Eastside For All

10/14/2026

Eastside For All is one of the local advocates calling on WA State to stop the data pipeline. Help protect the rights of thousands across WA who are being impacted. Here's how you can help: If your organization wants to sign a letter urging the Governor to close the gaps, fill out this form: https://forms.monday.com/forms/5cedd9d33fcb7221b4e6e99a81ebabdb?r=use1

If you are an individual, you can send a personal note to the Governor's office: https://governor.wa.gov/contacting-governor/contacting-governors-office/send-gov-ferguson-e-message

Here you will find an example letter to send: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FDlv4jcvdrkHksZXRL2or-cjf0ZB7czU/view?usp=drive_link

Remember that it is always better if you use your own words. Thank you!

See the full press conference from 10/13: https://www.youtube.com/live/iONxEPUDWPE

New report!

Across the country, traffic stops have become an increasingly frequent, visible, and violent means of immigration enforcement by ICE/CBP/DHS. But how do they know who is in the car in front of them?

In many cases, agents search state-held data in Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) databases for the license plate number of the car in front of them to determine the name and address of the car’s owner.

This is the DMV-to-DHS pipeline.

The DMV-to-DHS pipeline shows the four main ways immigration enforcement agencies access state driver and vehicle data:

➡️ Directly through database access
➡️ Through the interstate querying system known as Nlets
➡️ Through sale to data brokers, who may in turn sell it to ICE/CBP
➡️ Through local law enforcement who pass data to ICE/CBP

UWCHR researchers examined the experiences of four states—Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and Washington—all of whom have passed state laws to curtail the DMV-to-DHS pipeline, and yet, all of whom, to different extents, continue to experience vehicular immigration arrests.

Stopping the DMV-to-DHS Pipeline requires addressing all four pathways of data access. It requires effective mechanisms for accountability and transparency so that any future violations are detected, and those responsible are held accountable.

Learn more: tinyurl.com/dmv2dhs

10/05/2026

Candidate forum focused on housing in East King County starts in one hour at 6pm. You can still register: https://www.housingconsortium.org/events/ #!event/register/2026/10/5/ld-45-ld-48-housing-equity-candidate-forum-8211-general-election

Housing! Join us for a virtual candidate forum on Monday, 10/5 6pm where candidates in the 45th and 48th Legislative Districts will share their perspectives and plans to advance more affordable and equitable housing for all income levels. The forum is hosted by the Eastside Housing Equity Coalition. Register: https://www.housingconsortium.org/events/ #!event/register/2026/10/5/ld-45-ld-48-housing-equity-candidate-forum-8211-general-election

10/02/2026

Housing! Join us for a virtual candidate forum on Monday, 10/5 6pm where candidates in the 45th and 48th Legislative Districts will share their perspectives and plans to advance more affordable and equitable housing for all income levels. The forum is hosted by the Eastside Housing Equity Coalition. Register: https://www.housingconsortium.org/events/ #!event/register/2026/10/5/ld-45-ld-48-housing-equity-candidate-forum-8211-general-election

09/20/2026

The power of place starts with having a voice in shaping it.

Remember “nothing about us without us.”When young people help imagine and create the spaces they actually use, that’s powerful. And it’s especially important that cities hear from youth whose identities and experiences have too often been left out of local decision-making spaces.

For our 12–18 year olds: What are your dreams for a new teen center where every young person feels welcomed, seen, and truly has a place to belong?

This isn’t a small thing. Look around at everything that’s been built in your community. Does it reflect you? Were you involved in the look or purpose of it? Were your parents or grandparents involved? Or even people who share your identities and lived experiences?

You can - and should - have a say in the future teen center.

Physical places to gather and connect are rare in this area. This is an important moment to shape something for youth now and for many years to come.

See Redmond’s post to sign up for one of the youth sessions and also attend the broader community one if you can to keep representing!

This fall, the City of Redmond is inviting teens and the community to share big-picture ideas for the new teen center, before the City selects a design-build team for the project. Teens aged 12 - 18 or currently enrolled in middle or high school can stop by anytime during two drop-in sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 30 or Thursday, Oct. 1. The community is invited to a visioning session on Thursday, Oct. 8, which is open to everyone. Feedback from all three sessions will be shared with the design-build team once selected.

Teen Drop-in Sessions:
• Wednesday, Sept. 30, anytime from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Redmond High School Library
• Thursday, Oct. 1, anytime from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village

Community Visioning Session:
• Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Redmond Senior & Community Center

Learn more redmond.gov/2494/Teen-Center-Project

09/15/2026

Today is National Voter Registration Day aaaand finally some good news about voting rights-- the Supreme Court overturned the executive order restricting mail-in ballots! (In March, an executive order directed the USPS to deliver ballots only to voters on lists of citizens.) "The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy." - John Lewis

Are you eligible to vote and ready for the general election in November? LOCAL ELECTIONS MATTER

Here in King County you can make sure your registration information is up to date, track your ballot, and even see how often you've voted: https://info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/vote/myvoterinfo.aspx

Need to register to vote? >> https://olvr.votewa.gov/default.aspx?Org=EFA

Check out more voter information with important dates and invitations to local candidate forums: https://eastsideforall.org/resources/voting-and-representation/

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

09/14/2026

Tomorrow! Join us on National Voter Registration Day, September 15, 2026, for a free community event connecting community members with voter registration support and resources at the Together Center in Redmond.

In partnership with the Together Center, East King County Human Services Collaborative, Community Clothing Closet and Hopelink, community members can get voter registration assistance at the Together Center lobby from 9-5. Eastside For All will be tabling from 3-5pm so stop by to register, update your registration info, or just chat about voting!

Also from 3-5pm, check out the Community Clothing Closet. Browse and take-home free clothing for individuals and families while supplies last.

09/10/2026

A lot's happened in the 11 years since the cities of Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Bellevue, and Sammamish started collaborating for the Eastside's Welcoming Week celebration. Started by Welcoming America in 2012, the campaign was created with the belief that communities are at their strongest when everyone, including immigrants and new residents, feels a sense of belonging and value.

We're proud of all the immigrant communities who call East King County home.

Let's connect, honor, and enjoy the many cultural gifts and strengths our region has to offer - www.eastsidewelcomes.org

Today's the start of the 11th annual East King County celebration of International Welcoming Week! Local events run through September 20th: www.eastsidewelcomes.org

08/31/2026

This is last of our summer launch series, introducing the Build for Belonging Action Fund, our new sister 501(c)(4) organization. Come out for light refreshments and connect with community members who care deeply about equity and belonging in East King County. Today, 4pm at the Kirkland Library.

Join us: http://tinyurl.com/joinc4