by Sandy Mayes

[The following is an edited version of an article published in the print edition of WIP, originally entitled “The Olympian is outraged.”]

When a newspaper has a monopoly in a community, as the Olympian does in ours, it wields considerable power to frame the issues and control the story. The editorial board, in particular, can significantly impact public opinion.

by WIP

Twenty-six Prosecuted for Non-Violent Womens' Solidarity Action: Legal Defense Funds Urgently Needed to Ensure Access to Legal Support!

All amounts are extremely helpful. Donations should be made out to "Port of Olympia Legal Defense Fund" and mailed to: Legal Defense Fund, PO Box 295, Olympia, WA 98507 – 0295, or via the web: http://www.olypmr.org/donate.html

by Janet Blanding

“It ain’t over until it’s paved over,” declared Bonnie Jacobs of Friends of the Waterfront at a recent citizens forum to save the isthmus. Thought it was a warm, sunny Saturday morning, the Columbia room in the Capitol basement was filled to capacity, standing room only. Event organizers made several trips to the cafeteria to retrieve more chairs to accommodate the nearly 180 people who wanted to know what could be done to stop the unpopular proposed rezone of the isthmus. Among the crowd was newly re-elected Senator Karen Fraser. Sponsored by the Friends of the Waterfront, . . .

by Gerald Reilly

A majority of the Olympia City Council appears ready to vote to approve a re-zone of the downtown Isthmus to permit the construction of high-rise luxury condominiums. This column is focused on the politics of the situation more than on the arguments for and against the re-zone. These arguments have been widely discussed. Those in favor believe that developing very expensive housing in this unique and attractive location will be the catalyst for much desired “market rate” housing in Olympia’s downtown. Those opposed believe that the proposal will “wall off “ our waterfront, . . .

by Janet Blanding

On November 5, Jim Ingersoll of the Friends of the Artesians (FOA) wrote a letter to Olympia Mayor Doug Mah and the City Council, announcing that the group would be disbanding, abandoning its dream of creating a park where a permanent, publicly owned well would be available for community use. After years of frustration, with repeated failed attempts to broker an agreement between the FOA, the Port of Olympia, and the City of Olympia, it seems unlikely that such a dream will ever be realized. Worse yet, the well in the Diamond Parking lot on 4th Avenue (near the former Manium) . . .

by James Pellegrino

On November 19 a popular assembly organized at the corner of Water Street and Fourth Avenue in downtown Olympia. The group held signs reading No Police Brutality and marched towards the Olympia Police Department headquarters. Gathering in support of the family of José Ramírez-Jiménez, who was shot and killed by the OPD on the night of November 15, the group paraded in a heavy rain.

By John Laun (Colombia Support Network) and Larry Birns (Council on Hemispheric Affairs)

Father Rafael Gallego was scheduled to speak in Olympia on Tues., Nov. 18 (6-8 pm) in Evergreen Sem II A1105,

The State Department denied his visa with the guidance of the Colombian military. The event is still being to educate the public with films about Colombia. They can block the messenger but not his message.

by WIP

Works In Progress was saddened to learn of the recent death of Lois Walker, local reproductive rights activist. Lois was a familiar sight at local protests, riding her bright red scooter and carrying a sign that said “Honk if you love birth control.” Although she was over 80, Lois was more energetic and committed than other activists a quarter of her age. She spent many hours picketing outside of Ralph’s Thriftway, in protest of the store’s refusal to carry emergency contraception in its pharmacy, as well as counter-protesting outside of Planned Parenthood when anti-choice picketers . . .