Some things voters should know about Sheriff Bill Elfo / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Screen shot of Sheriff Bill Elfo’s photo on the 2015 Whatcom County Jail mailer that was sent out to voters that year

August 22, 2019 Dena Jensen

Here’s a quick recap of some key information regarding Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo who is seeking reelection this year.

Sheriff Elfo supported Minutemen in 2005

In 2005, Sheriff Bill Elfo affirmed his support of the Minutemen vigilante group, which had formed around that time and was associated with the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps. This was in response to publicity about people entering Arizona illegally. That year about 100 Minutemen volunteers were recruited here in Washington State.

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Some Facebook comments County Council Member Rud Browne hid on his post endorsing Sheriff Elfo / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Screen shot of photo of Whatcom County Council Member Rud Browne’s profile picture from his personal Facebook page

August 21, 2019 Dena Jensen

On August 20, 2019, Whatcom County Council Member Rud Browne made a Facebook post announcing that County Council Members “unanimously” endorse Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo. That’s his right, but sad that he had to depict it with the initial appearance that Council Members somehow voted to do so. He indicates in a footnote, however, that they did not.

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It looks like a workgroup on immigration will be moving forward for Bellingham City Council’s Justice Committee / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Click the graphic of a quote from Bellingham City Council Member April Barker at the 8/19/19 Council Meeting to hear her remarks at that meeting regarding a presentation on immigration issues by community members

August 20, 2019 Dena Jensen

Last night’s Bellingham City Council meeting provided a pretty good lesson in what white fragility does – and doesn’t – look like.  To the majority of the Council Member’s credit that night, most of them did not seem to exhibit “discomfort and defensiveness on the part of a white person when confronted by information about racial inequality and injustice,” which is the definition of white fragility offered by Oxford’s Lexico dictionary.  But a couple of them did. 

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Part 3: Notes on the 7/15/19 Bellingham City Council Justice Committee meeting regarding immigration – new meeting on 8/19/19 / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Click the graphic – of a screen shot of a YouTube video frame showing Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville in a purple shirt sitting in a chair in Council Chambers – to access the video of the 7/15/19 Justice Committee Meeting

August 16, 2019 Dena Jensen

This is the final installment of notes on the July 15, 2019 Bellingham City Council Justice Committee meeting regarding immigration issues. The next Justice Committee meeting will occur this Monday, August 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Council chambers. Here is a link for the agenda for that meeting https://meetings.cob.org/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=2059&doctype=1

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Part Two: Notes on the 7/15/19 Bellingham City Council Justice Committee meeting regarding immigration / Noisy Waters Northwest

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Click the graphic – of a screen shot of a YouTube video frame showing Bellingham City Council Member Hannah Stone sitting in a chair in Council Chambers with a U.S. flag behind her – to access the video of the 7/15/19 Justice Committee Meeting

August 10, 2019 Dena Jensen

Time is flying and I am finally getting to posting notes on the second 15 minute segment of Bellingham City Council’s July 15, 2019 Justice Committee meeting where they were discussing issues related to immigration.

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Worthy of honor and respect: the 2019 Farmworker March for Dignity / Noisy Waters Northwest

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August 8, 2019 Dena Jensen

It’s been held for years. I have been to four. This year was the second time I’ve marched the full route. The annual Farmworker March for Dignity starts at dawn, with many people leaving their home destinations around 4:00 a.m., in carpools or individually, to arrive at shuttle locations and park their vehicles.

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Rosalinda Guillen: ‘…it’s a critical moment for immigrant families, immigrant children.’ / Video Transcript, Noisy Waters Northwest

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Click the graphic to access the Community to Community Development August 5, 2019 Facebook post of a video of Rosalinda Guillen who is picture in the screenshot of the post standing on a downtown Bellingham street corner holding a sign with a drawing of a red broken heart with tears and the name of the city of El Paso on it.

August 6, 2019 Dena Jensen

“So, it doesn’t mean that we don’t want politicians with us when they’re with us. But we will not be used for campaign photos. We will not be used as tokens to make it appear like they really believe in our movement, like they really believe in what we’re doing, like they will really protect our families. 
“We believe they won’t. It is an opportunistic, privileged action. ” – Rosalinda Guillen

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