I Can Do Something
What can I do? We all seem to be asking that question these days. We may feel powerless, impotent in the face of chaos and strife, and yet each of us is somebody. Each of us is one. We cannot do everything, but we can do something. Here are some ideas of how to get involved and help our world in the coming days. If you have something to list send it to jim@seattlefirstbaptist.org.
Climate Action Alerts from Lynn Fitz-Hugh
Stop Arch Coals plan to mine a roadless Colorado Forest. The US Forest Service needs to stop this plan which would bulldoze 6 miles of trees (carbon sinks), release methane (powerful greenhouse gas) and allow the mining of 17 million tons of coal (more GHG). Sign the petition
Stop the cutting of 800 year old trees in Tongas National Park each holding massive carbon deposits. Who are we to cut an 800 year old tree? Sign here
Stop the cutting of 800 year old trees in Tongas National Park each holding massive carbon deposits. Who are we to cut an 800 year old tree? Sign here
Susan Blythe-Goodman shared this information about local groups...
General Action Groups:
Neighborhood Action Coaltion https://www.neighborhoodaction.info/
Doesn't claim a party, but claims to be against Trump's administration.
These are neighborhood groups coming together to figure out how to organize and support each other under an administration that's acting hostile toward immigrants, refugees, the LGBTQ community, and other marginalized groups.
Right now the neighborhood groups are organized by city council districts, and one of the District 3 groups has met at the church 3 times!
This group is organic and grassroots. The people who show up for meetings and take action on ideas are the leaders. Because it just started last November and is committed to bottom-up organizing, it moves slowly but is on the brink of kicking into higher gear with a lot of logistics recently nailed down.
Washington Indivisible https://www.indivisibleguide.com/
This group I believe is organized by legislative districts. They also are pretty knew, but have a few leaders maintaining some structured group norms. They have Facebook groups you can join to get daily action items for your district. They are focused on fighting Trump and the Republican's agenda on the Federal level, and avoid any local issues that Democrats fight over (upzoning vs affordable housing, as one example). Very partisan.
Democracy Action Items https://www.facebook.com/democracyactionitem/
This group doesn't claim a party, or claim to be against a particular party. They post daily items: some self-care activities, some Seattle actions, some national actions (so it can be shared with friends and family in other areas looking for "What can I do?" ideas).
Jewish Voices for Peace https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/
This is a great group to get involved with for folks who prioritize interfaith organizing.
Injustice Boycott http://www.injusticeboycott.com/
Shaun King has been keeping his followers up to speed on a lot of different events, and giving daily (some days hourly) actions to take.
Read the South Seattle Emerald for news in our city by the community and for the community
https://southseattleemerald.com/about/
Racial Justice:
European Dissent is the local chapter of the People's Institute
http://pinwseattle.org/
Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW) is one local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
CARW works in solidarity with organizations founded by people of color working for migrant rights, working for indigenous rights, working to stop climate change and how it impacts communities of color, and working against imperialism.
For Racial Justice in Seattle Schools
https://www.facebook.com/For-Racial-Justice-in-Seattle-Schools-1684123475158508/
Environmental Justice:
Got Green
http://gotgreenseattle.org/
This is a group started by people of color focused on fighting climate change with an intersectional lens, meaning they fight climate change and how it disproportionately targets communities of color.
Earth Justice www.earthjustice.org
Immigrant Rights:
United We Dream has an action network you can sign up to be a part of
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/immigrants-are-heretostay/?source=petitionfb&
The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project are our local heroes who stopped planes on the tarmac and prevented visa holders from being deported during the travel ban. They constantly need donations, probably volunteers too.
https://www.nwirp.org/
Neighborhood Action Coaltion https://www.neighborhoodaction.info/
Doesn't claim a party, but claims to be against Trump's administration.
These are neighborhood groups coming together to figure out how to organize and support each other under an administration that's acting hostile toward immigrants, refugees, the LGBTQ community, and other marginalized groups.
Right now the neighborhood groups are organized by city council districts, and one of the District 3 groups has met at the church 3 times!
This group is organic and grassroots. The people who show up for meetings and take action on ideas are the leaders. Because it just started last November and is committed to bottom-up organizing, it moves slowly but is on the brink of kicking into higher gear with a lot of logistics recently nailed down.
Washington Indivisible https://www.indivisibleguide.com/
This group I believe is organized by legislative districts. They also are pretty knew, but have a few leaders maintaining some structured group norms. They have Facebook groups you can join to get daily action items for your district. They are focused on fighting Trump and the Republican's agenda on the Federal level, and avoid any local issues that Democrats fight over (upzoning vs affordable housing, as one example). Very partisan.
Democracy Action Items https://www.facebook.com/democracyactionitem/
This group doesn't claim a party, or claim to be against a particular party. They post daily items: some self-care activities, some Seattle actions, some national actions (so it can be shared with friends and family in other areas looking for "What can I do?" ideas).
Jewish Voices for Peace https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/
This is a great group to get involved with for folks who prioritize interfaith organizing.
Injustice Boycott http://www.injusticeboycott.com/
Shaun King has been keeping his followers up to speed on a lot of different events, and giving daily (some days hourly) actions to take.
Read the South Seattle Emerald for news in our city by the community and for the community
https://southseattleemerald.com/about/
Racial Justice:
European Dissent is the local chapter of the People's Institute
http://pinwseattle.org/
Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW) is one local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
CARW works in solidarity with organizations founded by people of color working for migrant rights, working for indigenous rights, working to stop climate change and how it impacts communities of color, and working against imperialism.
For Racial Justice in Seattle Schools
https://www.facebook.com/For-Racial-Justice-in-Seattle-Schools-1684123475158508/
Environmental Justice:
Got Green
http://gotgreenseattle.org/
This is a group started by people of color focused on fighting climate change with an intersectional lens, meaning they fight climate change and how it disproportionately targets communities of color.
Earth Justice www.earthjustice.org
Immigrant Rights:
United We Dream has an action network you can sign up to be a part of
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/immigrants-are-heretostay/?source=petitionfb&
The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project are our local heroes who stopped planes on the tarmac and prevented visa holders from being deported during the travel ban. They constantly need donations, probably volunteers too.
https://www.nwirp.org/
Participate in one of these events...
Attend an Event at a local Church
The Church Council of Greater Seattle lists events that local churches offer. Check their website at https://www.thechurchcouncil.orgrking for justice
.From the Church Council website:
Working for peace and justice in our fractured world can be a hard and lonely road.
But as we come together in unity, across congregations and organizations, the way opens up. As we support each other and seek answers together, we find understanding and courage, by the grace of God.
The Church Council of Greater Seattle strengthens the Christian community on this path… by seeking common ground, fostering interdependence and giving voice to the way of Jesus in the public square.
.From the Church Council website:
Working for peace and justice in our fractured world can be a hard and lonely road.
But as we come together in unity, across congregations and organizations, the way opens up. As we support each other and seek answers together, we find understanding and courage, by the grace of God.
The Church Council of Greater Seattle strengthens the Christian community on this path… by seeking common ground, fostering interdependence and giving voice to the way of Jesus in the public square.
Roll Burritos for the Hungry
Members of our community gather once a month to roll burritos to feed the hungry in partnership with Free Food For All. The Holy Rollers get together every third Saturday of the month at Seattle First Baptist to roll burritos. The Hot Preppers get ready for each roll on the Friday before a roll. You can contact the group via email at: BurritoRoll1@gmail.com
Roll Bandages
Women at Seattle First Baptist gather several times a month to roll bandages, do other sorts of projects, and socialize as part of American Baptist Women's Ministries. Contact the Church Office at 206-325-6051for information about upcoming opportunities.
Contact Your Elected Officials
Federal Elected Officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Washington State Elected Officials: http://leg.wa.gov/LIC/pages/hotline.aspx
City of Seattle Elected Officials: http://www.seattle.gov/elected-officials
Here is a pamphlet about contacting your representatives published by the League of Women Voters:
Washington State Elected Officials: http://leg.wa.gov/LIC/pages/hotline.aspx
City of Seattle Elected Officials: http://www.seattle.gov/elected-officials
Here is a pamphlet about contacting your representatives published by the League of Women Voters:
| 2017 Directory of Elected Officials |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
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Fast Facts: Producing and transporting a single bottle of water:
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How do you like your coffee?
Refill your cup rather than using a disposable one.
Producing and shipping disposable cups generates .24 pounds of CO2 emissions per cup (estimate from Starbucks and the Alliance for Environmental Innovation).
If you drink 3 cups a day, that is 263 pounds of CO2 per year.
"K Cups" - the single-serving containers used in those popular machines:
Refill your cup rather than using a disposable one.
Producing and shipping disposable cups generates .24 pounds of CO2 emissions per cup (estimate from Starbucks and the Alliance for Environmental Innovation).
If you drink 3 cups a day, that is 263 pounds of CO2 per year.
"K Cups" - the single-serving containers used in those popular machines:
- Last 80 years in a landfill, and almost none of them are recyclable.
- Cost nearly double per cup vs. other means of making coffee.
