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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 4h

🔗For even more tips, check out our "Guide to School Board Advocacy in Washington," which includes a breakdown of how school boards work and how you can push for change.

https://www.aclu-wa.org/know-your-rights/guide-school-board-advocacy-washington/

Text read: "3. Think of strategies to influence board members. School board members are responsible for making decisions that are in the interest of the entire district and its budget.

Consider how the change your proposing would affect all students in the district. Talk to others to learn more about your board members’ views. Try to anticipate why school board members might oppose your position and think about how you’d respond."

Text reads: "Remember: school board members work for you! If you have never spoken at a school board meeting, go to one or two meetings just to observe. You can get a sense of the individual board members and watch how the board conducts its business. Find more tips in our Guide to School Board Advocacy at aclu-wa.org."

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 4h

As a parent, you have a right to make your voice heard at school board meetings.

Here are three ways to prep for the next meeting.

Text reads: "2. Connect with other parents and families. Find out what others in your community think. Then, think about who your allies might be in seeking the change you want. You might ﬁnd support from existing parent groups, teachers, or community leaders. Whoever you decide to work with, make sure to talk about the problem you want to solve and possible solutions."

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

What can you do? Tell Congress to support library funding. The @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social has an easy template you can use.

Libraries are here for us. Let's show up for them.

Show Up for Our Libraries

Join us and Show Up #ForOurLibraries.

www.ala.org

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

While a new state law that directs money from court filings toward library services could help with the funding shortfall – it will take time. Reinstating federal funds could fill that gap and make a difference sooner.

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

These libraries are still running but visits are by appointment only, it is harder to get librarian help, and The Talking Book and Braille Library had to cancel multiple workshops.

This means Washingtonians are losing out on access to critical materials, tools, and resources.

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

Because of the Trump administration's decision to cut federal funding – coupled with limited state resources – the Washington State Library in Tumwater and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle were forced to pull back on services and close to public visits in July.

Navy blue background with a quote from ACLU-WA's Integrated Advocacy Director, Vanessa Torres Hernandez: "This shortsighted decision hurts public safety, by reducing the ability of incarcerated people to access information that supports learning, rehabilitation, and growth. It diminishes our economy and the academic prospects of young people, as well as seniors, in rural and tribal communities across the state."

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

Losing access to a library can be just as damaging as outright censorship🧵

Navy blue background with a quote from ACLU-WA's Integrated Advocacy Director, Vanessa Torres Hernandez: "Libraries are a critical institution for the health of a democratic society. They must be protected. Federal efforts to defund and dismantle the Washington State Library, amidst a significant state budget shortfall, have resulted in its closure to the public. threatening access to knowledge and educational materials for many who rely on its services."

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

Dinner, childcare, and translation will be provided.

RSVP and submit your questions at the link below.

The South End Speaks, Our Voices Our Vote: Candidate Forum on Safety, Immigration, and Surveillance

Date: Tuesday October 14th Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM Rainier Arts Center 3515 S Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118 Join us! Come hear directly from the candidates for Seattle Mayor, City Council, and City Attorney at a forum centered on some of our community's most critical concerns. The questions will be sourced from our partners and community members. We'll be asking candidates tough questions on Safety, Immigration, and Surveillance to ensure they're ready to represent us. This event is a collaboration with a powerful group of local organizations, including Whose Streets? Our Streets!, ACLU of Washington, The Black Rose Collective, East African Community Services, Puget Sound Sage, Rainier Ave Committee, and Surge Reproductive Justice. Your voice, your vote, your future.

docs.google.com

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 1d

📆Tuesday, October 14 | 6-9pm
📌Rainier Arts Center

Have questions for people running for Seattle Mayor, City Council, or City Attorney? Join Whose Streets Our Streets for a South End candidate forum!

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 2d

Congress must act now and protect the right to learn.

Tell Congress: No book bans in military schools

Tell Congress: No book bans in military schools

Schools run by the Department of Defense on military bases have banned hundreds of books and altered curricula that the Trump administration doesn't agree with. Take action.

action.aclu.org

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 2d

The Dept. of Defense is banning books, changing lesson plans, and canceling history month celebrations in schools on military bases to comply with President Trump's anti-DEI executive orders.

The Trump Administration is Banning Books on Military Bases. We Sued. | ACLU

Censorship in Defense Department K-12 schools violates the First Amendment.

www.aclu.org

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Reposted by ACLU of Washington

ACLU @aclu.org · 3d

We were at the American Library Association Conference this summer talking with librarians about the importance of everyone having access to books that represent all kinds of different backgrounds and experiences.

Thank you to every librarian working to defend our right to read.

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Reposted by ACLU of Washington

ACLU @aclu.org · 3d

There are steps everyone can take to help make our communities safer for trans people and all of us.

I asked Chase Strangio how to stand up for trans people. It's easier than you think. | Opinion

Trans attorney Chase Strangio has a simple message: It's time for cisgender people to stand up for transgender rights. Here's how.

www.usatoday.com

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 3d

Preventing censorship will take all of us.

Learn about a recent law that passed to help our state curb the rise of book bans, and what you can do to protect your right to read and learn ⤵️

Book banning in Washington state: An FAQ - ACLU of Washington

Learn about book bans in Washington and what you can do to prevent them.

www.aclu-wa.org

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 3d

Books are powerful tools that help us explore our identities and learn about new perspectives.
⁠
And we all have the right to read and learn, free from censorship. But attempts to ban books have increased across the country, including here in Washington.

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 4d

📲Using ACLU-WA's School Board Advocacy toolkit to prepare for meetings

📚Joining your public library’s book review committee

Get started by checking out advice for advocating at your next school board meeting⬇️

Advocacy Tips to Change School Board Policies on Free Speech Issues - ACLU of Washington

Learn how to advocate with your school board around issues of free speech.

www.aclu-wa.org

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 4d

Happy Banned Books Week, Washington! We all can protect the right to read and learn freely by:

🗣️Talking about book bans with friends and family

🗯️Sharing your thoughts at school board and city council meetings

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Reposted by ACLU of Washington

ACLU @aclu.org · 4d

BREAKING: Late last night, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deploying any out-of-state federalized National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.

This is a win for the rule of law.

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Reposted by ACLU of Washington

ACLU of Northern California @aclu-norcal.bsky.social · 7d

A federal appeals court today upheld a block on Trump’s executive order that seeks to strip babies born in the United States of their U.S. citizenship. The Constitution is clear — if you are born in the United States, you’re a citizen. Another hard won victory for democracy!

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 7d

Find a No Kings protest near you at the link in our bio. When using that link, Indivisible will know you came from us; their privacy policy applies.

No Kings

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.

www.nokings.org

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 7d

When President Trump tries to silence dissent, we just get louder

Protest announcement for Saturday, October 18. Text says " Our government answers to us, whether they like it or now. Join us on Saturday, October 18 at a protest near you." Background features images of past protests.

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Reposted by ACLU of Washington

ACLU @aclu.org · 8d

We’re taking to the streets across the nation on October 18 to protest the Trump administration’s abuse of executive power.

Join us on October 6 at 8pm ET to make sure you’re prepared to protest safely. RSVP at aclu.org/KYRtraining_oct6

Black graphic with white and orange text: "Know your rights before you hit the streets. Virtual training, Monday, October 6 at 8:00 pm ET. We'll cover your rights when protesting, protest safety, and de-escalation training."

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Reposted by ACLU of Washington

ACLU @aclu.org · 7d

Caregivers look after seniors and people with disabilities — yet a new Labor Department rule would rob them of vital workplace protections.

We're fighting alongside @domesticworkers.bsky.social to protect caregivers.

A New Labor Rule Could Push Caregivers to the Breaking Point | ACLU

Care workers warn that a new Labor Department rule would cut vital wage and hour protections, threatening millions of caregivers who support seniors and people with disabilities.

www.aclu.org

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 8d

More than ever, we must be relentless in showing up for each other in our schools, neighborhoods, homes, and beyond — especially in the face of violence.

And to 2SLGBTQIA+ Washingtonians: We've got your back and will always fight alongside you.

Photos by Nii Okaidja (@nii_okaidja)

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ACLU of Washington @acluwa.bsky.social · 8d

Summer may be over, but the work of building a Washington where queer and transgender people can live and love freely continues.

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