June 2025 Newsletter: Lines in the Sand

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As things appear to spiral toward a dire escalation, it’s important to remember that progress is rarely linear, that we must look back to find our way forward, and that it is on all of us to learn from yesterday’s struggles. That is how we forge better lives for those who share our world. June is full of examples.

• On May 31st through June 1st, 1921, the Tulsa Race Massacre, or the Burning of Black Wall Street, all but obliterated one of the most prosperous Black communities in post-Great War America. Only five years ago in 2020, learning about it became a mandatory part of the Oklahoma school curriculum.
• On June 6th, 1944, D-Day, U.S. troops landed in Normandy, France to push back against the Nazi war machine, lending our Allies strength so we could all turn the tide of a war that threatened to consume the world in authoritarian hatred.
• June 19th, 1865, now known as Juneteenth, is the date chosen to celebrate the end of slavery in the U.S., marked by the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Texas, not long before the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. In 2021, it was added to the list of United States holidays—the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was added in 1983.

What must be done to overcome adversity? Things seem very uncertain right now–watch this statement from California Governor Newsom. It is no longer enough to sit angrily at the sidelines; we must go out and resist, and we must convince our neighbors to join us. Resistance is not a party responsibility, but a patriotic one. So what can you do now?

• June 14th will be the inaugural No Kings Day, celebrated with a protest march against the insidious consolidation of power to our executive branch (it also just happens to be on Donald Trump’s birthday). We’re hearing that registration to attend the No Kings protest has vastly exceeded that of the huge April 5th Hands Off protest. Remember to read up on your rights as a protester, and King County Democrats will see you there.

• June 29 is the Seattle Pride Parade. All allies are welcome–come as you are! Let’s show support to our LGBTQ+ communities, who have been continually targeted by the wannabe King Trump administration and other hatemongers. This year’s theme is “Louder”. Once again, we’ll be there, and we want to see you there too!
  • Can’t make it to Seattle Pride (or just want more)? Eastside Pride has you covered!
  • Our own Andrew Ashiofu has been recognized by the City of Seattle for his incredible work in the LGBTQ+ communities, among others. Congratulations, Andrew!
  • A quick note: Purchases of King County Democrats’ Pride T-shirts are closed. They should arrive before the parade on the 29th.

Meanwhile, King County Democrats have been hard at work vetting candidates for endorsement. The core mission of our organization is to get Democrat candidates elected, and we’re starting to hear just how much of an impact these endorsements can have. For example, Moms for Liberty (the book ban bunch) and similar organizations are finding themselves squeezed out in several school district races. Many are even withdrawing from their races. This work goes on, and we’ll be talking more about it next month.

• Here is our (still growing!) list of endorsements for 2025.
• Protect Puget Sound: A Luncheon to Fight for Our Future has been moved from June 14 (No Kings Day) to September 14th. Sign up to attend here!

That’s enough from us. Here are some other notable things going on:

• Get Involved:
  • The King County Democrats calendar has lots of events for you to attend!
  • The WA Dems calendar has events for you too!
  • Celebrate Juneteenth at Judkins Park
  • Eastside Honoring Juneteenth 2025
  • Young Democrats of Washington State Convention is on June 20th

• Stay Informed:
  • ICE agents at Seattle courthouse arrest people whose deportation hearings are dismissed
  • Washington’s Supreme Court slashes public defender caseload limits

Don’t give an inch.

Beth Bazley
Chair, King County Democrats

P.S. If you are in a financial position to be generous, please consider donating to King County Democrats. We are an all-volunteer organization, and it is your donations that make what we do possible.

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Muy pronto…