Upcoming events.
WAISN Rapid Response Training
Attend this training to better understand the rights of immigrants in WA, to learn how to document any ICE activity in our community, and how rapid response networks work.
After completing the training, please email SOS and you will be invited to join our Whidbey Rapid Response Network.
In the meantime, please review this valuable tip sheet from WAISN on how to provide useful information to their 1-844-724-3737 hotline.
**NEW** Community Brown Bag - Building a bigger WE
Monthly gatherings to meet, learn, act and support one another. Save the date, more details to come!
Tesla Takedown - Lynnwood
Location: Tesla Store 17731 Pacific Hwy, Lynnwood, WA 98037
Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he’s using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it. We are taking action at Tesla to stop Musk’s illegal coup.
Whidbey For Palestine Art Fundraiser & Presentation
A full evening of art vending, poetry, dinner, and live music to raise funds for families in Gaza! Presentation, and a discussion on “Looking Through the Hourglass: Reflecting on Palestine's Past to Understand the U.S.'s Future” and opportunities to purchase arts and crafts from local creatives.
De-escalation/Bystander Training
*Currently at capacity…but we plan to have more trainings in the future!
Come learn and practice skills to assess, de-escalate, and diffuse a situation of intimidation, harassment, or threat of violence you witness. Leave this training better at discerning helpful action when fear is in play. (This is a repeat of the training offered in January.)
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Free, but donations are welcome to cover our costs. Register Here.
Light for Democracy Rally
Rather than watching the Presidents speech to Congress, join Whidbey League of Women Voters and partners this Tuesday March 4, from 4:30-6pm at the Bayview Park and Ride. Bring a flashlight to shine a light and raise your voice to defend our democracy! Pass the word and invite your friends! We have a banner and signs, or bring your own - sample slogans below.
Make America Kind Again
Protect Our Medicare, Medicaid, Soc Sec
Protect Voting Rights - tell Congress No on SAVE Act HB22
Defend Democracy
End Tax cuts for billionaires
We Stand With Ukraine
Support our LGBTQ+ Friends and Neighbors
Defend Democracy
Bad DOGE Dangerous Oligarchs Grab Everything
US means ALL of US
This is part of community gatherings at state capitols, city halls, town halls, or other public gathering spaces across the country, bringing people together in reflection, action, and solidarity during the President’s Address to Congress on Tuesday, March 4. These events will offer a peaceful and unified space to come together for the health of our democracy, the future of our nation, and the well-being of all its people.
Sponsor Organizations: League of Women Voters, Black Voters Matter, the Workers Circle, the American Association of People with Disabilities, National Organization for Women, American Federation of Teachers, Southern Poverty Law Center, Common Cause, and National Council of Jewish Women, APIA Vote, Center for Common Ground, Declaration for American Democracy, Public Citizen, Defend the Vote, Fix Democracy First, Fourth Branch Action, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Choose Democracy.
USL “A Community Without Fear” Protest
Join SWHS's United Student Leaders in opposing ICE action brought on by the federal administration change.
USL calls on ALL South Whidbey institutions to not comply with ICE, for everyone to know their rights and help protect our community member's rights.
The protest starts at Langley Park on the corner of Second and Anthes before marching on First and Second Street.
Get your friends together, make some signs or art, and come join us!
24-Hour Economic Blackout
Join this nationwide protest against corporate retailers who have pulled back on their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Rather than staying true to their previously expressed values, they are doing the bidding of this authoritarian regime.
From 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM on Friday, Feb 28, No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy. No fast food, no gas, no major retailers, no credit or debit card use. Okay to buy essentials (food, medicine, emergency supplies) if absolutely necessary. If you must spend, only use cash to support our small, local businesses.
Disrupting the economy for even one day will send a powerful message -- and we'll be building our muscle for the kind of massive, nonviolent, civil disobedience that topples oppressive governments.
Support Trans Students at SWSD Board Meeting
This week the School Board will vote on how they want our Athletic Director to vote on 2 state-wide anti-trans school sports participation amendments.
Please attend their meeting on Zoom or in person at the community room at the Elementary School.
Speak up and ask that the district vote NO on the amendments and continue to support all students in participating in activities according to their self-identified gender.
Letter To The Editor Workshop
Learn a list of do's and don't's. Gain confidence to self organize to write, critique, submit your letters to your local newspaper. Location and Date TBD
De-escalation/ Bystander Training
Are you concerned that MAGA's promise to target trans people, immigrants, and others will translate into threats to members of our Whidbey community? Come learn and practice skills to assess, de-escalate, and diffuse a situation of intimidation, harassment, or threat of violence you witness. Leave this training better at discerning helpful action when fear is in play. If time allows, we will touch on how to “call in” someone who, perhaps inadvertently or ignorantly, uses dehumanizing words or behaviors.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Free, but donations are welcome to cover our costs.
*This event meets ADA standards
worth fighting for: A pre-inauguration community gathering Part 2
Right now feels a bit like the “calm before the storm.” Yes, we can see ominous clouds on the horizon, but we have time -- and this is the BEST time to grow our community, build our connections, and get prepared so we can be both agile and impactful!
Please join us for We're Worth Fighting For - Part 2, on Sunday, December 8th from 4-6pm in Langley.
We will again take time to feel all we are feeling, and try out practices to get us through and help us stay engaged for the long haul. We will dream -- and start planning ways we will protect people, defend institutions, disrupt and disobey harmful policies, and build alternatives that build power of, by and for the people! Who's ready for the rebirth of Potlucks with Purpose?!!
Finally, we will highlight how we, as people who live in a very Blue state, can encourage (and push) our leaders to leverage their power to shape what happens nationally. Let's do it!
Community Care Reminder
Please stay home if you're sick. We will have masks at the front door if you need them.
Tea & Snacks
Tea will be available, feel free to bring your own mug to reduce waste! If you'd like to bring a snack to share, please respond to this email.
We hope to see you Sunday -- and invite a friend to register as well!
In it together,
SOS Whidbey Steering Committee