MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Happy Friday, Washington Democrats and Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate!
Celebrating Black History Month
It may be the final day of Black History Month, but we know that Black History is made every single day. Today, I am shining the spotlight on a dear friend and powerful change agent, Democratic National Committee Member Sophia Danenberg. Not only has Sophia done incredible work to engage young voters and support our Party’s rulemaking process at the national level as a DNC Member and Washington State Committee Member – she is also the FIRST Black woman to summit Mt. Everest. Through her focus on policy and rulemaking, Sophia helps build the processes that the DNC uses for its elections, bylaws, and running the party apparatus. Sophia is focused on growing our party and I am always inspired and recharged when I have the privilege of working with her. Thank you, Sophia!
A HUGE thank you to ALL of our Black lawmakers and party leaders who are making history in Washington state!
Working for Washington
Washington Democrats have been hard at work researching and sharing out the best organizing and messaging advice we can find as well as providing updates on legislation in our own state. Over the coming weeks, we will share these resources with you all.
How to Fight Back by Antonia Scatton lays out the argument for government itself, not simply individual programs and policies. While House Republicans in D.C. just voted to on the framework to gut Medicaid and SNAP benefits for the poor in order to pay for tax cuts for the ultra wealthy, Democrats in D.C. should be offering a compassionate budget that strengthens our government, protects the vulnerable, and pays for it with progressive taxation of the robber barons who are currently stripping our government for parts. She provides actionable ideas that I hope our national party will adopt.
How to Make the GOP Pay a Price for DOGE by Dan Pfeiffer lays out how to maximize the grassroots pushback against the Trump administration’s overreach using DOGE’s unpopularity. We can do this by focusing on the cuts to popular programs like SNAP and Medicaid that protect our most vulnerable populations. I’ve included a graphic of the most popular programs facing cuts from DOGE below.
On Tuesday, I joined Seattle University students and alumni for a panel discussion of career paths after graduation. It was great to connect with young people who are looking for ways to serve the public and get involved on the issues they care most about.
This week, I also saw the touring production of Hamilton. I first saw Hamilton in February 2016 on Broadway (yes, with the original cast!), and was blown away by the artistry, the music and the storytelling of how hard the battles were faced by those who built our democracy. Hamilton was written and staged in many ways as an ode to the possibilities of achieving the promise of American ideals under President Obama. If you haven’t seen the video of the cast singing George Washington’s “One Last Time” song to President Obama in 2016, it is a powerful tearjerker. Watching the show this time, as we are experiencing in real-time how fragile our democracy is, it was a strong reminder that we have survived hard times and that we must always stand up for our ideals. Freedom, democracy – these ideals are not just given. Our ancestors fought for their freedoms time and time again, so that we would be better off. Now, it is on us to stand up for democracy, so that the generations that come after us can lead full lives. In Hamilton, they say, “What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” This time is our legacy-making opportunity. We must answer the call and defend our government from the corrosive forces of Trump and Musk’s Republican party.
Update from Olympia
The following important pieces of legislation moved forward in the Washington State Legislature last week:
- Homes for Heroes (HB 1022) received a public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget, making it through the cutoff. Even better, this bill was amended successfully to include paraeducators as heroes who qualify for this affordable home buying program.
- Promoting Media Literacy and Civic Education (SB 5637) passed last Wednesday in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.
- The Senate bills for simple majorities to pass school bonds (SB 5186, SJR 8200) had a hearing on Monday in the Ways and Means Committee.
Call to Action
Bellevue: Saturday, March 1, Indivisible Washington is hosting Tesla Takedown Bellevue Square: Boycott Telsa, Defund Musk! at Bellevue Square from 10AM-Noon. Register to attend here.
Seattle: Sunday, March 2, Healthcare Workers for Trans Youth is hosting the March for Trans Youth Care from Ballard Locks to Ballard Commons starting at Noon. Learn more here.
Vancouver: Tuesday, March 4th, 50501 Movement is hosting a rally in Esther Short Park from 2p-4p. More details here.
Port Townsend: Tuesday, March 4, 50501 Movement is hosting a March for Democracy from 4:30p-5:30p. More details here.
Lynnwood: Tuesday, March 4, American Federation of Teachers will lead a sign-waving and solidarity rally at the Lynnwood Event Center (3711 196th St. SW, Lynnwood) from 4p-6p.
Olympia: On Thursday, March 6, I invite everyone who is able to join us in Olympia to take part in the Washington Democrats Meet Your Legislators Day. Anyone interested should please RSVP here. Hosted by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee’s Advocacy Committee, we help connect Democrats living anywhere in the state with the state lawmakers who represent them.
Everywhere: Today, I am asking everyone to join us in Buy Nothing Day to protest the Trump administration’s policies:
Feb. 28: 24-Hour Economic Blackout
🚫 No spending (unless essential or purchased from local businesses)
🚫 No buying from big corporations
🚫 No credit or debit
We are also continuing to collect stories from around the state and you can watch our first video below! Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates and actions that can benefit your communities:
Storybanking
Andrew Ashiofu, Chair of the Washington Stonewall Democrats, shared his personal experience of how Trump’s policies are impacting health care for people with HIV. It’s only a matter of time until people lose their lives because of Trump’s cruelty. You can watch our conversation by clicking the image above or going here.
Are you a federal employee who received an email saying you could be offered a buyout or that you were terminated without notice? Do you work at a research institution or non-governmental organization and have had your federal funding yanked away? Was someone in your family denied gender-affirming healthcare? We need your stories.
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, like Randall’s. 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.
Senator Cantwell and Murray have also asked for help finding stories like these. Please be sure to note that you want your story told and be as detailed as possible. You can share your stories with our U.S. Senators here:
Senator Patty Murray Senator Maria Cantwell
Resources for Resistance
We must be prepared to protect our friends and neighbors from illegal searches and incarceration. As Trump policy directives come into focus, it is more important than ever that we stick together and fight back. Please share the resources below, and if you have ideas on other organizations or services we should be spotlighting – please don’t hesitate to send them to chair@wa-democrats.org.
Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline is dedicated to the wellbeing of transgender people. Their hotline is staffed by transgender people for transgender people to respond to whatever needs members of the trans community may have. The hotline number is 1-877-565-8860
Gender Justice League: Gender Justice League provides direct support and advocacy for the trans community and assists transgender people in obtaining government documentation that matches their gender identity. You can contact them through the website or call 206-538-0423.
If you see ICE activity taking place or any marked vehicles, please report it immediately to Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network at 1-844-724-3737.
Know your rights. Do not open the door. “ICE warrants” authorities may claim to have are not legal to enter your home. ICE warrants must be signed by a local judge to enter your home.
If you need legal assistance, call the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project at 1-800-445-5771
Services for immigrants:
Chinese Information & Service Center
East African Community Services
The International Rescue Committee in Seattle
Jewish Family Services – 253-850-4065
Archdiocese of Seattle – 206-274-3194
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
Democrats in the News
HUD workforce cuts spark concern from Washington’s Senator Cantwell, NonStop Local
Seattle judge blocks Trump’s refugee ban, The Seattle Times
Layoffs at federal housing agencies could hurt Seattle-area homebuyers, The Seattle Times
Democrats release details of what ‘all cuts’ budget could look like in Washington, The Spokesman-Review
Learning Asian American history can benefit all students, The Seattle Times
Democratic AGs score early wins against Trump’s birthright citizenship plan, The Washington Post
Rent cap bill moves ahead in WA Senate, Washington State Standard
WA superintendent tells schools to stand firm on ‘race-based’ programs, The Seattle Times
Trump keeps talking about taking PNW water – is that possible?, The Seattle Times
What I’m Reading
Former NFL Punter (and Seahawk!) Chris Kluwe practices civil disobedience at City Council meeting, Call to Activism
Former NFL player Chris Kluwe arrested after attacking ‘corrupt’ MAGA movement, The Guardian
Chris’ viral call-out of MAGA’s extremism and hateful ideology at his local City Council meeting was a stirring reminder that peaceful civil disobedience has a time honored role in our democracy.
Thanks for all you do,
Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party
We sincerely thank you for your help and support.
Washington State Democrats PO Box 4027 Seattle, WA 98194 United States