| Welcome to the February Newsletter! Busy times. Tomorrow is the final People’s Forum on AI, Tuesday we are kicking off our Resist Ice Climate Solidarity group, on Wednesday a meeting of our Policy Action Team and tabling at a the premiere of Earth’s Greatest Enemy… It’s like this every week now. As it should be. Thousands came out last Saturday for the Ice Out of Seattle march, protesting the murder of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and so many others terrorized by ICE. Marches, rallies and more almost every day. So in case no one has said it to you, here’s your reminder to drink water, call a friend if you feel sad, and keep showing up. Love and solidarity, – 350 Seattle |
| RESIST ICE Climate Solidarity Group From Minnesota to Maine to Washington, ICE is ramping up their fascist violence against our immigrant neighbors and those who stand in solidarity with them. While many 350 Seattle supporters are already organizing – in the streets, with neighborhood defense, through mutual aid networks – we’re hearing from beloved community members they could use support finding their place in the resistance. If you want to resist ICE but aren’t sure what to do, where to go, or are looking for trusted folks to go to actions with – show up to our community solidarity gathering this Tuesday evening. We’ll spend time getting grounded, learning from each other about ways to resist ICE, and building relationships that will support us to take action together for the long-haul. Whether you are just showing up or a longtime activist, you’re welcome and valued here. We’ll start with a potluck, so please bring something to share if you can! Resist ICE Climate Solidarity Group Tuesday Feb 3, 6:30-8pm New (!) 350 Seattle Office, 600 1st Ave, Seattle We recognize many folks are rightfully concerned about data security and surveillance when it comes to resisting ICE, so we’re intentionally not setting up an RSVP page for this event. We’re trying out some very offline organizing here! However, we’re available if you have any questions or accessibility requests, or want to check in with an organizer about this group, please reach out to Jess. |
| The Final People’s Forum on A.I. Join Seattle DSA, Troublemakers, and 350 Seattle tomorrow night for the third of three community discussions exploring the real-world power and politics behind artificial intelligence (AI) – from the data centers that drain our water and energy, to the algorithms transforming work, democracy, and daily life. Join us for group discussions around resisting, regulating, and reimagining AI and data centers in Washington state. We will discuss how to digitally detox from tech monopoly’s products, understand possibilities of workplace action around AI, build networks of support for current and future organizing for legislation that substantially limits harm from AI and data centers. Session 3: Resist, Regulate, and Reimagine AI and Data Centers Tomorrow, Monday, February 2nd, 5:30–8:30 PM Prospect UCC RSVP here |
| No Immunity for Big Oil Last week, we joined thousands of people around the country for the Make Polluters Pay Week of Action. On January 30th, we delivered over 4,000 petition signatures calling on Senator Murray to stand firm and oppose Big Oil’s efforts to dodge accountability. Now we need to turn up the heat. The fossil fuel industry is pushing for legal immunity from all climate accountability at the federal level. They’ll likely try to slip this into must-pass bills. Our Senators can block them, and they need to hear from us now. Join us for our action night and let’s make it impossible for Congress to ignore our message: no immunity for Big Oil! Because when a corporation knowingly causes harm, we must have the ability to hold them accountable. |
| Join the Civic Action Team Psst, have you gotten our first few weeks of legislative action alerts sent by the fabulous crew in our 350 WA Civic Action Team campaign? We are celebrating TEN awesome years of our CAT campaign and you’re invited to join in on the action with us. Together we have the power to cut through the bureaucracy of our state’s lawmaking system. We can get laws on the books that will shape our quality of life here, and give us a real chance at climate resilience and adaptation. We’re 21 days into the lightning fast 60-day legislative session and our CAT Action Takers have taken a collective total of nearly 20,000 advocacy actions. We only have 39 days left to pass all of the climate justice policies we need. Luckily our CAT campaign makes it astonishingly easy to get involved, please join us today! And tell your friends to sign up, too. |
| Building the Movement with the Tabling Team Do you like meeting new people? Do you enjoy making community connections? Do you want to play an essential role in building our movement power? Show up to our Tabling Team Kick-Off! The Tabling Team exists to grow 350 Seattle’s people power. It’s what it sounds like: we set up a table at community events and then we talk to folks passing by. We have short but impactful conversations where we invite people to take action and build community with 350 Seattle. At an event in North Seattle last week, we engaged with more than 60 people who were excited to get involved in 350 Seattle! Just imagine what we could do with more folks tabling at community events across the city. Tabling is a great role for folks who are newer to 350 Seattle. When other people hear that you’re just getting involved and you’re out here repping the org, it can be very inspiring! At the Tabling Team Kickoff, we’ll hear from folks who’ve been tabling this month, do a mini-training and get plugged in to action opportunities! We’ll provide snacks and encourage folks to bring something to share. Tabling Team Kick-Off Wednesday, Feb 11th, 6:30-8:30pm 350 Seattle’s new office! 600 1st Ave, Seattle RSVP here |
| Antiwar X Climate This is a terrible time for people living in the U.S. as well as so many other places in the world. “Boomerang” is a word for how U.S. violence globally is being waged domestically – as it always has been waged domestically on Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Come to a gathering of the 350 Seattle Anti-War X Climate work group if you are looking for a community to build people power with. We connect the violence waged domestically with the violence of US imperialism and war machine. We’ll share food, get to know one another, and create our next steps on the path ahead, locally, for the coming months: Whether you are new to anti-war/climate intersectional work or already involved, you are welcome to these gatherings! Sunday, February 8, 11am-1pm, Douglass-Truth library Yesler & 23rd, Seattle bus #48, 7, 4 RSVP here Sunday, March 15, 3-5pm, Beacon Hill Library across from Beacon Hill light rail station RSVP here ALSO: see the Seattle premier of “Earth’s Greatest Enemy,” a new film by Portland-based Abby Martin on US Imperialism and the Climate Crisis. February 3, 4:30-7:30pm at UW Kane Hall and February 4, 6-10pm, SIFF at the Uptown Theater. Look for the 350 Seattle table at these events! |
| Policy Action Team Our state legislature is still in session and Congress is debating massive funding cuts, we need to step up our call for faster, renewable, affordable energy; and absolutely no more coal, oil, gas, or nuclear toxic wastes. As writer Aaron Regunberg notes, “Supermajorities of Americans demand more wind and solar power, a more important priority than fossil fuels. Yet Trump has threatened or canceled 321 major clean energy projects over the last year, keeping enough electricity to power 13.6 million homes off the grid. Voters know this will drive up utility costs, and make our grid less resilient to blackouts like those that countless Americans are likely to experience during the upcoming, climate change–driven winter storm.” Please join us at our next meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 4th at 5 pm on Zoom to find out how you can help pass and protect strong environmental justice state legislation and funding with us. We are a busy team! In addition to working with the Civic Action Team, we are partnering with Third Act Washington to remove the barriers to permitting rooftop and plug-in/balcony solar in Washington. Supporting our food/farm work with folks in the Yakima region to address the climate and health effects of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. We also had a first step victory toward banning microplastics. Hope to see you on February 4th at 5 pm. If you can’t make it then, please send us a message with your questions or suggestions by contacting Beth. |
| Let’s Pass the Coal Act! Our Climate Safe Pensions team had a very successful hearing about the Coal Act (SB 5439). The Coal Act would compel the Washington State Investment Board to end its coal investments. We’re working to get this bill passed out of committee before this legislative session’s cutoff. Can you email your senator today and urge them to support the Coal Act? |
| Aviation Team The next meeting of the Aviation Team is Tuesday, February 10th, on Zoom, from 7-8, discussing state-level policy and legislation as well as future plans.Please register here for that meeting, or contact Laura to learn more about our Team and how you can get involved in aviation-related activism. |
| Artful Activism Team Our Artful team is a fun and creative way to engage for us and for our audiences! Art, performance, and music are critical parts of movements for social change. Got skills you want to share? Or just enjoy making art, singing, or drumming, or manifesting beautiful powerful art at events to support the work of our movement? Or want to do some back-end non-art type of art support role? We need you! RSVP for Art Builds: Get details and updates for upcoming art builds. Feb. 7th, Saturday, 12-4PM, Cap Hill near light rail. Help us create deer fence banners with Sweetwater of Idle No More, and other imagery TBD. RSVP for Art in Action: help with art at two upcoming events! We need people to make all our actions’ visual art great. Many actions and events come up on short notice. Sign up with “Interest!” to find out when you are needed to help with art! Sign up here to get on the Artful email list for monthly info on upcoming community art opportunities and to let us know your skill sets! (Scroll all the way down that web page to sign up.) Whatever calls you to the Artful Team, this team is for you! Contact Lisa. |
| Keep Cruise Ship Pollution out of the Salish Sea! Tell Port of Seattle to do everything in their power to keep in place the current “pause” on cruise ships dumping toxic scrubber waste into Puget Sound. Scrubbers are a false solution to climate change that turns air pollution into water pollution. Carnival Cruise financed a report claiming that scrubber discharge has no impact on the marine environment! It’s likely this bogus report will be used by cruise companies to justify pulling out of the voluntary agreement that’s been in place for the last four years. Take Action! Send a pre-written message to the Port of Seattle. Or draft your own letter. Give testimony: Tues, 2/10 at 12 at the hybrid Port of Seattle Meeting. Talking points, details, and how to register by 9am for virtual testimony. |
| Climate Action Families Join Climate Action Families for our February Monthly Meeting and Outdoor Program– a Winter Picnic! We’ll gather outdoors to share food, connect, and enjoy community time together in the fresh winter air. Climate Action Families Winter Picnic Saturday, February 21 – 11AM-1PM Green Lake Park, 7201 East Green Lake Dr N. RSVP here This family-friendly event will be hosted at Green Lake Park, and is a chance to slow down, check in with one another, and spend intentional time outside, even during the colder months. Expect a relaxed, welcoming space for conversation, reflection, and community-building. All ages welcome. Dress warmly, bring a picnic-friendly snack or warm drink if you’re able, and come ready to enjoy time together. |
| Chiapas Education Project Chiapas Education Project is collecting laptops to be refurbished and given to low income youth in Chiapas Mexico, Rapid City South Dakota, and here in Western Washington. This keeps electronics out of the landfill while expanding access to technology and changing lives. We can remove your hard drives for you when you drop off the electronics so your data is protected. Drop off your laptops at the C.E. Computer Repair office at 1818 E. Yesler Way starting on December 15th. Hours: Tues – Sat from 11am – 6pm. Additional drop off locations in Everett and Tacoma. Contact Chiapas Education Project if you have questions. |
| And finally, Want a way to search all of the ways you can be involved with 350 Seattle? We compiled a (nearly) comprehensive list that is deemed the Volunteer Opportunities Doc. Our teams keep this document updated so if between newsletters you are scratching your head, this resource is for you.If you are still looking for ways to get involved with your 350 Seattle community, head to our website or just reply to this newsletter. ALSO a final shoutout and thank you to all the amazing people who helped us load furniture, improbable props, stacks of flyers, t-shirts and wayyy too much cutlery into the moving truck and up stairs into our new office! We are thrilled to be in a new part of town. If you’re in the Pioneer Square area or have hot tips for a bunch of activists and organizers new to the neighborhood, we would love to hear from you! Love to you all, – 350 Seattle |
