Next Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, August 12

Midterm election prep – Summer Camp style! More info coming in July.

When: Wednesday, August 12, 7:00 to 8:30 pm (Doors open at 6:30.)

Where: Vashon Methodist Church, 17928 Vashon Highway

Email Jenna with questions or to help.

Resources from Past Monthly Meetings HERE

Vashon’s Immigrant History

The Vashon Heritage Museum and the Vashon Cemetery are teaming up to present a cemetery tour highlighting the history of immigration on our island and the immigrants who shaped our community.

When: Sunday, July 5, tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm

Where: Vashon Cemetery, 19631 Singer Road SW

Strawberry Festival 2026

Booth AND Parade!

Join Indivisible Vashon for the iconic Strawberry Festival! Drop by our joint booth with activist partner Backbone Campaign. Detailed information will be in the next newsletter and on the Actions page of the IV website.

Help us staff the booth!

Spread the word about all the wonderful things IV has going on, sell branded merchandise, sign people up, and hand out free pins. 

• Sign up to take a 2-hour shift in the booth and/or setup and teardown/cleanup. 

Be in the Parade!

We’ll be marching with Backbone Campaign. 

• Sign up to participate with signs/banners and drums.

When: Friday, July 17, setup in the evening, time TBD

               Saturday, July 18, 2 hour shifts from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

               Sunday, July 19, 2 hour shifts from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm 

               Sunday, July 19, teardown and cleanup

Show Up for Our Community!

Vashon Community Response & Immigrant / Refugee Rights Teams

Also visit our Community Defense page!

TO REPORT ICE ACTIVITY: Call Vashon Community Response Dispatch at 564-225-2161

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Sign up today to join Vashon Community Response and receive more information. 

EMAIL vashoncommunityresponse@gmail.com and include:

• Your full name
• Phone number

Note: Group members will be required to attend a States at the Core online training (90 minutes).

Training:

Watch this space for continuting on-island trainings!

States at the Core – Protect Elections, Demand Democracy:

Worried about the midterms? Get training to help our community not just defend the elections, but grow a proactive, movement-building response that demands a more robust democracy beyond the ballot count. 

• July 8, 4:00 pm – Part 1 – Register
• July 15, 4:00 pm – Part 2 – Register
• July 22, 4:00 pm – Part 3 – Register

Indivisible National trainings:

Want to learn more about how to organize before ICE comes to our community? Check out the series of workshops offered by Indivisible National. A lot of this is already in place with our Immigrant/Refugee Rights Team, but these trainings are designed for beginners and experienced folks alike.

• July 9, 5:00 to 6:00 pm – Part 1 – 3 Steps to Organizing – Register
• July 23, 5:00 to 6:00 pm – Part 2 – How to Connect – Register
• August 6, 5:00 to 6:00 pm – Part 3 – Show up with a Plan – Register
• August 20, 5:00 to 6:00 pm – Part 4 – Funnel Support – Register
• August 27, 5:00 to 6:00 pm – Part 5 – Signal Use – Register

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Want to form a group in your neighborhood to support each other and protect against threats? Email Vashon Community Response (VCR) for help setting up a meeting and information to present.

Want to help out VCR by being a hotliner, hotliner scheduler, or being a dispatcher – work that can be done from your own home? Email Evan.

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Want to help immigrant families? Our Immigrant/Refugee Rights Team has many sub-groups you can join:

• Accompaniment: Volunteers are needed to accompany immigrants to appointments and to court. Email Jean.
• Rapid Response: Join the team to respond to an ICE abduction. Email Jenna.
• Reading Buddies/Tutor Group: Help student multi-language learners improve their reading skills, and more. Volunteers needed now during summer break, and in the fall. Email Jenna.
• Court Watch: Pass out information and assist immigrants when they are in the court house. Email Jan.
• Financial Support: Help raise funds for legal case fees. Email Suzanne.

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It’s no longer a question of IF. It’s a matter of WHEN.

ICE is now actively terrorizing communities in King County and in our state. It’s only a matter of time until they come onto our island. This is a very frightening thought for all of us. They purport to only be going after people who have committed crimes and aren’t in the US legally. But we all know this isn’t the case, most prominently as evidenced by events in Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, and most recently Minneapolis. People of every race, legal status, and walk of life have been beaten, detained, terrorized. Kept in reportedly monstrously inhumane conditions. And, in the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, they were shot in cold blood for the “crime” of trying to help their fellow citizens.

So how do we prepare, and how do we react? What can we do to keep Vashon families and our community safe? While we cannot prevent ICE from coming to Vashon, we CAN prepare ourselves to safely and legally make their visit as uncomfortable as possible.

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More Info:

Guidelines for Bystanders and Observers: In the U.S., everyone has certain constitutional rights and protections regardless of their immigration status — or who is president. You have the legal right to film police and/or immigration officers if they are in a public place and if the filming does not impede the performance of their duties.

Documenting ICE activity:

• Stay at a safe distance: The general rule is about 10 feet. Assess your own risk tolerance and “safety zone” ahead of time, so that you can stay calm under stress. If you’re asked to step back, take a step back while repeating: “I am exercising my right to record and document.”
• If the officer gets too close: Say, “I am stepping back and have the right to record.” Speak in a calm, audible voice.
• Protect video content on your phone: Make sure your phone is passcode protected. Disable fingerprint or face recognition. You might also consider equipping yourself with a wearable camera, both to keep your hands free and eliminate the danger of your phone being snatched.
• Focus your recording of ICE officers: Record all the way through the incident. Narrate what you’re seeing. Say the date and time.
• DO NOT GO LIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Please protect the privacy and safety of the people being detained.
• ALWAYS do a self-risk assessment in advance about what your personal “safe distance” is. For some, 6-10 feet may suffice, others may feel comfortable with 20+ feet. Practice what your safe distance looks/feels like so you are comfortable under stress.

What to document:

• ICE officer identification: Name, badge, uniforms, vests
• Date, Time, Location: Location with specific address
• Language used by officers: Hate speech and identity speech (racist, sexist, homophobic), incorrect or unproven statements
• Enforcement Agency vehicles: If they are marked or the license plate states Police, Sheriff, Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration Enforcement (ICE), unmarked but possible government vehicles
• Violence or physical force: Pushing, shoving, grabbing, violence during arrests, damaging of property

Add this SALUTE webform to your phone’s home screen or contacts. It guides you through what information to capture about an action (in a draft text), which you can edit before copying and pasting into a text to the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) (‭1-844-724-3737‬) to activate Indivisible Vashon’s Rapid Response.

TO REPORT ICE ACTIVITY: Call Vashon Community Response at 564-225-2161

TO RECEIVE ALERTS ABOUT ICE ACTIVITY IN THE AREA: Sign up for alerts with Stopicealert.ddns.net

SEND VIDEOS, NOTES, PICTURES: Please send to the WAISN hotline.

VASHON-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

• Homeland Security (DHS) regularly visits Vashon to carry out ferry security. To date, they are not doing immigration sweeps and they do not wear masks. If you think you see ICE, please take photos, note the time/place, and then report to the WAISN hotline asap to help determine whether your sighting is a ferry check or something more.
• Our Immigrant/Refugee Rights Team has many things already in place on the island. They have been working closely with our immigrant community to set up teams to do Rapid Response, Accompaniment, Court Watch, Fundraising, etc. If you would like to get involved and get training, please contact Jenna.
• When ICE comes to Vashon, they likely WON’T be spending the night as we don’t have hotels on the island. This means we won’t have the opportunity to disrupt their sleep (aww shucks…) but we can still make noise and alert others to their presence.
• UPDATED WHISTLE KITS: One of our amazing Leadership Team members, Evan, has whistle kits! Please fill out this form to request kits, learn how to use them, or volunteer to help out.
• Check out the Community Defense page on the website.

Protect Washington’s Millionaire’s Tax

The administration continues to threaten voting rights in battleground states. Protect The Ballot is working to assure a fair vote this November. You can help!

Join the Protect The Ballot email list.

Join the Indivisible Action Coalition (click the Voting Rights / Voter Outreach box).

Make Polluters Pay Campaign

Washington’s existing Climate Commitment Act focuses on getting current polluters to pay for emitting greenhouse gases now, while also reducing their emissions. Make Polluters Pay Campaign focuses on getting past polluters to pay for damages from decades of past emissions. The campaign seeks to center frontline communities and is encouraging WA residents to take action. It’s time to Make Polluters Pay! 

Sign Petition

Learn More

        Protect Voting Rights

The administration continues to threaten voting rights in battleground states. Protect The Ballot is working to assure a fair vote this November. You can help!

Join the Protect The Ballot email list.

Join the Indivisible Action Coalition (click the Voting Rights / Voter Outreach box).

          Support These Voting Rights Organizations

Follow/Donate:

For Court Reform:

• The Brennan Center
• Demand Justice
• United For Democracy

For Redistricting Fights:

• NRDC 

To Win State Legislative Races:

• The States Project
• Every State Blue
• States Win

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• NAACP
• ACLU
• Democracy Forward
• Elias Law Group

Protect Your Family and Our 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Two initiatives on Washington’s November ballot are targeting the safety and human rights of our state’s youth. Support the health, safety, privacy, and dignity of Washington’s students by opposing two hateful initiatives on the November ballot. IL26-638 endangers female-identified youth, whether cisgender or transgender, while IL26-001 endangers all 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

No Hate in WA State Yard Signs

No Hate in WA State yard signs are now available! Be the first to show visible support of the campaign to defeat anti-trans measures IL26-001 and IL26-638. This is all the more important as the Supreme Court just upheld trans athlete bans in other states. The cost of the signs is a direct contribution to the campaign. Please make a $25 (or more if you can!) donation on the website and then text Kim at 206-850-0747 for delivery arrangements. No need to wait for the sign to arrive in the mail! 

Website – click the orange “donate” button on the upper right.

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• No Hate In WA State campaign manager Libby Watson explains what’s at stake and what we need to do to fight back: VOV
• Want to help? Endorse the campaign as an individual (scroll down to “Individuals & Organizations”.)
• Learn about the No Hate in WA State campaign.
• Read what the ACLU has to say.
• Volunteer at (and attend) Pride events.
• Encourage island businesses to endorse the campaign. Email Kevin to join the No Hate in WA State policy action team.

Donate to No Hate in WA State.

Demand Congressional Action Against Mass Detention

People detained at Delaney Hall (NJ) and other detention centers are on hunger strikes to protest their captivity and inhumane treatment by ICE. Congress must use every lever of power they have to demand dignity for detainees. 

Contact our Elected Representatives.

More info: Newsweek, MSN

End the Illegal Blockade on Cuba 

Over the last five months, the Trump administration has pushed Cuba deeper into a humanitarian catastrophe while openly floating the possibility of regime change and military action. The consequences have been devastating. Congress cannot remain silent while the administration manufactures a humanitarian crisis and threatens military action. 

Contact our Elected Representatives.

More Info: ABC News, Jayapal

Your Legislative Priorities: Survey 

Immigrant rights, the climate crisis, data centers, gun safety, housing, education, protection of democracy itself — what do you want our WA state legislators to prioritize next year? Take action by completing the 2027 Legislative Priorities survey. Survey results inform the WA State Democratic 2027 Legislative Priorities.

Take the survey.

Take Action Network (TAN)

The Take Action Network is a fabulous way to keep up on the progress of bills moving through the WA State Senate and House concerning de-masking ICE, use of FLOCK surveillance cameras, and the WA Dept. of Licensing sharing of data. You get the opportunity to sign in PRO on the bills you support. Over 14,000 people signed in support of the de-masking bill while it was in committee!

You can easily find actions that you can take to help support your values. You can set up a search that will send you an email each time there are new actions that meet your criteria. Or, when you are ready to take some action, you can log on and see what is available. TAN is especially useful during the Washington State Legislative Session as bill trackers are posting actions just about daily.

Sound intimidating? We are here to help!

• Review a TAN demo video at: https://bit.ly/TAN-Indi-Invitation (go to page 2)
• Sign up for online TAN training sessions at https://bit.ly/TAN-Training-Dates-2026. 
• We have our very own in-house TAN expert that will give you a one-on-one training at your home! Email Evan at lockejaw1704@gmail.com for one-on-one TAN training.

Build a Progressive Majority & the Blue Wave!

Phone Bank to Help Flip the House in November 

Vashon2Voters What’s The Plan? 

 Vashon2Voters Postcards

Message from Indivisible Vashon Leadership:

In last Friday’s acceptance speech for his nomination to the U.S. Senate, James Talarico invoked the words of his ancestor Elijah Stapp, who in 1836 signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in defiance of tyrannical Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna. Stapp faced retribution and dire consequences for this action; his family was attacked by the president’s army and left destitute. But, as he wrote to his neighbors, he was undeterred: “Any duty that my bodily strength would enable me to perform, either in public or private, that would advance the cause of Texas, I feel anxious and ever ready to perform.”

“Texans don’t like tyrants. And we don’t surrender easily,” Talarico said. I say, let’s expand this statement: Americans don’t like tyrants. Patriots don’t like tyrants. And we won’t surrender easily.

It’s 2026. We, too, are facing a tyrannical government. We’re all tired. Sometimes, we’re afraid. We don’t know what the future holds, or what consequences any one of us will face — for either our action or our inaction. But let us commit: 

Any duty that my bodily strength would enable me to perform, either in public or private, that would advance the cause of democracy, I stand ready to perform.

This Fourth of July, reflect on how you can show up, for our country and for democracy. We hope you’ll join us. 

~ Abbe, Consulting Editor

Message from a Fellow Indivisible Member:

If, around town in Vashon, you happen to see a gentleman in 1770s colonial dress, please go over and introduce yourself. Mr. Thomas Paine, author of the bestselling and very influential pamphlet Common Sense, died in 1809 — yet somehow he’s found himself reincarnated here on Vashon! He has no idea how it happened, and is as astonished by the event as we are. The current political situation in America surely explains the timing — for example he definitely doesn’t approve of this week’s $1.776B slush fund, and takes great offense to the 1776 allusion — but why Vashon? Surely his adopted home of Philadelphia would make more sense? Mr. Paine, however, has confided to me that he does not think his arrival on Vashon is a coincidence. “There is something about this community,” he says, “that is essential to our national progress towards a more perfect union.” Mr. Paine has therefore expressed to me a very keen desire to converse with our townsfolk, in order to divine what that “something” might be. I do hope you will be able to help enlighten him.

Yours in Community,

Bryan Long

Protest Team, Theatre for Social Change, Bucket Brigade

“Though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire.”

– Thomas Paine, The Crisis

Policy Action Team

Be in Community

Donate to Indivisible Vashon

Indivisible Vashon is all-volunteer and people-powered. Help us cover expenses like meeting location insurance, outreach materials, postcards and stamps, protest supplies and more.

We’ve made it easier for you to donate! We now have a Venmo account. Just scan the QR code above with your phone camera. You can also search in Venmo.com for @Indivisible-Vashon. Don’t Venmo? We still happily accept checks (made out to “Kevin Jones for Indivisible Vashon”) or cash!

Thank you so much for your support and if you have questions about how donations are used, please contact us. 

Vashon Families Continue to Need Our Help

Thank you for improving food security for our community during these challenging times. Please continue to support island families hurt by SNAP cuts or federal furloughs by donating food, supplies, or funds. 

Vashon Maury Community Food Bank: Did you know that your $1.00 donation can buy $1.80 in food?

DONATE    Mail checks to: Vashon Maury Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 1205, Vashon, WA  98070

Vashon Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness: A special fund has been set up to supply food gift cards to our two island grocery stores. (Type “Food” in “Add special instructions to the seller.”)

DONATE    Mail checks to: IFCH, P.O. Box 330, Vashon, WA 98070 (Write FOOD in the memo).

Qualified Charitable Distribution: If you’re 70½ or older, or you are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an inherited IRA, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly to charitable organizations, like the Vashon-Maury Community Food Bank, and reduce your taxable income — even if you don’t itemize deductions. QCDs count toward your Required Minimum Distribution and are one of the easiest and most impactful ways to give. See the Qualified Charitable Distribution instructions HERE.

Support Immigrants & Refugees by Donating Locally Today

Gear Up For Protesting, Show Your Indivisible Pride

& Help Grow the Movement

INDIVISIBLE VASHON MERCH – NEW ITEMS HAVE BEEN ADDED!

Our amazing in-house designer Jenna has created a Zazzle shop where we can order t-shirts, tote bags, car flags, hats, and more with designs unique to us! Let us know what else you’d like to see. Think: “Use Your Outside Voice”, “Hate Has No Place Here”, etc. We all have ordered tee shirts and sweatshirts and they seem to run true to size, are good quality, medium-weight fabric, and the printing is high quality. Check out the shop and let us know what you think.

Order NOW for upcoming protests and just to spread the word about Indivisible Activism! Order Soon!

Indivisible Vashon Zazzle SHOP

Come Join Us!

• Actions Tracker: Read a Substack Newsletter or follow a trusted news source? Help us turn what you learn into Action Alerts to help fellow Indivisible members know what actions to take to fight the Regime.
• Social Media: Do you have a Facebook, BlueSky or other Social Media page? Help us amplify the posts that Indivisible Vashon puts out and also help post on our pages.
• Video/Multimedia: Have experience with making videos (even just on your iPhone!) or editing, production? We would love for you to help film segments that could then be shared via YouTube, on our Website, or Social Media platforms.
• Poster Crew: Join our group who helps hang posters around town to advertise our upcoming events.
• Marketing Background: Do you have a background in Marketing and would like to help our Communications Strategy Team?
• Elected Official Liaison: Create a connection with one of our elected Representative’s teams — so that we know up to date information from them and vice versa.
• Climate Action Plan Team: Help us to move forward the King County Climate Action Plan.
• Washington Indivisilbe Legislative Action: Help track legislation and provide actions for members to take to support legislation in the 2026 WA State Legislative Session.

Email Action.Alerts@IndivisibleVashon.org to sign up or get more information.

Let’s Keep Up the Pressure!! The GOP and the Current Regime are Showing Cracks and Weakening!!

Want to learn what is going on with Indivisible in Washington State? Check out the new website for the Washington Indivisible Network (WIN)! 

NEW Washington Indivisible Network Website – HERE

Still Want More Action Options?

• 5Calls.com
• Chop Wood, Carry Water Substack by Jessica Craven
• Take Action Network (TAN)
• Hopium Cronicles Substack by Simon Rosenberg
• Mobilize.com
• Indivisible National

Trusted News & Information Sources

• Indivisible National
• Washington Indivisible Network
• 1440
• PBS News
• National Public Radio
• Rachel Maddow Show
• Jessica Yellen – News Not Noise
• Talking Points Memo
• Project 2025 Information
• Substack Newsletters – www.substack.com and then search the names below:
• – Heather Cox Richardson
• – Jay Kuo
• – Joyce Vance
• – Andrew Weissman
• – The Contrarian
• – The Grassroots Connector