February Members Meeting

REPORT FROM MINNEAPOLIS, ALLIED GROUPS AND SWEET TREATS

By Chris Mrak

Over 120 people filled the seats at WSI’s first meeting in its new location, the Community Room of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Time was allotted at the beginning and end of the meeting to enjoy a bake sale and chat with fellow members and representatives of allied organizations.

The WSI Video Team produced a video of the “We’re Still Standing” rally and march. It featured many of the speakers and Jeanne Moore’s inspirational poem. (See the video here) This occurred within hours of the killing of Alex Pretti and over 1000 people participated. The video included clips of various speakers and Jeanne Moore’s inspirational poem “We’re Still Standing.”

Co-Director Laurie Reinhardt announced that Caroline Goodell was stepping down as co-director due to family issues. Amy Daly-Donovan, our volunteer coordinator, will serve as co-director.

Laurie recently returned from a trip to Minneapolis where she learned firsthand how that city had successfully organized to defend itself against an unprecedented invasion of thousands of aggressive, sometimes lawless, federal immigration agents. An article about her experience can be found in the Spotlight section. To see a video of her entire talk, click here. Since this is for members only, you’ll be asked to fill out a form to receive the password.

As a result of Laurie’s trip, a representative of Twin Cities Indivisible will lead a virtual “Constitutional Observer” training, aka Rapid Response training. This training will be on Zoom  March 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Anyone interested in participating can sign up here.

WSI will participate in the massive No Kings 3 rally/march on March 28. The theme will be Neighborhoods. Our banners will declare “We ARE the People” and we’ll have 120 silhouettes of people on tall poles. WSI will charter buses to provide transportation to and from the event. We’ll provide more details when we get them but be sure to check out the WSI event calendar for updated information on signmaking and reserving your spot on the bus. 

Several local ally organizations set up tables at the meeting to share information. A representative of each gave a brief speech to the membership about their structure and activities. Those organizations included:  

Pramila Jayapal’s Resistance Labs have trained 24,000 people nationally in 13 sessions, according to the Representative’s deputy chief of staff. Their next training on March 8 will focus on economic issues in preparation for May Day.

34th District Democrats was described by Rachel as a “pipeline between people and leaders” and “the best way to get inside the Party”. 

West Seattle Democratic Women was described by Theresa and Elizabeth as a politically progressive organization of women and men. They sponsor candidate forums and foster relationships with elected officials. They facilitate political action and community organization such as the West Seattle Food Bank. Their theme this year is “owning our power”. They meet at the West Seattle Golf Course every other month.The next dinner meeting being Feb. 26, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Impact West Seattle was described by Dierdre as a coalition of 200 women who meet four times a year at the Center for Active Living. They pool their philanthropy by donating $100 per quarter per person and collectively decide where to donate their contributions – which has amounted to half a million dollars since 2020. Their last grant was to the Hotline at the West Seattle Food Bank. Their next meeting is April 27 at 7:00 pm. 

White Center Solidarity was represented by Andrea who described monthly community potlucks of "just regular people”. Their projects include “Block Buddies”, tenant support, “guerilla gardens”, skill sharing, and Rapid Response to immigration sweeps. They have helped found similar groups in several neighborhoods, including Ballard, Columbia City and Capital Hill. Their next community potluck will be on Feb. 26 at The Hub in White Center.

The League of Women Voters is a hundred-year-old organization with a mission to empower voters and defend democracy. They moderate debates and candidate forums. Their goal is to motivate 3.5% of Washington residents – 8.5 million people – to become actively involved in the political process by partnering with other organizations.

Defund Musk is an organization that includes the costumed Handmaids we see at our various protests. “Handmaid” Zoe announced an International Women’s Day march on March 8. Sponsoring organizations include NOW, The League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood. 

Highland Park Improvement Club was founded in 1919, and is focused on community arts and culture.  They would welcome new members from Highland Park and beyond. Watch for their spring compost giveaway and seed swap.  

WSI Co-Director Amy closed the presentation by encouraging people to to get to know their neighbors and build neighborhood communications networks if they don’t already have one. This was how Minneapolis was able to protect their immigrant neighbors.