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Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 1h

Mike Raymond, a Washington State self-advocacy leader, passed away on September 17.
Mike was institutionalized for 20 in Washington State and then went on to work as a community trainer and as a disability rights advocate.
See the Disability Rights Washington video here
arcwa.org/honoring-mik...

Photo of Mike Raymond, a smiling grey haired anglo man with an excellent horseshoe mustache.

Honoring Mike Raymond.
By Shawn Latham.

Mike Raymond, a Washington State self-advocacy leader, was born in 1947 and passed away on September 17. Mike advocated over the last 50 years to shut down the Developmental Disability Institutions, also called Residential Habilitation Centers. In particular, Mike fought for the closure of Rainier School in Buckley, one of the remaining four institutions. Mike lived at Rainier School from 1949 to 1969. He was put into Rainer after doctors told his mom he would be better off being there. Later on, the staff told him that his mother had passed away, which was a lie. During his time at Rainier, he experienced and saw many instances of abuse. He often had to push heavy blocks, walk in perfect lines, wear clothing like straightjackets, or be put into isolation when being punished. Mike also witnessed workers there using damp cloths to choke other residents.

Thankfully, in 1969, thanks to his sister’s help, Mike was able to leave Rainier and move into a group home. He was also able to reconnect with his mother. After a while, Mike married his sweetheart Dianne, whom he met at Rainier. Mike and Dianne proved many people wrong when they decided to do what most couples do: get married, move into their own place, and start a family. They were excited to welcome a daughter into their life named Tera, who is now a teacher in Wisconsin with a family of her own. Mike was very proud of his daughter and all of her accomplishments.
Edit.
During his career after leaving Rainier, he was dedicated to helping others with intellectual and developmental disabilities acquire skills to achieve as much independence as he and his wife had.
Edit.
Mike worked for Self-Advocates of Washington as a community trainer, among various other jobs he did. He helped to start other key Washington State organizations. List of organizations and boards.
Edit

Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 4h

Portland Mercury at PortlandMercurDotCom‬
'The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition is connected to a network of rapid response organizations across the state who verify and support people who are being detained, connect with legal support, and provide legal observation.'

bsky.app/profile/port...

Portland Mercury @portlandmercury.com · 1d

The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition is connected to a network of rapid response organizations across the state who have trained people on how to verify the veracity of reported ICE activity, support people who are being detained, connect with legal support, and provide legal observation.

Meet the Groups Helping Immigrants Impacted by ICE

If people in the Portland area think they’ve spotted ICE, there’s a number that many organizations, such as the ACLU, suggest they call: the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline. The Portland I...

www.portlandmercury.com

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Anna Meier @annameier.bsky.social · 18d

For those not local to Portland who want to do something, a) find a protest safety, ICE watch, or similar training in your community and go to it, and/or b) support Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (suggested by comrades in Portland).

Home | Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition

Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) support immigrant rights through direct assistance, education, legal support, advocacy, and community organizing.

pircoregon.org

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anotherAKGorman ❌👑 @anotherakgorman.bsky.social · 16d

If you're in Portland, Oregon, put this phone number in your Contacts. This is the hotline to report ICE kidnappings to the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition. They have a layered system of volunteer verifiers who check out these reports. #WarRavagedPortland

Sign with PIRC's hotline number. 1-888-622-1510.

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dr. caitlin m. green @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social · 1d

i am hanging out here with the lovely people from portland immigrant rights coalition, they talk to people who have appointments, remind them of their rights, keep track of who goes in and out. they say every once in a while someone goes in that doesn’t come out

pircoregon.org/donate

a photo of the portland ICE facility in the morning

Signs posted outside the facility displaying people who have been taken

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Portland Mercury @portlandmercury.com · 1d

The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition is connected to a network of rapid response organizations across the state who have trained people on how to verify the veracity of reported ICE activity, support people who are being detained, connect with legal support, and provide legal observation.

Meet the Groups Helping Immigrants Impacted by ICE

If people in the Portland area think they’ve spotted ICE, there’s a number that many organizations, such as the ACLU, suggest they call: the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline. The Portland I...

www.portlandmercury.com

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Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 4h

I don't know.
The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition website says
Empowering immigrants, uniting families, + building a just community in Portland + beyond.
Leer en Español
Empoderar a los inmigrantes, unir familias y construir una comunidad justa en Portland y más allá.
pircoregon.org/what-we-do

What We Do | Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition

Explore the work of the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC). From deportation defense and policy advocacy to community education and a 24/7 hotline, discover how we support immigrant and refuge...

pircoregon.org

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Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 5h

Accessible screening of the new film “Luisa”
Chicago International Film Festival
Saturday, October 19
Monday, October 20
A University of Illinois Chicago partnership to highlight and discuss representations of disability on screen.
Via Mike Ervin on FB
www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/luisa/

Luisa - Cinema Chicago

Moving into a group facility for adults with disabilities, Luisa is curious about her new life ahead—until it is discovered that she is pregnant.

www.chicagofilmfestival.com

Reposted by Pam Wilson

The Progressive Magazine @theprogressivemag.bsky.social · Sep 8

Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is making it hard for people with disabilities to access home health care.

Read the full story by disability rights activist Mike Ervin on The Progressive.

progressive.org/latest/then-...

#immigration #healthcare #disabilities

Then They Came for the Pit Crew Members

Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is making it hard for people with disabilities to access home health care.

progressive.org

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Reposted by Pam Wilson

The Progressive Magazine @theprogressivemag.bsky.social · 7d

RFK Still Hasn’t Found the Cause of Autism: The President and his health secretary are busy spreading dangerous, dehumanizing lies about the condition.

Read the full story by disability rights activist Mike Ervin on The Progressive.

progressive.org/latest/rfk-s...

#autism #rfkjr

RFK Still Hasn’t Found the Cause of Autism

The President and his health secretary are busy spreading dangerous, dehumanizing lies about the condition.

progressive.org

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Reposted by Pam Wilson

The Progressive Magazine @theprogressivemag.bsky.social · 27d

"When cities fail to maintain their sidewalks, they create major accessibility issues for disabled people like me."

Read the full story by disability rights activist Mike Ervin on The Progressive.

progressive.org/latest/curbi...

#accessibility #disabilities #disabledaccess

Curbing Our Enthusiasm

When cities fail to maintain their sidewalks, they create major accessibility issues for disabled people like me.

progressive.org

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Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 6h

Facebook message October 14, 2025, from Oregon State Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham:

We’ve received confirmed reports of ICE activity near Alder Elementary, Highland Elementary, and Gresham High School, as well as sightings in Hillsboro, Sandy, and Woodburn.

www.facebook.com/RickiRuizOR

Facebook message from Oregon State Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham.

We’ve received confirmed reports of ICE activity near Alder Elementary, Highland Elementary, and Gresham High School, as well as sightings in Hillsboro, Sandy, and Woodburn.
We’ve been told that these are “targeted operations,” but I can’t stay silent knowing that ICE has detained individuals without deportation order, people simply working, caring for their families, and contributing to our communities. That’s not justice. That’s fear.
Please stay alert and informed.
You have the right to remain silent.
You do not have to open your door without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.
You do not have to sign any documents.
You have the right to due process.
Even if the Trump administration is choosing not to honor these basic rights, I will stand up for our innocent immigrant and working family communities.
To report ICE sightings.
PIRC Hotline: 1-888-622-1510
For help or resources.
ECO (Community Resource): 1-888-274-7292
Let’s look out for one another. No one should live in fear for being part of our community.
As for Gresham and East Multnomah County, expect stronger ICE presence in the following days.

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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 20h

Yes your taxes should support disabled people.

They should support homeless people.

They should support those living in poverty, children and the elderly.

This is literally the purpose of taxes, and I would far rather support those who need it than continue to enrich the elite.

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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 20h

Rachel Ruysch (1664 – 1750), still-life painter from the Northern Netherlands who specialized in flowers, achieving international fame in her lifetime #WomensArt

Painting of a busy bouquet of flowers on a surface with different blossoms one above the other against a black background

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Rachel Deering @racheldeering.bsky.social · 21h

Morning.
🖼️ Henrik Grönvold

Two Dartford Warblers perched on branches. Illustration.

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Nick Acheson @themarshtit.bsky.social · 1d

Mid-October on the River Wensum 🦢 🍂

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Rachel Deering @racheldeering.bsky.social · 20h

Book Cover of the Day:

Ed Gorey cover:
Nineteenth Century German Tales
Edited by Angel Flores
A Doubleday Anchor Original
Illustration of spider in flames with scrubby landscape and cliffside in background.

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Pennyjs @pennyjs.bsky.social · 1d

Jewels of mist on the edges of a lupine leaf, yesterday.

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Michael Byron #Fella @michaelby.bsky.social · 1d

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Provision of public goods cannot be privatized by profit seeking entities without loss of function. Not for profit is OK, for profit is not.

Private equity takeover of hospitals led to rise in Medicare emergency patient deaths, says study

Study found seven more deaths per 10,000 patients in private equity hospitals’ versus non-private equity hospitals

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Pam Wilson

Doc Hubbard @jeffhubbard.bsky.social · 1d

Moon over Morro Rock #California

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Ryan J Hollister @phaneritic.bsky.social · 1d

Major snow accumulations atop Glacier Point in Yosemite and still going this morning. Can’t imagine the logistical chaos during a shutdown where they’re trying to stay open.

yosemite.org/webcams/high...

Screenshot of my WebCam view from a top glacier point where you can see about 20 big pine trees in the foreground covered with snow with what looks to be about 2 feet of snow piled up on bushes in front of the camera. There is not much background, View because everything is in clouds and snowing heavily.

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Jimmy Gaspero @jimmygaspero.bsky.social · 1d

It’s been 1 whole year since we brought Sir Barry Barkington home.

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Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 22h

WA: Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF) offers culturally responsive services and bilingual assistance, helping families of multicultural individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand options, make informed decisions, and connect with resources.

opendoorswa.org

Home - Open Doors for Multicultural Families

Helping Families Thrive At Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF), we are transforming lives and redefining inclusion. As a groundbreaking

opendoorswa.org

Reposted by Pam Wilson

Sounders FC @soundersfc.com · 15d

September's Providence Community Assist Honorees 👏

• Ginger Kwan - Open Doors for Multicultural Families
• Sammamish Animal Sanctuary

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them below!

🗳️: t.co/CtYzC0l3Vb

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Pam Wilson @pamw143.bsky.social · 22h

Kent WA nonprofit Open Doors for Multicultural Families loses two federal education grants critical to its mission of providing culturally responsive case management, programming, advocacy, special education support and training services.
Info:
opendoorswa.org

www.kentreporter.com/news/kent-no...

Kent nonprofit Open Doors loses two federal education grants | Kent Reporter

Leaders of Open Doors for Multicultural Families believe Trump administration ‘targeted’ agency

www.kentreporter.com