Thanks to those who came to our membership meeting last Thursday! For those who couldn’t make it, here are a few key updates:
Presidential Election Response & Planning Next Steps
Given the hateful rhetoric that characterized Trump’s presidential campaign, many of us have very real concerns for how his fast-approaching presidency will affect our lives – including issues as basic as the ability to live and work in the US, health care access, bodily safety, bodily agency, research funding, and so on. At Thursday’s meeting, members discussed these kinds of concerns, as well as the need to mobilize both defensively and offensively against discrimination.
To continue this discussion and develop proactive action plans, our Racial Justice and Political Working Groups are convening a joint meeting tomorrow, Wednesday 11/16 from 11am-noon in Research Commons Red A. Please join us to begin an ongoing conversation about how our local can move forward in coalition with labor, immigrants’ rights, communities of color organizations, LGBTQ+ organizations, and more. Call ins are welcome. Please contact uaw4121@uaw4121.org with questions.
Solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Members unanimously passed a resolution in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, whose efforts to prevent the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline are ongoing. You can read the full resolution here. Members also voted to give a monetary contribution to Standing Rock to support their efforts to protect their ancestral lands and waters — our executive board has since approved $1000. Be on the lookout for opportunities in the near future to contribute to a supplies drive lead by UW’s Native Organization of Indigenous Scholars (NOIS)! There is also a community vigil to support Standing Rock Sioux Tribe tonight, 11/15, at 5:30pm at 3015 NW 54th St on the Ballard side of the locks. This action will include speakers, music, and drumming.
In Solidarity,
Theresa Aliwarga
Douglas Avella-Castro
Andrea Canini
Anthony Castanza
Ying-Yu Chen
Monica Cortes Viharo
Kristen Garofali
Arshiya Hoseyni Chime
Katya Kolesova
Dylan Mayer
Elizabeth Mills
Chelsea Pagan
David Parsons
Michelle Pham
Shua Sanchez
Viral Shah
Sam Sumpter
Arash Tarkhan
Judy Twedt