Weekly Call To Action - April 09, 2023

​Quote of the Week:

“Tonight’s victory is the result of years of unglamorous work by volunteers, activists, union members, and organizers across our state who knocked doors, made phone calls, chipped in, and never lost the faith that a better future was possible—even when hope seemed all but lost. Tonight is a testament to the power of never giving up. And it’s a testament to the whirlwind that the foes of democracy—in Wisconsin, and in America—can expect to reap.”– Wisconsin Democratic Party, Victory Celebration for Justice-elect Janet Protasiewicz, Apr. 4, 2023

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Legislative Actions:

​Action: Take the following actions and then click the green 'I took this action' button. You will see the button if you are logged into TAN.

The position on the following actions is ‘PRO’. 
Support SB 5768 (Protecting access to abortion medications) by Signing in "Pro" to the Senate Ways & Means's Public Hearing
DEADLINE: Apr 10 11:30am
Safeguard access to abortion medication in Washington by signing in Pro on SB 5768. The Conservative Ladies of Washington have mobilized over 300 Con sign-ins. We must show support for Governor Inslee's proactive action.

These lobby actions need your help - we are getting close to the end of the session! Last day is April 23, 2023.

Tell your Senators to reinstate retroactivity for HB 1324 (Eliminating consideration of juvenile offenses in adult sentencing.)
DEADLINE: Apr 11 11:00pm
HB 1324 needs to be applied retroactively to address the racial disparities that have plagued our criminal legal system. Tell the Senate to pass the House version of HB 1324 that includes retroactivity.

Support Clean Energy Transformation Act (HB 1416 Senate Rules For 2nd Reading)
DEADLINE: Apr 12 5:00pm
The Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) already applies to market customers of investor-owned utilities. This bill will extend CETA to nonresidential customers of consumer-owned utilities.​

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Local Actions:

​Olympia-Tumwater Regional Fire Authority Proposal
Before You Vote, Please Visit Our Website

​Voter Education for Regional Fire Authority Proposition 1

An informed citizenry is a bulwark of democracy!

Proposition 1, if passed, will impact the cost of fire prevention services and how they are delivered to residents of Olympia and Tumwater in unprecedented and very significant ways. 

Action: Before you vote, please visit Olympia Indivisible’s RFA Proposition 1 voter education webpage where we present expanded pros and cons. 

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Abortion Rights: The Fight Is Not Over Yet

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​This past Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas issued a ruling that blocks the FDA’s approval of the abortion medication Mifepristone, which could deal a major blow to abortion access nationwide. The ruling is now pending, which means mifepristone is still available and on the market for now, but we expect it to head to the Supreme Court sooner rather than later -- especially after a different judge in Washington issued a contradictory ruling ordering the FDA to maintain its approval for mifepristone.

But just because there is no current pathway does not mean that we will not be able to create one in the future. As we look to the possibility of another Democratic trifecta in 2024, every bit of work we are doing now to strengthen the Democratic coalition and highlight the extremism of the Republican one will be pivotal in allowing us to take the critical steps to fully cement abortion access nationally: Codify Roe federally and reform the courts to ensure there are no more attacks on our bodily autonomy. 

​So what can you do this coming week to stand up and push back?

Action: Give to partners like The National Network of Abortion Funds who are leading the way on the fight for abortion access across the country. There are incredible organizations doing the deep work of fighting for the future of abortion access nationwide and they need our support.

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Pass the ERA

​The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) faces bitter resistance from conservatives who see it as undermining their opposition to abortion and transgender rights. The ERA would serve as a new tool—for Congress, State legislatures, federal agencies, and the courts—to advance equality, mitigate harm, and ensure enduring protections for all Americans.

Murray and Cantwell are already cosponsors of SJR 4
Kilmer is a cosponsor of HJR 25, but Strickland is not. 

Action: Contact our Members of Congress to support the ERA.

Option A: Take this action with one click in Take Action Network (TAN) Tell Your Senators and Your Representative To Support The Equal Rights Amendment

Option B: Contact WA MOCs

• Senator Patty Murray, Phone: 253-572-3636 or Contact Form 
• Senator Maria Cantwell, Phone: 253-572-2281 or Contact Form 

• Marilyn Strickland, Phone: 202-225-9740 or Contact Form 

• Derek Kilmer, CD6, LD35, Phone: 202-225-5916 or Contact Form 
  • Email all three MOCs at once using Democracy.io. 

Script for Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell:
Dear Senator Murray/Senator Cantwell,

Thank you for co-sponsoring this Senate Joint Resolution 4 which removes the arbitrary deadline for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). I strongly urge you to do everything you can to pass it at this critical time of increasing attacks on women’s reproductive autonomy and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Equal Rights Amendment states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.” This language would affirm and enshrine gender equality in our Constitution, creating an explicit prohibition against sex discrimination in the nation’s foundational document. Seventy-five percent of Americans support the ERA.
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Script for Representative Strickland: (add a thank you for Kilmer since he is a cosponsor)
Dear Representative Strickland,
I strongly urge you to do everything you can to pass House Joint Resolution 25, which removes the arbitrary deadline for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
The Equal Rights Amendment states, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.” This language would affirm and enshrine gender equality in our Constitution, creating an explicit prohibition against sex discrimination in the nation’s foundational document. Seventy-five percent of Americans support the ERA.

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Have You Scheduled These Events?

OI’s All-member April Meeting
​Building our Bench Strength for a Sustainable Democracy

What is bench strength and why is it important?
Bench strength is Olympia Indivisible's pool of internal talent who can readily and capably respond to fulfilling our mission. Having a strong bench is really important as we approach the historic elections of 2024. Please join one of our experienced teams and help us take action this year and be ready for 2024

This week’s news cycle (Trump arraigned, Tennesse Dems expelled from Legislature, Janet Protasiewicz elected to Wisconsin Supreme Court, Trump-appointed Texas judge bans mifepristone) is a poster child for why we want to be building our bench strength now!

What: OI meeting, Building Bench Strength for a Sustainable Democracy
When: Saturday, April 22, 2023, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Either by Zoom or in person in Multipurpose Room A of the Olympia Community Center, 222 Columbia St NW Olympia WA 98501
Registration: April 22, 2023 AM Sign-Up ​

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Action Cafe 2023, 
Every Monday at Noon

Chef Lisa and the Action Cafe crew are back! The Cafe is a weekly Monday Zoom noon-hour gathering where OI members meet, make new friends, and take actions together. Every Cafe comes with a side order of live music and a heapin’ helpin’ of good cheer!

Cafe patrons receive an email on Sunday with a sneak-peek at what we'll do at the cafe the next day. On Monday morning, Chef Lisa will send you a pdf "Menu" which has links to the actions we'll take together at the Cafe. 
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Action: Register HERE. We will send you a Zoom link and tomorrow morning, Chef Lisa will send your "menu." 

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​Community Participation:

Olympia Indivisible supports Thurston's Hunger Walk, an annual fundraiser to help two local agencies: The Community Kitchen and Thurston County Food Bank.

How to Donate to These Wonderful Local Programs
You can donate through OI's "Hunger Walk" Team Site. An immense thank you to those who have already contributed.

If you prefer, you could make out a check to: Thurston's Hunger Walk and mail it to: Thurston County Food Bank, P.O. Box 11549, Olympia, WA 98508 with "Indivisible" in the memo line.

Then Come Walk with Your Teammates in Olympia Indivisible
This year’s walk will take place at Lacey’s Huntamer Park 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, (Corner of Woodland Square Loop and 7th Avenue SE) on Sunday May 7th, at 3:00 pm. Enjoy camaraderie and live music while you walk as little or as much as you like. Sign Up to Walk with Olympia Indivisible's Team ​