WSDCC – April 18, 2025

Posted on April 18, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!

*Chair Conrad introduces panelists at the Yakima People’s Town Hall*

Some Good News to Highlight

Last week’s Yakima People’s Town Hall sparked a broader conversation with more than 200 people joining former Governor Inslee, Community Leader Maria Beltran, Registered Nurse Jacob Garcia, U.S. Army Veteran Asa Washines, Labor Organizer and Ph.D. student Ninh Khuu, and myself. U.S. Rep. Newhouse says he plans to hold a Town Hall “soon,” but no details have been made public. So we showed him how it’s done!

About 200 people attend Democrats’ town hall in Yakima,

Yakima Herald and Northwest Public Broadcasting

Demócratas realizan Town Hall en Yakima y acusan a Dan Newhouse de ignorar a sus electores,

Latino Herald

As Washington’s legislative session approaches its end date, here are just a few pieces of legislation I’m particularly excited about:

After the State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1432, this legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Tara Simmons sponsored HB 1432, which establishes a definition of “medical necessity” that includes mental health and substance use disorder services. Once this legislation becomes law, insurance carriers must cover mental health and substance use disorder services prescribed by patients’ doctors – closing a loophole that has long stymied healthcare providers.
Passage in both chambers of House Bill 1875 means that this legislation to allow Washington workers to use their paid sick leave for immigration-related matters is headed to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Osman Salahuddin sponsored this bill to, “increase equity and access to the legal system.”

Stay tuned for more updates!

Call to Action

Protect the Vote with North Carolina Democrats
- Republicans are still trying to throw out 66,000 votes to give a Republican Supreme Court candidate a win he didn’t earn. NC Democrats are fighting back in the courts. Sign up here for the latest updates and ways to assist their efforts.
Share Your Small Business Story
- Trump’s policies are hurting America’s 33+ million small businesses. If you are dreaming of starting a business or already feeling the impacts of Trump’s economic policies in your business, please share your story here.
Sign Up for The Blue Print
- The DNC has launched a substack called The Blue Print that will provide a weekly update on how the DNC is fighting back against Trump and his allies while working to secure Democratic victories nationwide. It’s free and useful, sign up here.
Rally, Protest, and Gather
- TOMORROW – “Bring Them Home” Rally and March hosted by Indivisible Vashon. 11AM-1PM on Vashon Island. More details here.
- TOMORROW – Rally for Science in Spokane. 11AM-1PM in Mission Park. Sign up here.
- Tuesday, April 22 – A Vigil for the Healing of the Earth at Spokane City Hall. 6PM-8PM. Register here.
- Friday, April 25 – WA Dems People’s Town Hall at Spokane Community College. 5:30-7:30PM. Register here. See below for more details.
- Thursday May 1 – International Workers’ Day Rally and March starting at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle. Starts at Noon. More details here.
- Saturday May 3 – Fuse Opposition Summit from 1PM-3PM in downtown Seattle. RSVP here.
- Every Wednesday – Time to Act volunteer trainings organized by Swing Left are hosted virtually every Wednesday from 6:30PM-7:30PM. Sign up here
- Every Thursday – Seattle Indivisible hosts their Issue Advocacy Meetings every Thursday from 5PM-6PM. Sign up here
- Every Friday – Refuse Fascism Fridays in Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville and Mill Creek. Check out our events page for details on the one closest to you.
Send us details on rallies and protests in your communities
- Email details to press@wa-democrats.org

Donate
If you would like to see less Washington D.C. and more Washington state in your community, please DONATE to The Real Washington Fund – our rapid response account to counter MAGA’s chaos with real organizing, real solutions, and real results. We can’t do the work of holding Republicans accountable without your support.
Follow us on social media
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates and actions that can benefit your communities:
Facebook
BlueSky
Threads
Instagram
TikTok

Bring Them Home
This week, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) traveled to El Salvador to seek the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. I applaud his leadership and encourage every Congressional Democrat to consider fact finding missions to Trump’s El Salvadorean gulag. Despite a clear unanimous Supreme Court decision to facilitate Mr. Garcia’s return, Trump claimed victory and blatantly resisted the order. This is not only a constitutional crisis that threatens the rule of law in our nation, it is also a humanitarian disaster that is disappearing lawful residents in our country with no due process. There are numerous actions around the country rallying for the return of the people who have been denied their constitutional rights, demanding they be returned home. Check our events page for a rally near you!

Storybanking

Send Us Your Stories

This week, we traveled to Goldendale in Kittitas County to film more stories – stay tuned next week when we have those ready! For today, here’s a previous story shared by a Washingtonian who asked to remain anonymous:

The best way to persuade people about the horrible impacts of Trump’s chaos is to share real stories from real people in their communities. If you are interested in sharing your story of the direct impacts of Trump 2.0 on your life, please send an email to press@wa-democrats.org that includes your name, contact information, which Washington community you reside in, the story you would like to share, and permission to share your story with the public.

Our Communications team will be in touch within a few business days after you have reached out to help collect your story.

Spokane Town Hall April 25

We are excited to invite residents in Congressional District 5 to our Spokane Town Hall! The event will be on April 25th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Spokane Community College. We will be convening a panel of amazing speakers, including Congresswoman Emily Randall and Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, as well as other members of the community who have been affected by the Trump Administration.

If you would like to attend, please fill out this RSVP Form and invite any community members or friends you think would be interested! This event is open to anyone, and everyone is welcome!

AANHPI Gala Dinner

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Washington Democrats are celebrating! Please join us on May 10 at Seattle Harbor Restaurant (formerly China Harbor) to celebrate the power, leadership, and excellence of our state’s AANHPI Democratic family. Special guests are being lined up – I think you’ll be really excited when we announce them next week! RSVP here!

Republicans Behaving Badly

FEMA denies WA request for bomb cyclone disaster aid

The Lewiston Tribune

Washington’s request for federal assistance to recover from last year’s bomb cyclone that caused tens of millions of dollars of damage was denied by Trump’s FEMA. Governor Ferguson is planning to appeal the decision, but this falls in line with Trump’s threats to withhold disaster aid from states led by Democrats.

Central WA Head Start programs shut down without federal funding

The Seattle Times

400 children don’t have early childhood education and 72 people are unemployed thanks to Trump’s illegal freeze on federal funding authorized by Congress (and signed by HIM!) Rep. Newhouse asked the leaders of the Head Start programs for more details. “‘My assumption is, hopefully, they’re trying to get some answers for us’ [the Director] said.” The answer is pretty simple: Trump doesn’t want poor kids getting pre-K education.

NOAA scientists are cleaning bathrooms in Seattle

The Seattle Times

Trump and DOGE laid off all the janitors and hazardous waste removal contractors so scientists who should be focusing on saving salmon from extinction are now creating chore wheels. There’s nothing wrong with cleaning bathrooms, but these broad layoffs are wreaking havoc in the scientific workplaces we rely on for accurate weather forecasts and saving salmon – an iconic species that supports our Tribal Nations, our culinary sector, and maritime industries.

China orders Boeing jet delivery halt as trade war expands

Bloomberg

Trump’s self-inflicted trade war is going to have outsized impacts for Washington. Our state is the most trade dependent of any other in the country.

Democrats in the News

Larsen warns U.S. citizens could be next to have their rights trampled

Cascadia Daily News

Rep. Larsen is sounding the alarm that if Trump’s allowed to bulldoze the rule of law and due process for legal residents, U.S. citizens will be next.

Still think Democrats aren’t fighting back? Introducing Marilyn Strickland.

DailyKos

Rep. Strickland’s message that “Republicans don’t care about you,” is simple and sticking. This is a great write up of the work our Congresswoman from the 10th CD is getting done in the other Washington.

Feds to investigate WA schools agency over gender inclusivity conflict

Washington State Standard

OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal is standing up to the Trump administration’s efforts to erase trans students. Keep up the great work, Chris!

WA Senate honors missing & murdered indigenous women: ‘No more stolen sisters’

The Olympian

I am so glad to live in this Washington, where we honor the people who have lived here since time immemorial and work to ensure no more Native women disappear in our state.

What I’m Watching and Reading

Political scientists find submission to Trump ‘shocking,’ says UW prof

The Seattle Times

“I would say it’s the definition of authoritarian,” says Political Scientist and UW Professor Scott Radnitz.

Law students say they want to work for the firms standing up to Trump

Politico

File this under: the kids are (still) alright. Law students from the most prestigious universities are considering backing out of $200,000 contracts with the firms that capitulated to Trump’s brazen attacks on the rule of law. They are sharing spreadsheets online of the firms that are prioritizing the rule of law and who aren’t “ignoring the elephant in the room.”

Thanks for all you do,

Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party

DONATE

We sincerely thank you for your help and support.

Washington State Democrats
PO Box 4027
Seattle, WA 98194
United States

	December 2025
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
	1	2 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday December 2, 2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Richland City Council December 2, 2025 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	3	4 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs December 4, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details •	5	6 Volunteer Opportunity: ICE OUT OF TRI Door Knocking Volunteer Opportunity: ICE OUT OF TRI Door Knocking December 6, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Tri-Cities Socialists will be hosting a volunteer door-knocking this Saturday Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, both at 1pm, for our ICE Out of Tri campaign. We especially need bi-lingual and Spanish-speakers to attend. We will be distributing Know Your Rights info to neighborhoods currently at high risk of attacks by I.C.E., as well as inviting them to an organizing meeting where they can learn how to organize their communities for defense against I.C.E. as we have seen in communities from Portland, to Chicago, to Los Angeles, and beyond. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb665yKfpDFxL43PocKg7ro30k8oWqNvL8qGIpUzs8YfqfPg/viewform See more details •
7 Volunteer Opportunity: ICE OUT OF TRI Door Knocking Volunteer Opportunity: ICE OUT OF TRI Door Knocking December 7, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Tri-Cities Socialists will be hosting a volunteer door-knocking this Saturday Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, both at 1pm, for our ICE Out of Tri campaign. We especially need bi-lingual and Spanish-speakers to attend. We will be distributing Know Your Rights info to neighborhoods currently at high risk of attacks by I.C.E., as well as inviting them to an organizing meeting where they can learn how to organize their communities for defense against I.C.E. as we have seen in communities from Portland, to Chicago, to Los Angeles, and beyond. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeb665yKfpDFxL43PocKg7ro30k8oWqNvL8qGIpUzs8YfqfPg/viewform See more details •	8 BCDCC Executive Board Meeting BCDCC Executive Board Meeting December 8, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Round Table Pizza 1769 Leslie Rd, Richland This meeting is for Benton County Party Officers and committee chairs as well as representatives of regional LPO's. PCO's are invited to attend, particularly if they have something they wish to share with the board. See more details Benton County Executive Board Benton County Executive Board December 8, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair. See more details • •	9 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday December 9, 2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Kennewick City Council Workshop Kennewick City Council Workshop December 9, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM See more details • •	10 Precinct Committee Officer Training Opportunity Precinct Committee Officer Training Opportunity December 10, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Online with Zoom Online Zoom Training December 10, 2025 10:00 AM PST If you don't already have a free account with NDTC, create one in order to attend this online training. See more details •	11 BADGER FORUM: Understanding Vaccines BADGER FORUM: Understanding Vaccines December 11, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM https://badgers.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=392306 Since the Covid-19 pandemic, support for public health policies has gradually declined. At the federal level certain policies and practices regarding vaccines have been thrown into question. Vaccine proponents note the long-time and widespread benefits of the traditional MMR vaccine; vaccine skeptics generally insist it causes autism. Some say the approval process (Operation Warp Speed for Covid-19) was either rushed or rigged; others say the process was instrumental in reducing suffering and saved the lives of millions of people. See more details Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs December 11, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details • •	12 Whistle Workshop & Learning Event Whistle Workshop & Learning Event December 12, 2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Richland Public Library, Conf Room B, 955 Northgate Dr, Richland, WA 📣Our Voices United is sharing whistle safety packs as a simple, but powerful, grassroots tool that helps communities stay alert and protect each other. Indivisible Tri-Cities is joining in to help promote this campaign and support local outreach. 🧊These whistles create instant signals when ICE activity is nearby, helping neighbors gather quickly, record what's happening, and stand with anyone who may be approached. Join us this Friday to learn more! 🎶Different whistle patterns can signal urgent moments, like ICE being in the area or someone being detained. This gives those nearby a way to respond that's faster than social media and doesn't rely on being on your phone all the time. 🛡️Though it's a small tool, it helps combat quiet threats by creating visible community action, solidarity, and support. When we come together in efforts like this, our collective strength grows. See more details Tri-City Democrats - Friday, December 12, 6:00 PM Tri-City Democrats - Friday, December 12, 6:00 PM December 12, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Round Table Pizza3201 W Court St, Pasco It's time for a holiday celebration. This month we'll meet at the Round Table Pizza on Court Street in Pasco. December 12 at 6pm. Come gather with like-minded folks and share some fellowship, food and beverages. As is our normal practice, Tri-City Democrats will order several pizzas to share. We'll have the donation box available for those who care to financially support the group. Some of our generous members are likely to purchase pitchers of beer to share. If you want the salad bar or soft drinks, you are on your own for those items. At this writing, we do not have a planned program, but we will have 'Hate Has no Home Here' signs available. We are coming up on election time for the group - at our January meeting we'll plan to hold elections for our officers for 2026. Please let us know if you are interested in serving on the board! For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see https://www.meetup.com/tri-city-democrats/events/312303177/ See more details • •	13 Indivisible Tri-Cities Holiday Potluck Indivisible Tri-Cities Holiday Potluck December 13, 2025 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Mid-Columbia Libraries -- Kennewick, 1620 S Union St, Kennewick, WA ✨Join us for our holiday potluck!✨ 💚We're celebrating the season together and giving back to the community at this fun, low-key social event. 🎁We'll be collecting non-perishable food for Second Harvest, and toys and gift cards for Communities in Schools. Your donations help support local families and students during the holidays. 🍽️Come share a dish, bring a friend, and join in community with us! See more details •
14	15 Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! December 15, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details •	16 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday December 16, 2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Family Meeting: Child Care & the Washington State Budget Emergency Family Meeting: Child Care & the Washington State Budget Emergency December 16, 2025 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/873403/ Organizing for a brighter future for Washington families in 2026 starts now! It’s time to huddle up and make a 2026 game plan for protecting child care during the Washington state budget crisis. Join SEIU 925, Children's Campaign Fund Action, and MomsRising for a virtual Family Meeting: Child Care & the State Budget Emergency. Our state is in a budget crisis, and we know most of our families are too. We’re calling a family meeting to learn about what’s at stake and to co-create the budget solutions that will lift all families. Together, we'll get up to speed about the state of the 2026 state budget and how budget choices will impact moms, families, caregivers, and workers in our state. We'll hear from leaders from across Washington state, including Senator Claire Wilson, Senator Emily Alvarado, Representative Mary Fosse, and leaders from SEIU 925 and MomsRising. We hope you can join us in getting organized and informed so we can hit the ground running in early 2026! Make sure to RSVP so you receive the Zoom link once it's available. See more details Richland City Council Richland City Council December 16, 2025 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • • •	17	18 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs December 18, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details Franklin County Democratic Central Committee (FCDCC) No Meeting in December Franklin County Democratic Central Committee (FCDCC) No Meeting in December December 18, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM No Meeting There will be no Franklin County Democrats December meeting. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season! Please join us for our January general meeting on Thursday, January 15. Hope to see you then! See more details BCDCC General Public Meeting BCDCC General Public Meeting December 18, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair. General Meeting December 18, 2025 Leslie Road Roundtable Pizza 1769 Leslie Rd Richland Kennewick Roundtable Pizza See more details • • •	19	20
21	22 Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! December 22, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details •	23 Richland City Council Workshop Richland City Council Workshop December 23, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details •	24	25	26	27
28	29 Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! December 29, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details •	30	31

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Call to Action

Storybanking

Republicans Behaving Badly

Democrats in the News

What I’m Watching and Reading

Benton County WA Democrats