Quote of the Week:“The America I've sung to you about for 50 years is real and, regardless of its faults, is a great country with a great people. So we'll survive this moment.”--Bruce Springsteen, The Week WA State Actions:Thank Governor Ferguson for Signing Bill to Investigate Private Detention Centers Source: Washington Governor Bob Ferguson This week Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed HB 1232, a new law that grants the state sweeping authority to conduct health inspections at private detention facilities. Currently, private detention facilities in Washington operate without meaningful transparency or accountability. For years, DOH inspectors have been blocked from entering the Northwest ICE Processing Center, operated by the for-profit prison corporation GEO Group. In 2023, lawmakers passed HB 1470 to grant DOH authority to regulate health and safety in the facility, but a federal judge halted enforcement of certain parts of that law, which are now under appeal. HB 1232 builds on and clarifies the state’s inspection authority–ensuring that DOH can move forward with unannounced inspections and impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation, or up to $1 million total for continued noncompliance. The new law follows months of protests sparked by recent detainments at the facility. Action: Thank Governor Ferguson for signing the new law.
Script: As a Washington resident who supported your campaign for governor, I want to thank you for signing into law HB 1232. This long needed, long overdue law will ensure some measure of safety against human rights abuses for our vulnerable immigrant detainees at the Northwest ICE Processing Center. Please do all that you can to ensure that standards are developed and implemented as swiftly as possible. Local Actions:Who Has the Biggest Tree in Olympia? Photo by Susie Burleson on Unsplash Background: Who has the biggest tree in Olympia? Nonprofit kickstarts neighborhood competition (from The Olympian) Who has the biggest tree in Olympia? Restoring Earth Connection, is asking that question. More than 300 trees have been registered so far, and the hope is to at least double that number before the end of June. Restoring Earth Connection has a squad of trained volunteers who talk to their neighbors about all the amazing things that trees do and especially our biggest trees. They encourage people to protect the trees in their yard. Tree Ambassadors also are helping Olympia identify the biggest tree in every neighborhood and the biggest tree of each species. You can either be trained to be a Tree Ambassador, or self-register your trees. Action: You can register your tree on your own on the Restoring Earth Connection website with their form. Volunteers Needed at Evergreen 2-4pm Saturday, May 24 Photo by Winston Chen on Unsplash AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration | Asian Pacific Island Asian Pacific Islander Coalition South Puget Sound (APIC SPS) needs more volunteers for the 2-4pm slot of their Heritage Day on Saturday, May 24. If you are able to help at this time, please contact their volunteer coordinator at [email protected]. No Kings Day Requests: Olympia Indivisible is looking forward to hosting this peaceful, family-friendly, pro-democracy event. We invite our members to lean in and help us make it a success! Please read on for opportunities to do just this. Action AlleyAs part of No Kings Day Olympia Indivisible is proposing an “Action Alley” for the event: Let’s Make “Good Trouble” together. At the heart of the rally, we’re creating Action Alley—a space of resistance and renewal, where art, learning, and imagination meet. Inspired by the legacy of John Lewis’s “good trouble,” this will be a place to stir conscience, awaken courage, and build community through bold, creative acts. The Federal Watchdog Team invites you to make a proposal for an activity in Action Alley that you will organize and lead. Our goals are to find creative expressions that say “No to Kings” and “Yes to Democracy”. For example, you could organize a table to do:
No idea is too small or too ambitious so long as you are willing to bring the materials required. Action: Please submit your ideas to Lisa Carroll by Friday, May 23 and they will be considered for inclusion in Action Alley. De-escalation Volunteers Needed for June 14The Olympia Indivisible De-escalation Team who volunteer at events to maintain safe boundaries for participants.This might include moving folks away from someone doing property damage,encouraging people to not engage with provocateurs, and working with organizers on additional crowd safety issues. De-escalation volunteers are needed for the June 14th rally at the capitol for No Kings Day. If you have already received the de-escalation training and want to help, contact: June 14th volunteering If you would like to become part of the de-escalation team, Olympia Indivisible will be offering training; all are welcome to attend the training without volunteering. When: Saturday, May 31, 10:00 am -12:00 pm by Zoom RSVP : May 31st Training RSVP Questions? Contact: [email protected] OI members who attend the May 31st training will be eligible to sign up for the de-escalation team for the June 14th rally. Help Cover No Kings Day CostsSponsoring a large event on our Capitol Campus requires equipment and supplies to ensure the comfort and safety of rally-goers. Olympia Indivisible will be renting at least 10 porta potties, furnishing on-site water, first aid supplies, safety vests and lanyards for our volunteers, and more. Action: Please help us by being:
Here's the link to DONATE. You Might Like to Attend:Weekly “What’s the Plan” Zoom Conversation on Thursdays at noon with Indivisible Co-Founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin. It is part pep-rally and part strategy session. Ezra and Leah will answer your questions. Register to join the weekly discussion on Zoom. ____________________ Cultural Diversity Day Protest Date/Time: Wednesday, May 21, 12pm-2pm Location: Sidewalk along Capitol Boulevard at the State Capitol Organizer: Oly Resisters Details: May 21st is World Day for Cultural Diversity. Bring your sign to support immigrants and raise awareness about attacks on DEI policies and immigrants. Don’t forget your water bottles and sunscreen! ____________________ Elevate Fair What: Celebrate the intersection of art, sustainability and cultural exchange. Local art vendors, community booths, music, food & more. When: Saturday, May 31, 10:00am - 2:00pm Where: ASHHO Cultural Community Center Organizer: www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/Arts ___________________ Wear Orange Weekend - Join other gun violence prevention advocates in our community for this amazing visibility opportunity! We'll be waving signs, wearing orange, bringing friends, and letting Friday evening commuter traffic know that we will continue to be seen, to be heard, and to fight for common sense solutions to gun violence in our community! Who: Wear Orange Weekend When: Friday, June 4, 2025 at 4pm Where: Chehalis - Western Trail Trailhead, 3724 Royal St SE, Olympia, WA 98501 Parking: Behind the old Sears store on Sleater Kinney Road. |
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