Cascadia today: WA gives $2 million to food banks + teachers monitor ICE + exploring Native land through art
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WA will fund food banks at $2 million per week
In response to the potentially catastrophic ending of SNAP food aid benefits on November 1 because of the federal government shutdown, Washington governor Bob Ferguson announced the state would support food banks across the state with $2 million in additional funding each week. Readers who live in Oregon might want to suggest to governor Kotek that she do the same. Meanwhile, Oregon and Washington joined in a lawsuit against the feds, pressing them to continue to fund SNAP through the shutdown.
In response, Cascadia Democratic Action is holding a food drive at Seattle's Cal Anderson Park from noon to 3 pm on Saturday, Nov 1.
Alternately, please donate funds to Rainier Valley Food Bank.
Join the SNAP to Action Food Drive at Cal Anderson on Nov 1!
Thousands of Seattle residents face hardship and hunger as SNAP food assistance benefits will likely end on Nov 1 due to the federal government shutdown. Join Cascadia Democratic Action in Seattle’s Cal Anderson park between noon and 3 pm on Saturday, Nov. 1 as as we gather food donations and facilitate online donation of funds in support of Rainier Valley Food Bank. We’ll have collection boxes available ONLY for Rainier Valley Food Bank specific requests (must be unopened): cooking oil, seasonings, soy sauce, flour, rice and pasta, infant formula, canned chicken, SPAM or tuna, and UHT (non-refrigerated) soy, rice or almond milk. Diapers and feminine hygiene products are also needed. Drop off at our station at the entrance to Cal Anderson Park at 11th and E. Howell Street.
For more info, visit www.cascadiademocratic.org or email cascadiademocratic@protonmail.com. Or make a donation online to Rainier Valley Food Bank at www.rvfb.org
Teachers in Hillsboro establish ICE watch
As the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is now reconsidering (with a larger panel of judges) the lawsuit attempting to block Trump's invasion of Portland, school teachers in the the Portland suburb of Hillsboro are taking the resistance to a new level by forming neighborhood watch groups monitoring and reporting on ICE enforcement actions, OPB reports. The groups are especially active at Eastwood Elementary School, where 75 percent of students and families are Latino.
“I have a smaller class size regularly because families are too scared to send their children to school,” teacher Rachel Guiterrez.
Alberta demonstrates how NOT to do secession
The Tyee reports on Bruce Pardy, a leader within the Alberta separatist movement who says he'll end Indigenous rights and eliminate single-payer health care if Alberta breaks away from Canada. His organization, with the weirdly creepy name Rights Probe, met with Trump at that White House, the article says, and they discussed lending Alberta $500 million to leave Canada!
The Cascadia independence movement is committed to increased consultation and participation by Indigenous nations, funding universal health care, and guaranteeing the human rights of all its residents. That's how to do separatism.
Bruce Harrell hates taco trucks
PubliCola takes a deep dive into the 2026 Seattle city budget proposed by mayor Bruce Harrell and finds it could put the city in a $374 million hole by 2029. Harrell's spending priorities includes LOTS more money for cops, as well as increased budgets to crackdown on homeless encampments, graffiti, and... I'm sorry, but... taco trucks???
"In addition, the proposed budget adds six new positions to beef up permit enforcement, including three street use inspectors, two people to inspect street vendors and shut them down if they don’t have proper licenses..."
Priorities.
Oh, and over at the Stranger, three former city employees under Harrell explain why his "experience" as mayor has demoralized city staff.
Exploring Native land issues through contemporary art
KNKX looks at a new exhibit, "Native Land" at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. Showcasing the work of 100 Indigenous artists, the exhibit uses provocative and evocative imagery and symbols to spark conversations about stolen Indienous land and threatened culture. One poignant piece called "Children's Bracelet" by Tlingit artist Nicholas Galanin is a pair of handcuffs based on a real pair used in a Native boarding school. The exhibit is ongoing in the permanent collection.
Thanks for reading! --Andrew
