On Sunday, August 2nd, more than 20 Seattle-area progressive groups gathered in Woodland Park to reaffirm our commitments to safeguarding voting, protecting immigrants, defending civil rights, opposing political violence, fighting disinformation, and building an inclusive democracy. Each group brings different priorities, relationships, and skills; together, we build the power we need to protect our democracy and our communities. Going forward, we will seek out ways to partner, support one another with courage and non-violent discipline, and do together what we cannot do alone.

Here are groups that tabled and/or spoke:

Fair Vote, Washington, Seattle Chapter

FVW is a nonpartisan organization that promotes ranked choice voting. Their website explains:“Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a simple improvement to the way we vote. Vote for candidates in the order you prefer: 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and so on. If your favorite can’t win, your vote counts for your next choice.”FVW believes that RCV will increase voter participation by increasing the probability that each vote will count. In 2024, about 1/3 of voters did not vote, and about 50% said they were choosing the lesser of two evils. With RCV, voters can select candidates whom they enthusiastically support, without worrying about “electability”.FVW also believes that RCV favors the formation of coalitions, which can enhance the power of small parties and movements.Seattle will have RCV in the 2027 primary. https://fairvotewa.org/

Physicians for Social Responsibility – Washington State Chapter

From the website:“Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR) is a health professional-led advocacy organization working to create a healthy, just, peaceful, and sustainable world through advocacy and action. For over 40 years, we have taken on the gravest threats to human health and survival: nuclear weapons, economic inequity, and the climate crisis. Our health professional voices educate the public, influence decision-makers, and promote policies that support our mission.“ https://www.wpsr.org/

Seattle Strike Coalition

The goal of the Seattle Strike Coalition is to prepare for mass responses in the event that the Trump Administration and/or its allies at the state and local levels interfere with the November mid-terms elections. They are forming alliances and conducting planning meetings around a suite of actions under the heading of “mass economic non-participation”:StrikesBoycottsMassive non-violent civil disobedienceThe intent is for these actions to continue well beyond Election Day, and they are seeking additional partners to enlarge the coalition. https://www.seattlestrike.org/

Defund Musk

The initial goal of Defund Musk was to get big money out of politics. They have expanded their activities to support the No Kings movement and the Seattle Strike coalition. Regular events listed on their websites include: TESLA Takedown Rallies (Renton, Lynnwood); No Kings Rallies (U-Village, Tacoma); Defend Democracy Rallies (Ballard), and many others. They also host Pints and Postcards events to make targeted contact with voters ahead of the midterms.https://www.defundmusk.com/

350 Seattle

350 Seattle is part of a nationwide grassroots movement. Their goal was described as “making polluters pay”. From the website:“ 350 Seattle’s mission is to work toward climate justice by organizing people to make deep systems change: resisting fossil fuels; building momentum for healthy alternatives; and fostering resilient, just, and welcoming communities.”Their website lists a wide variety of activities, including an ongoing Data Center Resistance Project and a Make Polluters Pay Program. https://350seattle.org/

North Seattle Progressives (NSP)

From the website: “North Seattle Progressives is a grassroots community-based, all-volunteer organization. We support political policies that promote tolerance, equity, civil liberties, health justice, a healthy environment and climate, and social and economic justice for all.”NSP is affiliated with Indivisible, and focuses its political activities on Congressional Districts 1,2 and 7. NSP conducts candidate forums and supports progressive candidates. They have also been involved in preparing local businesses for ICE raids. NSP welcomes members from throughout WA State, and is recruiting throughout western WA. https://northseattleprogressives.org/

National Organization For Women (NOW)

From the website: “Seattle NOW is grassroots, all-volunteer chapter organizing for bold, intersectional change. We fight for reproductive justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, racial equity, and policies that put people over profit.”NOW continues to work for passage of the ERA.Locally, they worked to halt the use of camera footage by ICE to track abortion travelers. They also worked to pass a ban on child marriage in WA State. https://www.nowseattle.org/

Seattle- Gaza Mutual Aid Collective (SGMAC)

SGMAC provides direct support to Gazan people residing in Gaza, and also to Gazan refugees living in Cairo. SGMAC also supports internal Gazan refugees by bringing their visual art to the US for display, and selling it at local exhibitions to provide income. In Cairo, the Meera Center provides material, emotional, and educational support to Gazan families in a safe space. https://seattlegazamutualaid.org/

Ballard Defenders of Democracy (BDD)

BDD is a grassroots pro-democracy group affiliated with Indivisible. They hold peaceful weekly public demonstrations (Saturdays at Bergen Place Park from 12-1 PM), to raise awareness about civil rights, government accountability, and threats to democracy. They also hold solidarity rallies for causes like Ukraine. You can look for events on their Mobilize page. https://www.mobilize.us/ballarddefendersofdemocracy/

Common Power

Common Power is a national not for profit pro-democracy organization and political action committee, with an active chapter in Seattle. Its educational mission is embodied in the Institute for Common Power (study of US history and voting rights) and the CP Action Academy (training students for civic engagement). The CP core group recruits and trains volunteers from blue states to travel to states and districts with closely contested races, and conduct door-to-door canvassing. They are targeting at least 50 races this year, including in WA State). https://commonpower.org/

Seattle Library Levy

Librarian Deborah Jacobs spoke in support of the Seattle Library Levy. Happily, it is passing with 71.7% of the vote.

Citizens Climate Lobby, Seattle Chapter (CCL)

CCL is a nationwide (700 chapters), legislation-focused climate action group. Their lobbying efforts focus in bills that will reduce carbon pollution and have bipartisan support. Last year, members held 400 meetings with 900 people at their annual lobbying day in DC. CCL provides training, so previous lobbying experience is not required. https://cclseattle.com/

Third Act WA

Third Act is democracy and climate-focused organization founded by Bill McKibben primarily for adults over the age of 60. Their current climate projects include promoting plug-in solar, lobbying for faster solar permitting, and opposing data centers. Their pro-democracy work is focused on the mid-terms, and includes a post-carding campaign. They are always looking for collaboration opportunities, and are partnering with the League of Women Voters for a national voting rights Day of Action on August 8th. https://thirdact.org/washington/

Movement Voter Project (MVP)

MVP is a nationwide election-focused group that vets and funds local activist groups working on key Congressional and down ballot races. By distributing resources to these groups, MVP leverages their local knowledge and relationships to maximize the impact of each dollar. The next MVP101 Welcome Session will be held on August 19 online (see link below). https://movement.vote/

Wallingford Indivisible

The Wallingford chapter of Indivisible is “a volunteer-run group that focuses on taking direct action to protect our democracy, elect progressive leaders, advance civil rights, and oppose the fascist policies and actions of the current administration.” Membership is open to all. They engage in a wide variety of actions, often collaborative, which are listed in their weekly email. These include several standing rallies and an in-person book club. They also maintain standing issue teams, including immigration, equity and justice, and “facts matter” groups. https://www.wallingfordindivisible.com/

Salmon Bay Friends Meeting

A representative spoke to the group regarding the upcoming Automatic Selective Service Registration for 18-25 year-old men which goes into effect December 18th, 2026. Salmon Bay Friends Meeting will offer training on Conscientious Objection and how to document one's beliefs so that those opposed to participating in war can make an effective conscientious objector claim in the event of a draft. The training will be held on Sept 12th from 1:30-4pm. Interested parties should register for the free training at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2IIo_56HSiYZmOxbhPG0m9MnLRxuVOyoP3pmqcSB4lgBk7A/viewform

salmonbayfriendsmeeting.org

Fix Democracy First

Fix Democracy First was founded nearly 25 years ago to combat corporate money's influence and increase voter power. They work to reverse the impacts of Citizens United and support democracy vouchers (public financing of campaigns). https://www.fixdemocracyfirst.org/

Fix Democracy First is circulating a Citizens Resolution about a novel legal pathway to make Citizens United irrelevant, and get corporate money out of Washington State's elections. Any Washington resident 16 or older can sign here: https://bit.ly/people-only-elections

Indivisible Shoreline

The Shoreline chapter of Indivisible “is focused on protecting our nation's democratic values, minimizing harm, and securing free and safe elections in Shoreline and beyond. We are committed to using nonviolent action to shape a truly inclusive, multiracial and intercultural democracy, and hold government accountable to the people it serves.”To those ends they work extensively with the local immigrant community, partnering with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. They are active in GOTV and postcarding for the midterms, and sponsor numerous recurring rallies, often in partnership with numerous organizations. https://www.indivisibleshorelinewa.com/

National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

“NDLON improves the lives of day laborers, migrants and low-wage workers. We build leadership and power among those facing injustice so they can challenge inequality and expand labor, civil and political rights for all.” Consider joining local NDLON groups. You can also support local day laborers by hiring them. https://ndlon.org/

Seattle Area Protest List

This is a comprehensive and updated guide to rallies and demonstrations in the Seattle Area. https://seattle-protests.org/

Resist Tech Monopolies

“We promote free and open source options. We want to help you meet your own goals, whether it be reducing what you pay big corporations or increasing your privacy.” https://resisttechmonopolies.online/

Book Clubs:

350 Seattle, Wallingford Indivisible, Seattle Climate Conversations of Third Act WA and Communities Rising all offer book clubs. Book clubs help us individually and collectively to learn how we can respond to the dangers of this fascist, militaristic oligarchy and to the polycrisis of climate change, ecosystem destruction, and breaching planetary boundaries.HEREfor more details and how to join.