In March 2023, the Cascadia Daily published a series of four articles titled Beyond Bars: the Future of Justice in Whatcom County. In these investigative reports, they explain Whatcom County’s plan to approach voters with a 2023 jail replacement funding proposal. For your convenience and… Read More »The Cascadia Daily reports on plans for funding a new jail and services facilities
Today, we sent an email to all 40th and 42nd district legislators asking them to support the Coalition’s 2023 legislative priorities. We also asked the state representatives in these districts to sign on as a co-sponsor for the Access to Fairness Act. We encourage you… Read More »The Riveters’ Justice System Committee supports the WA Coalition for Police Accountability’s 2023 legislative priorities
On July 1, 2022, the Attorney Generals’ Office (AGO) published a Model Use of Force Policy that provides guidance on use of force and de-escalation tactics. We believe it will: To demonstrate support of the AGO’s model policy, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee sent letters… Read More »The Justice System Committee supports AGO’s Model Use of Force Policy
On July 11, 2022, our Justice System Committee (JSC) sent a letter1 to Bellingham’s Mayor Fleetwood, Whatcom County Executive Sidhu, and What-Comm 911 Deputy Director Everbeck asking how they responded to a May 12, 2022 letter2 from the ACLU of Washington about potential violations of… Read More »Read the Justice System Committee’s letter about potential violations of the Keep Washington Working Act
40th LD Representative, Pos. 1 – Debra Lekanoff Debra Lekanoff brings her strengths in environmental and behavioral health issues to Olympia and has been involved in a wide variety of legislation. She also spoke in her endorsement interview about the importance of funding K-12 technology… Read More »Riveters Collective 2022 Endorsements
Good news – During its May 9, 2022 meeting, City Council voted unanimously to request that the mayor and City attorney move forward with drafting model proposals for a city-funded immigrant resource center, which would provide resources to the 24,000 immigrants (or 10.11% of total… Read More »Bellingham’s Immigration Advisory Board receives mixed news
We are now recruiting for our 2022 Endorsement Committee! We have a small number of races to focus on this year: 40th and 42nd LD, County Prosecutor, PUD, and District Court. We will meet Wednesday evenings on Zoom starting next week. Want to join but… Read More »Join Our 2022 Endorsement Committee!
The City of Bellingham announced it will hold a virtual forum on Thursday, March 17 at 5:30pm so the public can meet the semi-finalists for the Bellingham Chief of Police position. The candidates will give their introductions and answer pre-chosen questions from the community. Following the… Read More »Register for Bellingham’s March 17 Police Chief Candidate Forum
The City of Bellingham is asking for our feedback as they consider hiring the next Police Chief. Details about the position, community feedback opportunities, and candidate selection timeline are available at the Community Feedback About Police Chief Selection webpage. The survey questions posed by the… Read More »By January 31, tell Bellingham officials what you want in a Police Chief!
At a Whatcom County Council meeting last week, Councilmember Byrd asserted that the Riveters Collective is a special interest group and that we don’t care about our neighbors who were devastated by recent flooding. Councilmember Kershner suggested we may have coordinated with other councilmembers in… Read More »Special Interests and OPMA