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WA state moves closer to banning “bump stocks” for assault rifles
The Washington state legislature passed a bill that would ban “bump stocks” that allow assault rifles to be converted to automatic use. The measure returns to the Senate, where it previously passed, because the House bill added a buy-back program. Meanwhile, WA governor Jan Inslee got lot of social media attention for giving Donald Trump a heated lecture on the president’s call to arm teachers. Columnist Shawn Vestal hopes Inslee will apply the same energy to vetoing a bill that keeps legislators communications secret. Some gun control supporters in Canada and the US are calling for a boycott of cycling and outdoor products from Giro, Bell, and CamelBak, because the company that owns them also sells firearms and supports the NRA.
Does Portland mayor want to clear downtown of homeless?
The Portland Mercury reports that Portland mayor Ted Wheeler expressed in a series of texts his support for “doing whatever it takes” to clear the city of homeless — in response to outdoor retailer Columbia Sportswear’s threat to leave downtown. In related news, OPB reports that a homeless shelter for families in Portland is plagued with leaks and rodent infestations. Plus, Oregon legislature passed a law allowing Portland authorities to sweep homeless camps on state land.
Naval ship spills 30,000 liters of fuel in Straight of Georgia
CBC reports that the Canadian patrol frigate HCMS Calgary spilled 30,000 liters of F-76 fuel into the Straight of Georgia southwest of Vancouver. The fuel, similar to kerosene, quickly evaporates, but environmental organizations pointed to the factor of human error in this and future spills. Meanwhile, the Georgia Straight wonders if Canada’s Emergency Act may be invoked by Trudeau regarding planned protests against KinderMorgan’s TransMountain pipeline across BC. You can read more on First Nations activism against KinderMorgan at Cascadia Magazine.
Is eastern Oregon ready for big Cascadia Quake?
The Eastern Oregonian reports that in the wake of snow storms and last summer’s eclipse traffic jams, officials are working to prepare residents of Hermiston and eastern Oregon for major shutdowns when and if a major earthquake hits. Rich Smith, at the Stranger, reminds us that Cascadia has the potential for massive quakes, and we aren’t remotely prepared.
New short film rooted in Cambodian Seattle
City Arts has an interview with Tristan Seniuk and Voleak Sip, two Seattle filmmakers whose short movie Float captures the world of “Kmai,” Cambodian-American families in Seattle in the late 1990s. The directors were dedicated to period accuracy, they report: “A sneaker shop in the U-District, Recess, let us borrow something like $3,000 worth of vintage shoes.”
A new history of the Secwépemc people of BC
Contrary to most of what appears in Canadian history books, the Secwépemc people of the Shuswap region in eastern British Columbia have a rich and fascinating history, according to a review of a new book, Secwépemc People, Land & Laws. Among the various stages in their 10,000-year history include the adopting of bow & arrow, the harvesting of salmon, and a switch to agriculture, which was promptly limited by the Canadian government to help white settlers.
That’s all for today from Cascadia Daily, –Andrew Engelson
Photo credits: AR-15 courtesy MaxPixel