Quote of the Week:"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."--Dr. Martin Luther King, from his 1963 book, Strength to Love. OI Event: Join Olympia Indivisible members and leadership on MLK Day morning for an uplifting, in-person, all-member morning gathering and potluck lunch at the South Bay Grange (3918 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia) from 10am to noon. We’ll celebrate Dr. King's legacy and hear from civil rights leader Dr. Thelma Jackson and immigration lawyer and advocate Stephanie Powell. We’ll also update you about what’s happening with Indivisible at the national and state levels, as well as Olympia Indivisible’s plans-in-the-making. We’ll offer on-site opportunities for community service and civic engagement. And we’ll build fellowship over a potluck lunch. All this with a side order of live music! RSVP: Here is the link to register (required because of limited seating) for our MLK gathering. Federal Actions: Prevent Noncitizens Roundup Photo Source: US Customs and Border Patrol via Wikimedia Please take the TAN action below to contact your Senators to prevent the passage of the bill known as the “Laken Riley Act”, H.R.29. On January 7, the House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act, H.R. 29. Soon, it will likely go to a vote in the Senate. If this bill passes, it would:
Background Senate advances Laken Riley Act on detaining undocumented immigrants accused of some crimes Action 1: Follow the steps in this TAN action: Ask our Senators to vote NO on the “Laken Riley Act”, H.R.29 Action 2: Call AND email Representative Strickland to thank her for voting NO on H.R. 29.
Suggested Script: As a constituent who has consistently supported your election, I want to thank you for voting no on H.R. 29. This bill gives the Trump administration every tool needed to strip immigrants, including longtime residents and Dreamers, of a fair review and could force them to be held indefinitely without trial. Thank you for demonstrating your commitment to common sense values of humanity and justice. Protect Transgender Student Athletes  Photo Source: Mielon via Wikimedia Commons The GOP-led House of Representatives has introduced H.R. 28, a harmful attempt to bar transgender students from sports teams in line with their gender identity. This discriminatory bill targets transgender, nonbinary, and intersex youth, and marginalizes cisgender youth who don’t conform to traditional gender norms. More than half of our transgender students already avoid team sports and their schools’ athletic facilities due to hostile environments. A national sports ban would further isolate them from their peers and deprive them of opportunities for teamwork, leadership, and physical activity, Action: Call AND write to Rep. Strickland to ask her to vote NO on H.R. 28.
Suggested Script: My name is _____ and I’m a longtime supporter and constituent from [your city.] I urge the Representative to vote NO on H.R .28, which will force schools to exclude transgender children from sports. Congress should be working on legislation to lower costs for Americans, solve the immigration crisis, and address the climate emergency, not grabbing headlines by persecuting vulnerable kids. These bigoted policies solve no real safety concerns—they only foster more discrimination. Back a Better “Best-By” Food Label Policy Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Tomomarusan From Our Friends at Chop Wood, Carry Water Ever tossed out a can of beans or tub of yogurt because the date on the package made it seem like it was inedible? We’ve all been there: 84% of consumers chuck some of their food because the “best-by” date told them to. The thing is, those dates mean pretty much nothing in terms of food safety. That means we’re not only throwing money away, but sending food waste to the landfill to decompose and burp methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The FDA currently has a proposal to swap those “best by” dates for a clearer “best if used by” stamp. The agency is now taking public comments on the change, which is a great chance to voice your support. For background, go to the FDA information page. The deadline for comments is February 3. Action: Leave a comment on the FDA’s comment page asking them to clarify food date labeling. Suggested Comment: Our current “Use by” or “Best buy” dates are often hard to find and not much use when we do find them. What does “Use by” mean? If we miss the deadline, are we risking food-borne illness or just disappointment? A small standard vocabulary is all we need: “Best by” for products that decline in quality but are still safe to consume; “Discard by” for those that can actually make us sick. And the information should be in the same spot on every label, in a clearly legible font. WA State Actions:Tell Our State Legislators Not to Cut Education, Health Care, and Housing Photo Source: Invest In WA Now Source: Washington Indivisible Legislative Action Team (WILA) The State of Washington is staring at a $10 billion budget shortfall, and our state lawmakers are already negotiating deals to fix it. Now is the time to remind them that we value education, health care, and housing, and won’t tolerate cuts in those areas. Action: Follow the steps in this TAN action: Tell our state legislators not to cut education, health care, and housing. Have You Scheduled These Events? The League of Women's Voters, NAACP of Thurston County, and Olympia for All are sponsoring: "Housing Instability - A Solutions Forum" With over 53% of area renters confronted with Housing Instability today, the Forum will feature a panel of diverse perspectives on how to reduce Housing Instability. The panelists will include:
For the last 20 minutes of the forum the moderator will take questions from the audience. When: January 15, 6:30 to 8:00pm Where: Capitol Convention Center, 6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater Zoom: Join the meeting by Zoom ------ Come to the Action Cafe! Every Monday at noon the Action Cafe provides a virtual space 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" with links to the actions we'll take together at the Cafe. Action: Register HERE. ------ No Moping Inaugural Ball! January 20th is the day of Trump's inauguration. A group of Olympia citizens is inviting the community to join them in a playful, informal scene to weather the bad and celebrate the good. What: The We Shall Overcome, DIY, No Moping Inaugural Ball! Where: Wild Child, 414 4th Ave E (across from the Artesian Well) When: Monday, January 20th, 6:30 - 9pm RSVP: If this sounds like something that will put wind in your sails, RSVP (as space is limited) and tell them your thoughts with this link. And feel free to invite your friends! The idea is:
From the Department of Good News“Virginia Democrats keep control of Statehouse in first elections after Trump win.” Olivia Diaz, Associated Press, January 7, 2025.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Democrats preserved their State House majority on Tuesday in the first test of voters’ energy since President-elect Donald Trump’s win in November, which left many party members across the country reckoning with their losses in federal elections. Tuesday’s races were the first official elections in Virginia since November’s presidential contest. Democrats now have a narrow 21-19 edge in the state Senate and a 51-49 lead in the House of Delegates, preserving their majorities in both chambers during Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s last year in office. The results could limit Youngkin’s conservative agenda for the state, requiring the governor to gain bipartisan support for his legislative agenda. Comments are closed.
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