For decades, people mistreated by police have called for reform that includes, at a minimum, holding officers accountable. Over the past year, the Riveters’ Justice System Committee (JSC) has supported these efforts by contacting government officials, advocating for improvements to police union contracts, and supporting… Read More »Learn why we believe public safety reform is necessary
It is disappointing to learn that a substantial number of our community’s first responders refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but it is astonishing to see their unions and leadership assert that special accommodations for these members are the solution. The message you are sending… Read More »In Support of COVID Vaccine Mandates
The Justice System Committee reviewed police union contracts up for negotiation. Bellingham, Blaine, and Lynden will negotiate police union contracts in fall 2021. Ferndale and Whatcom County contracts will renew in 2022. Learn about the minimum changes needed to ensure accountability to the public by reading… Read More »Read our recommendations for improving local police union contracts
We’re emailing Bellingham staff and elected officials to find out their plans to catch up on climate action. Email addresses and a suggested script below. JOIN US! Addresses for copy/paste: ecjohnston@cob.org, rlacroix@cob.org, savidana@cob.org, cfogelsong@cob.org, smfleetwood@cob.org, hestone@cob.org, gknutson@cob.org, dchammill@cob.org, pvargas@cob.org, mlilliquist@cob.org, hahuthman@cob.org, laanderson@cob.org Suggested Script Dear City of Bellingham, The… Read More »Bellingham Climate Action Catch-up
Endorsement Committee Members Chairs: Jennifer Wright and Amanda Zimmerman Steering Committee: Stephanie Allen, Zenda Boss-Hall, and Emily Sharpe Committee: April Barker (recused from all races), Bernice Chang, Annalee Dunn, Paloma Edison, Yarrow Greer, Kim Harris, Shu-Ling Hergenhahn-Zhao (Recused from Bellingham City Council Ward 6 and At-Large),… Read More »Endorsement Process 2021
***CLICK ON THE RACES BELOW TO EXPAND THE DETAILS*** How are our endorsements made? Read our 2021 endorsements process timeline here.
Our endorsement committee is hard at work preparing to interview candidates who are interested in receiving our endorsement! Questionnaires were emailed to candidates in eligible races using the email address they provided when they filed for office. If you did not receive an email from… Read More »Endorsements 2021 Update
(last updated: September 21, 2021) Since January, the Justice System Committee has been tracking justice-system related bills filed during the 2021 legislative session. All bills listed below have been signed into law. Policing HB 1001 – Authorizes the development of a 2-year grant program to… Read More »Check the Status of 2021 Legislative Bills We Tracked
Tell Bellingham what you want in a Police Chief by this Friday, April 16th! The City of Bellingham is asking for feedback on priorities to consider in the selection of the next Police Chief. Details about the position available in the job posting (External link)… Read More »Tell Bellingham what you want in a Police Chief by this Friday, April 16th!
The state House has released its budget proposal, and it doesn’t provide separate funding for adjudication of the Nooksack basin. If funding isn’t provided for the adjudication, it won’t happen. This is where you come in! We need to contact legislators to tell them to… Read More »Write to Your Legislators: Support Adjudication of the Nooksack Basin