April 20, 2021.

Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today regarding the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and Teen Peer Advocates Program (TPAP) is hosting a series of virtual presentations by youth advocates on topics surrounding gender based violence. These presentations are free and open to the community, but RSVP is required. Please share widely! A zoom link will be shared out to all registered participants.

The City of Olympia wants to hear from Black, Indigenous, People of Color to discuss race and equity in Olympia.

• What? We are a hosting an invitation-only conversation about race and equity in
• Olympia to inform a new Commission focused on social justice and anti-oppression.
• Why? The City of Olympia seeks to amplify and document the experiences and voices
• from marginalized groups impacted by social and institutional injustice to build an
• equitable, just and thriving community.
• Who? Olympia residents who identify as members of the Black, Indigenous, People of
• Color communities. Youth are welcome!
• When? Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where? The conversation will be held virtually, on Zoom. Space is limited to 40 seats.

In the military it is instilled in you that the person to your left and right may one day be responsible for saving your life.  The worst-case scenario is you could be on the battlefield and must depend on someone you don’t know to help you survive.  That’s powerful and it stays with you long after you leave service.  I believe this is an unspoken bond, unique to Veterans.  And in my opinion, that this is why the effects of sexual violence in the military are even harder to overcome; Veterans often struggle long after they leave the service.