i fucking hate how survivors supporting and opposing the bill both are made to feel compelled to share their trauma stories one after another in an effort to influence legislators emotionally in an open forum that is the legislative hearing. isn’t there a better way?

kitti says legislative hearings are boring (i’m sitting in house community safety committee in olympia rn)

Last call #waleg : sign in CON to stop HB 2526 further criminalizing sex trade: app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifie...

I already wrote about Tuesday's hearing on HB 2526 that threatens safety for sex workers and others who trade sex (sign in to oppose the bill here app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Testifie... ), but there is also another bill being heard in the same committee that I'm interested in as well: HB 1591. …

police riot against trans people and allies last may

Top 5 Communiy Demands to Stay Alive for Mayor Katie Wilson www.instagram.com/p/DTogqZpD3m... (1/2)

Action alert #waleg : Bill further criminalizing sex trade is coming to hearing Tuesday 1/20 rightsandsafety.org/action-alert... "Increased policing and criminalization of sex buyers drives sex trade further underground, which threatens safety for people who engage in the sex trade." …

a moment to hear sister audre read a litany for survival once again youtu.be/IGWj0YGaVx4?...

Massage parlor workers protest anti-trafficking summit that includes DHS, ICE nwasianweekly.com/2026/01/mass... news article about our protest via NW Asian Weekly

After a far-right campaign of harassment and vandalism targeting day care centers in Washington State, Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee is holding a session about the state’s child care monitoring and accountability systems tomorrow 1/15 morning app.leg.wa.gov/committeesch... #waleg

NEW: Seattle City Council Member Eddie Lin wants Mayor Wilson to delay implementation of surveillance expansion so the City can revisit decision in wake of ICE terror. He suggests possibly redirecting funds to immigrant resources. www.theburnerseattle.com/post/seattle...

Councilor Avalos' deep sigh was palpable as she began speaking after Councilor Kanal withdrew.

Disability justice is queer femme ethic.

In Seattle City Council Public Safety Committee right now, chair Kettle is calling for “operational standdown” of ICE in the city, because ICE isn’t acting nice and responsible like SPD (as if!).

So apparently Gov. Inslee’s bill-signing pens are BIC Grip Roller pens. Not sure which thickness but I’ll order some to try them out. I don’t like Gov. Ferguson’s choice of pens btw. Some mildly neurodivergent tactility thing.

How did @mayorofseattle.bsky.social Katie Wilson win?! And why?!? READ: jacobin.com/2026/01/kati... We lay out exactly how in this piece with @jacobinmag.bsky.social. This was our playbook. Take what we learned in Seattle and adapt it to your city.

Does anyone know where I can buy the same pen Gov. Inslee (and Gov. Gregoire) used to sign bills with? I really like that pen (BIC rollerball pen, apparently) but can't find the same model.

Ask me why most zine librarians & zinefest organizers who have been at this a while won't have anything to do with Microcosm. But do it via DM so Microcosm doesn't sue me. The CEO loves to sue people (all women/nonbinary I think), which is super punk.

The event was originally promoted as a gathering of various agencies and groups with shared interest in ending human trafficking. Then, members of Asian American organizations assisting workers and trafficking victims had our registration canceled by host. White rescue groups were allowed in. …

The protest organized by Massage Parlor Organizing Project Friday morning brought together migrant workers, labor organizers, Asian American community leaders, and advocates. It was amazing and powerful. If you missed the protest, you can watch the recording www.instagram.com/p/DTTg0qZEs0_/ (part 1)

Yes it is absurd that people think homelessness is a drug problem, like affordable and low-barrier housing is abundant for anyone willing to work for it. We need to keep spreading the mantra, "homeless is a housing problem."

Second this. Nobody should be forced to go without housing whether or not they work or play by the rules, but the fact that working hard and playing by the rules aren't enough to escape homelessness demonstrates the falsity of the whole idea that homeless folks are responsible for their predicament.

Massage Parlor Organizing Project protests “anti-trafficking” conference in Tacoma specifically targeting Asian massage businesses and workers. Live on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mpop_sea/liv...

One last tech bill to come during the first week of #waleg is HB 2112 that would require age verification for adult sites. It's slightly more careful than some of the horrible federal and state age verification bills, but I'm still somewhat skeptical. app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House?se...

And #waleg Senate housing committee hears SB 5937 restricting landlords from abusing smart access systems beyond what's needed. I find the bill insufficient because it doesn't touch on cameras that are often part of the smart lock system, or data storage and retention. app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?s...

In #waleg Senate education committee, SB 5956 prohibits or restricts use of automated decision-making system, surveillance system, and predictive models in student discipline and other decisions. If students can't cheat using AI, schools shouldn't either. app.leg.wa.gov/csi/Senate?s...

On the same day, another #waleg committee hears three AI-related bills: HB 1170 requiring generative AI systems providers to help users detect AI-generated content; HB 2157 regulating high-risk (discrimination, etc.) AI tools; and HB 2225 regulating companion chatbots. app.leg.wa.gov/committeesch...

Two workplace technology bills will be heard in #waleg committee next Wednesday 1/14. HB 2144 requires notice to workers when electronic monitoring is used for employee eval, and HB 2303 prohibiting employer microchipping of employees. Sign in PRO for both. app.leg.wa.gov/committeesch...

Tacoma, January 9th: Massage Parlor Organizing Project calls for a rally protesting targeting of Asian migrant workers www.instagram.com/p/DTKMM_IlZ-r/

New Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans, speaking at her inauguration at City Hall, says she's "already started the process of setting up a new, reimagined community court," a therapeutic court her predecessor, Republican Ann Davison, dismantled.

grim trimet.org/servicecuts/

Sounds like he's ready to take the next step in his right-wing media/politics career...

At the inauguration for newly elected Seattle City Attorney Erica Evans, State Attorney General Nick Brown jokingly complained about Erica hiring away one of his top attorneys, who turns out to be Jenna Robert, formerly Assistant City Attorney under Pete Holmes. Robert heads the criminal division.

“Anti-Trafficking” summit targeting mostly Asian massage businesses excludes workers, Asian American community representatives, and even survivor advocates. www.instagram.com/p/DTEr4j_lOaN/ h/t Massage Parlor Organizing Project in Seattle

Federal Way “Downtown”

Watch the inauguration of new Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson

Wow. Cynthia Green, 8-decade resident of Seattle. “In her, we saw the sort of person we need more of, someone with the bravery to risk failure and move with love and justice…’realism’ is the language of people who have grown comfortable with inequity.” Cannot keep up with her great lines here!

A couple of new AI-related bills have been dropped in #waleg in the last few days: HB 2225 regulating companion chatbots, and SB 5956 restricting use of AI-based decision-making, biometric surveillance, etc. by public schools. …

NYT should focus on its core business, i.e. making game apps.

As Washington state braces for devastating federal budget cuts, Rep. Shaun Scott (@organizewithshaun.bsky.social) is leading a progressive revenue effort he says could protect critical services from austerity measures contained in the proposed WA budget. #waleg

Cop showed up at my house while I was gone. They told housemate that someone from this address called 911 for mental health crisis, but nobody did. Then they started grilling the housemate about someone who hadn't lived in the address for several years.

Tort Claim by Two Fired SPD Employees Alleges Gender, Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination Under Police Chief Shon Barnes Barnes' chief of staff reportedly responded to concerns about a crackdown on the nude beach at Denny Blaine Park by saying, "We're not here for the gays." publicola.com/2025/12/31/t...

Farewell message from outgoing Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson (who lost to Dionne Foster in a landslide) is unintentionally hilarious: "caricatures of me with devil horns aside […] when the Stranger writes my political obituary […] it should be titled: 'Sara Nelson: She’s Not That Bad."

pre-ordered! (also, order Trans/Rad/Fem if you it haven’t read it yet)

Previewing prefiled bills in #waleg before the 2026 session—here are some of the bills I found interesting: the new AI regulation bill HB 2157 app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/... which looks stronger than previous proposals, but I need to look more closely;

There are cis men out there who are kind, sensitive, considerate, and yes feminist, but none has ever asked me to text them when I get home safely.

commemorating international day to end violence against sex workers in portland today www.instagram.com/p/DQSrTIZEvjW/

Why am I hounded every single morning right around 9am by calls from some company contracted by MY health insurance provider to sell more stuff?

They shouldn't have approved the use of the word "downtown" where there is none.

i’m on the very first train out of federal way “downtown” station on this opening day.