Newsletter: Strengthening Our Communities

It’s barely been two weeks and you can already feel the difference. Now, more than ever, we need to be there for our neighbors.

And as your neighbor, I’d love to hear from you directly. I will be holding a Coffee with the Chair session on February 22 from 10am to noon at Espresso Vivace in Capitol Hill, just three blocks from the nearest light rail station. Please come and tell me about your fears, the issues facing your communities, and how we can help.

By now we all know that the new federal administration is trying to uproot our immigrant communities (and is casting threatening glances beyond). We need to keep a watchful eye, a ready camera, and have the knowledge to protect both our rights, and those of the people around us. Bonus points for shouting those rights for everyone to hear, if the moment calls for it. Here are several resources which may help:

• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: Provides legal assistance and advocacy
• The Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network’s Bystander & Observer Guidelines
  • Or, for immediate assistance and information, call their hotline at 1-844-724-3737.
• One America: Advocates for immigrant and refugee rights, provides civic engagement opportunities, and offers leadership development programs.
• Congolese Integration Network Seattle – Supports Congolese and other African immigrants with housing, employment, health, and legal services to assist with successful integration.
• El Centro De La Raza – Provides bilingual social services, legal assistance, education, job training, and housing support for immigrants and marginalized communities.
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest: Offers refugee and immigrant services, including mental health counseling and English classes.
• World Relief Seattle: Provides resettlement support, employment services, and legal assistance.
• ACLU “Know Your Rights When Stopped By Police or Immigration Agents” (available in several languages)
• ACLU “Know Your Rights with the FBI” (available in English and Arabic)
• Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs: Connects individuals to various resources within the city.

Meanwhile, the February Special Election and the King Conservation District #2 elections are going on right now, and both end on February 11th. Note that the King Conservation District #2 elections (covering areas south and east of Seattle) are being held on their website. Here are King County Democrats’ endorsements:

• King Conservation District Board of Supervisors District 2, Zachary Pratt (information; vote online)
• Vote YES on:
  • Burien Minimum Wage (Burien Initiative 1)
  • Issaquah School District 411 (Proposition No. 1, General Obligation Bonds)
  • Seattle Prop 1A Social Housing (Initiative Petition 137)
  • Seattle School Levy (Prop 1 – Programs & Operational Levy renewal)
  • Seattle School Levy 2 (Prop 2 – Capital Levy renewal)
  • Proposed Shoreline Regional Fire Authority (merges Shoreline and Northshore Fire Departments) (Proposition 1)

It’s Black History Month, and with Valentine’s Day coming up we’d like to suggest you show some love to local businesses. We’re happy to share the Seattle Green Book with you, which is an online directory of Black-owned and co-owned businesses around the Puget Sound. We hope you’ll consider supporting them!

And just as we care for our loved ones and our community this Valentine’s Day, I’d like to ask you to please remember to take care of yourself. These are times that can quickly sap all your energy. Allow yours both space and grace and try not to burn out from compassion fatigue. This chaos cannot be solved by any one person.

Even so, we’re going to need new leaders to step up and new voices to ring out. If you think you’re ready to run for office, especially a school-board office, let us know. We’d love to help you!

Finally, I believe we must always be willing to interrogate bad behavior no matter where it appears. Recently, the Seattle Times reported on some very troubling behavior by King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson, and we are calling on him to publicly acknowledge and respond to these reports. Please read our press release for more information.

Stay strong! This is only getting started.

Beth Bazley
Chair, King County Democrats

P.S. King County Democrats could use a little extra love this Valentine’s Day. If you’re in a position to be generous, please consider donating to us!