Welcome to our March 2025 Clallam Democrats newsletter (with a real name now!). We are excited to present you with a wide variety of information to help us advance Democratic values and resist the assault on Democracy by an out-of-control Presidential regime and their GOP minions. Here’s what we have for you:
Chair’s Corner
Action Highlights:
Reports from the Presidents’ Day Rallies (with photos)
The story of the Blue Beret Brigade (Vive la Résistance!)
Special Reports
Profiles in Leadership: Interview with Julie Johnson
Farmers vs. Trump’s Tariffs, Fund Freeze, Deportations – A report on agriculture from Tim Wheeler
Federal cuts at home – Impacts of the chaos in Washington DC on our own Clallam Community
Resistance Music Break: Antifa Dance, by Ana Tijoux
Action Group Updates: Immigration; Education
Committee Updates:
Resolutions
Events
PCOs and Trustees
Communications and Marketing
Facilities
Membership
Resist 2025: news of resistance in Washington State
Thought of the Month: Cesar Chavez
Upcoming events
Pick and choose, or read it all!
If you have comments, suggestions, or contributions, or would just like to help us, write us at newsletter@clallamdems.org.
Courage and Perseverance in the Face of Fascism
Locally
There's a groundswell of energy and ideas about how to build a collective resistance to the MAGAs and billionaires taking a chainsaw to our democracy. What does that mean for the Clallam Democrats? It means we prioritize and are as strategic as possible. It means we assess and build our resources and carefully craft our messages and actions.
And probably most important is continuing to support our community members who are or will be impacted. Workers who are losing their jobs and security as well as our immigrant communities. Stay close to your friends and neighbors and ensure that they have the support they need. Have coffee, share a meal, talk over shared common interests, and build alliances. These alliances will be crucial to sustaining our resistance.
Nationally
On the national level, we have a bigger lift. Without holding a majority in either the Senate or the House, we must earn support from across the aisle. One way to do this is by reaching out to Republican members of the current House of Representatives. Consider organizing a group of friends and neighbors to call their offices and urge them to oppose the extreme and destructive proposals coming from this administration.
Upcoming training and events
We are working on training that will include:
Public Demonstrations: planning, coalescence, messaging, and safety!
Letters to the editor: messaging and guidance
Postcard writing to support Democratic candidates in upcoming House elections. Help us win back the US House of Representatives!
These trainings and events are designed to help us effectively participate in public discourse and activism. Check the calendar on the Clallam County Democrats website for meetings, events, dates, and times.
Join us
I urge you to join the Clallam County Democratic Party and encourage fellow Democrats to do the same. Follow us on Substack, Facebook, and Bluesky. Together, we can build a stronger, more united front to stand together for democracy.
In solidarity,
Ellen Menshew – Chair, Clallam County Democrats
Clallam Citizens Turn Out For Protest Against Trump-Musk Regime
By Paul J. Pickett and Tim Wheeler
Answering a nation-wide call for President’s Day protests, hundreds of Clallam County citizens gathered on the Courthouse steps in Port Angeles to protest the actions of the Trump and Musk regime. On a cool and cloudy noon hour, almost 400 people stood along Lincoln Avenue and on the Courthouse lawn and steps with a variety of pointed and sometimes satirical signs. The crowd waved at passing cars, many of whom honked and waved back in support.
An energetic drum circle provided a sound track for the event. At one point an activist stood in the street and called out, to the cheers of the crowd: “If no one else is going to say it, I'm going to; thank you! This is just the beginning! We're gonna fight, resist, and end this!”
Attendees remarked that this was one of the largest crowds they’d ever seen at a rally on the Courthouse steps.
At the same time, more than 50 folks joined an Indivisible Sequim vigil at the main intersection in downtown Sequim, and several hundred gathered at the Jefferson County courthouse in Port Townsend.
This rising tide against a Trump/Musk dictatorship mirrored rallies and vigils that blossomed across the nation as part of the 5051 effort. The message was clear: We won’t let anything divide us.
The Blue Beret Brigade
Vive La Résistance!
Long Live the Resistance!
By Marcia Larson Farrell
“Vive la Résistance” (Long Live the Resistance) was the cry of the French Resistance during World War II, initially whispered by French Resistance Fighters in the underground, then at last ringing in the streets of Paris when liberation from the Nazis came on August 25th, 1944.
Now, 81 years later, it must be our cry as well, not just as Democrats but as patriotic Americans who will fight non-violently for our democratic values and our country.
In mid-October 2024, I made a final contribution to the Kamala Harris campaign, feeling confident that she would soon be “Madame President” and that sanity would prevail in the United States of America. Like millions of Americans, I was devastated when the unthinkable happened! A few days after the election, I received my payment information for this contribution and discovered I had donated significantly less than I had intended. I decided to use that money for a cause that would promote solidarity, purpose, and unity, and decided to promote the Blue Beret Brigade, inspired by our French brothers and sisters.
By now, many of you may have seen these blue berets at meetings, protests, community events and street waves. Recently, the Blue Beret Brigade participated in the PA Loves Canada event on February 20th when the Coho ferry returned to service between Victoria and Port Angeles. Dressed in red and white with a splash of blue, Clallam County Democrats cheered for our Canadian neighbors as they disembarked from the Coho.
You too can join our Blue Beret Brigade to show your dedication to the Resistance, your commitment to our democracy, and your unity with fellow Americans to preserve and fight for our values and our freedoms.
Stay tuned for details on purchasing your Blue Beret.
Vive la Résistance! (Long Live the Resistance!)
Profiles in Leadership: Interview with Julie Johnson
We begin our series on profiles of Clallam Democrat leaders by interviewing Neah Bay resident Julie Johnson, State Committeewoman for Clallam County and Chair of the Native American Caucus of the Washington State Democrats. Julie’s remarkable career includes working with the Elwha S’Klallam and Makah tribes and serving as a delegate to the 2008 Democrat National Convention. To read the full interview, head to our blog.
Farmers vs. Trump’s Tariffs, Fund Freeze, Deportations – A report on agriculture from Tim Wheeler
Local farm owner Tim Wheeler shares the anger, fears, and frustration Clallam County farmers and farm workers are feeling as a result of tariffs on farm produce, deportation of migrant farm workers, and a freeze on Agriculture Department funding meant to benefit family farmers. Read the full story HERE.
Federal cuts at home – Impacts of the chaos in Washington DC on our own Clallam Community
How are massive federal spending cuts already starting to impact Clallam County? An article by Tina Tyler on the CCD blog explores the fallout the administration’s slash-and-burn campaign could have on our County’s 12 federal agencies, 1,100 federal workers, and local citizens.
“Antifa Dance” by Ana Tijoux
CCD members can access complete reports on the CCD website under Membership / Members Area / Meetings & Agendas / Agenda Packet.
Highlights of the meeting:
Immigration Activity Reporting Hotline - Call 1-844-724-3737 to report immigration activity to the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. See the flyer Spread Power, Not Panic. To receive text alerts on ICE activity in our area, text WAISN to 509-300-4959. WAISN will ask your preferred language, your first name and ZIP code to sign you up for a rapid response team that goes out to document when ICE activity is reported.
Spread the Word - IAG members agreed to post flyers and red cards around town. Immigration red cards, also known as "Know Your Rights" cards, help people assert their rights if they encounter immigration agents. The card's front side is printed in the resident's language, and the back side is in English.
West End Friends - IAG members had a Zoom meeting with a Forks action group to discuss their system of helping immigrants.
Church Connections - An IAG member is checking with local churches to see if they would like information on immigrant rights. Support Faithful America, an online community of Christians challenging Christian nationalism, by signing this online petition.
Homeland Security in Port Angeles - IAG members will attend a City Council meeting to discuss the presence of Homeland Security vehicles with POLICE in big letters, which may be confused with Port Angeles police vehicles.
Get legislative updates and flyers from Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates.
Next meeting: On Zoom, Tuesday, March 4, 6-7 p.m.
— Carole Scholl, Chair, Education Action Group (carolesnews2@gmail.com)
Highlights of the meeting:
Attendees heard from Bonnie Banish of the League of Women Voters of Washington.
The League’s civic education curriculum enrichment program focuses on Washington State and includes books and a teacher's manual for grades 3-5 and 9-12.
Kits are available at the Port Angeles Library.
The Group will contact Peninsula schools to find out if the civics curriculum is being used and how we can help, financially and otherwise, to make sure the kits are available to more teachers.
—Dr. Darlene Clemens, Chair, Education Action Group (dr.darleneclemens@olypen.com)
CCD members can access complete committee reports on the CCD website under Membership / Members Area / Meetings & Agendas / Agenda Packet.
Highlights of the meeting:
The Committee reported that resolutions honoring Derek Kilmer, U.S. representative for Washington’s 6th Congressional District, and Kevin Van De Wege, Washington state senator, were completed.
The resolutions were:
Created to express gratitude for the U.S. Congressman and Senator’s “many contributions to make our communities, state and nation more productive and beneficial for all the needs of our people and our planet.”
Printed on attractive parchment paper with the CCD logo and mounted on framed and matted plaques.
Senator Van De Wege was personally presented with his framed resolution by Committee members; Congressman Kilmer’s framed resolution was mailed to his office.
Unanimously approved by the CCD membership.
— Bill Biery, Chair, Resolutions Committee (billbiery@gmail.com)
Highlights of the meeting:
Ideas were brainstormed for events to share the platform of Clallam County Democrats and help grow our organization. They included:
St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner (with vegetarian options) featuring Irish music, storytelling, and poetry.
Soup and Bread Supper to help comfort those mourning the slash-and-burn actions of the Trump/Musk Administration and encourage donations for resistance efforts.
A spring event at 7 Cedars Casino along the lines of our past “Give ‘em Hell, Harry” event featuring a Harry Truman impersonator; this year’s event could feature an FDR impersonator. Consider making this event open to the public.
A re-screening of the documentary Miss Lillian: More Than a President’s Mother, created by Sequim residents Carol Swarbrick Dries and Jim Dries. The Dries have already granted us full permission to re-screen their film.
A re-deux of our successful Cultural Fair featuring:
Dishes from the heritage/nationality of members
Accordion and fiddle music and singing
Sharing stories of Native American history and ancestors’ immigration journeys
Presentations from well-known political and media figures such as Governor Bob Ferguson
As events are scheduled, the committee will bring together a “crew” to handle each one, utilizing volunteers’ strengths.
—Marcia Farrell, Chair, Events Committee (marcia1346@gmail.com)
The CCD Trustee and PCO Group met on Feb. 17 at CCD Headquarters. The Group plans to meet in January, May, and August, with additional meetings for training or special topics.
Highlights of the meeting:
What’s a PCO? Every precinct in Clallam County gets to have one Precinct Committee Officer. PCOs are elected every two years in the general election, but vacant seats can be filled by appointment.
PCOs are the “Central Committee” and have special powers to vote on top leaders and certain critical decisions, as described in the Clallam Democrat Bylaws. PCOs also communicate with Democrats in their precinct.
Trustees are elected to the Executive Board by the membership. There are three Trustees for each Commissioner District. Their duties include organizing and educating PCOs.
Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) are frontline representatives for the DNC and Clallam County Democrats.
Check HERE to see what precinct you’re in. Check HERE to find the PCO for your precinct.
PCOs are needed to fill more than 30 current vacancies.
To learn about this important role, see the PCO Handbook on the CCD website under the About Us, PCO section.
Please contact CCD Chair Ellen Menshew if you are interested in being appointed as a PCO.
—Eileen Cummings, PCO Liaison (eileencummings1851@gmail.com)
—Betsy Robins, Trustee Chair (betsyrobins114@gmail.com)
Marketing and Communications committee meetings are on the first Monday of the month.
Highlights of the most recent meeting:
The CCD website has been revised, and improvements continue to be made. Volunteers are needed to create web content.
Volunteers are also needed to write and edit short articles (no more than 200 words). Send content to Denise Mackendstat, (206-419-9555).
A new and improved CCD newsletter was completed and emailed to members and supporters, as well as posted on the CCD Facebook page and website.
Paul Kolesnikoff and Walt Boyes are working on the technical aspects of communication.
CCD currently uses Facebook. Committee members discussed other social networks we may want to try.
The public-facing window of the CCD headquarters has received a compelling facelift (see photo below). Comments and ideas for new additions to the display are welcome.
—Denise Mackendstat, Chair, 206-419-9555 (cane.travel@gmail.com)
Highlights of the meeting:
The new Facilities Committee has been hard at work cleaning and organizing CCD Headquarters (124 W 1st Suite A in Port Angeles) under the direction of committee member Betsy Robins.
Volunteers staff the office from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
During each shift, volunteer staffers talk with people who drop in to express interest in getting involved.
More volunteers are needed to cover Saturdays, two volunteers for each 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. shift. Contact David Fox to volunteer.
There is a new interoffice mail system called CCD Mail. When you need to use the office, send a message to David Fox. He will send your information to Vicki D. to mark the office reserved on the CCD calendar.
—David Fox, Chair, Facilities (everykindofpeople@gmail.com, 360-808-0035)
Highlights of the meeting:
Laurel Cripe is the new chair of the Membership Committee, succeeding outgoing chair Betsy Robins.
Members are able to vote at meetings and be full participants in the County party.
Our CCD membership numbers are growing. If you aren’t a member, join now. If you are already a member, encourage your friends to join!
—Laurel Cripe, Chair, Membership (membership@clallamdems.org)
News from Clallam County’s and Washington’s resistance. Click on each item to read the full story.
· President’s Day protests: Seattle, Olympia, Wenatchee, Mount Vernon and Bellingham, Port Angeles and Sequim.
· What can Democrats do about Trump and Musk’s policy blitz? Here’s what Washington lawmakers say.
For upcoming events, check the calendar on our website.
✅Become a Member!
✅Volunteer!
✅Donate!
Thank you for reading and being a part of the change and resistance our country needs. Together, we will defend Democracy. Stay active, and see you next month!