January 2017

An estimated 2000 people crowded into the public areas of SeaTac Airport Jan. 28 in a scene that promises to be repeated there and at airports in other major cities, as the Trump ban on immigration from seven "muslim majority" nations took effect. The demonstrations temporarily halted rail and bus traffic to the airport and blocked travelers from egress as they marched, shouted, and demanded that those detained be released.

Those initially detained were in fact released Sunday but the protestors may well be back as the order is not likely to be rescinded. A Federal judge in Brooklyn, New York issued an order preventing those detained from being deported but did nothing to prevent the detention process.

109 people nationally were detained.

Joahn Johannesen was born in Waco, TX December 1, 1934, and died January 21, 2017, at home in Richland WA, exiting her body just in time for her spirit to join 175,000 of her feminist friends in Seattle’s Women’s March. She lived in Burien, WA from 1959 until 2008.

Jo married Jacob Johannesen in 1954. By 1959, they had four children. They raised their children in Burien WA. When her children were mostly grown, she returned to school and completed her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington State University in Human Services. She worked as a counselor at Domestic Abuse Women’s Network in Kent. After retirement and Jake’s death, she lived on the beach on Puget Sound in West Seattle. She moved to Richland in 2012 to escape Seattle traffic after a harrowing pas de deux with a logging truck on I-5.

Jim was a dedicated educator in the Highline School District, having completed all 30 years of his educational career with Highline. Jim began his career as a teacher at Lakeview Elementary School in 1957. During the next six years, he taught 5th and 6th graders at Boulevard Park and Hilltop elementary schools. Once Jim began his teaching career he immediately went back to college to earn a Masters Degree in Administration and was soon hired as principal at Boulevard Park Elementary School in 1962. As a district person once said, “His abilities and personality became so obvious to our school district leaders that they finally decided to make a principal out of him.” Maywood and Sunny Terrace students enjoyed his guidance during the next nine years. He then held principalships at Cedarhurst, Maywood, Parkside, Mt. View, and Southern Heights elementary schools.

On Monday, January 23, 2017, just shy of her 93rd birthday, Emmogene (Jean) Molly Silver ended her arduous and noble 10 year journey with Alzheimer's and crippling arthritis. She persevered until the end trying to make sense of the world around her. Though her disease could produce fear, her last years and days were also filled with many moments of clarity and deep humor. Many times when her children or grandchildren would visit, the sparkle of maternal love and recognition shone in her eyes as she'd so naturally fall into the role she cherished as mother and grandmother, rising to the occasion, asking questions, full of the purpose that fulfilled her the most in her lifetime. Up until her last week she was whispering inventive stories to visitors and her wonderful caregivers with the undeniable intent to relay a clever tale delivered with a wry smile, a raised eyebrow, and a wink. 

Information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College’s 2017 Gifts from the Earth fundraiser raised $273,000 - a new record in the event’s fourteenth year.
Proceeds from the event benefit the South Seattle College Foundation in its mission to support programs and students with scholarships, internships, emergency funding, tutoring and more.

“South Seattle College has the most engaged, compassionate and generous supporters around,” South’s President Gary Oertli said. “I thank everyone who participated in Gifts from the Earth tonight, including our donors, sponsors, chefs and volunteers. With their help, we are breaking down economic barriers so that all students can pursue fulfilling, family-supporting careers.”

South’s benefactors kicked off their night with a silent auction accompanied by appetizers and wines created by Culinary Arts, Pastry & Baking Arts and Northwest Wine Academy students. Next was a multi-course meal prepared by 24 of the Seattle area’s top chefs (nine of whom are alumni of South’s Culinary Arts program) and a live auction.

An estimated 2000 people showed up at SeaTac Airport Saturday night to protest the detention or sending back of immigrants due to President Trump's executive order that barred entry for four months of people from seven nations.

Demonstrations also took place at airports in New Jersey, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Denver, Colorado, and Dallas.

More protests are scheduled Sunday in Orlando, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago, primarily at airports.

See video coverage and updates on our news partner Q13Fox News.

Information from Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Suzan DelBene

Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Suzan DelBene hailed Western District of Washington judge Thomas S. Zilly’s temporary restraining order, along with a stay issued by a New York judge, which has kept two immigrants in limbo at Seattle-Tacoma airport from being turned away and sent back to their countries of origin.

“This executive order was inhumane and undermines core American values. It has created confusion across our country, and thrown into fear and limbo families who await their loved ones and those who traveled across oceans. I am grateful to the ACLU of Washington and Northwest Immigrants Rights Project for their swift and principled legal challenges,” said Rep. Jayapal. “We have won a temporary victory, halting the unconstitutional deportations of two people and keeping them from being sent away. Now, we must keep fighting.”

The Port of Seattle Commission issued a statement today in opposition to the Trump Administration's Executive Order banning immigration.

Statement by Port of Seattle Commission in response to Trump administration executive order banning immigration
01/28/2017

​“This airport is owned by the citizens of King County and our responsibility is to steward it for their wellbeing and long-term future. The Port of Seattle Commissioners, Tom Albro, Courtney Gregoire, Stephanie Bowman, Fred Felleman and John Creighton are here today to express our concerns over the immigration ban executive order that was issued late last night. As the government that operates this airport, this executive order runs counter to our values. America is great because we are a land of immigrants and that is what made us great to begin with.

information from office of Rep. Pramila Jayapal

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal demanded the release of individuals being held at Seattle airport by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a result of President Trump’s executive order banning refugees and immigrants from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia.

“This executive order is absolutely inhumane and barbaric,” said Rep. Jayapal. “President Trump has banned men, women, and children seeking better lives from accessing the American dream. His xenophobic policies are not only causing mass chaos and uncertainty at our ports but exacerbating fears in the hearts of Muslims across the country.”

The CBP must be transparent about the number of people being detained, their legal status, and must provide them with access to attorneys. CBP authorities have not provided any information on the numbers of people detained. It is unclear how many are legal permanent residents, visa-holders, or refugees. According to one Somali family, a family member was turned away and put back on a plane.