greatest threats: Disinformation. Since childhood, teachers and other adults in our lives have sung the glories of our “Free Press.” But how free is it, really?
Disinformation in U.S. elections is rampant, and it’s not just the Russians. We know the White House and Fox News are always hard at work spinning a tangled, sticky web of lies. But we also absorb an endless barrage of untruths and half-truths from sources we trust.
Where Does Disinformation Come From?
Sometimes they come from the well-meaning friend or family member who shares stirring stories of dubious provenance on social media. But more often, they come from our major news outlets. They utter no outright falsehoods, of course. Yet they steer the conversation in subtle ways.
For instance, they give climate change deniers air time, which lends weight to their views. They show yearbook photos for white teenage crime suspects and mugshots for teenage crime suspects of color. Popular programs that exist successfully in every modern nation except ours — like Single Payer healthcare, green energy initiatives, tuition-free education, paid family leave, and a living minimum wage — are routinely dismissed as “too expensive,” “unrealistic,” or — heaven forbid! — “Socialist.”
So how do we educate and prepare ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors for disinformation in the upcoming elections? Desiree Williams Finch from FUSE Washington will give a talk on this at our upcoming General Meeting on Weds. July 10th.
In This Week’s Update…
What’s New: What’s happening with Indivisible Tacoma.
Featured Events: More happenings with our progressive allies.
What’s New
We’re all abuzz here with last week’s happenings. We held a well-attended rally to impeach Trump, joined the NWDC Resistance in a Father’s Day protest against family separation and immigrant detentions, and attended a jam-packed voter outreach gathering with Pierce County Democrats.
If Your Door’s a-Knockin’, ? Pierce County Democrats ? Are a-Rockin’
House Democrats passed a slew of popular bills this year. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) sits on them while watching his ratings sink lower and lower by the day. The Washington State Legislature’s been even busier, passing landmark legislation for a Public Option, Tribal Voting Rights, Orca Recovery, and 100% Clean Electricity by 2045. And, of course, Gov. Jay Inslee signed them. ? Thank you, Jay Inslee.
And There’s More Where That Came From…
Several of us from Indivisible Tacoma joined a jam-packed crowd at the IBEW 76 Hall for the Pierce County Democrats’ big outreach kickoff event. We’re not asking folks for their votes yet, but it’s never too early to start touching base. For now, it’s all about knocking on doors and making phone calls to chat with neighbors about what’s most important for our communities.
Desiree Williams Finch from FUSE Washington (The Progressive Voters’ Guide – front row, right ) gave a rousing speech on getting out the vote and getting all of us — including people of color and LGBTQ folks — onboard in our efforts to turn Pierce County Blue. Jaimie Smith (front row, second from right), a teacher from Puyallup’s LD 25, then talked about how doorbelling, phone calls, and postcards can make all the difference in a race. She ought to know. In a closely-fought race against Kelly Chambers, a formidable GOP incumbent, Smith, a novice, lost by just 611 votes. Several other folks running in local races also gave inspiring speeches.
We then split up and knocked on doors for a couple of hours. But instead of talking about the election, we asked about people want for themselves and our communities. Healthcare, housing, and helping the homeless emerged as top concerns. Neighbors also talked about everything from potholes to schools to jobs, transit, schools, climate change, and long commutes.
When we returned, Pierce County Democrats fed us lunch. Then Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) came by and regaled us with all the bills he and his fellow House Democrats passed this year.
The People’s Court Rules: It’s ⏰ Time to Impeach ? (Rally)
On Saturday, June 15, around 100 Indivisibles gathered at the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Tacoma to demand the House impeach the GOP’s president. We were all in high spirits, did lots of protest chants, got lots of approving (and disapproving) honks from cars passing by, and so many of us had amazing signs. Thank you to all who turned out!
Here are some photos.
La Resistencia (NWDC Resistance) – Father’s Day Action
On father’s day, we get together with our dads and granddads to share gifts, fun, love, and memories. But some families can’t be together on this special day.
La Resistencia held an event to tell ICE and the for-profit GEO Group that owns the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) that Father’s Day should be spent at home with family and community – and NOT in prison! They held a rally to fundraise for Saja Tunkara, who, as described on the GoFundMe page,
“… was ripped away from his wife and two children and then deported after calling out the medical neglect and mistreatment of ICE and GEO. Saja is still in need of medical care. All funds will support him and his family.”
Over the next couple of weeks, we’re having meetings for our Voter Registration team and Legislative Action team. Also, we’ve got our General Meeting with Desiree Williams Finch from Fuse and a fun and social picnic coming up.
Voter Registration and Engagement Meeting
The last day to vote for our local primary election is on August 6, 2019. And the 2020 contests will be here before you know it. We apologize for not getting this e-newsletter reminder out in time meeting. But you can still involved. Our state’s new voting laws make this an exciting time to get our friends, family, and neighbors registered to vote.
If you couldn’t come to the meeting but would like to be included in future activities, contact Nina Rook via our contact form and we’ll keep you in the loop.
Monday, June 24, 6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
University Place Library Meeting Room
3609 Market Place West
University Place
At the Voter Registration and Engagement team meeting, we discussed the following:
Update on progress since last month’s successful kick-off
Plan registration activities over the summer
Plan how to support pre-registration in schools and colleges
Learn how to use IT’s dedicated MyVote voter registration link, and help people to register themselves online
Explore instances where paper registrations are better than online
Find ways to drive actual turnout. How do we get the ballot off the kitchen table and into the (free!) mail?
Do you — or someone you know — want to check and see if your registered to vote or if your information is current? If so, click our Register to Vote link. And once again, this is a super exciting time to get involved in getting voters registered for the 2019 local elections and the 2020 state and national elections.
Once again, because we can’t recommend this highly enough: If you’d like to get involved, contact Nina Rook via our contact form
Legislative Action Team Meeting
Get involved in creating positive change by meeting with and contacting our members of Congress (MoCs), senators, and state lawmakers.
27th LD Meeting with State Reps. Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey
Washington State Reps. Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins (D-27).
Tuesday, July 9th 2:00 p.m.
The Red Elm Cafe
1114 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma Map
Are you in the 27th legislative district (LD)? If so, join us for coffee and a meet and greet with our Washington State Reps. Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey. They’ll tell us what’s going on in the state legislature and we’ll share our hopes and concerns.
July General Meeting ? Disinformation and Elections
Desiree Wilkins Finch from FUSE Washington.
With featured speaker Desiree Williams Finch from FUSE Washington Pierce County and the Progressive Voters’ Guide
Weds. July 10, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St Tacoma, WA 98408 Map with Directions.
Indivisible Tacoma Picnic
Monday, July 15th, 5:00 p.m.
Kobayashi Park
University Place (across the intersection for Fred Meyers on Bridgeport Map
The bad news is Donald Trump’s still in the White House. The good news is we can all resist and push for positive change no matter how much or little time we have this week. We’ll do it together, one action at a time. Need your rep.’s phone number? We’ve got ’em.
Tell your member of Congress to vote NO on additional funding for Trump’s deportation machine. ⏏️
Next week, the Democratic-controlled House will vote on a bill to provide additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate will vote on its own bill, which will contain nearly $5 billion for DHS. We need our members of Congress to stand up and refuse to give Trump more money to terrorize communities and lock up families.
Keep the pressure up on your MoC to open an impeachment inquiry. ?
We need to make it clear that the momentum from the events on June 15 isn’t going to let up; call your MoC and tell them the time is now to open an impeachment inquiry (and when you’re done calling, submit a letter to the editor, write a note to your MoC, and record a video).
Submit a video asking your question for the 2020 candidates! ? We’ve set up a Soapboxx landing page so you and your members can create short videos about the presidential debates next week. We’ve created quick prompts for questions to ask before, during and right after the debates to ask the candidates. Share the Soapboxx page and invite your members to make their own video telling candidates what issues they want to hear about.
Watch both nights of the 2019 Democratic Presidential Candidate Debates with your friends and neighbors on a giant 70 ft x 40 ft screen at the Gig Harbor Galaxy Uptown IMAX Theater. Co-Sponsors: 26th Legislative District Democrats and 28th Legislative District Democrats Co-hosts: Pierce County Democratic Central Committee, Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee Tickets: http://www.26d.org.
Race Matters Book Club
Wednesday, June 26⋅6:30 – 8:30pm
Monthly on the fourth Wednesday, until Jun 25, 2020
Friday July 12, 2019
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Northwest Detention Center
1623 East J Street, Tacoma Map
On Friday, July 12th, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, will bring thousands of Americans to detention camps across the country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees.
Other key events are planned in Homestead, Fla.; San Diego, Calif., New York City at Foley Square, and Washington D.C. in front of the Capitol Building
Come down and join us as we celebrate our beautiful new headquarters and community space with an open house. We are thrilled about the endless possibilities this space offers and to have a home base to continue to grow a meaningful community centered on the climate movement in the South Puget Sound.
We will provide food, beverages, and music. This is a drop-in event, but at 3:50 p.m. Puyallup Tribal Council Member Tim Reynon will offer a blessing over the space and we will take a group photo to commemorate the event and celebrate our community.
The Mueller report confirms what we’ve always known: Trump abused his authority, violated the law, and tried repeatedly to obstruct justice. These are impeachable offenses. If Attorney General William Barr has proven anything, it’s that he’s a political operative whose priority is protecting Trump, not our democracy. It’s up to Congress to do what Barr will not.
With control of the House, Democrats should use their investigatory power to begin investigations into whether Donald Trump has committed crimes that would justify his impeachment. Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s resolution is a good step forward.
Tuesday, June 4
6:00-7:00 p.m.
University Place Public Library
3609 Market Pl W, University Place, Wash. 98466
From Mexican to Mexican-American: A Family Immigration Story
Friday, June 7, 2019
6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, Washington 98408 https://www.tahomauu.com/
Work Party at the Salt Marsh
Hosted by 350 Tacoma
Saturday, June 8
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
1747 Port of Tacoma Rd, Tacoma, Wash. 98421 https://www.350tacoma.org/
Tacoma Ocean Fest 2019
Hosted by Tacoma Ocean Fest and Foss Waterway Seaport
Sunday, June 9, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Foss Waterway Seaport
705 Dock St, Tacoma, Wash. 98402 https://tacomaoceanfest.org/
Tacoma DSA – June Socialist Sunday
Sunday, June 9, 2019
1:00 p.m.– 3:00 p.m.
Bluebeard Coffee Roasters
2201 6th Ave, Tacoma, Wash. 98403
It’s our monthly coffee get together! If you’re new to DSA or interested in getting involved, Socialist Sunday is one of our best places to do it! https://tacomadsa.org/
Point Defiance Beach Cleanup
Saturday, June 15, 2019
9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
Point Defiance Marina
5912 N Waterfront Dr, Tacoma, Wash. 98407
Join other volunteers to make a difference in the health and cleanliness of our beach. Meet at the Point Defiance Marina at 9 am. This event occurs rain or shine! Beach cleanup events are held every 3rd Saturday at Point Defiance Marina.
https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/calendar/mobile_detail.php?id=10746
Democratic Party: Voter Outreach Across Pierce County
Saturday, June 22, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
IBEW 76 – 3049 S. 36th St., Tacoma, Wash. 98409
Schedule for Voter Outreach Event
10:00 a.m.: Doors open, social and refreshments
with your local Democratic leaders
10:45 a.m.: Panel Discussion – The Importance of Voter Contact!
Rising Star Volunteer Training – Deep Listening Canvassing 101
Get Active! – Team Up for Deep Listening Canvassing, Phone Banking, OR Postcard Outreach Campaign
2:30 p.m.: Let’s Eat! – Light meal served by our elected leaders
Closing Remarks
Volunteers will be entered into a drawing for free tickets to the IMAX Presidential Debate Event (June 26 and 27) and other prizes. Get an extra chance to win for each friend you bring!
Thank you to everyone who turned out for the #StopTheBans action on Tuesday.
And because we’re all so AWESOME, here are some more actions for today & tomorrow!
? Ask our reps & senators to co-sponsor H.R. 2354 / S. 1039 to stop Trump from starting a new war in Iran.
?️ Urge your MoC’s to speak out against the White House’s plans to investigate their political enemies.
⚖️ Ask your representative to co-sponsor H.Res. 257, which would call upon the House Judiciary Committee to inquire whether President Trump should be impeached.
? Thank Our Reps for Passing the Equality Act!
Thank you for these, Indivisible Puyallup. I stole them because the ones I have were so earlier-this-week.
?#TAKEACTION
Call your reps & senators ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2354 / S. 1039 to specifically deny Mein Trumpf the authority he wants to start a new war with Iran.
Trump & Co. are chomping at the bit for making war on Iran. First, Team Trump violated the Iran nuclear deal. Then, they started priming the public with bellicose noises. Now, they’re trying to provoke a reaction from Iran. Remember the weeks leading up to the war in Iraq. Yep, it feels kinda like that.
It’s crucial that Congress use the powers vested in them to STOP THIS WAR. Please call TODAY!
☎️ Sen. Patty Murray: DC 202-224-2621 | Sen. Maria Cantwell: DC 202-224-3441 | Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515 | Rep. Adam Smith (D-9) 425-793-5180 | Rep. Denny Heck (D-10) 253-533-8332 | Rep. Kim Schrier (D-8) 202-225-7761
?Sample script: Hello, I’m a constituent from zip code ___ and I’m very concerned about the possibility of a new war with Iran. Trump flat out violated the nuclear deal and put it in danger of falling apart… Even though Iran was in compliance, and it was keeping us all safer. Now John Bolton and the war cabinet are amping up the tensions. It feels a lot like Iraq War 2.0. Will ___ co-sponsor H.R. 2454 / S. 1039 and issue a public statement urging diplomacy, not war with Iran? Thank you and have a nice day. ?
Call your representative and Senators . Ask them to speak out against the Administration’s plans to investigate their political enemies.
We’re still alarmed by Trumpworld’s efforts to use their powers of office to punish their political enemies. Last week, we learned that Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani planned to travel to Ukraine to pressure their government to open an investigation into Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential hopeful. We then learned that Trump also wants Attorney General William Barr to open an investigation into Biden. We know where this road leads: in fake elections in dictatorships like Russia and Turkey, ruling parties investigate and jail their political opponents in order to damage them or disqualify them from the ballot.
☎️ Sen. Patty Murray: DC 202-224-2621 | Sen. Maria Cantwell: DC 202-224-3441 | Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515 | Rep. Adam Smith (D-9) 425-793-5180 | Rep. Denny Heck (D-10) 253-533-8332 | Rep. Kim Schrier (D-8) 202-225-7761
?Sample script: Hello, I’m ___ from zip code___. I’m calling to ask ___ to loudly condemn the efforts of Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to open investigations on Joe Biden for political reasons. Please call for an investigation into their actions. There need to be consequences for using our government and tax dollars to go after your political opponents. This is not only unethical, it erodes our democracy. Thank you and have a nice day. ?
Call your representative and ask her/him to co-sponsor H.Res. 257, which would call upon the House Judiciary Committee to inquire whether President Trump should be impeached.
☎️ Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515 | Rep. Adam Smith (D-9) 425-793-5180 | Rep. Denny Heck (D-10) 253-533-8332 | Rep. Kim Schrier (R-8) 202-225-7761
?Sample script: Hello, my name is ___and I live in zip code ___.The report issued by Special Counsel Robert Mueller details many instances in which President Trump tried to thwart the Special Counsel’s investigation and undermine the rule of law in our country. The House Judiciary needs to start the process to determine whether President Trump ought to be impeached. Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s resolution, H.Res. 257, would call upon the House Judiciary to inquire whether President Trump should be impeached. I urge Rep. ___ to cosponsor and support that resolution. It’s clear from the Mueller Report that the Special Counsel left it to Congress, and specifically the House, to determine whether the President’s actions constituted and crime and warrant impeachment. The House needs to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to determine whether President Trump should be impeached. Thank you and have a nice day. ?
Source: Indivisible call to action: https://act.indivisible.org/call/impeachment-resolution/
?#TAKE ACTION
Thank Our Reps for Passing the Equality Act!
Last week, House Democrats passed a massive LGBTQ rights bill. The Equality Act would extend full civil rights protections to LGBTQ people. Please call your rep to thank them.
☎️ Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515 | Rep. Adam Smith (D-9) 425-793-5180 | Rep. Denny Heck (D-10) 253-533-8332 | Rep. Kim Schrier (R-8) 202-225-7761
?Hi, I’m [NAME] from [City]. I’m calling to thank you for voting YES on the Equality Act (H.R. 5). This important bill brings our nation one step closer to having clear and consistent protections for LGBTQ people. Your vote shows you understand how urgent this matter is. Again, thank you for your leadership and support for the LGBTQ community.
Greetings, Indivisibles! We’re super excited about our upcoming general meeting on May 1 and new voting laws in Washington State. Among other things, these new laws make it easier to register and vote and moves our primary date up from May to March. Julie Anderson, auditor for Pierce County, will explain these laws and how they impact us.
Also, we need to call our reps and ask them to begin impeachment proceedings for the GOP’s president, Donald Trump, and make some calls to our state reps and Jay Inslee.
Voter Registration 2.0: New Tech, New Rules & General Meeting
Please join us and learn how WA state new voting laws will effect you in 2020. Featuring Julie Anderson from the Pierce County Auditor’s Office Sponsored by Indivisible Tacoma and Indivisible Puyallup.
Featuring Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor
Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, Washington 98408
It’s Mueller Time! Support Rashida Tlaib’s Impeachment Resolution
Attorney General William Barr’s release of the Mueller report is heavily redacted. But it still reveals plenty of damning new evidence. It also confirms what most of us already know: That Donald Trump has abused his office, flouted the law, and has repeatedly tried to Indivisible US has released their statement on the Mueller Report, as shown below. Feel free to share! Text Red Line to 977-79 to get the latest updates. Or click here to sign up for the latest updates on Mueller Time.
ACTION: Demand Your Member of Congress Support Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Impeachment Resolution
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am from [CITY/STATE]. I’m calling Rep. [NAME] to urge them to support impeachment hearings immediately and demand that they cosponsor Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s resolution (H.Res. 257) that would instruct the Judiciary Committee to begin investigating whether Trump should be impeached.
Or just show up…
It’s still recess until April 26th, so you can just show up at an event or at your rep’s office. Our MoCs are in your home turf. That means that you can still show up to their scheduled events and ask them to support Rep. Tlaib’s resolution.
With activists across the nation, we’ve pushed back against the Trump agenda and taken back the House. Now, we want to keep up the good work and also push for positive change at the state legislature here in Washington. We’ve set our goal to raise $500 this month for upcoming actions… AND Indivisible National has offered to match this goal, dollar for dollar — but only for donations we receive THIS MONTH.
Help us reach our goal and meet this matching challenge by chipping in $20.19 — your gift will go twice as far if you give today!
Indivisible Tacoma is completely volunteer-run and we operate on a shoestring budget. Your contributions will help us pay for signs, printed materials, our website, email list, rent for our meeting venue at the Tahoma Unitarian Universal Congregation, voter registration booths, gas, snacks for volunteers, and other expenses.
Chip in $20.19 today so Indivisible Tacoma can keep organize, build power, and continue to fight back in 2019.
This is to thank all of you who filled out our survey on priorities for Indivisible and the 2020 election. Here’s the full report. Thank you Nina Rook, for analyzing the data and putting together this incredible document.
Tacoma Indivisibles who completed the survey ranged widely in preferred candidates and policies, but were united in their opposition to the Trump agenda. What we heard was:
Indivisible Tacoma should not endorse a specific candidate ahead of the primaries – “I don’t think Indivisible should endorse a candidate before the primaries. There are too many good candidates”, “I think endorsing a candidate ahead of the primary is suicide for the group.”
We think that candidates need to articulate specific, systemic and ambitious solutions to urgent problems. Multiracial inclusion and engagement with activism were also important.
Nine current candidates got at least 1 “First choice” from our members; Pete Buttegieg and Bernie Sanders each got 10 first choices, while Elizabeth Warren scored highest on points
Our most important issues were Environment/ climate change, Democracy (secure elections, stopping suppression, campaign etc), Health care (including single-payer universal) and Civil rights (racial justice, LGBTQ rights, gender equity, criminal justice) (tied)
Members were passionate about many additional issues — “College affordability, reduce military budgets, universal healthcare!”, “Democracy/elections”, “Extinction of Species, plastic pollution of the ocean”, “Stop government corruption, extinction of species”, “Sorry, there are just too many high importance issues! Trump and his enablers have wrecked America.”
We received surveys from 44 Tacoma Indivisibles, from super-volunteers logging over 20 hours a week, to people who spent an hour or less. Priorities were the same, regardless of time available. I think one respondent spoke for many: Yeah, I know I should spend more time.
EHB 2009 Establishing a Healthy Environment for All by Addressing Environmental Health Disparities.
ACTION: Comment on the bill or call/email your Senator and ask her/him to get HB 2009, the HEAL Act for environmental justice, passed.
Budget to Fully Fund Salmon Recovery
ACTION: Call Gov. Jay Inslee at (360) 902-4111 or send an e-message to ask that the budget fully fund salmon recovery.
Tim Sheldon Lied to Sam Hunt to Stop HB1195
On Monday during a floor vote on an amendment to House Bill 1195, for the posting of financial affairs statement online, Tim Sheldon told an untruth story about an elected official’s wife being kidnapped while in Mexico. While there was an unfortunate kidnapping it did not unfold as Sheldon professed to his fellow Senators. The untruthful testimony influenced Sam Hunt to urge the other senators to keep the financial statements offline. The amendment was for the posting of financial statements which are designed to disclose potential conflicts of interest from being posted online.
How a WA lawmaker used a fake kidnapping to sway a vote
Sen. Tim Sheldon cited a Mexican kidnapping as an argument for keeping certain info about state and local politicians offline. One problem: it never happened.
ACTION: Tim Sheldon should be reprimanded or censored for telling a lie in his testimony about House Bill 1195, the posting of financial statements online. The amendment is for posting of the truth in financial statements. The senators in their testimony should also uphold that standard during debates in our house. Contact the Washington State ethics board or attend the meeting on May 9.
Next Meeting:
May 9 at 12:00 PM
Senate Rules Room
Contact: Jennifer Strus, Board Counsel
101 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40482, Olympia, WA 98504-0482
Phone: 360-786-7343 | Email: Jennifer.Strus@leg.wa.gov
Below are events with our progressive allies. If you’d like to be listed, please email IndivisibleTacomaChapter @ gmail.com.
Environmental Justice for All
Join the Tacoma Urban League Young Professionals at EJ for ALL! The environment impacts us all. Our health, our housing, even how we learn, or what jobs may be available. However, the detrimental effects of climate change greatly impact communities of color at a disproportionate rate.
Join us as we speak with Black Environmental Professionals about climate resilience and current strides being made in the Environmental Justice movement.
Hosted by the Black Women’s Caucus for Washington State
Apr 23 at 6:00 p.m. – Apr 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
4851 S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Washington 98409
Meaningful Movie screens People vs The Politicians: A Film Screening
Citizen rebellions exploding all around the country. People Power taking back our democracy. People fed up with partisan warfare and gridlock in Washington. The states are now the battleground…{for more information, click here)
Friday, April 26, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Center for Spiritual Living Tacoma
206 N J St, Tacoma, Washington 98403
Black Earth
Saturday, April 27, 11 AM – 3 PM
Hosted by Hilltop Gardens
Peace Community Center
2106 S Cushman Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98405
Black Earth is a community celebration of Black People, our connection to the Earth, each other, and the food that nourishes our body, mind and soul. Black Earth showcases all the ways that Black people in Tacoma are honoring our Blackness and our connection to nature. This event will promote the health and well being of Black people locally, globally, nationally, and internationally.
There will be fun activities for all ages such as interactive music performances, juice bar, arts and crafts, and connecting with local Black Folks doing work within holistic health care. Gather with us around fun, music, and fun!
Come together with your friends, family, and neighbors to join our historic campaign to defeat Trump and transform America. Join us on April 27th to hear from Senator Sanders about our vision and what it’s going to take to complete the political revolution. If you’re onboard, it’s going to take all of us, so let’s get to work!
Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 2 PM – 4 PM
IBEW Local 76
3049 S 36th St, Tacoma, Washington 98409
Indivisible Tacoma is entirely staffed by volunteers working to realize bold progressive policy. That’s why we love it when people help. The funds support technology, voter outreach, and other expenses. Huge thanks to all who’ve donated!
Contributions to Indivisible Tacoma are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.
Benefit or 
Tragedy?
