Recommended Actions for the Week of 20170710

Source: RC Member

Description: Attend the City Council meeting on Monday, July 10th at 7:00p.m. and ask them to vote no to the agreement for the big jail and listen to testimony about Lummi Nation’s water purchase request. The meeting will be held at City Hall, 210 Lottie St, Bellingham, Washington 98225.

Additional Information: Visit Facebook for more details on the Lummi Nation’s water request.

Source: RC Members

Description: Watch the section of the County Council meeting from June 27, 2017 where members discussed the possibility of creating an ordinance or policy for undocumented immigrants. It really is the best demonstration of where our local government stands on this subject and their desire to be reactive instead of proactive. The discussion takes place from 1:43:00-1:59:00. Click here to watch the County Council video.

Also, the City Council met on Feb. 13, 2017 which resulted in the city voting in favor of their “sanctuary” ordinance, which undocumented people had asked them not to do. They wanted more time to come up with a real ordinance rather than sweeping the issue under the rug. The most compelling testimony is at 57:40. Click here to watch the City Council video.

Source: The RC

Description: Help us reach our goal of 200 team members on Amplify!

Source:  Washington Environmental Council

Description:  Ask our local elected officials to sign on to a letter to Governor Inslee that: (1) thanks him for his leadership in the wake of the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord; and (2) asks him to abide by several key principles in taking action to protect the climate.  Bellingham City Council members Terry Bornemann, Dan Hammill and Michael Lilliquist, and Whatcom County Council members Todd Donovan, Ken Mann, and Carl Weimer have already signed on, along with Port of Bellingham Commissioner Mike McAuley.

Background: In the wake of the decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, we must move forward and act locally.  Washington Environmental Council is asking local elected officials to sign on to a letter to Governor Inslee to thank him for his leadership in the wake of the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. So far, 42 local officials signed up, but their goal is 125 signers.  The letter also asks the Governor to abide by the following principles in taking action to protect the climate:

• Support the development of homegrown clean energy businesses that create good jobs in rural and urban communities
• Prioritize the protection of communities disproportionately harmed by carbon pollution and supporting fossil fuel workers in the transition to clean energy
• Transition from coal power to clean energy sources
• Provide consumers with affordable, cleaner, and more efficient fuel and energy choices
• Hold polluters responsible for the true price we all pay for carbon pollution in our economy

Contact Information:

City of Bellingham

• Mayor
• Email entire City Council or see here for individual contact information. Note: Terry Bornemann, Dan Hammill, and Michael Lilliquist have already signed on to the letter.

Whatcom County

• Executive
• Email entire County Council or see here for individual contact information. Note: Todd Donovan, Ken Mann, and Carl Weimer have already signed on to the letter.

Suggested Script:  President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement threatens the health and safety of our communities. In the absence of national leadership, counties and cities within Washington state must take strong action to fight climate change.  Please consider signing on to the Washington Environmental Council’s Climate Letter to Governor Inslee (https://wecprotects.org/climate-letter/) to thank the Governor for his leadership on climate action and ask him to abide by several key principles to ensure a just transition to a clean energy future.

Source: RC Member

Description: Join others to fight for Net Neutrality on July 12th!

Background: The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, they’ll allow widespread throttling, blocking, censorship, and extra fees. On July 12th, the Internet will come together to stop them.

Contact Information: Sign up at Day of Action to participate in the fight for net neutrality.

Additional Information: ACLU: What is Net Neutrality?

Source: Americans of Conscience

Description:  Call MOCs to support sanctions for Russia

Contact Information:

• Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
• Senator Maria Cantwell, WA (206) 220-6400, DC (202) 224-3441
• Congressman Rick Larsen (WA 2nd Legislative District), WA 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605
• Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA 1st Legislative District), WA (360) 416-7879, DC

Suggested Script: 

Hi. I’m from [ZIP] calling to express my concern for recent news about the hacking of US power plants. With Russia’s election hacking last fall as well, I’m concerned that our president and members of congress are not taking these threats seriously. I support strong sanctions against Russia. Can you tell me what [name] is doing to address these forms of foreign aggression? Thank you.

Source: Americans of Conscience

Description:  Call Larsen/DelBene to oppose H637 which would prevent the EPA from regulating carbon emissions

Action: call your rep.

Contact Information: 

• Congressman Rick Larsen (WA 2nd Legislative District), WA 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605
• Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA 1st Legislative District), WA (360) 416-7879, DC

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] calling to express my concern about H.R. 637. The EPA’s mission is important to me, and we rely on the EPA to regulate the pollutants that are driving the climate crisis. It seems like Republicans think allowing corporations to pollute is more important than protecting citizens’ health. Is this true? I want Rep. [name] to block H.R. 637. Thank you.

Background: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr637/summary