Image description: A logo that reads “Take 5 for Advocacy, “ featuring the words “Take 5” in red, with the 5 in a circle of lines that indicate a watch face, and the words “For Advocacy” in green. The words sit in front of a pattern that looks like a mosaic of stones, with a green cross surrounded by multicolored blocks.
Actions You Can Take This Week
TAKE FARE ENFORCEMENT OUT OF THE COURTS: The Sound Transit Board is considering changes to fare enforcement on the Link Light Rail and Sounder trains. Some of these proposals are are positive, like increasing the number of warnings from one to two, and lowering the fine from $124 to $50. However, Sound Transit is still proposing that citations be handled by the court system, and that law enforcement may be called to fare enforcement interactions. You can read more about these proposals here. Please take a moment to strong urge the Sound Transit Board to totally divorce its fare evasion policies from the court system, criminal legal system, and law enforcement. Click here to take action.
TELL CONGRESS TO INCLUDE HOUSING IN COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE: Housing justice advocates are asking Congress to include funds to address housing and homelessness needs as part of the upcoming Covid-19 relief package that lawmakers were working on before their August recess. These additions would include emergency rental assistance to help cushion the shocks caused by job losses during the pandemic, funding for actions to help keep people who do not have permanent housing sheltered and protected from Covid-19, an eviction moratorium, and other moves to help get people in their homes. Take action to connect with your lawmakers by clicking here.
STILL TIME TO RAISE YOUR VOICE ON KALAMA REFINERY PROPOSAL: The time is NOW to give your comments to the Washington State Department of Ecology, about Northwest Innovation Works' and the Port of Kalama's application to build the world’s largest methanol refinery in Kalama. The Department of Ecology will take public comments through October 2 both online and at public hearings, which will be conducted remotely when possible. You can read more about the comment process at the Department of Ecology's web site here, and leave a comment online here. Rich Voget has provided this handout to help guide your comments and make them more effective. He also shared this flier (download here) on the Kalama Refinery and why Sierra Club opposes it, to find out more about the training workshops, and connect with Sierra Club at monthly meetings on the topic every third Thursday on Zoom. Email sept.gernez@sierraclub.org for the Zoom link.
"TEXT BANKING" SWITCH TO FRIDAY: Those who are taking part in the Environmental Voter Project's text banking with the UCC Pacific Northwest Conference have been asked to switch their texting day from Wednesday this week to Friday. Texts will be directed on Friday to voters in Florida, who will receive their mail-in ballots on Thursday. Regular text banking on Wednesdays should resume the next week. If you haven't been part of the EVP text banking efforts with the PNC, and you'd like to know more, contact Roberta Rominger, or talk to Pastor Yuki.