CALL TO ACTION PAGE
UPDATED 3.8.2024
Check back here regularly for our Calls to Action (CTAs)
CTAs are ways you can engage with the legislators representing you, your district, and our state.
Most of these quick actions will take no more than a few minutes to complete.
Thank you for your advocacy!
March 8
Action Alert Regarding the Misconduct of Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave
Background
On January 23, 2023, Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave struck and killed 23 year old Jaahnavi Kandula. Officer Dave was traveling at 74 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone, through the intersection of Dexter Ave N. and Thomas St. in downtown Seattle. Ms. Kandula was in a marked crosswalk. The King County Prosecutor declined to file criminal charges and the Seattle Police Department has referred a traffic infraction to the City Attorney's Office.
This action alert is directed to the City Attorney and the Criminal Division. The City Attorney has delegated the decision making to the chief of the criminal division, however since that office is vacant as of February 29, we are directing the action alert to the City Attorney. The referral is for a traffic infraction under SMC 11.58.005.C Negligent Driving in the Second Degree with a Vulnerable User Victim. That infraction carries a civil penalty with a fine up to $5,000. The phrase "vulnerable user" is defined at 11.14.714, and in this instance refers to a pedestrian.
Our ultimate goal here is to get the maximum penalty issued against Officer Dave, and a statement from the Judge and Prosecutor regarding the seriousness of the offense. Following this we expect a decertification action at the Criminal Justice Training Commission so that Officer Dave's authority to work as a police officer is revoked. We will be sharing additional action alerts as this process unfolds.
Please complete this action alert soon, as the City Attorney's Office process is underway, and please share this alert widely with organizations and individuals.
This link will direct you to a pre-filled action page. If you prefer, you can also copy and paste the information below.
February 29, 2024
Action alert regarding ESSB 5299 Concerning law enforcement officer protection
This action alert is aimed at keeping ESSB 5299, concerning law enforcement officer protection, in the Rules Committee. We do not want it to get to the House floor.
Please email the Democrats's on the House Rules Committee and ask them to not take any action on ESSB 5299.
You can send one email to this combined list.
Sample Email
Subject: ESSB 5299 - keep it in House Rules
Email Body:
Dear Speaker Jinkins and Democratic members of the Rules Committee:
I am writing to ask you to NOT move ESSB 5299 out of the House Rules Committee.
The bill is unnecessary. This bill creates new penalties for assault of a police officer, whether on or off duty. Assault is already a crime, and assault of a police officer is a Class C felony. We should not be unnecessarily increasing criminal penalties. Increasing criminal sanctions has not been proven to be an effective deterrent. In addition, ESSB 5299 is harmful and can actually undermine accountability for officer misconduct. The Washington Supreme Court has recognized that community members are often charged with assault of an officer when the person is the victim of police brutality. You can read about the Zamora case here. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/judge-cites-vindictive-prosecution-tosses-case-against-wa-man-beaten-by-police/
This bill is an unwarranted expansion of the law. These types of enhanced consequences don't attach to other public servant professionals who are off duty - like judges, firefighters, bus drivers, medical personnel. Existing law is more than adequate to address assaults against officers, both on duty and off.
Please do not move this bill out of the Rules committee.
Thank you,
[Your name here]
February 25, 2024
ACT BY 9:00 AM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26
3SHB 1579 had its hearing in Senate Ways and Means on Friday.
Thank you
Thank you to the people who testified pro: Katrina Johnson, Yvette Magana, Sam Martin, Sonia Joseph, Aaron Czyzewski, Heather Kelly, and Kristin Ang. Great testimony.
And thank you to all of you who signed in PRO. That was the last hearing for our bills this session!
3SHB 1579 is scheduled for executive action tomorrow, Monday February 26, 10 AM.
Action
We would like emails sent to the Democratic members of the committee, thanking them for hearing the bill, and asking them to vote to move it forward to Senate Rules.
One email to the following Senators:
Sample Email:
Dear Chair Robinson, and members of the Senate Ways and Means Democratic Caucus:
Thank you for hearing 3SHB 1579 and for scheduling it for executive action. This is an important bill for system reform, and will increase the trust between community and law enforcement.
It is a good investment and strengthens the investment you have already made in the Office of Independent Investigations. Advocates have worked hard to refine the substance of the bill to address the complexities of the law, and it is ready for you to pass onto Senate Rules.
Please move this bill forward.
Thank you,
[your name here]
February 16, 2024
Each of this week's three action alerts is important. You are making a difference by taking these actions - please share with your networks.
1. Executive Action on 3SHB 1579 Independent Prosecutor
This bill is scheduled for executive action on Tuesday February 20, at 10:30 AM. Please email the Democrats on the Senate Law and Justice Committee and ask for a “do pass” recommendation.
2. Executive Action on HB 1635 Fentanyl Sniffing Canine Immunity
This bill is scheduled for executive action on Tuesday February 20, at 10:30 AM. Please email the Democrats on the Senate Law and Justice Committee and ask them to remove subsection 2.
3. Executive Action on ESSB 6009 Banning Hogtying
This bill is scheduled for executive action in the House Committee on Community Safety Justice and Reentry on Tuesday February 20th at 4 pm. Please email the Democrats on the Committee and ask for a “do pass” recommendation with no amendments..
February 13, 2024
URGENT LAST MINUTE ACTION ALERTS
ESSB 5299: Hearing 2/14 at 10:30 am
This bill creates "standards for officer protection," including requiring the reporting of data for officer injuries in the line of duty.
We are not against reporting officer injuries, but there already are mechanisms in place—this bill goes above and beyond.
The data reporting raises concerns for us due to the gathering of data on harms the officer incurred while using force. The reason this is a concern is that when an officer uses force and subsequently gets scrapes and bumps and bruises, this record keeping is going to be used to bring assault charges against the person whom the officer has used force against. This point of view is used to avoid responsibility for excessive force, like in this example.
ESSB 5299 is not ready: Use this link to sign in CON
Don't forget - toggle to CON
HB 1635: Hearing 2/15 at 8:00 am
This bill provides civil immunity and shields governments and law enforcement from liability related to dogs used to detect fentanyl.
Dogs are not going to solve the fentanyl crisis and its not good policy to block victims from suing when they are harmed by the actions of government.
Don't forget - toggle to CON!
February 9, 2024
1. Sign in PRO for HB 1579
The Independent prosecutor bill has a hearing in Senate Law and Justice on Thursday February 15 at 8 AM.
Please click here to sign in pro.
SSB 6009 Update 2/12
Thank you for the emails asking for a hearing on SSB 6009! The hearing has been scheduled for 2/14/24 10:30 AM.
Support a state-wide ban on hogtying. It is an inhumane practice and no law enforcement agency should retain the discretion to use it.
2. Do This Now: SSB 6009 Banning Hog Tying
Email the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Committee on Community Safety Justice and Reentry and ask them to schedule SSB 6009 for a hearing. Ask them to pass it out without any amendments, and tell them that law enforcement doesn't need any training funds to stop using this inhumane practice. Most jurisdictions in the state have discontinued its use, and this legislation will get everyone on board.
SAMPLE EMAIL
Subject: SSB 6009 Banning Hog Tying
Dear Chair Goodman and Vice Chair Simmons:
Please schedule a hearing on SSB 6009 as soon as possible. This important legislation will make sure no law enforcement agency in this state has the discretion to use hog tying. The bill is in good shape. It passed off the Senate floor with a unanimous vote, and please reject any requests for amendment or exceptions. Additionally, I feel it is not necessary to provide any grants or training funds to jurisdictions in the implementation of this legislation. The vast majority of law enforcement agencies do not use this tactic, and it is simple to get on board. Just stop hogtying.
Thank you,
[your name here]
3. And a "thank you" to do:
HB 1445 - Civil Rights AGO Investigations
Please email Rep. Farivar and thank her for the hard work she put in on HB 1445.
She was a total champion!
Subject HB 1445 Thank you
February 2, 2024
1. Keeping the pressure up on HB 1445.
Thank you for all the work you have been doing on this important reform. We expect the bill to be voted off the floor either Tuesday or Wednesday.
By the morning of Tuesday, February 6, please email your district house of representative legislators, Speaker Jinkins, and Majority Leader Fitzgibbon, letting them know you support this. It is important to keep the pressure on.
2. Moving HB 1579 out of Rules
We are making slow and steady progress on HB 1579, which establishes an independent prosecutor at the Attorney General's Office. The next action step is to move it out of Rules.
Please send two emails, one to Gerry Pollet and one to Debra Lekanoff, both of who signed on as co-sponsor of HB 1579 and sit on the Rules committee.
Email Addresses:
Subject: HB 1579 - Independent Prosecutor - Rules Pull Requested
Sample Email:
Dear [Rep Pollet / Rep Lekanoff]
Thank you for co-sponsoring HB 1579 to establish an independent prosecutor. I am requesting that you please make a rules pull, and get this bill moving towards the floor.
Thank you,
[your name here]
3. Action Hour with ACLU-WA and PJALS on Feb 7
HB 1445 and 1513 Traffic Safety for All
Action Hour with Peace Justice and Action League of Spokane
February 7th, 6-7 PM
Link to register: Action Hour with the ACLU of Washington (everyaction.com)
January 29, 2024
1. Email House Democrats to pass HB 1445
Good news! HB 1445 moved out of Rules. Now, the ask is to email House Democrats and ask them to take the next steps towards making House Bill 1445 into law: pass it off of the House floor. HB 1445 is the Attorney General Investigations and Reform bill, which would create a way for the state to investigate local law enforcement departments through the Washington State Attorney General’s office. In order to understand and change systemic failures in policing, we need HB 1445.
This bill addresses systemic misconduct and police culture. We cannot wait another year to start this important work.
Tell House Democrats to pass HB 1445 through the House.
2. Email Senator Conway to Thank Him for Supporting HB 1579
Please email Senator Conway and thank him for his decision to support HB 1579.
Email address: Steve.Conway@leg.wa.gov
Sample Email Text:
Dear Senator Conway,
I want to personally thank you for your decision to support HB 1579, which will create an office of independent prosecutions.
When this bill gets to Senate Ways and Means, your support will be so important and is much appreciated.
Thank you.
[your name here]
3. Email Senator Lovick and Thank Him for Supporting HB 1445
Please email Senator Lovick and thank him for his decision to support HB 1445.
Email address: John.Lovick@leg.wa.gov
Sample Email Text:
Dear Senator Lovick,
It was good to hear from our friends at the Washington Coalition for Police Accountability (WCPA) that you will support HB 1445 and that will let your colleagues know of your support for this legislation. Addressing police culture is what will move public safety forward in the state of Washington.
Thank you again for your commitment to vote for HB 1445.
Thank you.
[your name here]
January 19, 2024
1. Email House Speaker to Move on HB 1445
This urgent ask is to email House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and ask her to take the next steps towards making House Bill 1445 into law: move it out of rules, and pass it off of the House floor. This bill is transformational because it addresses systemic misconduct and addresses police culture. We cannot wait another year to start this important work.
Tell House Speaker Laurie Jinkins to move HB 1445 out of the Rules Committee and pass it through the House.
3. Email House Appropriations Committee to Move on Independent Prosecutions
The House Appropriations Committee will take executive action Monday, January 22, 2024 at 4 pm.
Please email the chair and vice chairs of this committee letting them know you support the proposed substitute, which establishes the office of independent prosecutor in the Attorney General Office and limits the caseloads to the death investigation caseload from the Office of Independent Investigations.