News from the 10th Legislative District Democrats
February/March 2025
A Note from our Chair
As I searched for a meaningful article or historical tidbit to highlight for Black History Month, I instead came across something deeply unsettling. Google has announced that, due to an increasing amount of unspecified “issues,” it will no longer automatically populate its calendar with Black History Month.
Let’s sit with that for a moment.
While America has undeniably made progress in the fight against racism, the erasure of Black contributions, inventions, and cultural impact remains all too common. The systematic omission of our history is not just an oversight— it is an intentional act of dismissal. It is a quiet but powerful way to rewrite the past, to make Black excellence seem like an anomaly rather than the foundation upon which this country was built. And let’s be real—Black History Month makes people uncomfortable because it forces this country to confront an ugly truth: America was terrible to Black people for a very long time. Acknowledging that history means reckoning with the generational impacts of oppression, stolen labor, and systemic inequality. It means accepting that we did not arrive at this moment by accident, but rather through centuries of struggle, resilience, and resistance. Now, we are seeing a coordinated effort to erase us—not just from history books but from public consciousness. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are being gutted. Black studies courses are being banned. The very notion that Black people should be seen, heard, and valued is being challenged at every turn. And yet, we are supposed to quietly accept this as “progress”?
I, for one, refuse.
So, in the spirit of resistance and truth, I want to take this opportunity to celebrate Black History Month—not just in words, but in action. I want to highlight the contributions that too often go unrecognized: The modern elevator was revolutionized by Alexander Miles in the 1870s, who patented automatic elevator doors that made vertical travel safer and more efficient. Garrett Morgan gave us the three-light traffic signal, ensuring safer roads for pedestrians and drivers alike. Marie Van Brittan Brown developed the first home security system, paving the way for modern surveillance technology. Dr. Shirley Jackson, a physicist whose telecommunications research led to innovations like caller ID and fiber optic cables, transforming the way we communicate. These are just a few examples of the brilliance, ingenuity, and perseverance of Black people in this country. And I will not let that be erased.
We are here. We have always been here. And we are not going anywhere.
In solidarity,
Nicole Ng-A-Que
Chair, 10th Legislative District Democrats
Please scroll all the way to the bottom to pay your membership dues to retain your voting rights. Unless you have paid dues since Dec 1, 2024 your membership will lapse on Saturday March 1, 2025. I am very sorry for the short notice. I ran into some technical difficulties. And if you have trouble with the DONATE link on this newsletter, please go to the 10th LD Democrats website.
From Dan Lewinski, 10th LD Democrats State Committee Member
I want to bring your attention, if you're not already aware of, an organized means of communicating your views to our legislative and political leaders in this time of chaos through 5 Calls (https://5calls.org/). It provides a list of pertinent issues from which you can choose to do something about on any given day. Clicking on the issue provides a short script on a focused message, who to contact along with their phone numbers.
Make your voices heard.
Dan
Letters from the Island (courtesy of Whidbey Island Democratic Club)
Februrary 2025 - By Helen Price Johnson
In January 2022 I was honored to be sworn in as the Washington State Director for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development team (USDA-RD). Like all other federal employees, I took an oath of office. I swore “to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and that I take this oath ”...without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion” and that we vow to “...well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office.” The reason for this is to make clear that public servants serve the public. My last day with the Biden-Harris Administration was the day Donald Trump and JD Vance were sworn into office. And yet their actions have shown a total contempt for their oath, and their responsibility to serve the public and the country, rather than their own personal gain.
During my time with USDA-RD we celebrated hundreds of local awards providing millions of dollars which targeted lowering utility costs for small businesses, replacing leaky roofs for low-income senior citizens, providing vital community infrastructure facilities, and expanding internet access to remote communities and tribal nations.
Stepping away from that role, it’s been painful to see the Trump regime’s horrendous treatment of federal employees, who have been demonized and demoralized, while the rural communities we supported have lost access to the resources they deserve. The speed and breadth of this attack on our public servants, our constitution, our freedoms, and our country, has now brought us to an economic and constitutional crisis.
Trump’s regime has taken a wrecking ball to the federal government, with the richest man in the world buying his way into the oval office to lead this damage for the low price of $270 million. They are illegally firing federal employees with no cause, and no regard for the services they provide. They have removed checks and balances in our system, opening the door for corruption, instilling fear and frustration across the country.
This regime is also illegally, and painfully withholding payments and stiffing small business owners, farmers, municipalities and nonprofits, who await reimbursement for grants and loans they were awarded through government contracts. These private citizens held up their side of the agreements, and the US Government under Donald Trump has refused to pay them the money owed. The Trump/Musk carpet-baggers are getting their contracts paid, while many vital community construction projects have been stopped, small businesses are laying off workers, and there is uncertainty and concern all across America.
Not only is it devastating for these people and their families, it will hit all of us as the local economics of these combined actions spread. The self-inflicted Republican Recession is soon to follow. Rural areas, and vulnerable populations are especially hard hit. Our state’s unemployment is rising, and local communities will soon feel the impacts. Bigotry, corruption, and domestic terrorism is happening now.
The role of citizens has never been more important, and our actions to resist the authoritarian efforts are necessary:
- Many on our island are gathering, communicating and strategizing for the challenge we face.
- Getting and staying connected, caring for each other, and protecting targeted people;
- Don’t give into the fear, authoritarianism relies on compliance and inaction, so we must not accept this, but instead stay focused on your core values and align your efforts there.
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to swear an oath of office both as a local elected official, and then as a federal employee. This promise was to the public, the country, not to one man, but to the Constitution to defend our inalienable rights secured there. That commitment continues to direct my efforts today. Now is the time for us to rise and defend our beloved democratic republic. Our forefathers and mothers fought to secure this country for us, and now is the time for us to do so for the generations to come.
Helen Price Johnson (Former Island County Commissioner)
Unions Push Back
To no one’s surprise, one month into the Trump-Musk Era, workers in all sectors are experiencing an unprecedented attack on hard-won and long-settled rights.
Elon Musk showed up with a chainsaw and Nazi salute and has thrown the federal government into chaos. Thousands of workers have been summarily terminated on no other grounds than Musk’s mercurial whims and the deeds have been orchestrated by his arm of Little DOGIES.
The original Fuhrer effectively ended the Weimer Republic in 53 days and this dysfunctional dynamic duo is gung ho to break that record.
Trump’s slew Executive Orders is stark evidence of his total cluelessness as to the Constitution, its subordinate laws, and both the framework and processes of our government. But what the hell, the former co-equal branch of the government, the Congress, run by the former Republican Party has abdicated its Article I enshrined role in favor of a Russian-type (oops!) Politburo, full of sound and fury and signifying subservience.
Trump as effectively neutralized the National Labor Relations Board, Organized Labor’s 80-year-old gift from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal Congress, which enshrined the right to unionize and collectively bargain.
His misunderstanding of the quasi-legal status of the USPS, is a transparent attempt to turn this venerable government service provider into a cash grab for his fellow oligarchs while, coincidentally, eliminating over half a million union jobs. Over 100,000 of these positions are held by veterans…the percentage of vets working at the post office is three-times their representation in the general workforce.
OK…so what do we do about this. Charlotte Murry is Secretary-Treasurer of the Snohomish and Island County Labor Council and, as such, is a leader in the fight. She sees the need to fight lawlessness with…the law!...as interpreted by the as yet functioning third branch of government, the Federal Judiciary.
“The overall consensus has been to do a lot of the battling in court, she said. “There are lawsuits that are being filed everyday against the administration – many are around policy, law, and well-established processes that are being ignored.”She adds, “Labor is also rallying to support those being affected by this attack and is actively working to find additional ways to protect jobs as well as provide material assistance to the displaced workers and their families.”“In Washington,” she says, “Labor’s hard work in the previous election cycle helped assure the ongoing work of our contingent of strong labor leaders and champions across all branches of state government who are no strangers to the ongoing fight for workers’ rights.” “We are working with state and local governments” she continues, “ to develop effective labor policy and protections for all workers, regardless where they live or the industries in which they work. We are assisting communities in preparing clear and responsible bidder language on public projects and maximum utilization of apprenticeship programs in order to continue to build a skilled and dedicated workforce.” My final question to Charlotte was about who our state’s most visible and productive labor advocates. She mentioned our new governor, Bob Ferguson, who as Attorney General set a record of successful lawsuits during Trump’s first reign…and April Sims, Secretary-Treasurer of The Washington State Labor Council, the top AFL-CIO official in our state…but then added “we are all Labor Champions - we need to rise together to take care of one another and not stay silent!”
Thank you, Charlotte!
By Gary Kanter
American Federation of Musicians 76-493
Delegate to Snohomish and Island County Labor Council
10th LD Democrats Membership Information
The 10th LD Democrats have regular general membership meetings every other month. During those meetings, elected and appointed PCOs and members in good standing have the opportunity to participate and be heard. All members get to vote on things like candidate endorsements, resolutions, and other business of the organization. Their decisions shall guide the Executive Board in the conduct of the affairs of the District.
So, you might ask, how does one become a member in good standing? Well, the answer is simple. Our by-laws say that membership is open to all persons who are registered voters, residing within the 10th Legislative District (map) and who publicly identify as Democrats. Upon payment of dues and after a 14-day waiting period, any eligible voter professing to be a Democrat, becomes a member in good standing and will be granted voting rights at the next general meeting.
Annual dues are $20 per person or $30 per family.
Click the “Donate" button on this newsletter.
Pay on the website at 10thlddemocrats.org
Mail a check to 10th LD Democrats 2610 E Section St Unit 29, Mount Vernon, WA 98274.
Or pay at a meeting when we meet in person. Do pay attention to the 14-day waiting period for voting privileges.
Our by-laws also say that no individual who suffers economic hardship shall be denied membership. Just ask. Most of us have been there at some point in our lives. Email john.amell@10thlddemocrats.org If you pay on-line, anyone who donates at least $20 will be recognized as having paid dues. DONATE HERE
The dues that you pay support the organization in several ways. It allows us to financially support endorsed candidates. It pays for venues for fundraisers and forums where we get to hear from our candidates. It also pays for outreach like ads in newspapers informing the public of upcoming meetings.
Thank you all for your support,
Nicole Ng-A-Qui
Chair - 10th LD Democrats
Links to other local Democratic organizations:
John Amell Newsletter Editor
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