May 2026 | Volume 11

After the recap, participants watched We Mean to Make Things Over: A History of May Day. This educational video offered insight into the wins that past efforts have achieved.

The takeaway? People just like us have come together before and have won lasting victories against the billionaire class that provoked changes for the better.

When you get discouraged or feel like you aren't doing enough, remember you still benefit from some of those impacts today, including the weekend and the eight-hour workday.

Anita Dietrich closed the meeting by saying, “When things don't go the way you hoped, just keep dancing.”

Maybe if we do, 80 years later, people will still be benefiting from what we do here, too.

Snohomish County Indivisible members participated by spending a few hours at the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) for a series of activities to show their support. In one activity, volunteers packed food and wrote supportive notes for the day laborers at the Everett Home Depot. In another activity, Snohomish County Indivisible volunteers wrote and addressed postcards to their United States Senators and Representatives. The final station involved working on a mural that stated the theme for the day: “Communities Not Cages.”

In all, 110 people participated in the action. As SCI volunteers moved through the different activities, they got to meet new friends and discuss the reasons they were there. Many discussed their frustration with our current administration, while others felt a need to do something to show support for our immigrant neighbors. All agreed that it was time to stop creating and maintaining detention centers.

At the general meeting, Deputy Director Paula Townsell announced the SCI-endorsed candidates who will be running for re-election: Mary Fosse and Julio Cortes from the 38th District and April Berg from the 44th District. She also noted that Susanna Johnson will be running for re-election next year, and that former Sheriff Adam Fortney, a MAGA-aligned candidate, had already filed to challenge her.

Then the conversation moved to No Kings 3 and the feedback was enthusiastic: 

• “People were at No Kings to get support — being there erased the fear and bad feelings, at least for a while.” 
• “It was the first rally for my 84-year-old husband!”
• “I was able to bring friends who were scared to come to previous rallies.”

At a group discussion headed by Dessa Meehan, it was agreed that we are all affected by what is going on politically and reminded that we are all ambassadors in troubled times. One participant said, “Artemis II was a renewed reminder that we are only a blue ball in the universe and we are all trying to live on this blue ball together.”

Down the hall, the artists in the crowd gathered under the watchful eye of Bill Sheets to create colorful signs to wave at the April 22nd Earth Day rally.

By sharing thoughts, concerns, feedback, and creative ideas, participants made this meeting a connection of the very best kind. 

ACTION: Attend the next Connection meeting on May 10!

As participants waved Earth Day flags, displayed “Save Our Planet” signs and informed motorists that “Mama Ain't Happy,” there were a few small incidents.

One “coal roller” swerved hard toward the curb to blast participants with exhaust, prompting a few coughs and grumbles of, “I knew he was going to do that.”

Two motorists, distracted by either the protest or their phones, nearly collided.

One conspiracy theorist stopped at a red light to roll down her window and preach to a handful of participants.

Nevertheless, the earth care message carried, with cars honking in support from 37th to 39th Streets from start to finish.

“It was a 25-hour debate,” Cortes recalls, “and there’s still more to address, but this is a step in the right direction.”

Even amid tough state budget cuts, especially to human services organizations like Cocoon House, which he holds close, Cortes remains focused on impact. Born in Mexico and raised in Wapato by immigrant farmworker parents, he brings lived experience to Olympia while championing transparency. 

“I have an open-door policy,” he says. “I appreciate talking to people who disagree with me because I’m here to represent everybody. Understanding differing points of view helps me make better decisions.”

Cortes says hearing directly from constituents, like the one who thanked him for standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, is one of his most significant motivators. “Understanding how legislation affects real lives is so powerful.” 

Cortes is running for reelection to represent the 38th District. You can read more about his experience and priorities on his website.

In addition to being the sign guy, he donates his time as sound check assistant at the big SCI events such as No Kings Day. 

Lifewise Academy is linked to the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025, Moms for Liberty, and the hate group Family Research Council. The academy is anti-LGBTQIA+, teaching that the only “righteous” family has a mother and father married to each other, and encouraging children not to follow their parents’ instructions if their parents are deemed sinners. A group of LGBTQIA+ Advocacy team members is developing a plan to build awareness and spur action on this critical issue. 

ACTION: Learn more via the RPS website, or email the advocacy team at [email protected] to be involved.

• Volunteer writers: 58 
• Postcard parties: 12 hosted
• Postcards: 3,960 requested!
• Postage: 690 stamps

The enthusiasm is building for the next campaign. The SCI writers are ready to roll again, saying, “It was definitely a feel-good outcome!”, “Our group remains ready to roll on the next campaign.”, and “Look forward to doing this again!” If you’d like to join them, check out the action items below. The campaign for the MIDTERMS will begin late July or early August! 
 
ACTIONS:

• Interested in writing to fellow voters?  Follow this link to learn more AND add your name to the postcard interest list. 
• Don’t have the time to write, BUT interested in helping with postage? Sign up here.
• You can also e-mail Jarucia for more information!

Insects face many critical risks including habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. Some insects, like the Western Monarch butterfly, are nearing extinction.
 
Replacing a portion, or all, of our lawn with drought tolerant bee lawns or native gardens creates more insect friendly habitat and reduces maintenance.
 
Pesticides and systemics (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides) kill insects and disrupt vital biological processes impairing reproduction, navigation, and foraging. They poison our soil and runoff into our waterways. Let's eliminate or replace chemical use with natural methods, chemical alternatives, and focus on building healthy soil.
 
Let’s make a difference for our bug population together!