Governor Gregoire's welfare policies questioned at Evergreen graduation

author : Monica Peabody topic : poverty | Welfare Rights Olympia

by Monica Peabody

Governor Christine Gregoire was the keynote speaker at this year's graduation ceremony at the Evergreen State College. She is strange company in the list of past graduation speakers; Shirley Chisolm, Leonard Peltier, bell hooks, Winona LaDuke, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Ken Kesey, Amy Goodman, to name a few. Stranger still is Governor Gregoire's recent decision to cut the welfare benefits of children whose parents are perceived as not complying with welfare to work rules. Strangest of all is Governor Gregoire's refusal to explain or even acknowledge her decision.

Seven graduates, both parents and nonparents, visited Les Purce to discuss their discomfort with Governor Gregoire as their graduation speaker in light of her new welfare policy decision. Several told stories of their own struggles with poverty, public benefits, single parenthood and finishing their college education. They explained how this policy change will be another barrier in the way of parents trying to leave poverty. Les Purce was receptive; he explained he could not change the graduation speaker, but did support the graduates to make their voices heard as well. And they did!

Graduates worked with members of the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition and other social justice groups to spread the word and prepare for graduation. Community members created awesome props. Graduation attendees were treated to four amazing banners, children wearing buttons asking the Governor if they needed to get a job, patches protesting Governor Gregoire's presence and a giant mailbox where you could mail your postcards to the Governor.

Graduates stressed that they did not want to disrupt the graduation or even the Governor's speech. They had worked hard for this day and had family members coming from all over to celebrate with them. But nothing could have been more powerful than their silent protest. Throughout Gregoire's speech, graduates and the people in the larger audience held up bright yellow, signs that clearly said, I OPPOSE WELFARE CUTS TO CHILDREN. Midway through her speech, many of the graduates stood, turned their back to the Governor and held their signs toward the audience. They stood in silent opposition throughout her speech.

Graduates had a chance to hand Governor Gregoire postcards asking her to implement full family support as opposed to full family sanction when they walked across stage for their diploma. Children accompanied parents, also handing her postcards. Great job, graduates, and congratulations! Great job Olympia!

Keep up the good work! If you have not yet sent a postcard, call WROC at 360-352-9716. You can still call or write Governor Gregoire to voice your opposition to her decision to cut welfare to children; Office of the Governor, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002, (360) 902-4111. Ask her why Holly Armstrong, her spokesperson, denied her decision to change the welfare sanction policy to include children.