Cascadia today: Feds shoot 2 in Portland + Bend says no to Flock + new women's punk fest in Vancouver

Good morning. The news continues to arrive fast and difficult, as those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest must decide what's the best response to an increasingly violent and authoritarian federal government. Two requests. One, if you're financially able, consider a $5 monthly subscription to Cascadia Journal. Your support helps me continue to cover news and resistance across Cascadia. And if you're interested in doing more to build resiliency and help our neighbors, please sign up for email alerts from Cascadia Democratic Action. CDA is working to build mutual aid coalitions and advocate for legislation that strengthens our region and promotes human rights and democracy.
Thanks. --Andrew

Feds shoot two people in Portland, abduct 3 in Seattle

OPB reports that federal border patrol agents shot a man and woman in east Portland yesterday during a traffic stop, just one day after an ICE agent in Minneapolis fatally shot Renee Good and sparked protests across the country. Oregon attorney general Dan Rayfield said his office will investigate the shooting, and Portland mayor Keith Wilson said in a sharply worded statement that that his city would not be a "training ground" for militarized federal police: "As Mayor, I call on ICE to end all operations in Portland until a full investigation can be completed."

Meanwhile, in Seattle, masked ICE agents abducted three people and put them in an unmarked van, according to the Seattle Times. Mayor Katie Wilson issued a video statement about the kidnapping, saying "I am furious about the federal government's abuse of power." Seattle city council members Rinck, Foster, and Lin all issued strong statements opposing ICE enforcement in Seattle and council member Bob Kettle complained too, but mostly about training of the agents, not their mission to ethnically cleanse the United States.

WA schools leader calls for tax reform

As the Washington legislature prepares to start its session next week, Washington schools superintendent Chris Reykdal announced his opposition to governor Bob Ferguson's austerity budget and support for shifting the burden of the state's tax system to the wealthy, KUOW reports.

“I reject the notion that in Washington, a state that is so deeply committed to opportunity, our only choice is to cut public services because fair taxation isn’t possible,” – Chris Reykdal, Washington State schools superintendent, in an online statement

City of Bend shuts off Flock cameras

OPB reports that the city of Bend, Oregon is the latest city in Cascadia to shut down its Flock automatic license plate readers over concern about the company's data-sharing policies that include giving data to federal immigration authorities. Other cities recently rejecting Flock cameras include Eugene, Springfield, and Woodburn in Oregon and Skamania County, Redmond, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace in Washington. Bills to regulate license plate readers have been introduced in the Washington legislature, and will likely be introduced in the Oregon legislature this year.

BC government failed to consult First Nation on logging

CBC reports on a British Columbia supreme court ruling in favor of the Gitanyow First Nation in north BC, finding that the BC government failed to adequately consult with the Gitanyow before issuing a forestry contract. In related news, conservation groups say that BC has made little progress on protecting its old growth forests in the past five years.

New punk fest for women, femme and NB bands

The Georgia Straight reports on a new punk festival in Vancouver for bands led by women, femme, and non-binary musicians. The Girls to the Front Fest will launch on March 4 at The Pearl in Vancouver. More info and tickets here.

Thanks for reading! Take care of one another. --Andrew