Speak Up! Speak Out!

Group Picture
Dave, jim, Ginny

A half hour weekly radio show committed to community, peace, justice, and non-violence issues.

The show aires on Community Radio stations:
KSVR 91.7 FM (Skagit Valley College) Wednesdays 5:00 PM PT, rebroadcast Sundays 8:00 PM PT
KSVU 90.1 FM, Hamilton, Sundays 8:00 PM and Thursdays 8:00 AM PT
KMRE 102.3 FM, Bellingham, Sundays 11:00 AM and Wednesdays 7:30 AM PT
KAOS 89.3 FM, Olympia, Thursdays 5:30 PM PT

Retiring manager of the Skagit Valley Food Coop, Todd Wood, talks about his 45 year connection with the Coop and it's growth and development over that time. He also explores the history of coops in general - and takes a brief look at the future.

This week we heard parts of Skagit Election Supervisor David Cunningham's presentation at the League of Women Voters meeting on Mon., Jan. 13, 2020 about the upcoming Presidential Primary Election on Tues., March 10. In this election ONLY, which happens every four years, one MUST declare they are either a Republican or Democrat in order to vote in the election. There is also a reminder about special elections (school levies in particular) which will happen Feb. 12th.

Host jim justice recorded the presentation by Indivisible Skagit's Environmental group by Pete Haase of the Skagit Marine Resources Committee. This is part 2, the first part aired on Nov. 6. Pete is a retired Boeing Computing Manager and volunteers in many environmental organizations: Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Preserve Citizen Stewardship Committee and the Padilla Bay Foundation. He explains the Skagit Marine Resources Committee (Skagit MRC) activities that help protect and save the Salish Sea. It is part of the NW Straits Initiative which is in its 20th year. This part talks more about their work.

The Salish Sea Stewards is a 10 week training program usually offered each spring. The Skagit MRC offers an E-News every 2 weeks with volunteer opportunities and other related events.

We close this segment of SUSO with a few of Bellingham's singer/songwriter Linda Allen's songs about the environment and one to inspire us in these times. Thanks to Linda for her 50 years of inspiring and uplifting music. More about her can be found at https://www.lindasongs.com.

Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, DACA update, and more - November 13, 2019

Join host jim justice as she has a conversation about immigration organizations here is Washington with Diane Paul of the Skagit Immigrant Rights Council and Lisa Krivanek who along with Diane are Skagit Representatives to WAISN the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. We talk about what WAISN is and what services it provides. There is a hotline number which folk can call to report ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity in their area of Washington. Their website provides a lot of information about what they do and there is a link for people who want to get involved. They will go through a training before being involved with various activities. Large and small local groups are involved whether they are an official non-profit or not - they may just be a group of neighbors who want to be involved, like a neighborhood watch group.

WAISN hotline 1-844-724-3737 English and Spanish - they will find interpreters for other languages as required. Leave a message. The hotline has a live operator on during normal business hours, but messages may be left at all hours. https://www.waisn.org/

DACA recipients SHOULD renew their status if it will expire within the next year. There are loans available to do this through the North Coast Credit Union for the application fee. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) has been heard by the Supreme Court this week. A final decision will be out in the spring, by the end of June at the latest. Go to: http://skagitirc.org/information.html also, find the forms for renewing at https://www.uscis.gov/i-821d. Do check the http://Skagitirc.org website for contact information for attorneys to review your application. Those who are low income may use CCS Family immigration Service in Mount Vernon.

On a related note: Ask your U.S. Senator to Support S. 874, the Dream Act of 2019

From November 2019 until Spring 2020, while the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates, it is vital that we encourage Congress to act to provide DACA recipients with a path to citizenship. As the House passed H.R. 6 which includes a path to citizenship for DACA recipients, we ask that you turn your attention to your Senators and urge them to stand in support of young adult immigrants by supporting legislative protection for DACA recipients generally and the Dream Act of 2019, S. 874, specifically.

Background
H.R. 6 would provide critical permanent legal protection to DACA recipients, TPS and DED holders who are living in a state of uncertainty and fear. The USCCB's Committee on Migration Chairman, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, has voiced support for the bill numerous times: issuing a March 15, 2019 statement endorsing H.R. 6, sending a letter to each Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the bill, and endorsing individual component bills of H.R. 6 prior to markup in the House Judiciary Committee on May 22, 2019.

ACTION
While the House passed its version of the Dream Act, we ask you to stand in solidarity with immigrants and their families by sending a message to your Senators and request that they support S.874, the Dream Act of 2019. Many faith groups have sent letters of support to their US Senators. Here is the link for our WA senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm

Host jim justice recorded the presentation by Indivisible Skagit's Environmental group by Pete Haase of the Skagit Marine Resources Committee. Pete is a retired Boeing Computing Manager and volunteers in many environmental organizations: Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Preserve Citizen Stewardship Committee and the Padilla Bay Foundation. He explains the Skagit Marine Resources Committee (Skagit MRC) activities that help protect and save the Salish Sea. It is part of the NW Straits Initiative which is in its 20th year.

The Salish Sea Stewards is a 10 week training program usually offered each spring. The Skagit MRC offers an E-News every 2 weeks with volunteer opportunities and other related events.