Let’s Close the Camps ? Spark Lights for Liberty

Let’s Close the Camps ? Spark Lights for Liberty

by | Jul 1, 2019 | Actions, Events, News

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.

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In This Week’s Update…

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.

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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.

Close the Camps! Tuesday July 2 12pm in front of Rep. Derek Kilmer's Office.

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), and Kim 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.

Here are their phone numbers: 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

2. Join Us for the ? Close the Camps! Rally

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.
 
https://www.closethecampsnow.org/event/close-camps-now_attend/

Photo of lit candles in dark.

 ? 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.

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Save the Dates! Upcoming IT Meetings & Events

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.

Monday, July 1, 6:00 p.m.
Lakewood Library
 6300 Wildaire Rd SW, Lakewood
Map

Photos of Wa. State Reps. Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins for LD 27.

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

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Fighting Disinformation ? in Elections

Fighting Disinformation ? in Elections

by | Jun 25, 2019 | Actions, Events, News

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.

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In This Week’s Update…

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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.”

If you missed the event, you can still donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/immigrationsave4lives

Here are the photos:

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Save the Dates! Upcoming IT Meetings

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

Voter Registration 2020 Kickoff - Photo of "Vote" written on sidewalk with V formed by person standing with red white and blue sneakers.

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

Image with colorful raised hands and talk balloons. Indivisible Tacoma - General Meeting, events, actions, and MoC Meetings.

Get involved in creating positive change by meeting with and contacting our members of Congress (MoCs), senators, and state lawmakers.

Monday, July 1, 6:00 p.m.
Lakewood Library
 6300 Wildaire Rd SW, Lakewood
Map

27th LD Meeting with State Reps. Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey

Photos of Wa. State Reps. Jake Fey and Laurie Jinkins for LD 27.

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

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This Week’s Actions

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Sign up to attend a debate watch party on June 26-27. ?
    Indivisibles across the country will be gathering on June 26 and 27 in living rooms, restaurants, and bars to cheer on our candidates and push for a nominee who truly represents our values. Find an event with your local Indivisible chapter today or host your own and invite your friends!

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Featured Events

Below are some upcoming events and happenings with our progressive allies. For more listings, check out our Calendar of Events.

26th LD Democrats Presidential Debate Nights at the IMAX

Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
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
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St, Tacoma
Map

Lights for Liberty Vigil

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

350 Tacoma Open House

Sunday, July 14, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
311 Puyallup Avenue, Tacoma
Map

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.

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⏰ Urgent: Just 6 Hours to Make Your Voice Heard In Our Survey

⏰ Urgent: Just 6 Hours to Make Your Voice Heard In Our Survey

by | Apr 15, 2019 | Actions, Events, News

Tell Us What You Think: What Should Indivisible’s Priorities Be for the 2020 Primaries?

This is the LAST DAY for this survey and we need your responses by 5:00 p.m. TODAY!

As the primary season rolls out, we at Indivisible Tacoma want to reflect your priorities in our visions, priorities, and plans, and in our feedback to Indivisible National. Please take a minute to let us know, and fill out our form below. Or, to go to the form page, click here.



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Also in This Post

General Meeting on May 1st

Voter Registration 2.0: New Technology, New Laws! With Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor.

General Meeting - Indivisible Tacoma - with Julie Anderson

Come one, come all, to our general meeting, featuring a talk by Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408

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Help Us Raise $500 and Indivisible U.S. Will Match Your Gift

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.

Donate to Indivisible Tacoma Today!

Thank you!

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Action Alerts

You may have noticed we’re pushing out more action alerts lately. This is because we’re now doing state actions as well as national actions. Why are we taking this on when we still haven’t gotten Donald Trump out of the White House? Because, now that the Democratic Party has majorities in our state legislature, we can actually get things done. By calling, emailing, and meeting with our state reps and senators, we can help get bills out of committee, onto the floor, and passed. And these bills can dramatically transform our lives for the better.

If you don’t know what legislative district you’re in, here’s a guide.

Actions and Events - Colorful hands waving in air.

National Action Alerts

Enough is Enough. Stephen Miller Must Go.

Stephen Miller has been controlling this administration’s immigration policy despite the fact that he has not been approved by Congress. Beginning with the Muslim ban, he has continually goaded the president into taking questionable and illegal action. This latest attempt to dump detained immigrants into sanctuary cities as political
retribution is the last straw. It is time for Congress to challenge and investigate this misuse of power that is both cruel and illegal.

ACTION: Call our MOC’s with this message:

“I am calling as a member of Indivisible Tacoma to ask that (Senator/Congressman) publicly call for an investigation into Stephen Miller’s role in asking ICE to dump immigration detainees into sanctuary cities. The House Oversight Committee should immediately call as witnesses Department of Homeland Security employees to get to the bottom of this misuse of power. If accurate, there should be a bipartisan demand for his firing. Our country is better than this.

  • Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515
  • Congressman Denny Heck: phone: 360-459-8514
  • Senator Patty Murray: Phone: (253) 572-3636
  • Senator Maria Cantwell: Phone: (253) 572-2281

Today Is Tax Day – We Want Trump’s Tax Returns

Illustration with Donald Trump behind bars.

House Ways and Means committee have requested six years of trump’s tax returns from the IRS. One of Congress’s duties is oversight as a co-equal branch of government. Chairman R. Neal requested in a letter to the IRS Commissioner Rettig to release the personal and business tax returns 2013-2018. A 1924 federal law states that
the IRS and release tax returns for committee oversight. Treasury Secretary S Mnuchin stated that the date of April 10 would be missed. The new date set is April 23. Ways and Means next step in the oversight is to ready a subpoena for Trump’s tax returns.

Ask our members of Congress to support the Ways and Means Committee oversight request for the request for Trump’s tax return for the past 6 years. If the request has not been satisfied by Mnuchin or Rettig the committee needs to be ready with a subpoena or lawsuit – no more delays. We The People want Congress to fulfill their sworn constitutional mandate of oversight by receiving the tax returns by April 23 and to use all their constitutional POWER to reach that
end.

If you’re in the 10th District, thank Denny Heck for Co-sponsoring.

  • Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-6) 253-272-3515
  • Congressman Denny Heck (D-10): phone: 360-459-8514
  • Senator Patty Murray (D): Phone: (253) 572-3636
  • Senator Maria Cantwell (D): Phone: (253) 572-2281

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State Action Alerts

Calling and emailing our state reps and senators can make a big difference! Don’t know what legislative district you’re in? Check out our handy guide.

Washington State Capitol in Olympia.

Photo CC by A-SA 3.0 Bluedisk via Wikimedia Commons.

Criminal Justice Reform: Thank You, Governor Inslee!

On March 13, Governor Inslee signed a proclamation making April 2019 Second Chance Month in the state of Washington. Second Chance Month is a nationwide effort, spearheaded by the non-profit Prisoner Fellowship, to raise awareness about the barriers faced by and unlock brighter futures for the 1 in 3 Americans with a criminal record (including over 37,000 of our fellow Washingtonians), which limits their access to education, jobs, housing, and other things they need to reach a brighter future. Governor Inslee is one of 20 governors across the nation to have signed such a proclamation.

ACTION: Thank Governor Inslee for making this proclamation! Call his office at (360) 902-4111.
Or send an e-message.

Call our Lawmakers to Support the Following Bills That are Heading for a Full Vote:

  • SHB 1739 Dealing with ghost guns and undetectable firearms.
  • SB 5339 Abolishing capital punishment.
  • 2SSB 5602 Eliminating barriers to reproductive health care for all.
  • SB 5339 Abolishing capital punishment.

Urge Lawmakers on the Rules Committee to Get These Bills Through the House Rules Committee!

If you’re in LDs 25 and 28, today’s your day to shine, because your reps serve on the House Rules Committee! The bill numbers, names, and scripts are in the bulleted list below. Phone calls are the best way to make an impact. But you can also copy and paste this list into an email. We provide the contact info below.

  • SB 5135 – Toxic Pollution: Please vote yes on SB 5135 in your House Rules committee, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. I support this bill which authorizes the Department of Ecology to take actions to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products before the pollution contaminates homes, people, waterways, salmon, and orcas, and before it creates the need for expensive cleanup and treatment.
  • SB 5602 – Reproductive Healthcare Access for All: Please vote yes on SB 5602 to provide necessary reproductive healthcare to all low-income adults regardless of status and gender identity or expression.
  • SB 5577 Orca/Vessel Separation: Please vote yes for SB 5577 in your House Rules committee, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. I support this bill, which enhances Orca recovery by reducing their foraging interference by marine vessels.
  • SB 5489 – HEAL – Healthy Environment for All: Please vote YES on the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, SB 5489, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. The HEAL Act would define environmental justice and improve environmental health conditions for all Washington residents by prioritizing state agencies to work to improve conditions in areas where communities are suffering most from pollution. Environmental health disparities caused by industrial waste and diesel exhaust need to be addressed. Thanks for supporting our communities with your YES vote on SB 5489.
  • SB 5812 – Accessory Dwelling Units: Please vote YES on SB 5812 in your House Rules Committee, and move to a floor vote before the April 17 cutoff date. I support this bill, which makes affordable housing easier to build, provides important housing justice and plays an important role in combating climate change by allowing us to build more energy efficient cities.

House Rules Committee Members in Our Districts

  • Rep. Christine Kilduff (D-28) 360-786-7958 christine.Kilduff@leg.wa.gov
  • Rep. Kelly Chambers (R-25) Asst. Minority Whip 360-786-7948 kelly.Chambers@leg.wa.gov
  • Rep. Chris Gildon (R-25) 360-786-7968 chris.Gildon@leg.wa.gov

Public Hearing for HI 1000 – Concerning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion THIS Thursday

This hearing includes lawmakers from the 27th, 28th, 29th, and 25th LDs so PLEASE go, call, or email and make your voice heard!

Washington is one of eight states that have banned affirmative action for our universities and local and state governments. Affirmative action is a government program that has helped reverse the effects of centuries of discrimination against people of color, women, and the disabled. It also seeks to provide equal opportunity in education, hiring, and contracting (entrepreneurship) for the following groups. This bill will reinstate affirmative action, and expand it to include all Honorably discharged Veterans. This law also protects Washington’s colleges & universities from federal penalties for using race as a factor in their student admissions programs. This bill would also add the term, “sexual orientation” to all state anti-discrimination laws. Finally, this bill would create America’s first Governor’s Commission on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Public hearing April 18th at 8:00 a.m.

If you can go, it’s at: House Hearing Rm A John L. O’Brien Building, Olympia If you can’t go, call or email your reps on the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and your senator on the State Government, Tribal Relations, & Election Committee

House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee
  • Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) (Chair) 360-786-7930 laurie.Jinkins@leg.wa.gov
  • Rep. Christine Kilduff (D-28) 360-786-7958 christine.Kilduff@leg.wa.gov
  • Rep. Steve Kirby (D-29) steve.Kirby@leg.wa.gov
State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee
  • Sen. Hans Zeiger (R-25) (Ranking Member) (360) 786-7648

Script: Hi, I’m [first and last name] from [street address with zip]. I’m calling to show my support for HI 1000 for diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Which Legislative District (LD) Am I In?

If you don’t know your LD, you can look it up here on this handy, dandy map. We especially encourage you to do that if you’reBut here are some general guidelines:

  • If you live in North, West, and Central Tacoma, you’re in the 27th LD.
  • If you live in University Place, Fircrest, most of Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Hillhurst, and Elk Plain, you’re in the 28th LD.
  • If you live in South Tacoma, Spanaway, parts of East Lakewood, parts of west Parkland, or parts of West Frederickson, you’re in the 29th LD.
  • If you live in Puyallup, Fife, Summit, South Hill, Waller, Midland, parts of east Parkland, or parts of Fern Hill, you’re in the 25th LD.

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Newsy Bits

State House Passes the 100% Clean Electricity Bill (SB5116) 57-4 – Please Thank Our Reps

Clean Energy bill passes in House (photo of windmill farm).

Our State House passed the 100% Clean Electricity Bill (SB5116) 57-42, with encouragement from Indivisibles across our state who called our reps. This means our state’s power grid will be carbon neutral by 2030 and 100 percent clean by 2045. As Gizmodo explains:

The bill previously passed the state senate 28-19. After passing the house 56-42 on Thursday, the legislation goes back to the senate for a final vote. Once signed into law, Washington will join, Hawaii, California, and New Mexico as the fourth state committed to 100 percent clean energy.

Reps. Laurie Jinkins and Jake Fey from the 27th District were sponsors. Christine Kilduff and Mari Leavitt from the 28th also voted for it. Please call them and thank them!

  • Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) (Chair) 360-786-7930 laurie.Jinkins@leg.wa.gov
  • Rep. Christine Kilduff (D-28) 360-786-7958 christine.Kilduff@leg.wa.gov
  • Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-28) 360-786-7890 mari.Leavitt@leg.wa.gov.

Indivisible U.S. Has a New Book!

Indivisible U.S. has a new book coming out, We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump. Learn more, or pre-order your copy, at Book.Indivisible.Org.

Thank Denny Heck for Co-sponsoring H.R. 763

On April 10th, Representative Denny Heck became a cosponsor of H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019. The bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fuels that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The fees will be deposited into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund. We appreciate Representative Heck’s support for this bill.

If you’re in CD-10, please call Denny Heck and thank him!

  • Representative Denny Heck (360) 459-8514

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Other Upcoming Events

Ancestral Waters

Hosted by Native Daily Network
Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Evergreen Tacoma, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405

Ancestral Waters is a story of the Puyallup Tribes fight for their treaty, their water and their way of life.

We have stood at the side of tribal members fighting a Liquefied Natural Gas plant that violates their treaty. Ancestral Waters is their story

For more information http://www.nativedailynetwork.com/ancestral-waters/

Discuss It With Denny: The Social Security 2100 Act

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 7:00-8:30 PM
Eastside Community Center, Social Hall
1721 E 56th St. Tacoma, WA 98404

Social Security is the backbone of the American middle class and the most successful anti-poverty program in our country’s history. As more Baby Boomers approach their retirement age, Congress needs to strengthen and protect Social Security for all generations.

Please join Congressman Denny Heck for a public presentation about the Social Security 2100 Act. Co-sponsored by over 200 U.S. House members, this major legislation will cut middle-class taxes, strengthen benefits, and ensure the solvency of Social Security through this century.

About the venue: the beautiful, brand new Eastside Community Center opened last fall. Operated by Metro Parks Tacoma and located in the 10th Congressional District, this facility is a new gem of the South Sound. When coming from Thurston County on I-5 North, please take Exit 130 for S 56th St. E

350 Tacoma General Meeting

Thursday, April 18, 6:00 AM-8:00 PM
New to 350? Come at 5:30
Urban Grace, 902 Market Street, Tacoma, Wash. 98402

350 Tacoma is one of the newest groups within the 350 network which extends to 188 countries. Each group uses online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all. There is much work to be done here in our own community. Join us.

Puyallup Tribe Earth Day

Monday, April 22, 2019 at at 9 AM – 12 PM
3009 E Portland Ave, Tacoma, Washington 98404

Come care for our Mother Earth this Earth Day, Monday, April 22 from 9-12pm at our Eastside Community Clean up. Then join us for dinner at 6pm followed by a screening of “Ancestral Waters” by Native Daily Network. Volunteers needed! Contact Chester Earl or Andrea Bob for info.

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!

Register Here: https://goo.gl/forms/4Wr91lquV6s2Ayb53
Become an Activity Lead Here: https://goo.gl/forms/a9xHEQ128je3vOYI2

Bernie 2020: Organizing Kickoff

Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 2 PM – 4 PM
IBEW Local 76
3049 S 36th St, Tacoma, Washington 98409

Make Your Voice Heard! What Should Our Priorities Be for the 2020 Primary?

Make Your Voice Heard! What Should Our Priorities Be for the 2020 Primary?

by | Apr 11, 2019 | Actions, Events, News

What Should Indivisible’s Priorities Be for the 2020 Primaries?

Fill Out Our Survey and Tell us What You Think!

As the primary season rolls out, we at Indivisible Tacoma want to reflect your priorities in our visions, priorities, and plans, and in our feedback to Indivisible National. Please take a minute to let us know, and fill out our form below. Or, to go to the form page, click here,


In This Post:

We Must Keep the Pressure On! Help Us Raise $500 and Indivisible U.S. Will Match Your Gift

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. 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 support we receive in April!

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.

Donate to Indivisible Tacoma Today!

Thank you!

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Daily Action Alert!

Action Alerts!

Top Priority!

Felony Rights Restoration – Notifications

SB 5207 – Concerning notification of felony voting rights and restoration: One of the most persistent hurdles to re- enfranchisement of ex-prisoners is that oftentimes they don’t realize that their voting rights have been restored.

People are so used to the idea that this country disenfranchises you for life if you go to jail, that they don’t even bother trying to vote again once they’ve served their sentences. This bill would direct the Department of Corrections to let prisoners know that their voting rights are restored and instruct them how to register to vote, prior to the end of their sentences. This would close a huge gap in the prisoner-to-citizen pipeline in our state.

Currently this bill is on the House floor calendar for a second reading. It needs your support to come up for debate and a vote.

ACTION: Go to https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5207&Year=2019&Initiative=false and click the Comment box. Then comment. Also, call each of your local Reps and ask them to support getting the bill to the floor and done.

Today (Thursday 4.11.2019)

Gun Violence Prevention

Machine printed plastic firearms are extremely dangerous and undetectable! SHB 1739 Concerning firearms that are undetectable or untraceable.

House Substitute bill #1739 has passed the House, is in the Senate and was referred to Senate Committee Law and Justice on March 6th.

ACTION: Contact the Senate Rules Committee and ask them “Please support SHB 1739 Concerning firearms that are undetectable or untraceable and move this bill forward to a vote.

Talking Points:
  • Machine printed plastic firearms have no legitimate purpose in self-defense, sport shooting or hunting.
  • Machine printed plastic guns can be carried undetected aboard airplanes, into courtrooms and into school classrooms.
  • Machine printed plastic firearms are dangerous and without Constitutional protections.

Chair Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib (360) 786-7700 Vice Chair Senator Karen Keiser (360) 786-7664 Ranking Senator Mark Schoesler (360) 786-7620

Senate Rules email: ltgov@ltgov.wa.gov, Karen.Keiser@leg.wa.gov, mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Friday (4.12.2019)

Reform Washington State’s Regressive Tax Code

Background: We have an upside-down tax code that forces the poorest among us pay the largest share of their wages in sales tax, people are seeing their property taxes skyrocket, and businesses are cutting deep into their margins to pay their tax bills.

Extraordinary Profits Tax – A targeted 9.9 percent excise tax that only applies to the extraordinary profits made on a sale of very high-value assets like stocks and bonds. The profits that are under $200,000 for couples and

$100,000 for single-filers will be TOTALLY exempt. Retirement accounts; single-family, duplex, and triplex homes; most agricultural and farm-related sales; and certain qualifying small businesses are also 100 percent exempt.

ACTION: Contact your State representatives and ask that they vote in favor of more progressive revenue changes in the budget. Support of constituents for legislators taking these actions is imperative to offset the special interest lobbying in favor of keeping the more regressive system in place.

Progressive Revenue Talking Points:
  • The Extraordinary Profits tax, formerly called the Capital Gains tax
  • Making the REET Real Estate Excise Tax slightly progressive
  • Funding for Working Families Tax Credit
  • Reducing the B&O tax on small businesses
  • Increasing the B&O tax increase on high end service businesses like lawyers, architects and accountants
  • Keeping the Rainy-Day Fund intact

Sample script: Please be sure that the Capital Gains Tax, progressive REET, and closure of certain preferential tax rates are included in the final budget to increase fairness in the tax structure and to fund essential services for Washington State residents.

Also in this post

Upcoming Events

Ancestral Waters

A fight for treaty rights, water, and way of life.

A film screening hosted by the Native Daily Network

Ancestral Waters is a story of the Puyallup Tribes fight for their treaty, their water and their way of life. We have stood at the side of tribal members fighting a Liquefied Natural Gas plant that violates their treaty. Ancestral Waters is their story.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Evergreen Tacoma, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405

For more information http://www.nativedailynetwork.com/ancestral-waters/

Our Next General Meeting

Voter Registration 2.0:  New technology, New Laws! With Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor

Learn about how Washington State’s new voting laws will affect the 2020 election and beyond.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
1115 S 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98408

Help us reach our $500 goal!

Donate to Indivisible Tacoma Today!