Weekly Call To Action - May 30, 2021

Take Two Actions Now

Time Is Running Out to Protect Democracy: End the Filibuster

​Action 1: Contact Senator Patty Murray and Senator Cantwell with the following script.
Contact WA Senators

• Senator Patty Murray, Phone: 253-572-3636 or Contact Form 
• Senator Maria Cantwell, Phone: 253-572-2281 or Contact Form 
  • Email both your MOCs at once using Democracy.io. 

Script: My name is ____________. I’m from Olympia Indivisible. Time is running out to protect our next elections. Unless the Senate eliminates the filibuster, and passes S.1 by the August 2021 recess, hundreds of voter suppression laws just passed by Republican legislatures will allow Republicans to prevent Americans from voting and overturn results they don’t like. Democracy cannot survive this.
We are asking you to do two things:

• Go on record in support of eliminating the filibuster NOW
• Pass S.1 and S.4

We did not work for 4 years to remove President Trump just to watch the Republicans gerrymander and voter suppress their way to winning the midterm elections. You must act now!​

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Form a House Select Committee to Investigate January 6th NOW!

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​It’s time to raise a ruckus after Senate Republicans filibuster the investigation, despite a 54 to 35 Senate vote to move ahead and debate the bill. We can also insist that our senators change the filibuster rules and force Republicans to actually show up and debate why they don’t want an investigation. 
 
Action 2: Contact Representative Strickland’s office at 202-225-9740 or Contact Form 

Script: This is __________ from Olympia Indivisible.  Please lobby Speaker Pelosi to form a House Select Committee to investigate January 6th to protect our republic.

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Have You Scheduled These Events?

​Indivisible Town Hall, Freedom to Vote - With Our Own Lisa Ornstein

​Join us for an INDIVISIBLE TOWN HALL to celebrate our foundational freedom to vote. We'll discuss how our actions and pending Federal legislation can ensure democracy is available for all.

Panelists include Charles Douglas, III with Common Power, Cindy Black with Fix Democracy First, and Lisa Ornstein with Olympia Indivisible.

Action: Register here. During registration you will be asked for your congressional district (CD) and state legislative district (LD). If you don’t know them you can easily look them up here.​

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Olympia Indivisible’s Final Town Hall for Port Commissioner
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Bob Iyall, District 2

​On Thursday, June 3 we will have the final Port Commission Town Hall with Bob Iyall. If this is as interesting as the first four Town Halls, you will be impressed with the quality of candidates, and you will be asked to decide who to endorse. So, join us to meet this final candidate and be prepared to participate in the OI endorsement process on June 26. 
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Register in advance for this Town Hall with Bob Iyall on Thursday, June 3 @ 5:30 PM. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You will also be able to submit questions for the candidates on the registration form, at the meeting.

The OI Endorsement Team has invited you to meet all the candidates in this crucial 2021 election. There is a lot at stake in the decisions that Port Commissioners make like: ensuring a sound ecological plan for Destination Waterfront as well as other projects on Port properties, keeping the Commission open to public input, putting the Port on a sound financial footing for the future.

Much like the Thurston County Commission the Port Commission has a huge influence on the lives of all Thurston County residents. There are currently five candidates running in this race for two open seats. 

The race for District 3 to replace retiring Commissioner Zita has three candidates: 

• Joel Hansen
• Melissa Denton
• Amy Evans

The race for District 2 to replace retiring Commissioner Bill McGregor has two candidates:

• Jessie Simmons
• Bob Iyall

We had some very interesting Town Halls with Melissa Denton, Amy Evans, Joel Hansen, and Jessie Simmons. Please check our Olympia Indivisible website for their videos and get to know those candidates.​

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Town Hall with Lacey City Council Candidates
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Robin Vazquez and Carolyn Cox

​The three neighboring cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater are stakeholders in many Thurston County issues and projects such as climate mitigation, environment, homeless citizens, transportation, and affordable housing to name a few. For Olympia Indivisible’s goals and values to be implemented and sustained, the three cities need to work together. City Councils have input into Thurston Regional Planning Council.

Why are we choosing to endorse Lacey City Council candidates, instead of Olympia City Council candidates? We feel there are several Olympia City Council members that will continue to support our goals and values, but to get more liberal councilmembers onto the Lacey City Council could be a game changer for a more consistent vision in the county. Therefore, we are working with the Lacey City Council candidates to identify those that we would like to endorse and support.

There are four positions up for this election. In two of those positions, 5 (Andy Ryder) and 6 (Michael Steadman), the incumbent is running unopposed.  

The two open positions are 4 and 7 where the candidates are as follows

Position 4

• Robin Vazquez
• Emma McSharry

Position 7

• Carolyn Cox
• Felix Pegeuro-Reyes

So, join us on June 7 to meet two of these candidates and be prepared to participate in the OI endorsement process on June 26. Every local position is important to sustain our democracy.

Action: Register in advance for this meeting with Robin and Carolyn. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You will also be able to submit questions for the candidates on the registration form, at the meeting.

• Robin Vazquez, Position 4, Monday, June 7 @ 5:30 PM
• Carolyn Cox, Position 7, Monday, June 7 @ 6:15 PM

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Celebrate Flag Day With Olympia Indivisible at the “Nourish Our Neighbors” Drive Thru on June 13

​This event is to show our appreciation for all you have done, and to start a return to a feeling of community after our year of isolation. You need not get out of your car, just say hello and exchange a food item for the Food Bank for a goody bag from OI. At least the first 100 participants will receive a goody bag. 
 
Why are we doing this?

• We take back the flag after four years of effort. We thank you for making that effort.
• We share with our food insecure neighbors by bringing food for the Foodbank
• Pick up a goody bag we made for you, with goodies and an action Item.
• And just say hello. It has been a while.

 
DATE: June 13, Sunday, One day before Flag Day
 
TIME:  2:00 to 4:00 PM
 
LOCATION: Temple Beth Hatfiloh, Parking Lot, 201 8th Ave, SE, Olympia, WA 98501, Corner of 8th Ave & Franklin
Cars enter on Franklin, and exit on 8th Street. No need to leave your car. Masked and vaccinated volunteers will come pick up your donations and deliver a volunteer made gift bag with an action item included to the first 100 people.  Cookies will be involved!
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DONATION: Thurston County Food Bank Shopping List;

• Canned Protein - tuna, chicken, spam, beef stew, Salmon
• Peanut Butter
• Canned Fruit in natural juice
• Canned Soups - meat and vegetarian
• Chili - meat and vegetarian
• Boxed Cereal
• Mac and Cheese
• Canned Vegetables - low salt
• Greatly appreciate donations of fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter (January to June). Consider purchasing some broccoli, tomatoes or carrots from the produce department of your grocery store.