New year, same dire situation. But lots of opportunity to stand up for climate justice and show solidarity during Inauguration Week! Let’s get started:
ABOUT THAT NEW ADMINISTRATION
WA Senators: Reject Trump’s Climate Denying Cabinet
Monday January 9, 12:00pm
Federal Building, 915 2nd Ave. Seattle, 98174
On 350.org’s national Day Against Climate Denial we’ll call on Senators Murray and Cantwell to reject Trump’s climate denying Cabinet nominations. We’ll rally outside the Federal Building as a delegation from multiple groups goes in to request Senate action.
Resist Trump Coalition Town Hall
Saturday, January 14, 12:00 – 2:00pm
Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave, Seattle 98104
Join Councilmember Kshama Sawant and plan for the week’s actions including Inauguration Day, Friday January 20. More information here.
Martin Luther King Day Rally and March
Monday, January 16
Workshops: 9:30 – 10:50am
March: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave, Seattle 98122
Just imagine what MLK would say about our current moment… Then check out the details about this event here.
Womxn’s March on Seattle
Saturday, January 21, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Seattle, location TBD
More information here.
This march supports those people and issues most vulnerable and targeted by our current system and especially the incoming administration. Tens of thousands of marchers are expected. We are planning a climate contingent and details will be posted on the 350 Seattle calendar as soon as we know them. To help organize, create imagery or help deploy it, contact Lisa or Sue.
STRENGTH AND ACTION IN WASHINGTON STATE
Do you want to work to make sure our state legislators are pushing forward with bold and necessary climate action? We have two events for you this month:
Climate Civic Action Training
Thursday, January 12, 7:00 – 9:00pm
350 Seattle @Prospect UCC, 1919 E Prospect St., 3rd floor, Seattle 98112
Learn about the 2017 Washington state legislative session, our state’s emission limits, and how you can take action. RSVP here and share the FB event with friends!
Carbon Pricing Forum
Thursday, January 26, 7:00 – 9:00pm
SEIU Local 775, 215 Columbia Street, Seattle 98104
350 Seattle is sponsoring a public forum for climate-concerned people to learn more about the carbon-pricing proposal being developed through the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy.
350 Seattle has not yet taken a position on the proposal. This is an opportunity for our members and the general public to learn more in order to take an informed position. We will host Sameer Ranade, presenting the proposal on behalf of the Alliance. There will be abundant time for audience questions and discussion.
The Alliance is proposing a performance-based carbon tax beginning at $15/ton that would go up if the state failed to meet carbon pollution reduction goals. Revenues would first go to alleviate impacts on workers, low-income communities and trade-exposed businesses. The remainder would be spent 70% for clean energy projects, 20% to ensure water supplies, and 10% on forest projects. A summary of the proposal is here. The full policy proposal is here.
Some form of the proposal is expected to be introduced to the Legislature soon. If it is not enacted, a 2018 ballot initiative campaign is expected, with signature gathering that year.
For more information, contact Patrick Mazza.
DEFUND THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE
This month in Seattle over a million dollars was removed from Wells Fargo to help #DeFundDAPL, as dozens closed their accounts as part of our January 5th day of action.
Next up: Ensure that the City Council passes the socially responsible banking ordinance that would sever the city’s ties with Wells Fargo. Please, take five minutes to call and email these members of the Finance Committee. Tell them you stand with Standing Rock and support the socially responsible banking ordinance:
Lisa Herbold, 206-684-8803, email: lisa.herbold@seattle.gov
Rob Johnson, 206-684- 8808, email: rob.johnson@seattle.gov
Tim Burgess, 206-684-8806, email: tim.burgess@seattle.gov
KEEP IT IN THE GROUND
Supporting the Valve Turners
On October 11, 2016, five brave climate activists collectively known as #ShutItDown Climate Direct Action turned the emergency shutoff valves on all the tar sands oil pipelines into the United States. The first of these activists to face trial, Ken Ward, will be tried in Mount Vernon Superior Court starting on or about January 30, 2017. Ken has asked for the climate community’s support. This historic trial will pit the moral, ethical and legal necessity of Ken’s actions against fossil fuel companies’ attempt to profit from a business model that endangers us all with catastrophic climate disruption.
To support Ken at his trial and to receive updates on trial date, time, and other particulars RSVP here. The valve turners face hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees — can you support them by donating to their legal fund?
Additional information: Ken’s statement at his arraignment, and a great Seattle Weekly article by Sara Bernard, recent writing by valve turner and 350 Seattle board member Emily Johnston on Naomi Klein’s blog, and in AlterNet. You can stay current with Shut It Down Facebook.
Valve-turners need airline miles for court dates and speaking events
These folks risked everything to bring the urgency of the climate crisis to national attention. Now it’s up to us to help amplify their action. Please contact shutitdowntoday@gmail.com to donate airline miles so the valve turners can attend court dates and do more speaking tours!
Some good news for a change
On January 3rd outgoing Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark put two more nails in the coffin of coal export in our state. He announced that Washington Department of Natural Resources will deny a sublease request for the proposed Longview coal expert terminal, and he also expanded an aquatic reserve at Cherry Point. Washington State officials have gotten the message about big coal, thanks to your efforts!
Not-so-natural gas is the next big fight
The oil companies want to replace retiring coal plants with gas, and the proposed giant methanol plant in Kalama is the evil that will start the pipeline expansion required for this dirty plan. We need to stand up and say no way, no how to both methanol and natural gas power. We can start by blocking the draft air pollution permit for the Kalama methanol refinery: Click here to submit your comment through Columbia Riverkeeper before the February 6th deadline. And that’s a good one to share with friends. Don’t forget..it’s only “natural” gas if we keep it in the ground; the rest is climate-devastating fracked gas.
OTHER WORKGROUP UPDATES
Seattle Divest
Are you a member of the City of Seattle Employees and Retirees System? If so, please sign this petition calling on the city to divest from fossil fuels.
Trade and Economic Policy
Our workgroup continues to focus on how to support a climate-friendly trade agenda in the age of Trump. What does “better trade deals” mean? Learn more through this online webinar:
Trade in the Trump Era
Sunday, January 15, 4:30pm
Sign up: https://actionnetwork.org/events/trade-in-the-trump-era
Our workgroup will also spend time studying the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) — an agreement that has not had a lot of attention but which could be as disastrous to the climate and to workers as the TPP.
And next month we’ll learn more about Modern Monetary Theory from Randy Mandell and others. This theory could allow us to quickly transition to a green economy.
Frontline Allies and Undoing Racism
Join us as we examine the ways that white privilege and subtle forms of racism are unintentionally embedded in our climate work, and how we can become allies who effectively work across traditional divides to build the unified and powerful movement we need to stop climate chaos.
At the January general meeting we showed this video, and discussed the Standing Rock resources for allies.
Next workgroup meeting
Sunday, January 22, 5:30pm
Please RSVP for location in Greenlake/Wallingford, or to join the work group.
“Thirteenth: Racism in America”
Monday, February 13, 7:00pm
Greenwood neighborhood,
Frontline Allies’ new Monthly Book and Documentary Study Group will focus on Ava DuVernay’s documentary. RSVP to Susan Helf.
Artful Activism
We’re building an artful leads and facilitators team at all levels and time commitments, as well as continuing to welcome a range of skill levels, from completely unskilled to artists, dancers, theater people and musicians of all ages. Connect and have fun, contribute to our imagery through brainstorming, art builds, and deployment at events! Please RSVP to join the work group, and let us know of any particular interests or skills you have in arts or leadership. Join us for art builds in January! Details will be posted on the 350 Seattle calendar as soon as we know them, and notice will go out to the workgroup list.
PLEDGE OF RESISTANCE JANUARY TRAINING SERIES
Sweetwater Nannauck’s Decolonizing our Activism Workshop
Presented by Idle No More Washington
Saturday, January 14th, 10:00am – 5:00pm
University Friends Meeting, 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington 98105
Historically, environmentalism has focused on the experiences and goals of higher-income, white males. Today environmentalists looking to “diversify” the movement must put aside their own agendas, and seek to listen, learn from, and join the global movement of indigenous and communities of color. Learn more and RSVP on Facebook here.
Keeping Yourself Healthy and Safe During Protest
Sunday, January 15th, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Capitol Hill / Location TBA (check link below)
Come learn how to be mentally and physically prepared for being on the streets protesting. What to bring, what to wear, and what to expect! 2-hour training taught by Western Cascadia Street Medics.
Learn more and RSVP on Facebook here.
Up Your Digital Security Game
Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Online webinar
Presented by Prof. Glencora Borradaile and Michele Charrete of the Digital Security for Activists program at the Civil Liberties Defense Center, this webinar is an intro to the Four Elements of Electronic Security Culture: Trust, Authenticity, Privacy and Resilience. We’ll also explore solutions – the pluses and minuses of specific secure electronic communication tools: OpenPGP (Thunderbird/Enigmail vs. ProtonMail), secure chat (Signal vs. encrypted XMPP), private web browsing (VPNs vs. TOR). Followed by Q&A. There’s a FB event you can share but registration for the webinar is required – click here.
Non-Violent Direct Action + Know your Rights Trainings
Saturday, January 28, 10:00 – 4:00pm
350 Seattle @Prospect UCC, 1919 E Prospect St., Seattle 98112
Learn the basic concepts of non-violent direct action from experienced trainers Viven Sharples and Rashad Barber: How to plan an action efficiently, what roles might be needed, de-escalation skills, practice working through possible scenarios, types of blockades, and role play practice. This training is useful for both seasoned activists and those new to the movement.
Know your Rights Training is an hour-long training on how to deal with law enforcement. Presented by the National Lawyers Guild – Seattle chapter.
This day of training is FREE but we do recommend making a donation to help cover the expenses and a vegan lunch. If you have any specific dietary restrictions, please contact Val. Let us know you’re going on Facebook and RSVP so we know how much food to get.
More trainings are in the works for February: Learn how to be a peacekeeper and a 20-hour street medic training intensive. Stay tuned!
LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER
Climate Sharing Circle
Thursday January 19, 7:00 – 8:30pm
350 Seattle @Prospect UCC, 1919 E Prospect St., 3rd floor, Seattle 98112
The Climate Sharing Circle is a place for people to share their grief, fears, anger, or anything else that is coming up for them about climate change and the recent election. All are invited, and everyone will be given time to say their piece. Please contact Jared Howe to join or find out more.
Brewing Resistance
Thursday, January 24, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Optimism Brewing, 1158 Broadway, Seattle 98122
Join us for a beer and meet other like-minded folks passionate about taking action on climate. RSVP here.
350 Book Club
We’re taking up two timely and pertinent books this month:
“Building a Movement to End the New Jim Crow,” by David Hunter
Sunday, January 15, 4:30 pm
Chocolati, 8319 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle (Metro bus route 5)
Hunter is an experienced organizer and strategist who has been training activists all over the world. His advice will come in handy as we continue our fight for climate justice. For more info, check out the FB or email Barbara.
“Climate Change, What Everyone Needs to Know” by Joseph J. Romm
Sunday, January 29, 5:00 – 6:30 pm
C & P Coffee Company, 5612 California Ave SW, in West Seattle
Romm examines the implications of climate change, energy solutions, and impacts on human life and health. More info on this Facebook page.
AND FINALLY…
Structure Task Force Update
Many thanks to those of you who filled out our survey in November; the tally of responses is here. At our first Structure Retreat in December, 40+ activists discussed it and engaged in exercises designed to help us sift through our priorities, and think about how our structure might best meet those priorities. We’re also busy interviewing other groups about their structures and what they find useful or awkward about them, as well as how they develop leadership. More updates soon!
Thank you for everything you do. Here’s to health, strength and resilience in 2017 for you and our planet,
