In times like these, when unjust and racist attacks on our friends, family, and neighbors are coming from the highest office in our country, it’s all the more important that we stand up for human rights and equality. And for the second weekend in a row, millions of Americans have marched in the streets to resist Trump and show solidarity. It is so inspiring to see the American people responding to hate and intolerance with some of the largest protests in US history!

We also want to recognize and thank the elected officials who joined us at airports, protests, and rallies, and who worked to get the detained people released. The list is long, but from our Democratic Senators and Congressional delegation, to our statewide elected officials, to our legislators and our local elected officials, we’ve seen excellent work. From Sen. Patty Murray meeting with families of those illegally detained, to the work of Congresswomen Suzan Delbene and Pramila Jayapal at Sea-Tac Airport on Saturday night to get releases for those who had been locked up for no reason other than the country of their birth, to the many speakers who have joined us at rallies, the support has been so inspiring.

Even more important action is already underway. This morning, Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Washington will be the first state in the nation to sue the Trump Administration to overturn this executive order and immediately halt implementation.  

The complaint asserts that the President’s actions are “separating Washington families, harming thousands of Washington residents, damaging Washington’s economy, hurting Washington-based companies, and undermining Washington’s sovereign interest in remaining a welcoming place for immigrants and refugees.”

“No one is above the law — not even the President,” Ferguson said. “And in the courtroom, it is not the loudest voice that prevails. It’s the Constitution.”

Meanwhile at a press conference today, WA Republican Chair Susan Hutchison compared her experience being delayed once at JFK airport for 30 minutes – which was “very inconvenient” – to the national crisis that ensued when President Trump’s immigrant ban took effect this weekend.

Hutchison did not have her social media and phone contacts history unlawfully searched, as did some who were detained this past weekend. Nor was she unlawfully detained overnight without food and water, or unlawfully sent on a plane “back to where she came from”, as happened to some this weekend. But she’s so out of touch that’s it not clear if she doesn’t know or doesn’t care about the plight of those coming to America who are seeing their dreams and lives shattered.

We have two action items for you:

  1. Our elected officials have our back on this lawsuit against Donald Trump, and we need to have theirs in return. Call the office of Governor Jay Inslee at 360-902-0002 and the office of Attorney General Bob Ferguson at 360-753-6200 and let them know you appreciate them fighting back against Trump’s illegal and racist executive order.

  2. Please continue to join us at rallies and marches! The turnout at marches across the country these past few weeks of Trump’s presidency has been extraordinary – some of the largest marches in American history – but we need every person we can get standing with us. Please help us by recruiting one other person to join our movement today – they can easily sign up online at wa-democrats.org!

Thanks for reading – you can reach us at communications@wa-democrats.org with your thoughts and feedback. Let’s keep a spotlight on the legislature this year and we’ll stay in touch with you about how we can work together to fight back, beat the Republicans, and deliver wins for the people of Washington!