Justice Not Jails, in collaboration with the Takeall Coalition, recently hosted Know the Legislative Process, a free, in-person community advocacy workshop at the Zone.
The workshop brought together Spokane and surrounding Eastern Washington residents, community organizers and elected leaders for a practical learning experience focused on how Washington State legislation works and how community members can effectively engage in the process, says a news release from Justice Not Jails. Sessions covered how a bill becomes law, how to navigate leg.wa.gov, and concrete strategies for tracking legislation, communicating with lawmakers, and providing public testimony.
The event also included a live panel conversation and Q&A with local elected officials Natasha Hill, Washington state representative; Betsy Wilkerson, Spokane City Council President; and Paul Dillon, Spokane City Council Member.
Panelists discussed how policy decisions are made, what factors influence votes, and how community testimony and relationships shape outcomes at both the local and state level.
Organizers framed advocacy as a learned skill rather than an abstract concept, particularly as legislative decisions continue to impact housing, child care, education, public safety and economic opportunity across Spokane and Washington State.
“Too often, we’re told the work matters but no one actually shows us how to do it, so people are left figuring it out through trial and error,” said Luc Jasmin III, of Takeall. “This workshop walked through the legislative process in a practical, hands-on way, giving participants clear, simple actions they can take to advocate. I hope more people join us virtually on (Feb. 7) and see that civic engagement is not abstract, it is something you can step into right now.”
Participants were encouraged to build on what they learned by engaging in upcoming advocacy opportunities, including Takeall Coalition Advocacy Day on Feb. 3, held at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia.
Justice Not Jails is hosting a follow-up legislative workshop from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 7 to continue supporting community members in applying advocacy skills learned during the session. Register at eventbrite.com/e/mid-session-legislative-run-through-what-weve-heard-whats-next-tickets-1981007859836?aff=oddtdtcreator