We are a grassroots neighborhood action group for Seattle's Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods, and part of the umbrella organization Communities Rising. Want to get involved? We post weekly and ongoing opportunities for action on this page. Join us!

A smoky haze enveloped Washington and neighboring states this summer during what is likely to be the state's worst fire season ever. It's a sad reminder of how our backwards policies are making climate change worse.

Using the Federal Register

At our last meeting, we heard from an expert at Wallingford Indivisible, who has some strategies to help you craft effective responses to policy changes listed in the Federal Register. There's an art to writing these responses, and it can be a highly effective way to strike back. Here are two documents that can help you get started: an explanation of how and why to submit public comments, and a running list of regulations open for comment. And here's an excellent summary of the meeting.

Use this information to fight one of the most insidious new proposals by the Trump Administration, to rescind the Roadless Rule. Chris Wood, the president of Trout Unlimited, has penned a compelling essay about why you should care about a change to this rule, and why commenting is so important. Give it a read and get ready to write your own personal observations about keeping American wilderness wild.

Get out the vote!

Have you hesitated to send a political donation because you don't want the resulting spam? Jessica Craven of Chop Wood Carry Water recommends oath.vote, which promises to maximize the impact of your donations and does not sell its mailing list. One of our members says it's great -- check it out.

Hands Off Our Vote is Indivisible’s national program to ensure all eligible voters get to cast their ballot, and that those ballots get counted. Sign up to be ready to respond to any attacks on voting rights, and Indivisible will also shine a light on the bad actors threatening our basic constitutional rights.

Write postcards

Writing postcards to voters in other states is an effective way to get some extra resistance work done in your spare time – and it's also fun to do it in a group. Here are a few we know about:

Every Friday at 2 p.m. at Chuck’s Hop Shop, on the corner of 8th Ave. NW & 85th St.
Rolling dates with Wallingford Indivisible - check out their GOTV page for more info.
Rolling dates in Ballard and Greenwood with Defund Musk, find out more here.
Here's an inspiring substack from Robert Reich about a Texas couple's postcard-writing campaign, an exercise in patriotism in these dark times..

Climate corner

Here's more information about the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, a decision that would open up 45 million acres of national forests to road construction. Learn how you can fight this proposal here.

Here's another: "With the devastating fires in Spokane, WA lawmakers need to hear from you about why polluters, not everyday people, should pay for climate disaster response and recovery."

Also worth a look -- the Conservation Lands Foundation is fighting to keep national lands public. Their website lists ways you can help.

Banner over Aurora

Phinneywood Rising's bannering project takes place Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Find out why the regulars at this event love to be out there dancing and waving signs to the approximately 2,000 motorists that pass by. Bannering takes place at the Highway 99 north pedestrian overpass at Woodland Park. Here's a map of the exact location. Here's a little write-up about why bannering matters.

Rally for Democracy

Thursdays: Rally for Democracy at 73rd & Greenwood (Ken's Market), 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. An hour of noisemaking, sign and handwaving, and conversations on the sidewalk.

Brews & Bitchin'

Phinneywood Rising's hour of brainstorming, socializing and networking meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. at a local business (in August, that's the 12th and 26th). This is an unstructured hour of conversation and contemplation to help us think of new ways to drive the resistance. Bring your best ideas, and help us make the opposition better and stronger!

Join the Singing Resistance

Come join joyful protesting actions with the Sunshine Resistance Singers. No rehearsals, no singing experience needed. Just show up and SING! (or clap along, or help hand out flyers to passers-by, or hold a sign, or twirl an umbrella). Lyrics will be provided on big charts so your hands will be free to clap, hold a tambourine or whatever.

If you're interested, please fill out this form and we'll send you more details.

Fighting ICE

ICE is out in force around Seattle this month. Do you have a whistle? Do you know what to do if you see an action taking place? Visit the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) to find out how to get involved.

Learn how to be an observer: Here's a YouTube video by No Kings organizers about how to document and record ICE encounters. Fast-forward through the first 8 minutes to get to the heart of the workshop.

The League of Women Voters has published a comprehensive guide to immigrant and protester rights, including downloadable cards and trainings. Check it out.

And the City of Seattle's Stand Together: Let's Make Seattle a Welcoming City is worth a read to understand Seattle's policy on immigration enforcement.

Save these dates

Sept. 15, 6 p.m.: Phinneywood Rising general meeting.
Did you know that, starting Dec. 18, military draft registration becomes automatic for males 18-25? If anyone in your circle meets that description, they need to prepare now to make a conscientious objector claim in the event of a draft. A free meeting at the Phinney neighborhood Center Sept. 12 will teach how to prepare for this. The event is free, but you must register here to participate.

"It's very demoralizing when you think, this is all on me to fix. But it's not all on you to fix. It's just on you to do the little thing that you can do. And if millions of people do the little thing you can do, that actually will turn history." -- Timothy Snyder, American historian

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