Cascadia today: WA bill would ban police masks + Portland fails to elect council leader + controversial totems return

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WA legislature begins, bill would ban police masking

The 60-day Washington legislative session began yesterday, and it will likely be contentious as the state creates a budget that needs to close a $2.3 billion deficit, deal with what Washington State Standard reports is at least $40 million in road damage from storms this past autumn, whether to create a wealth tax on those earning more than $1 million, and whether progressives can push a more ambitious tax plan and prevent governor Ferguson from more austerity and raiding carbon fee revenue to balance the books.

Democrats didn't waste time holding hearing on one crucial bill: SB 5855, which would ban law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings – including balaclavas, tactical masks, gaiters, and ski masks. The bill, introduced by Sen Javier Valdez (D-46, Seattle) is obviously directed at ICE goons, who refuse to identify themselves, kidnap without warrants, and feel free to use excessive force at their leisure. California enacted a similar law last year.

In today's testimony, Valdez said the measure was essential to reducing fear in immigrant communities. "Just last week in my own district" he said, "three individuals were detained by ICE officers, all behind shielded masks – in my own district in northeast Seattle."

Gov. Ferguson says he supports Valdez's bill.

Portland still doesn't have a council president

The scrum over who will be Portland's city council president still hasn't been decided (there's a reason you should set up elected bodies with a odd number, folks!) as the council has failed to agree on who will lead the chamber, OPB reports. The battle is over whether the spot will go to Elana Pirtle-Guiney, who's favored by centrists, or the more progressive candidate, Sameer Kanal. The Portland Mercury, covering the debate, has an amazing scoop: racist, sexist and homophobic text messages observed being sent by Brian Owendoff, a local developer and player in local politics posing in a chat with other wealthy influencers.

First Nations to express anger to Carney over pipeline plan

CBC reports that First Nations from northern British Columbia plan to express anger and disappointment to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, during his upcoming visit to Prince Rupert, in response to Carney's plan to build a new, climate-killing oil pipeline form Alberta to the north coast. Some First Nations, including the Gitga'at are opposed to the pipeline, to ending a ban on tankers in north coast waters, and are upset that Canada's Liberal government hasn't adequately consulted with Indigenous leaders.

Seattle to return controversial totem poles to Pike Place

Seattle parks announced it will soon return two controversial totem poles that underwent restoration to a park near Pike Place market, KNKX reports. The poles stirred controversy because they don't represent local Indigenous traditions. The poles were restored by Makah carver Greg Colfax. Colleen Echohawk, a local Indigenous activist and one-time mayoral candidate, led the effort to remove the poles, which were commissioned and influenced by white city planners in the 1980s, and portray farmers and other non-traditional imagery.

"That is a problem because mainstream society has been influenced by culturally appropriated art, white supremacy has dictated what is seen as Native art and what is not Native art, and we have a general public who's very confused by it." --Colleen Echohawk

Thanks for reading! --Andrew