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Local Level Actions
Attend/Watch the Vera Institute's Presentation on Reducing Incarceration in Whatcom County on 10/23/17
Source: RC Member
Description: The Vera Institute is presenting their final report on reducing incarceration in Whatcom County on Monday, Oct. 23, 2017. You have two opportunities to attend:
Donate to Support the Undocumented and Unpaid WWU Associated Students Vice President for Governmental Affairs
Source: RC Member and Alan Alatorre
Description: Help support undocumented student, Ana Ramirez, with her tuition and living costs by donating on GoFundMe.
Background: Ana Ramirez was elected in April 2017 as the Associated Students (AS) Vice President for Governmental Affairs for Western Washington University. Ana was told she would have to do the job without pay, if she didn’t lose the position completely, because she is undocumented. Over the summer, Ana worked as the AS VP for Governmental Affairs without pay and was officially made an unpaid volunteer in her position. This position is normally paid $950 a month and works 19 hours a week. Ana works 19 hours a week, but without pay.
Donate to Support Barry Buchanan's Campaign
Source: RC Member
Description: Cash mob for Barry Buchanan who showed strong support for the RC and women generally during a situation at a fundraiser this week. For legal reasons, we can’t give details. Go to Barry Buchanan’s campaign page to donate.
Help Stop Crude Oil and Chemical Exports Through Anacortes
Source: Re Sources for Sustainable Communities
Description: Tesoro Anacortes Refinery wants to start producing and exporting xylenes — toxic, flammable petrochemicals. Not only will this facility expansion bring 60 more tankers carrying toxic chemicals through the Salish Sea each year, it will also be used for exporting crude oil — increasing the risk of a spill in local waters. Sign on to Re Sources letter to Skagit County opposing the project and advocating for stronger restrictions on export projects. If you can, plan to attend the public hearing on 11/2 at 8:30am to say NO to dangerous exports.
Background: Tesoro refinery in Anacortes has proposed the “Clean Products Upgrade Project” (CPUP), which would upgrade the refinery to produce 15,000 barrels of xylenes per day for export to Asia. Tesoro needs Skagit County to approve a shoreline permit in order to move forward. Re Sources is asking them to withhold the permit, and they have a strong case, since the Environmental Impact Statement issued by the County is flawed, incomplete, and ignores documented comments They’re also asking for a stronger, more protective permit to be required: a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit. If Skagit County requires this permit for new and existing overwater structures, it could effectively stop crude oil exports and the xylene expansion project.
Contact Information:
Click to sign on to Re Sources’ letter to Skagit County.
Public Hearing is Thursday, November 2nd, at the Skagit Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mt. Vernon. Show up at 8:30 a.m. to sign up to speak and wear red. Contact Eddy Ury via email or call (206) 972-2001 to carpool.
Additional Information:
National Level Actions / Other
Say No to the Cotton-Corker Bill Which Will Kill the Iran Nuclear Deal
Source: RC Member and CODEPINK
Description: Tell your Senators to oppose the Cotton-Corker bill. Ask them to respect our international obligations by taking leadership to protect the Iran deal.
Contact Information: Visit CODEPINK to send a letter to your Senator to keep the Iran deal in place.
Ask Senators to Resist Legislation that Would Cripple EPA
Source: Save EPA, Environmental Protection Network
Description: Last month, the House of Representatives quietly approved HR 3354, which would cut EPA’s budget by $650 million or 27% (even more than Trump proposed!), undermining the programs that protect the air we breathe, water we drink, and ecosystems upon which we depend. The bill also includes a number of troubling policy riders, including allowing EPA to withdraw “Waters of the US” rule without going through public notice and comment, delaying implementation of new air standards for ozone until 2024, and prohibiting EPA from implementing the Social Cost of Carbon, which measures the costs to society of greenhouse gas emissions. Please call both Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell to ask them to oppose this legislation.
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray
WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/contact/e-mail.cfm
Senator Maria Cantwell
WA (206) 220-6400, DC (202) 224-3441
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email/form
Suggested Script: Hi. I’m calling from [city] to ask the Senator to continue her support for strong environmental protections by opposing HR 3354. I am deeply concerned both about the proposed 27% reduction in EPA’s budget and several troubling policy riders, including allowing withdrawal of the Waters of the US rule without public comment, delaying implementation of new air standards for ozone, and prohibiting EPA from evaluating the social cost of greenhouse case emissions.
Additional Information:
From the Calendar
Link to the Riveters Collective Calendar
Every Monday: Attend a vigil hosted by C2C and Keep Bellingham Families Working. A vigil will be held from 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. in front of City Hall or from 5:00-6:00p.m. at the WTA downtown bus station. Support undocumented and immigrant families to live in safety and dignity in our community. Come together and join in building power in people!
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 from 8:00-10:00a.m.: Join the McCleary Oral Argument Rally in Olympia. Washington’s Paramount Duty is holding this rally to support fully and equitably funding of public schools on the Supreme Court steps at Temple of Justice, 415 12th Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501. Visit the RC calendar page or Facebook for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 from 11:30a.m.-1:30p.m.: Attend the City Club Northwoods Hall Candidate Debate at 3240 Northwest Avenue, Bellingham, WA.
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 from 6:00-8:00p.m.: Attend the WWU Candidate Debate hosted by the WWU Associated Students Representation and Engagement Programs Office. This forum is BY students FOR students. Candidates running for County Council, City Council, and Port Commissioner will answer your questions and engage in discussion about Whatcom County jail tax, port development, affordable housing, Bellingham as a sanctuary city and more. Visit the RC calendar or Facebook for more information and to learn how to submit a question to the REP for a chance to have it answered at the forum.
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017 from 8:30-9:30p.m.: Join the Ask Me Anything with school board candidate Teri Hill-McIntyre on the Riveters Collective Facebook group.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 from 1:00-6:30p.m.: Join the Indigenous Legends Awards (ILA) and Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) event at the Peach Arch in Blaine, WA. This year the ILA and the IPD have combined efforts and only one award will be given. Please visit the RC calendar page or Facebook to learn more about this event and the criteria for the award.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 from 4:00-6:00p.m.: Join the Homeless Summit hosted by HomesNow. Not Later. The event will be held in Maritime Heritage Park, 1441 St. Paul St., Bellingham, WA 98229. We will be serving various types of soup and sandwiches and ask people to bring warm weather gear (e.g. coats, scarves, bags, tarps, hiking boots/shoes, tents, sleeping bags, socks, etc.). Visit Facebook for more details.
