​A Clallam Democrat leader recently encountered a rally in Port Angeles of “Turning Point,” the youth group created by the late Charlie Kirk. One attendee was said to comment, “I can finally say what I’ve been thinking.” (And what could that possibly be?) Word is that someone has created a Turning Point group at Port Angeles High School. 

Yes, right-wing groups that support fascist policies are active with youth in our County. This is reason enough to get progressive youth active in politics. We need another generation to step forward and help lead us to the future they desire. 

One group that can be highly effective is the Young Democrats. The Young Democrats of America (YDA) (https://yda.org/) describe themselves as:

Young Democrats of Washington State (yDWA) currently have 11 chapters (https://www.facebook.com/YoungDemsWA/). Their Facebook page includes this quote:

There used to be a chapter in Clallam County, but they seemed to have gone dormant when their leadership stepped away. Port Angeles City Councilwoman Navarra Carr was active in Young Democrats many years ago, showing the value of nurturing young activists. 

When I was an elected official in Thurston County, the Thurston Young Democrats were very active. They had regular meetings, endorsed candidates, and organized support work like leafleting and phone banking. When I met with them they were enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy my political “war stories.” 

What would it take to get a Young Democrats chapter active again in Clallam County? It will take a few activist Democrats under 36 to be the “seeds” to get this growing. There are signs this may be happening, such as the recent Halloween party hosted by young Clallam Democrat members. The leadership needs to come from the young people themselves, and there are many older Democrats willing to help.

Are you interested? Or do you know of young activists who might be interested? Please contact us at [email protected]. We’d like to interview you for a future article.

​And maybe if enough of you answer, we can plant the seeds and get a local Young Democrats chapter growing.

The Trump Administration’s continuing efforts to cut funds already approved for a variety of local projects has caused tribes to band together in joint responses/lawsuits. A September 2025 report from Portland State University detailed the significant risks to tribal funding in the Northwest, sparking heightened concerns. 

President Donald Trump’s new spending bill threatens nearly half of federal funding allocated in 2024 to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native nations. Roughly $530 million of the $1.19 billion allocated to Northwest tribal nations in fiscal year 2024 — used to fulfill the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Native American and Alaska Native tribes — is at risk of being cut. These funds come through agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others that have also seen significant funding cuts. These cuts threaten vital programs that benefit tribes.

Julie Johnson, State Committeewoman representing Clallam County Democrats and Chair of the WA State Democrats Native American Caucus said, “Like everyone in Clallam County we are all concerned with the Medicaid and Medicare budget cutbacks and how it is going to affect our Tribal Clinics and hospitals in Clallam County that we all use and need.”

Olympic Peninsula tribes have joined together with the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty, a coalition of national Native advocacy organizations, including National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest and largest Native organization in the USA. The coalition has sent a series of letters to federal officials to educate and urge them to protect legally mandated Tribal programs from harm while implementing policy priorities. 

Johnson shared a list of the letters that NCAI submitted to government departments in Washington DC this past month:

• Joint Letter to Department of Labor [Re: Preserving and Funding the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Section 166 Indian and Native American Programs] – September 12, 2025
• Joint Letter to Department of the Interior [Re: Exempting Tribal Nation Energy Projects from the July 15, 2025 Department of the Interior Memorandum Interpreting Executive Order 14315] – September 10, 2025
• Joint Letter to Department of Education [Re: Indian Country Information Request] – September 5, 2025
• Joint Letter to Department of Energy [Re: Indian Country Information Request] – September 5, 2025
• Joint Letter to Environmental Protection Agency [Re: Indian Country Information Request] – September 5, 2025
• Joint Letter to Office of Management and Budget [Re: Indian Country Information Request] – September 5, 2025
• Joint Letter to Department of Agriculture [Re: Indian Country Information Request] – September 5, 2025

Meanwhile, our Washington State Governor recently issued an Executive Order designed to set a “new foundation for state agencies to foster partnerships with Tribal Nations.” The Order directs State agencies to implement a variety of practices to improve the state’s relations with the Tribes. 

The Governor commented, “I’m laying out my vision for fostering meaningful government-to-government relationships.” 

Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairman, William (Bill) Iyall praised Governor Ferguson’s action: “The executive order sets a new standard for engagement that will strengthen the relationship with Washington Tribes and lay the groundwork for stronger collaboration as we work to address the complex challenges before both Indian Country and the State of Washington.”

Source:https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/governor-ferguson-sets-new-foundation-state-agencies-foster-partnerships-tribal-nations.  

Other sources:
​https://www.investigatewest.org/northwest-native-nations-could-lose-hundreds-of-millions-in-federal-funding-report-says/

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2025-09-25/report-nearly-half-of-all-federal-funding-for-tribes-at-risk-under-trumps-big-beautiful-bill

Mark Ozias has been County Commissioner for District 1 (the east end of the county, around Sequim) since 2015. He’s now serving his third term. I sat down with Mark in the Field Arts and Events Hall in Port Angeles to learn about his personal history as a community leader and Democrat. As Mark nurses his coffee, he watches me with a clear gaze and earnestly tells his story.

1. Tell me a little about your past – where did you grow up, where have you lived?
“In 1989, I moved to Washington from a suburb of Denver to study at the University of Puget Sound,” Mark tells me. “After my Freshman year, I realized that Denver was no longer my home. I moved back and never left.” Mark studied politics and government. “The program focused on how things really worked, not theory,” he explains. He worked all over the state and country, and was looking for a place to put down roots. He moved to Clallam County in 2004, inspired by Brussels sprouts. “My wife and I ate delicious Brussels sprouts at Bella Italia, and they told us they were grown in Dungeness. We went to see the field, and decided to live here.” 

For many years he and his wife worked in agriculture, growing plants and starts, and selling produce at the Farmers Market. Then they opened a store in Sequim where they sold locally grown produce. “After 4 or 5 years, we kind of burned out,” he says. “So I went back to my career in nonprofit management and was hired as manager of the Sequim Food Bank.”

In 2014, people started asking him to consider running for County Commissioner. “It was flattering to have people ask,” he says. “I reflected on why I would be doing it, what I would bring to the role.” He decided to run, was successful in beating the incumbent, and has since been reelected twice.

2. What led you to seeing yourself as a Democrat? 
“I have always felt that I was a Democrat,” he replies. His family was not very political growing up. When he was in high school, he volunteered for the Dukakis campaign. He was drawn to politics and government and studied it in college. “I had no preconceived notions,” he explains. “I came to see that my values aligned with the Democratic Party.” 

3. What has been the highest point for you as a leader and a Democrat?
Mark considers this for a minute. “I’d say it was the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he says. “As the pandemic grew, the Democratic Congress passed relief funds that were sent directly to cities and counties. This was a highly unusual approach – unique.” Mark describes how the County set priorities, looked at local government investments, and moved money to local partners. “We internalized very few of those dollars,” he explains. “I’m proud of how we partnered with nonprofits and worked with businesses. As a generality, Democrats are community-minded. This is an example of Democrat values.”

4. What leadership positions have you held in the past that prepared you for your elected position?
Mark says he’s had a lot of leadership positions “going back to Boy Scouts – lots of opportunities.” He tells me that everything depends on people. “Leadership means knowing when to bring people together, help them work together, get them to talk despite differences. It doesn’t ‘just happen.’” He explains how people say “that’s a miracle,” but it’s not a miracle, someone figured out how to make it happen. 

5. What advice would you give to a volunteer thinking of taking on more responsibility in the Democrats and in the community?
He replies that there are so many opportunities to volunteer in this community – the barriers are low. “Volunteer for things that will feed your soul, your spirit. That will motivate you to continue.” He explains how volunteering will help expand your community and help you network. You learn about who shares your values. Regarding politics, he says, “don’t assume you won’t like it. I thought I’d hate doorbelling but found that I loved it. Don’t be scared, try it. If it doesn’t work, there are endless other opportunities.” 

6. How do we pass the legacy of the Democratic party to future generations?
Mark thinks for a moment, then replies, “Listen to what people are saying, take time to understand.” He advises that older persons should not talk about their wisdom and experience. They need to listen, because young people live in a very different world. “Set aside your own priorities and find out what they are asking for, what they want to see. Then have the courage to pursue it. And if they are idealistic and like things like universal health care, don’t dismiss it.”

I asked Mark how we create opportunities to listen to younger Democrats and voters. “You need to go where they are, and treat them with respect,” responds Mark. “You need to make a proactive effort. You can’t wait for someone else to start the conversation.” Mark continues, “they have to trust you, know that you’re listening, that you’re there because you care.” Mark concludes by commenting, “we need to figure out how to bring young people together with older people. Each has different advantages.” 

For weeks we’ve been seeing disturbing, gut-wrenching recordings of violent raids by ICE or the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), or by masked people pretending to be their legitimate agents. Nearly one million Washingtonians (1 in 7) are immigrants who make up an integral part of our communities and workforce. Many of our neighbors are people who live and work in the North Peninsula. They and their families are potentially vulnerable. How can you help? A good first step is to learn your rights and the rights of those at risk:

Your rights under federal law: A great resource is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has a link specific to immigration rights. The ACLU also has a compact, 76-page handbook, “Know Your Rights,” available for $20.

Your rights under Washington state law: Our state has the Keep Washington Working Act (KWW). Passed in 2019, it was designed “to enhance public safety, promote fairness to immigrants, and protect the privacy and civil rights of all Washington residents.” To know your rights under this law, go to the website of Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN). A list of key ways to safely document ICE activity are at the end of this article.

WAISN also has:

• A Deportation Defense Hotline to report immigration activity. 1-844-724-3737 Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.– 6 p.m.  
• A printable information flyer: Know Your Rights with Police and Federal Immigration Authorities in WA, in both English and Spanish.

What else can I do?

• Work to ensure that Customs and Border Patrol is never called on to translate for non-English speakers.
• Help immigrant families get safely to work, school, and appointments. At each setting, accompany them to help increase their safety and awareness. 
• There is a Port Townsend Interfaith Action Coalition. Work with our Clallam faith communities and other organizations to form a similar coalition here.
• Join the local Immigration Action Group, headed up by Chair Carole Scholl. Email her at [email protected]. (Read an interview with Carole about the committee, below.) 
• Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates (JCIRA) has an excellent monthly newsletter.
• JCIRA has also published “How to Document ICE Activity” to help you to stay safe and be effective when recording an action. For an expanded version on documenting, go to Guidelines for Bystanders and Observers. 
• Donate to JCIRA and find out how far your donation can go. 

(Provided courtesy of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network)

You have the legal right to film police and/or immigration officers if they are in a public place and if the filming does not impede the performance of their duties. Here's what you need to do:

• Stay at a safe distance. If law enforcement officers ask you to step back, step back while repeating, "I am exercising my right to record and document."
• If the officers get too close, say, "I am stepping back and have the right to record." Speak calmly in an audible voice.
• Protect video content on your phone. Make sure your phone is password protected – don't use a thumbprint or face recognition.
• Focus your recording on ICE officers. Record all the way through the incident. Narrate what you're seeing. Say the date and time.
• Do NOT go live on social media. Protect the privacy and safety of people being detained.

Q: What is the full name of your committee? How many members do you have?
A: The Immigrant Action Group is an ad hoc committee. There are about 20 people involved; about 12 meet monthly.

Q: Can you describe the main things your group wants to accomplish?
A: The group came together last spring as part of an initiative from Clallam County Democrats (CCD) to find ways to get involved. Since then, the group has grown to include concerned citizens from all parts of Clallam County. And, since last spring, people have started all sorts of efforts to support our immigrant neighbors, such as Alex’s [Alex Fane] work with Jefferson County Immigrant Rights Advocates (JCIRA) in Sequim.  We’ll be meeting soon to figure out how best to focus efforts. 

Q: For you personally, was there one incident, or experience, that led you to step up on the immigration issue? 
A: I grew up on the Tijuana border at a time when we could cross over quite easily. My town was mostly Hispanic. And I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico and Central America. So I really feel like my neighbors are being attacked. It’s heartbreaking to see the hate.

It has been six months since I attended my first protest – ever. Like many people, I have experienced waves of shock and horror at what the Trump Administration is doing to our government, our country, and our people. Who among us has not felt despair and hopelessness and grief on a daily basis? Indeed, why even bother to make a sign and stand on a curb for several hours?

But last March, I did. I even dragged my husband along. “C’mon, let’s do SOMETHING,” I said. We made signs – very sturdy ones that could be reused! We parked and walked toward the fountain on 1st Street in Port Angeles. I could see people already there, giving me relief that I would not be all by myself. More people showed up. More signs. Soon, all four corners were filled with people. The crowd stretched up and down 1st Street. People were on the steps above the fountain. I stared around and noticed people smiling. As I talked to strangers around me, I sensed concern, fear, grief, anger, but, like frosting, there was a thick layer of grim determination that we were not going ‘gentle into that good night.’  And sprinkled like powdered sugar on that frosting were people smiling at each other with a renewed sense of community and appreciation that they, too, were not alone. “Welcome!” “Thank you for being here!” were the comments as the next person arrived with their sign.

That protest was my first. Others followed, and the people of Clallam County came out in small and large groups. They came in wheelchairs and walkers. They brought their water bottles and folding chairs. They brought their banjos and drums. They found their creativity in hundreds of clever signs representing the range of issues that have ignited our resistance. People that can’t be present drive by and wave or honk. The revved-up cars and middle fingers are outnumbered, and the protestor's responses to the hate is often a smile and wave. Freedom of speech, baby!

Now, the nationwide protests are even more organized, with local organizers ensuring we have people in yellow vests to protect pedestrians and ensure we are protesting safely and peacefully. Some people bring spare signs (loaners) for those who don’t have one. And when there isn’t a nationwide protest scheduled, you will still see people show up on a Saturday at the Clallam County Courthouse or on a corner in Sequim – maybe only a handful – but they show up. With colorful, creative signs and the determination to be there when others can’t. There is a growing sense of community, unity, empathy, and spirit in these protests. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we do agree we will resist alongside our friends and neighbors, loudly, colorfully, with spirit and community for all.