Quote of the Week: “Every social theory undergirding Trumpism has been broken on the steel of Minnesotan resolve. The multiracial community in Minneapolis was supposed to shatter. It did not. It held until Bovino was forced out of the Twin Cities with his long coat between his legs.” Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, January 26, 2026 Get Out on the Streets:Photo by zaya odeesho on Unsplash Want the scoop on upcoming rallies, marches, and related events? Visit OI’s Rallies, Marches, Town Halls and Boycotts webpage! Or, if you prefer a calendar format, visit OI’s brand-new OI + Related Events Calendar! Indivisible National Actions
Legislative Actions: Weigh In on WA Legislative Bills!Photo by Lincolnite via Wikimedia Commons Use your constituent power to advocate for progress and justice in the 2026 Washington Legislative Session–it’s in full swing and your help is needed! Action 1: Here is a link to the list of the latest TAN actions. Action 2: Don’t forget to vote Yes on the school levy and drop off your ballot. Federal Actions:Stop Trump’s Attack on the Free PressPhoto by Raphael Brasileiro on Unsplash Last Thursday and Friday Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi had two journalists arrested: former CNN anchor Don Lemon and Minneapolis-based independent reporter Georgia Fort. Both had covered a demonstration at Cities Church in St. Paul, MN, January 18, in which anti-ICE activists interrupted worship led by pastor David Easterwood, whose day job is acting director for ICE’s St. Paul field office. Two demonstrators denounced the pastor for preaching the gospel of peace on Sundays while directing state violence during the week. The Department of Justice intends to charge the journalists under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects access to reproductive health services — and houses of worship. Multiple judges refused to sign the arrest warrants for the journalists. This is a clear shot across the bow to reporters: cover a demonstration, go to jail. As Scott Griffen, executive director of the International Press Institute said in a statement calling for the release of Lemon and Fort, these arrests are “an unequivocal attack on the first amendment and the American people’s right to know.” Action: Contact your Members of Congress:
Script: The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are an unequivocal threat to journalism in our country, an attack on the public’s right to know, and an assault on the first amendment. I urge you to demand accountability from Attorney General Pam Bondi; to see that these journalists are released immediately without being charged; and to discipline every DOJ officer involved in this abuse of authority. Support Congress Reining in ICEImage Source: Wikimedia Commons Background
Some 3000 ICE agents invaded Minneapolis this month. Residents gathered to protect immigrants from increasing ICE violence. Then the killing started. ICE agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Since then, Trump has claimed he’s making big changes but they aren’t visible and he’s left Secretary Noem in charge of DHS. She’s publicly made false statements blaming the murders on the victims or on Governor Walz, claiming that her actions were done at the direction of the president. Trump said he thought Noem was doing a great job. In the Senate, Democrat lawmakers persisted in making the DHS budget bill impose accountability on ICE with requirements that officers take masks off, keep body cameras on, and obtain warrants. Senator Patty Murray pressed forward with other Democrat negotiators to insist that the DHS bill be separated from the rest of the remaining agency budget bills. They achieved a two week delay on the DHS bill and will be negotiating with the White House for meaningful reforms to DHS. Other federal agencies will not be shut down. Action 1: Send thanks to Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell Senate for their persistence. Request that they continue to communicate on ICE with Senate leadership and the White House using National Indivisible forms located at Indivisible. In the House, before the ICE murders in Minneapolis the House passed the current DHS budget bill among a number of other agency budget bills. They will re-vote on the DHS bill once it is sent back by the House. With today’s heightened national momentum, Hakeem Jeffries has announced either Trump must fire Kristi Noem or the House Democrats will proceed with impeachment. One hundred sixty two House Democrats have signed articles of impeachment against her. Action 2: Rep Marilyn Strickland House of Representatives Rep Marilyn Strickland, 202-225-9740 or Contact Form Script: Thank you for supporting immigrants’ rights and for signing on to the articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem. As your constituent I request that you continue to make your voice heard and stand against the Trump administration’s cruel mass deportation agenda. Action 3: Given the horrific situation ICE has inflicted on many states and cities, Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown have condemned ICE’s actions and announced their plans for responding to any worst-case scenario in Washington. Write to Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown to thank them for planning how to respond to a worst-case scenario if ICE causes harm in Washington. Email Governor Ferguson using this Contact Form Email Attorney General Nick Brown: Contact Form Local Actions:Protect Affordability in Tumwater: Oppose BAR Holdings/ Salish LandingImage Source: pedbikeimages.org / Burden Deadline: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, February 3 Background:
Tumwater City Council is being asked to support an Urban Growth Area (UGA) swap to enable the BAR Holdings / Salish Landing development near Old Highway 99 and 93rd Avenue, across the road from the Deschutes River. The proposal would convert roughly 38 acres of forestland in a “Critical Aquifer Recharge Area – Extreme” to urban-density development. Due to geographic obstacles, effective transit cannot reach the rural site for the foreseeable future. Residents of the planned 200 apartment units would be functionally auto-dependent for the long-term. Real affordability equals housing cost + transportation + infrastructure + time. Additionally, the county hydrogeologist reported that the proposal threatens salmon runs in the Deschutes River. Action: Make public comments at the Tumwater City Council meeting on Tuesday, 2/3/2026, at 7pm.
Script: Tumwater already has enough land inside its UGA to meet growth needs. The problem is housing production, not land supply. Sprawl does not create affordable housing. It increases transportation costs and household expenses. It also risks straining the city’s budget. Residential development rarely pays for the full cost of roads, sewer, schools, parks, and services. Also, the county hydrologist reported that the development creates a risk of harm to the Deschutes River. In addition, it puts at risk residents at the low-income Melody Pines manufactured home community because it makes the land under their homes more attractive to investment firms who will increase rent. Please do not support the BAR Holdings / Salish Landing UGA swap. Support the Home Energy Score OrdinanceSource: findicons.com via Wikimedia Commons Source: from our friends at Thurston Climate Action Team On February 17th, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing and vote on a Home Energy Score (HES) ordinance. This is a key action included in the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP), which the Commissioners endorsed in 2021 and represents one of the most important policy agendas for our county. Let's make sure they hear strong support from the community and adopt the ordinance on the 17th! The HES assessment is conducted by a certified assessor, takes about one hour to complete, and typically costs $150-350. The assessment covers 40+ data points from a home including its age, size, number of stories, foundation, windows, insulation, heating and cooling systems, and water heating systems. The assessment provides an energy use score and list of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. Priority improvements are estimated to pay back in ten years or less. For home buyers: The HES allows you to compare the energy costs of multiple listings. For home sellers: The HES can showcase your home’s energy efficient features. Action 1: Please provide online comments supporting this ordinance. Comments are due by February 5th. Action 2: Want to do MORE? SHOW UP at 3:30 pm on February 17th either in person (Thurston County Atrium: 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Room 110, Olympia, 98501) or online (register here to attend online). You can also send written public comments up to two hours prior to the start time of the meeting, emailed to the Clerk of the Board, or mailed in. Protect Capitol Forest Legacy Forest from Sell-Off by DNR: Urgent ActionPhoto credits: Joshua Wright and Kyle Krakow Source: From our friends at Legacy Forest Defense Coalition Background: Capitol Forest at Risk The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is planning to place Capitol Forest’s Unit 3 of Chai forest for sale at their February board meeting, so that it can be auctioned in March. Unit 3 of this timber sale would log one of the oldest legacy forests in Capitol State Forest. It is 31-acres and one of the only remaining stands of mature grand fir in all of Capitol Forest. The trees in this unit originated in the 1880s making them nearly 150 years old. On January 20, Thurston County Commissioners sent a unanimously supported letter calling on Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove and the Board of Natural Resources for the protection of 2,420 acres of Capitol Forest Legacy Forests, including Unit 3. The decision to listen to Thurston County now rests with Commissioner Dave Upthegrove and the Board of Natural Resources. Here's how you can take action: Action 1: DEADLINE: end of day, Monday, Feb. 2. Email the Department of Natural Resources Board and ask that they withdraw Unit 3 of Chai Forest from the upcoming auction, and and express support for Thurston County's January 20, 2026 proposal: [email protected] Action 2: Send a personalized letter to Thurston Board of County Commissioners to tell them that you support protecting the Legacy Forests of Capitol State Forest and thank them for their advocacy. Have You Scheduled These Events?Weekly Olympia Indivisible GatheringsCaffeinated and Activated
Saturdays at 10am. Membership Team's rapidly growing Caffeinated & Activated Saturday morning meet-ups are a great way to ground yourself in connection, not overwhelm, with OI members. This Saturday features a topic spotlight on the work of OI's Endorsement Research Team (the team that researches candidates running for office in 2026). Bring your coffee and come to the Diverse Events & Creative Arts Yard (Decay), 402 Washington St. NE, in Olympia 10-11am. Action Cafe Mondays at Noon. A Zoom lunchtime gathering where folks meet, make new friends, and take actions together. Sign up to be on the Action Cafe email list. Comments are closed.
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