Recommended Actions for the Week of 20171002

Source: Keep Bellingham Families Working

Background: From the Keep Bellingham Families Working website: “As many of our followers know, the city passed an ordinance on February 13th, 2017 that was supposed to make Bellingham into a sanctuary city. The community drafted an ordinance with the help of lawyers and gave it to the City Council and the Mayor. It was just what our community needed and provided protection to all community members. However and unfortunately, the city took the draft created by the community and revised it without any collaboration, creating an ordinance that has no accountability and protects no one, except for city officials and the Bellingham Police Department. Furthermore, City Council and the Mayor have not shown that they are willing to take any steps to strengthen this ordinance. See below for only twelve of the many ways that this ordinance falls short as well as links to both the community-drafted-ordinance and the one passed by City Council and Mayor Linville.”
https://keepbellinghamfamiliesworking.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/on-ordinances-and-city-council/

Since that time community members have also approached the Whatcom County Council with a request for a true Sanctuary ordinance with accountability and citizen oversight built into it.

Shortly after the inadequate ordinance was passed by the Bellingham City Council, people began attending and continue to attend weekly Dignity Vigils and twice-monthly Dignity Dialogues in downtown Bellingham to raise awareness and educate the community on the need for stronger protections for members of our immigrant community. It has been 7 months now with no action to provide greater protections by the City or County Councils.

Contact Information (Phone):

April Barker : (360) 325-5128
Gene Knutson: (360) 734-4686
Pinky Vargas: (360) 778-8210
Michael Lilliquist: (360) 778-8212
Daniel Hammill : (360) 778-8213
Terry Bornemann: (360) 305-0606
Roxanne Murphy: (360) 778-8211
Mayor Kelli Linville: (360) 778-8100

Email:
Bellingham Mayor and City Council addresses:
mayorsoffice@cob.org
ccmail@cob.org
gknutson@cob.org
abarker@cob.org
mlilliquist@cob.org
ptmvargas@cob.org
rjmurphy@cob.org
tbornemann@cob.org
dchammill@cob.org

County Council addresses:

council@co.whatcom.wa.us
bbrenner@co.whatcom.wa.us
rbrowne@co.whatcom.wa.us
bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us
cweimer@co.whatcom.wa.us
kmann@co.whatcom.wa.us
ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us
tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us

Suggested script:

Phone:
My name is_____________________. I live in Ward__________, and I vote!
I have read the information by immigrant community leaders and am seriously concerned that the ordinance you passed is not creating a safe and secure city. In short, Bellingham is not a sanctuary city and does not protect all our community members.
I’m asking that you immediately act and change the ordinance to include the following:
-A Civilian Oversight Board as described in the ordinance provided to you by the community – an administrative or advisory committee without enforcement powers is unsatisfactory.
-Stop all activity or cooperation by Bellingham Police officers related to Secure Communities, the 287(g) program and any other collaboration without judicial warrants or court orders.

Sample letter:

Dear Whatcom County Council/Bellingham City Council:

I wanted to remind all of you about the continued and escalating pressures and threats members of our immigrant community are suffering under our existing local laws (or lack of them) and the current Presidential administration. I call on you all to take actions here in our area that provide ordinances and accountability to offer a much better measure of safety, and guarantees against discrimination and victimization, than we currently have.

Our current immigration system definitely deprives people of their dignity and respect and it is our responsibility to right this wrong. As we have seen with the death and illness at farms here and in British Columbia during the summer, our immigrant farm workers, whether documented or undocumented are in many cases not adequately protected from suffering trauma and tragedy unnecessarily. Meanwhile, people who are apprehended by Immigration Agents and sent to the Northwest Detention Center are suffering trauma and tragedy there, as well.

In the face of such unfair, painful, and unacceptable conditions, I believe both councils should be swiftly taking action to, above all, provide citizen oversight of our law enforcement, so opportunities for prevention and elimination of discriminatory practices, and for generating a much higher level of trust between community members and law enforcement and other officials can be established. With citizens eager to participate, to me this action should be quite simple to take compared to others, and I can see no good excuse for not moving forward with it.

Sincerely,

Source: RC

Description: We’re organizing against the new jail tax, prop 2017-6.  Like the organizing page and share with your networks!

Background:  The RC board has voted to OPPOSE the ballot measure for jail funding.

Source: Fuse Washington

Description: Tweet/FB/Call/Email

Background: On October 13, Starbucks is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Washington Policy Center featuring Trump’s Education Secretary, Betsy Devos.

DeVos is a relentless advocate for school privatization who has shown little knowledge about protections for students with disabilities. Recently, she announced that she would roll back the Obama administration’s rules for handling sexual assaults on university campuses and even supports guns in schools to protect against grizzly bears.

Starbucks customers deserve to know that their morning coffee isn’t funding right-wing organizations like the Washington Policy Center that support discrimination and undermine public education. 

Contact Information:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Starbucks
Twitter: @Starbucks, https://twitter.com/Starbucks
Message form: https://customerservice.starbucks.com/app/contact/ask_company_info/
Phone: 1 (800) 782-7282

Suggested Script:
I was disappointed to learn that Starbucks, a corporation that espouses social responsibility, is a sponsor of the Washington Policy Center’s 2017 dinner featuring Education Secretary Betsy Devos

DeVos is a relentless advocate for school privatization who has shown little knowledge about protections for students with disabilities. Recently, she announced that she would roll back the Obama administration’s rules for handling sexual assaults on university campuses and even supports guns in schools to protect against grizzly bears.

Please withdraw your sponsorship of the far-right Washington Policy Center that is giving Betsy DeVos and Nigel Farage a platform.

Thank you.

Suggested Tweet/FB message: @Starbucks, Don’t sponsor DeVos!

Source: RE Sources for Sustainable Communities

Description: RE Sources’ Washington Goes Solar! program is offering free 2-hour-long workshops to educate homeowners and business owners about solar installations, including how the systems work and what incentives and financing are available to offset the cost.  If you ultimately decide to purchase an array through the program, RE Sources will receive a donated panel for their community solar project.  Workshops will be held in Bellingham on the following dates and times: (1) Oct 12th, 5:30-7:30 pm; (2) Nov 2nd, 4:30-6:30 pm; (3) Nov 29th, 5:30-7:30 pm; and (4) Jan 13th, 10:00 am -12:00 pm.  A workshop will also be held in Anacortes on Feb 1st, 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

Contact Information:  Click here for more information and to RSVP for a workshop.

Source: RE Sources for Sustainable Communities

Description:  Last week, the Whatcom County Council voted 6-1 to extend for another 6 months the moratorium on permits that would increase shipments of unrefined fossil fuels through Cherry Point.

Background: Whatcom County continues to face proposals to export fracked gas and tar sands via pipelines through our farmland and rivers and across the Salish Sea to overseas markets. Right now, the county is conducting a legal study to develop tools to protect public health and safety from increases in rail, pipeline, and tanker shipments. In the meantime, companies like Kinder Morgan, SSA Marine, and Williams Pipeline are barred from applying for permits under the temporary moratorium on permits for unrefined fossil fuel export projects.

Contact Information:  Click here to email the Council.

Suggested Script: 

Honorable council members,

Thank you for voting to extend the moratorium on permits for unrefined fossil fuel export projects and for your leadership in protecting the people and natural resources of Whatcom County from risky expansions to export fracked gas, tar sands, crude oil, propane or coal through Cherry Point.

[Your full name]
[Your city, voting address optional]

Additional Information:

Whatcom County Interim Ordinance: Imposing an Interim Moratorium on the Acceptance and Processing of Applications and Permits for New or Expanded Facilities in the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area The Primary Purpose of Which Would Be the Shipment of Unrefined Fossil Fuels Not to Be Processed at Cherry Point

Sightline Institute: The Thin Green Line

Source: RC

Description: Donate to Manka Dhingra’s state senate campaign.

Donate to Manka

Background: Do you remember the #1 thing Senator Ranker said we could do to facilitate progressive change in Washington? Doorbell, phone call, donate, and volunteer for Manka Dhingra. It’s our best chance to flip the state senate and see real progress. AND TO DEMOTE DOUG ERICKSEN FROM HIS COMMITTEE CHAIR POSITION!

AMA with Manka

Hope and Action video (see 30:00 for talk about the bus to doorbell for Manka.

Source:  Save EPA

Description:  EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is inviting comment on whether the greenhouse gas pollution standards for model year 2022-2025 cars and light-trucks are appropriate, and also on whether 2021 standards remain appropriate.   EPA completed an exhaustive re-evaluation of the 2022-2025 standards just before the Trump Administration took office, and determined that that the standards remain technically feasible at reasonable cost.  Those standards are a critical component of U.S. efforts to limit climate pollution.  Comment now to oppose rollback of these important standards.

Background: The Trump Administration has opened the door to weakening the climate pollution and fuel economy standards for cars, SUVs, and light trucks for model years 2021-2025.  These standards are a main pillar of U.S. efforts to combat climate change.  Cars, SUVs, and light trucks are responsible for nearly 20% of climate pollution in the U.S.  In recent years EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have conducted parallel rulemakings to set greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards and fuel economy standards for 2012 and later model year cars and light trucks.  Lowering emissions of carbon dioxide, the most pervasive GHG pollutant, and improving fuel economy are closely linked.  The Trump Administration is reconsidering what the GHG pollution standards and fuel economy standards should be for model year 2021-2025 cars, SUVs and light trucks.  There have been two separate opportunities to comment: (1) a joint EPA/NHTSA request for comment on re-evaluating the vehicle GHG pollution standards; and (2) a NHTSA notice of intent on fuel economy standards.  Comment period on the latter has closed.

Contact Information:  Click here to access the regulations.gov comment form.

Suggested Script:  I am deeply concerned about the impacts of global climate change to human and ecosystem health and welfare.  I am writing to urge you to maintain the greenhouse gas emissions standards for light-duty vehicles, model years 2022-2025 for the following reasons:

• Reconsidering the standards for controlling climate pollution from model year 2021-2025 cars, SUVs and light trucks is a waste of precious time and taxpayer dollars.  EPA made its January 2017 Final Determination based on a comprehensive, detailed analysis and after considering extensive public comments.  We need the standards to stay in place – or be strengthened — to combat climate change and save consumers money at the pump.
• Experts consider EPA’s greenhouse gas standards (GHG) for vehicles to be the single biggest action taken by any country to address climate change.  EPA has revolutionized control of climate pollution in the transportation sector by setting GHG standards for light-duty vehicles – passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks – starting with model year 2012 and continuing through model year 2025.  These GHG standards essentially double the fuel economy of the light duty vehicle fleet by 2025 to an average miles-per-gallon in the high 30s.  This will save billions of gallons of gasoline and billions of dollars in fuel costs, and avoid billions of tons of GHG pollution.
• The auto industry can achieve these standards.  The industry can rely almost exclusively on improvements to internal combustion engines – what’s been powering most cars, SUVs and light trucks for years.  They don’t require auto makers to produce lots of hybrids or electric vehicles.  In fact, the standards are based on control technologies that are already in use on some or almost all vehicles.  The main impact of the standards will be pushing even wider use of these existing technologies so that more cars, SUVs and light trucks benefit from them.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Additional Information:

EPA: Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Save EPA: Defending Climate Pollution Standards for Cars, SUVs, and Light Trucks

EPA: Midterm Evaluation of Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Model Years 2022-2025

Source: Indivisible Guide

Description: Our Members of Congress have not yet sponsored the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017.

Background:

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 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene WA (360) 416-7879, DC (202) 225-6311

Suggested Script:  Hi! My name is [name] and I’m a constituent from [part of state]. I’m calling because I’m very concerned about the current situation with North Korea, I’d like [MoC] to co-sponsor the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017. This legislation would make explicit that Trump cannot launch a nuclear strike absent a declaration of war from Congress. That bill is [House: H.R. 669 or Senate:  S. 200]. Is [MoC] planning to sponsor?

Additional Information:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/669

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/200

Source: Indivisible Guide

Description: Call or write MoCs and ask that they immediately pass an aid package and amend the Jones Act so it does not apply to areas receiving federal disaster aid.

Background: After Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Congress and the Trump administration made passing a disaster aid package a top priority—and within days of Harvey, both chambers passed and the president signed a $15 billion aid package to assist with relief efforts. Now, in the face of near-complete devastation in Puerto Rico, lawmakers must act with the same urgency—but the administration has not requested additional aid from Congress, and isn’t expected to until mid-October. Members of Congress must act to promptly approve supplemental funding to ensure that Puerto Rico receives the same degree of aid so they can begin to rebuild and disperse supplies where they are most needed. Here are two ways that you can ensure that Puerto Rico gets the resources and attention it deserves:

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 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene WA (360) 416-7879, DC (202) 225-6311

Suggested Script:

Hi! My name is [name] and I’m a constituent from [part of state]. I’m calling because I’m very concerned about the current situation in Puerto Rico.  I’d like to ask [MoC] to immediately pass an aid package to provide disaster relief to communities affected by hurricane Maria, and to amend the Jones Act so it does not apply to areas that are receiving federal disaster aid.

Additional Information:

Hurricane Maria made landfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on September 20 as a Category 4 storm, and the devastation it wrought has quickly snowballed into a humanitarian crisis. The official death toll is at 16, but could rise into the hundreds as officials find additional victims on more remote areas of the island. Nearly the entire island is without electricity, and it could take six months to restore power. Critical supplies, such as food, water, and fuel for medical facilities are dwindling, and aid is stuck in warehouses because of logistical breakdowns. We stand with the people of Puerto Rico, who are desperately in need of assistance if they are going to weather the weeks and months of hardship to come.

Before the Senate and House leave for their week-long recesses on October 9 and October 16, respectively, both chambers should act to provide disaster relief aid to Puerto Rico. This package should provide adequate funding to respond to immediate needs, like food and water, as well as longer term needs like the years of rebuilding that will be required.

The Jones Act is a 1920 law that requires that goods carried between American ports (such as those on the US mainland and those in Puerto RIco) be carried on ships that are American-built, owned, and crewed. It took President Trump several days to waive this requirement because, in his words, “a lot of people who are in the shipping industry” didn’t want him to waive it. Even after enough pressure built for him to acquiesce, he only waived the requirement for 10 days – not nearly enough time to bring all the resources Puerto Rico will need for its short-term recovery efforts, much less its long-term rebuilding efforts. Congress should amend the Jones Act so it does not apply any areas that are receiving federal disaster aid.

Source: Washington Environmental Council

Description:  In the coming weeks, the Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on President Donald Trump’s environmental budget, which passed the House with cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency that are dangerous and irresponsible.  The cuts approved by the House would be good for polluters but would dismantle safeguards that protect the health and wellbeing of communities across Washington state.  Funding cuts will slow work on toxic cleanups, jeopardize environmental programs, decrease recreational access, and reduce testing for lead in drinking water pipes needed to provide clean and safe water for our families.  Thankfully, Senator Patty Murray is a respected leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee and a longtime champion for the environment. She can help lead a charge to fix the flawed budget and ensure funding for clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment for all.  Please call and urge her to lead the fight against this disastrous environmental budget!

Contact Information:  Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme

Suggested Script: Hello, my name is _____ and I live in ______. 

I am calling to urge Senator Patty Murray to lead the fight against Trump’s disastrous environmental budget in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The budget bill cuts funding that Washington State needs to clean up thousands of toxic sites, protect our beautiful environment, and ensure that our air and water are clean and safe for our families.

Senator Murray has been a reliable champion for the environment, and we need her leadership now more than ever to keep our communities safe and healthy.