Recent Events
See the Web Log for information about past events
When: Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 10 AM PDT – 11:30 AM PDT
Hosted by Department of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, University of Minnesota, Mizna and Imagining Transnational Solidarities Research Circle
Online Event: https://umn.zoom.us/j/95866573747
You can watch this conversation on Zoom at: https://umn.zoom.us/j/95866573747
Dr. Nadine Naber is director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and a professor of Gender and Women’s Studies and Global Asian Studies at UIC.
Ash Stephens (he/him & they/them) is a Criminology, Law and Justice PhD candidate, and Black Studies and Gender and Women’s Studies concentrator at UIC.
When: Monday, October 19th at 7:45 PM PDT – 8:30 PM PDT
Hosted by Committee to Elect Carly Coburn
Where: Online Event
Join Carly on Monday, October 19th at 7:45 pm for an evening conversation with Vida Amoré on Facebook Live about how local politicians can help amplify the LGBTQ+ and Latino/a/x community’s voices and support their needs. Vida will also be taking questions from the Facebook live stream and ask Carly them as they come up! Don’t miss this chance to learn more about Carly!
When: Saturday, October 17 at 3 PM PDT
Where: Volunteer Park
Hosted by Tri-City Democrats
Register: https://act.womensmarch.com/event/join-oct-17-march/361
October 17, let’s protest the Republican lie about not confirming SCOTUS nominees during an election!
Masking, physical distancing and other COVID-19 controls to be maintained please! Stay home if you’re sick.
Thank you!
Ridin’ with Biden Rescheduled!
When : Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 10 AM
Where: WSU Tri-Cities
Hosted by Tri-City Democrats
Are you Ridin’ with Biden? Show your support in a decorated vehicle and join like-minded voters in a fun rally thru Richland, Kennewick and Pasco. Meet up at the parking lot of WSU Tri-Cities in Richland at 10am October 17th. This event is not sponsored by WSU, we are merely using the public property parking lot as a staging area. We’ll share a map at the start, so if you get cut off at a stop light just continue the route. Social distancing and masks required at pre and post staging areas. Local candidates are encouraged to decorate with their signage. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL TRAFFIC LAWS. This event is supported by Tri-City Democrats, Benton County Democrats and Franklin County Democrats. Please share widely.
Tri-Cities: Join our virtual event with Martin Valadez, the Hon. Phyllis Gutierrez-Kenney, and Rep. Ortiz-Self
When: Thursday, October 15 at 5 PM PDT
Hosted by Friends of Gael Tarleton
Where: Online Event
Please Join Martin Valadez, Rep. Valdez, Rep. Ortiz-Self, and the Hon. Phyllis Gutierrez-Kenney in a Virtual Event for Rep. Gael Tarleton, candidate for Secretary of State!
Date: Thursday, October 15th
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm PST
Zoom Link provided upon RSVP
Guest $50 | Friend $100 | Sponsor $250 | Co-Host $500 | Benefactor $1000 | Champion $2,000
RSVP link: https://act.myngp.com/Forms/9161930503458065408
or RSVP to Braden at braden@voteforgael.org
Thank you for your support of Gael!
When: Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 12 Noon
Hosted by Columbia Basin Badger Club
Online Event Via Zoom
More information to be announced soon.
The Race Series: Part I
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 6 PM – 8 PM
Hosted by Tri Cities Diversity and Inclusion Council and Raleigh Radio Girl
Where: Online Event
The Race Series: Part I
The Black & Latino communities come together to discuss their thoughts on race, division, & unity.
Click or Tap here to go to Facebook event.
Here’s a list of of the panelists.
When: Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 5 PM PDT – 6 PM PDT
Hosted by Elect Danielle Garbe Reser and Norma Lola Hernandez-Rios
Where: Online Event
Tickets: secure.actblue.com/donate/dgrwomen
Please join us with special guest Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, former Deputy Secretary of Energy, to celebrate women in leadership and the energy that Danielle Garbe Reser can bring to our State Senate. Tickets available at a range of prices: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dgrwomen
Join Us
Tuesday, October 13th
5:00-6:00 pm
via Zoom
Danielle and Liz worked together at the National Security Council at the White House and at the U.S. Department of Energy. They will share insights from their careers and perspectives on why we need women and people with diverse perspectives and experiences in every room where decisions are made, including the Democratic caucus room of the Washington State Senate.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Thank you to our hosts: Washington State Commissioner for Public Lands Hilary Franz, Senator Karen Keiser, Senator Lisa Wellman, Senator Mona Das, Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (former), Rep. Ruth Kagi (former), College Place Mayor Norma Hernández, Pasco City Council Member Zahra Roach, EMILY’s List, Win With Women, Network of Exceptional Women, PAC for Science, NWPC-WA, Alma Chacon, Melanie Matthews, Ceil Erickson, Teresa Purcell, Caroline Micelli, Caroline Maillard, Susan A. Weiss, Kari Isaacson and Jim Peterson
When: Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 5:30 PM
Hosted by A place at the table with Shir
Where: Online Event
Join us on National Coming Out Day for a special session of text banking hosted by local legend and Miss Gay Washington 2009-2010, Roxanne Von Cummings.
We will start the session with a quick training on how the program works and step you through how to achieve results. This will be followed by texting voters to remind them to vote in November while Shir and Roxanne will be live with you to play lip synch karaoke and also answer any questions if they come up.
Afterwards, in the tradition of the Sunday Tea parties of the “before-before times,” we will have a virtual dance party! What better way to celebrate coming out day than by working to defeat one of the most famous homophobes in the country?
When: Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 12 Noon
Hosted by Columbia Basin Badger Club
Online Event Via Zoom
More information to be announced soon.
Disinformation in Local Elections: How to spot it and what you can do
When: Wednesday, October 7 at 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Where: This free event will livestream on thenewstribune.com, theolympian.com, bellinghamherald.com, and tri-cityherald.com.
We will share examples of it in Washington’s local elections and strategies for spotting it as you look to make the best possible decisions for your community in November. We will give you a roadmap for spotting false claims and help you learn how to set the record straight.
We will bring together misinformation experts from academia and technology, including event partners Microsoft and University of Washington, local reporters and policymakers to discuss how we can navigate with confidence an election unlike any other.
Please join us. You can sign up here.
Thanks, as always, for your support of local news.
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 6 PM
Hosted by Columbia Basin Badger Club
Online Event: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IEaRwjx8Q6-tEpsnCL1FzA
Register for the event at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IEaRwjx8Q6-tEpsnCL1FzA
Get your ticket today at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dgr509 to join us for this event with Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig to support Danielle Garbe Reser’s State Senate campaign in LD 16.
Senate Majority Leader Billig is currently the only Democrat from Eastern Washington in our State Senate, so by helping Danielle we can double Eastern Washington’s representation in the Senate Democratic Caucus and bring the voice of rural Washington to the table.
Let’s support Team 509 today! Join us to discuss our shared love of baseball and Eastern Washington and our hopes to bring better health care, a sustainable environment, and economic opportunity to the best area code in the state — The 509.
Monday, October 5 from 5-6 pm
When: Friday, October 2, 2020 at 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: 5405 Industrial Way, Pasco WA
Hosted by UFCW Local 1439, Laurel Fish and Adam Jackson
Over 200 workers at Twin City Foods are standing up to win basic COVID protections, affordable healthcare, and a voice at work. Join them to show your support for good jobs in our community.
*** masks and social distancing required **
Click or Tap here for Facebook Event
When: Wednesday, September 30 at 4 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Hosted by WSU-TC
OPEN TO STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY & TRI-CITIES COMMUNITY
Robert Bauman and Robert Franklin, both History faculty at Washington State University, Tri-Cities, will give a presentation on the history of African-American activism in the Tri-Cities from the 1940s-1970s. The presentation will highlight efforts to end racial segregation in the Tri-Cities, including civil rights marches in Kennewick and Pasco in the 1960s and 1970s. The presentation is based on material from their forthcoming book, Echoes of Exclusion and Resistance: Voices from the Hanford Region, to be published by WSU Press in November.
Money Matters with Justin Raffa
When: Sunday, September 27 at 3:30 PM
Hosted by Elect Justin Raffa Benton County Commissioner
Where: Online with Facebook Live
Justin Raffa is running for Benton County Commissioner District 1. In his latest Facebook live event, he will dive in to monetary issues facing the county and what the commissioners can and should do in regards to our tax dollars. Justin will speak about his ideals, the state of finances, and answer your questions as well.
When: Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM
Where: Walla Walla, Sidewalk in front of Land Title Plaza – 33 E Main St.
One of Breonna Taylor’s killers, Brett Hankison, has been indicted for three counts of 1st degree wanton endangerment, UNRELATED to her murder. This is NOT justice. This is not taking responsibility. This is not what we asked for. We will come together Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in front of Land Title Plaza to call for the protection and celebration of Black women, Black trans women and Black girls everywhere. Masks required. Sidewalk chalk provided. Let’s make downtown Walla Walla’s sidewalks beautiful with supportive messages to and for Black women and a call for justice for Breonna and Black women affected by systemic racism everywhere.
Join Rogue Lobster for a Facebook Live concert. The event is free so please plan to tune in to enjoy some bluegrass music. The roots of this music are rural, just like Danielle’s roots, and we need her love for and service to Eastern Washington in our State Senate. We encourage you to support her campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dgrlobster
Danielle’s website: https://garbereser.com
Whole Washington Rally
When: Saturday, September 26, at 1 PM
Where: John Dam Plaza
Hosted by Tri-City Democrats
Hello Benton and Franklin County Whole Washington supporters!
Whole Washington is gearing up for a 2021 ballot initiative to establish universal healthcare in Washington state! We want to raise awareness and let EVERYONE know about Whole Washington. You can help the effort by joining a sign event rally on September 26 at 1 PM at John Dam Plaza. Meet in the parking lot behind the HAPO stage on Knight St.
Our goal is to raise awareness about Whole Washington and universal healthcare by holding signs, handing out literature to educate the public, signing up supporters and volunteers, and start having existing volunteers and supporters meet each other. There will be some signs there, but please feel free to make your own. Please RSVP and show up with your mask.
If you want to help collect signatures during our 2021 ballot initiative campaign, please sign-up below. Our goal is to reach at least 1000 volunteers statewide. Having 1000 volunteers will reduce the number of signatures required per volunteer to a doable 325 signature each.
https://wholewashington.org/volunteer/
Also, if you support what Whole Washington is doing, please consider donating $10 a month by becoming a recurring donor. Recurring donations lets us strategize for the future. This is a grassroots campaign funded by the people. We don’t plan on winning by out-raising health insurance lobbyists and their allies. We plan on winning by the creativity, passion, and work ethic of our volunteers and supporters. A modest funding base will tremendously help support our volunteer efforts. Our goal is to have at least 1000 people donate $10 a month. You can donate and become a recurring donor at the link:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/whole-washington-1
With a virus killing and harming so many and climate change causing short term and life-long term health issues, universal healthcare is needed more than ever. Hope you can make it to our event. Stay safe and hope all is well.
In Solidarity
Sean Cavanagh – Whole Washington Campaign Director
TCFE BLM Ally Panel Series- Mamas
When: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Hosted by Andrea Wright, Rob Stafford and 3 others
Where: Online Event
Hello friends, family, and allies! After hosting our first ally panel on September 1st we have gotten rave reviews and more folks wanting and willing to connect, participate, and use their voice to continue to draw attention and keep motivation and focus on the movement. Tri-Cities Future Equalizers (TCFE) will be hosting regular ally panels- reaching out to hear from specific groups- Mothers, Fathers, Teens, Interracial couples, Mixed kids, Queer family, Teachers and much more. TCFE acknowledges the time and energy that everyone is putting forth for the sake of the movement and the toll that this kind of work can take… We believe that there is a space and a place for everyone with a pure heart and an open mind who wants to learn and wants to help make it right.. We respect and encourage everyone’s individual talents and skills to join forces and join in the fight. This is a safe space where disrespect will not be tolerated and where differences will be honored instead of diluted. We hope to see you on Tuesday September 22nd at 6:30 pm. This will be an online event- please follow posts to learn about our panelists, and to get updated information about how to attend/view the event. We will be using Zoom and Facebook so check back on the event for instructions to watch and participate. Please download ZOOM before the event in case we decide on a massive Zoom call with everyone on it. This is a public event. Please save the date and share with others who may be interested. We would also love any feedback on who you would like to see on a panel and/or what kind of questions you would like to be asked. We are in this together and stronger than ever. Let’s change the world!!! See you September 22 at 6:30pm!
Get your ticket today: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dgrwadc and join Tony Blinken and Danielle Garbe Reser for this conversation about global issues facing Washington State to benefit Danielle’s Washington State Senate campaign.
Tuesday, September 22
4:00-5:00pm Pacific/7:00-8:00pm Eastern
Tony Blinken is Co-founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors. Tony has held senior foreign policy positions in two administrations – including Deputy Secretary of State in the Obama Administration, the nation’s number two diplomat. Tony helped to lead diplomacy in the fight against ISIL, the rebalance to Asia, and the global refugee crisis, while building bridges to the innovation community.
Before that, Tony served as Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama. He chaired the Deputies Committee, the administration’s principal forum for deliberating foreign policy. During the first Obama term, he was National Security Advisor to Vice President Biden.
From 2002 to 2008, Tony served as Democratic Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From 1994 to 2001, he was a member of President Clinton’s National Security Council staff.
Danielle Garbe Reser is running as a Democrat seeking to flip an open State Senate seat in rural Eastern Washington. She served as a diplomat from September 10, 2001 until May 15, 2015, including two tours in the National Security Council during the Obama Administration and on the personal staff of then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Her overseas assignments were in Beirut, Lebanon at the start of the Syrian War and in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she earned a Superior Honor Award for her work helping the victims of the 2002 terrorist attacks in Bali.
Danielle returned home to Eastern Washington in 2015 to serve as CEO of Sherwood Trust, a private foundation with $30 million in assets serving the Walla Walla Valley to promote economic development. She won Exponent Philanthropy’s national “Outsized Impact Award” in 2019 for her rural philanthropy initiatives that attracted over $500,000 in outside investment into her district.
She is married to a fifth generation farmer and they make their home in Walla Walla.
Event Details
— Please join us by selecting a ticket at the quantity and price that are right for you: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dgrwadc
— You will receive a separate email with the link to the Zoom event.We look forward to seeing you soon!Thank you to our hosts: Amanda Sloat, Laura Rosenberger, Bernadette Meehan, Caitlin Hayden, Hagar Chemali, Riva Kantowitz, Jane Rhee, Jennifer Butte-Dahl, and the Truman National Security Project – Pacific Northwest Chapter.
Learn more about Danielle and her campaign:
https://www.garbereser.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/electgarbereser
When: Monday, September 21, at 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Hosted by ACLU of Washington, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Where: Online Event
This series of virtual conversations moderated by Enrique Cerna will explore the racial disparities and inequities in Washington’s public health and policing systems highlighted by COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. State lawmakers are beginning to convene to prepare for the 2021 state legislative session when these issues, and the budget, will be top priorities. Join us to learn how to put equity front and center in the Olympia debates.
The first event will feature Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman, Dr. Julian Perez of SeaMar Community Health Centers, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic CEO Carlos Olivares, and scholar and Yakama Nation Tribal Member Emily Washines for a conversation about the racially disparate impacts of COVID-19 in Washington’s communities and recommendations for how we move forward.
Raffa Logo Contest
ARE YOU A VISUAL ARTIST WITH A SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS HEART? Help us bring Civility, Responsibility and Balance back to Benton County. Design a unique ‘Raffa for Benton County’ logo and see your design be made into awesome Limited Edition Campaign Swag that will be printed by Unitary Apparel AND score $250 if your design is selected! Check out the details below to get started! Designs must be in by September 21st to be considered. #Raffa2020#TeamRaffa
Democracy Cooks
When: Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 6 PM – 8 PM
Where: The comfort of your home.
Hosted by A place at the table with Shir and Brian Griffith
Join me while I step you through some of the basics of making an Italian meal which is perfect for our hot summer evenings! Right now this announcement is for you to be able to mark your calendars. Stay tuned as we roll out details in the coming days. I promise this is even more interactive than Chilled Democracy and equally tasty.
Building Bridges: Meet and Greet
When: Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 4 PM – 5 PM
Hosted by Elect Danielle Garbe Reser
Register here for this free event to meet our 16th LD State Senate Candidate Danielle Garbe Reser: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dgrbridges
Originally from Moses Lake and now living in Walla Walla, Danielle Garbe Reser is running to bridge the divides in our state between Eastern and Western Washington and our rural and urban communities.
She wants to hear from Benton and Franklin County residents about the issues that matter most in our communities. Please plan to join us by Zoom and bring your questions for Danielle about the bridges we can build in our region and state to create a bright future for all of us.
Join us on Saturday, Sept 19 from 4-5 pm via Zoom
This is a free event; the Zoom information will be sent after registration.
Thank You to Our Hosts: Former State Senator Valoria Loveland, Former Pasco City Council Member Rebecca Francik, Pasco City Councilmember Zahra Roach, Franklin County Democrats Chair Jeffrey Robinson, Benton County Democrats Chair Judith Johannesen, Diane Sundvik, and Martin Valadez
Learn more about Danielle and ways to help her campaign on her website: www.garbereser.com
Voter Education; Candidate Forum
When: Thursday, September 17, at 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Hosted by Power 99.1
Where: Online with Facebook Live
We will be speaking with candidates running for Benton & Franklin County Commissioner.
Invited to this conversation:
Benton County Commissioner Pos 1 — Raffa / Delvin
Franklin County Commissioners Pos 2 — Mullen / Peralta
We’re doing this every Thursday to October 29th* so if you don’t see a candidate it’s because they’ll probably be on the next live!
*Minus Oct 1
Please join State Senate candidate Danielle Garbe Reser Saturday September 12th at 1pm for our Super Saturday phone bank event!
We want to reach as many voters as possible – so please share this event with friends and family to help recruit volunteers!
No phone bank experience? No problem. After the event we will go straight into a phone bank training.
Please register for this event here: EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_09_12
Blue Lives Murder
Saturday, September 5, from 4-6 PM
Columbia Center Blvd.
Hosted by Luchadores por Cambio – Tri-Cities and Blackformation
Click or tap here for Facebook event info
Click or tap here for KEPR-TV article
Here’s a Facebook event that may be of interest.
Virtual Flights and Rights: School Safety
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020 AT 5 PM – 6:30 PM
https://www.facebook.com/events/618542955465425/
Flights & Rights is our regularly scheduled community series featuring important civil rights issues and great beer in the KEXP Studios Gathering Space. During this strange hiatus, we build community virtually, so grab your beverage of choice and meet us online or via phone.
All students have a right to education, and we are working for more effective approaches to help students and build positive school environments. As we examine the role of police in our daily lives, it’s time we also reevaluate the need for police in schools. Students who are Black, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Latinx, are disproportionately disciplined, suspended, and expelled from school. Students with disabilities are disproportionately excluded. Students who have been suspended are three times more likely to be in contact with the juvenile justice system within a year.
Youth Policy Director Kendrick Washington (ACLU-WA), Sadé Smith (Chair of School’s Out Washington), Damian Davis NoOneElse (Team Child) and Kai Koerber (Student Activist; survivor of the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida) examine the measures that need to be taken to make children succeed and be safer in schools.
Moderated by Executive Director Michele Storms (ACLU-WA)
Democracy produces the best decisions when everyone votes. Please complete your ballot and turn it in. It’s postage-paid, so you can put it in a mailbox, but if you haven’t voted by Sunday, August 2nd, We recommend taking it to a ballot box because our mail goes to Spokane for processing.
If you haven’t registered yet, you can still do that. Monday, 7/27, is the deadline for online registration, and Election Day, Tuesday, 8/4, is the deadline for in-person registration.
Find ballot box locations and voter registration information on the county auditor’s websites.
Benton County Auditor – Current Election
Franklin County Auditor – Elections
Resources to learn about candidates include -the WA State Voter’s Pamphlet, (on auditor’s websites), –411vote.org, -The League of Women Voters’ Candidate Forum (produced this year with NWPB), (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dxt3AWE24k , and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX_tXGq2dnQ –Tumbleweird.org publishes a terrific voters’ guide that should come out this week.
There are some great candidates to support with your time, your wallet, and your vote!
*Doug McKinley for Congress for the 4th Congressional District (https://www.dougmckinley2020.com)
*A place at the table with Shir for State House of Representatives 8th LD, Pos. 1 (https://www.atthetablewithshir.com/our-vision)
*Elect Danielle Garbe Reser for State Senate, 16th LD (https://garbereser.com)
*Elect Frances Chvatal for State House of Representatives, 16th LD, Pos. 1 (https://www.electfrances.com)
*Committee to Elect Carly Coburn for State House of Representatives, 16th LD, Pos. 2 (https://www.facebook.com/ElectCCoburn/)
*Elect Justin Raffa Benton County Commissioner for Benton County Commissioner District 1 (https://justinraffa.com)
Elect Kim Lehrman for Franklin County Commissioner District 1 (https://www.electkimlehrman.com)
Elect Ana Ruiz Peralta for Franklin County Commissioner District 2 (https://www.facebook.com/ElectAnaRuiz/)
*Endorsed by Benton County Democrats (Kim and Ana are great candidates in Franklin County!)
The Tri-Cities Womxn’s March has accepted an invitation to collaborate with Blackformation in an event that ensures the upliftment of womxn leaders within the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas.
As voting deadlines approach, our intent is to educate ourselves without bias as it relates our political social, and economic power!Come prepared to be inspired by local womxn leaders, politicians and activist of our time, in every shade of womxn, as we address Anti-Blackness in our community and the importance of solidarity between all black & brown people and our allys.
Following the event a resource fair will be provided in support of our community needs.
Be prepared to be educated, empowered, and elevated with knowledge and tools to take your civil rights to the next level.
Please bring your personal protest signs and masks as social distancing is still required!
Justicia para Vanessa Guillen & Breonna Taylor 
We look forward to keeping you up to date with local politics as we prepare to make an informed decision to fight oppression and rock the vote!