Cascadia today: Feds to put back ocean monitors + Seattle hotel workers strike + Jeff VanderMeer at home in Portland

Happy Juneteenth! Looking for ways to enjoy the holiday that celebrates Black freedom, art, and culture? Here are some events across Cascadia today and through the weekend:

The South Seattle Emerald has a great guide to Juneteenth in central and South Seattle & South King county. The Juneteenth Oregon Festival happens at locations across Portland on June 20. In Bellingham, check out Western Washington University's guide to Juneteenth events. Tacoma's Juneteenth is the state's largest celebration, from noon to 6 pm June 19. In Olympia, celebrate Juneteenth on Sat. Jun 20 from 1 - 5 pm at Rebecca Howard Park. The Juneteenth celebration in Spokane is from noon - 4 pm June 19 in Riverfront Park. And in Eugene, celebrate Juneteenth from 3 - 8 pm June 19 at Farmer's Market Pavilion.

Feds reverse plan to remove ocean monitors

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that the Trump regime is reversing its stupid plan to remove a system of ocean monitors that record data on the oceans, thanks in part to strong opposition from Oregon elected leaders and a bipartisan outcry against the regime's anti-science stance. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, led passage of a bill that would end the removal. The sensors had mostly been removed off the coast of Cascadia, but will now be returned.

“Dismantling the Ocean Observatories Initiative is supreme stupidity, costing taxpayers millions of dollars and destroying a vital source of climate data.” --Senator Jeff Merkley, OR

Hotel workers strike in Seattle during World Cup

Workers at the Embassy Suites hotel adjacent to the Seattle stadium where FIFA World Cup matches are being held went on strike yesterday, demanding better wages, reliable hours, and that the hotel notify employees when ICE goons are at the property. In addition, workers at the Walrus and Carpenter, a fancy oyster bar, are also striking.

Seattle peeps! Want to support striking hotel workers? The Unite Here Local 8 union is asking members of the community to join their picket line at Hilton Embassy Suites hotel during the Australia v US World Cup match, 10 am - 4 pm, Fri June 19. Meet at north parking lot of Lumen Field, 2nd Ave S and S King St.

Opposition to anti-trans measures in WA launches

Washington State Standard reports on the kickoff of the No Hate in WA campaign, opposed to ballot measures that would ban transgender kids from playing in public school sports, and another that would force the outing of transgender kids to parents, increasing their risk of abuse. Meanwhile, right wing chud and social media influencer Jonathan Choe was at the event, being a dick and violently confronting a security guard. Vote against the measures. And SPD, maybe do your job and arrest Choe next time he attacks trans people and protesters.

Naloxone prevented 80% of potential fatal overdoses in BC

CBC reports that widespread, free access to the overdose prevention medication naloxone in British Columbia prevented 80% of potential fatal overdoses. BC has been in a fatal overdose crisis for more than a decade, with more than 12,000 people dying – and it would have been much worse had it not been for naloxone and harm reduction initiatives. Evidence shows that harm reduction – including providing access to medically safe supply of drugs – works to save lives.

Author Jeff VanderMeer on making Portland his new home

The Oregonian has a podcast that interviews writer Jeff VanderMeer, best known for the Southern Reach series of strange sci-fi novels about his new home: Portland. VanderMeer fell in love with the city and its surrounding forests and mountains during book tours, and moved to the city January. He told the Oregonian often goes on 10 -15 mile walks in parks near the city – especially Forest Park – to find calm after intense writing sessions. Welcome to Cascadia, Jeff!

Thanks for reading. As always, keep loving and keep fighting. -Andy