Happy Pride Month and Juneteenth to all!
In this issue:
- June’s Community Action Night Details
- News for Federal Way Activism
- Federal Way FLAGS Day, Regular Protests, and Recurring Actions
- FWI Volunteer Opportunities
- Local Events and Ally Engagement Opportunities
FWI Community Action Night: June 18th, 6:30-8pm #
Federal Way Indivisible Community Action Night (FWI CAN!) is the 3rd Thursday of every month at Wayside UCC (2000 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, WA 98023).
- 6pm: Help with set-up!
- 6:30pm: Board games and snacks because activism runs on community and joy!
- 7pm: Panel discussion with community members who’ve been speaking truth to power, creating social change, and working for the greater good in Federal Way for years. Even decades! Learn what change-making takes, then engage in deeper, small-group Q&A and brainstorming with our panelists to shape FWI actions involving city council elections in 2027, civics engagement with kids 16-18, helping local businesses to know their rights if ICE shows up, and deepening community bonds with a monthly potluck.
- 7:50pm: Announcements, sharing your good news from the week, be it political or personal!
- 8pm: Help with tear down
Bring donations of clothes, canned goods, diapers, formula, or hygiene products for the Wayside UCC community pantry program as a thank you for providing a beautiful space for us to gather in while we also help our neighbors in need.
Free parking! Kids welcome! (Coloring activities available, but please bring additional entertainment if your child needs it. No childcare will be provided.)
Click here for more details on FWI CAN!
Community News for Federal Way Activism #
Beware of No Kings Impersonations! #
It’s come to our attention that PACs claiming democrat and progressive support are falsely claiming there will be a nationwide No Kings protest on June 14th in order to garner donations. Please do not fall for this. The only nationwide action No Kings is planning is in conjunction with the Committee for the First Amendment and Jane Fonda’s Rise Up, Sing Out, and Celebrate Virtual Watch Party, 4:30pm PST. FWI doesn’t have the capacity to host a large viewing party at this time, but we will be doing our own June 14th protest.
Federal Way Flag Policy Update #
Federal Way banned any “non-governmental” flags flown on city property last year with very little public notice. That means no flags for Pride, Juneteenth, or any other “cultural” or “identity” flags that celebrate the diversity in Federal Way. City council recently realized this ban includes flags and banners that advertise the city’s own events, and discussed potential changes to the policy. At the time, it looked like a nonstarter as the vote appeared to be 4-3 against a change, despite public opinion in favor. Then, after more public push back and council member Les Sessoms promising to show up at city hall with his personal Juneteenth flag to commemorate the day (no other commemoration was planned since the city is doing FIFA programming June 19th), council not only threw together a Juneteenth celebration but moved to add both Pride and Juneteenth flags to the acceptable list of flags that can be flown by the city. The amendment will be voted on during theJune 16th city council meeting. Please send email comments, comment via Zoom, or comment in person at the meeting in favor of the amendment. Also considering bringing your meaningful flags to the meeting.
When: June 16th, 6:30pm
Where: City Hall, Council Chambers, 33325 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Wild Waves Becoming a Warehouse #
In Dec. 2025, the park’s operator announced that Wild Waves would close to the public on Nov. 1, 2026. A land use application to turn the Wild Waves property into a 1 million square-foot warehouse after it closes has now been submitted to the city of Federal Way.
According to the Federal Way Mirror, after learning the park’s financially viability was coming to an end, the property owner and former park operator, looked into various options for the property, but ultimately decided on a warehouse project.
However, the owner went before City Council during their November 21, 2023 meeting, while negotiations were ongoing with Premier Parks for a long-term Wild Waves lease. He said they wanted to see a 30 year development agreement term, but that a 100% warehouse allowance addition was a ‘just in case,’ purely for his financial benefit. City staff told council that this type of giant warehouse project and use for the property was possible at any point if the council approved the changes - which they did.
If this warehouse is built, it will impact homeowners’ property values, be a deterrent for riders on nearby planned Sound Transit Link light rail station, hamper traffic along Enchanted Parkway, harm the the Hylebos watershed, and cause many other environmental concerns.
We will keep you posted on upcoming actions to oppose this warehouse, but it will be very difficult to stop it unless the developers are breaking state law in some way.
PLEASE KEEP THIS PROJECT ON YOUR RADAR. With the Tacoma Immigrant Detention Center overflowing, we cannot let a warehouse be turned into another concentration camp. Please send email comments, or comment at city council meetings via Zoom, or comment in person so the issue stays in the public eye.
Protests and Other Actions #
Federal Way FLAGS Day Protest and Celebration, June 14th, 12-2pm #
We’re using Flag Day to show our city council that flags celebrating or commemorating nationally recognized holidays and days of remembrance will not be hidden in Federal Way! We want the city to honor our diversity and our stories by raising our flags high for all to see. So bring a flag that’s meaningful to you - whether it represents a country, state, culture, values, identity, or team spirit - and wave it proudly on the corners of South 320th Street & Pacific Highway South (The Commons) intersection! We’ll have a few American and Pride flags you can borrow. Signs instead of flags are also welcome.
Sunday Corner Protest, Sundays, 12-1pm #
Join Federal Way Indivisible in partnership with the Southend Friends for Peace and Justice every Sunday from noon-1pm, rain or shine, at the intersection of S. 320th and Pac Hwy S. by the Commons. Bring your own sign or borrow one provided. We’re standing up for peace and democracy. All non-violent humans and their furry companions welcome!
Help Federal Way to Know Their Rights if ICE Comes Calling #
With verified sightings of ICE in Federal Way, it’s important now more than ever that we know our rights. Washington Neighborhood Defense (WAND) Federal Way is teaching businesses and houses of worship about their rights regarding immigration laws and what they can and can’t do if ICE comes calling. Only a fraction of the approx. 3,500 businesses in Federal Way have been reached, so we need volunteers to help canvas the city! Join us for a 90 minute canvassing session where you’ll shadow a seasoned canvasser and learn more!
FWI Volunteer Opportunities #
Are you a self-starter? Organized? Good communicator? Like working behind the scenes? Then we need you! Join FWI’s leadership team and help us coordinate our events and guide the direction of the group. Email us for more info!
Community Gardening #
Join us at the Senior Center Community Garden to help grow food, engage in mutual aid, meet your neighbors, and have fun outside!
Where: 4016 S 352nd St, Auburn, WA 98001
When: Mondays, 9am-noon, and Saturdays, 9am to noon.
All ages and abilities welcome!
Local Events and Ally Engagement Opportunities #
King County Juneteenth Celebration in Federal Way: June 13th, 11:30am-4:30pm #
Federal Way Library hosts the KCLS Juneteenth celebration including a Community Leader Panel featuring local leaders and elected officials, an Author Talk with Kathya Alexander, Live Performances by NAAM Choir and the Phenomenal She Dance Team, Juneteenth Story Time for families, Hip Hop Story Time Performance for families, a Community Resource Fair, a Vendor Market featuring Black-owned businesses, and food provided by Swag-n-Wagon and YesMa! Farms (voucher-supported).
This event is free and open to the community. Come as you are — all are welcome.
Wayside UCC #
Show our CAN hosts some love every other Friday at 10:00 am, beginning June 12th for clean up! They need folks to help clean up the area under the Sanctuary and help with keeping the grass, weeds and shrubs from getting overgrown. Make sure to bring work gloves! Address: 2000 SW Dash Point Rd
30th Legislative District Democrats #
- 30th LD monthly meetings: JULY MEETING CANCELLED. 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm. Come interact with your city and state reps at SHAG Celebration Senior Living Apartments Clubhouse (1524 S 328th St. Federal Way, 98003) and get the latest on party action in the 30th.
- Become a member if you want a say in who the 30th endorses in upcoming elections!
City of Federal Way #
- Federal Way City Juneteenth Celebration: June 18th, 12pm, at City Hall. This special event will include guest speakers, community reflections, and a reading of the City of Federal Way’s Juneteenth Proclamation.
- City Council Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30pm at City Hall (2nd floor). You can also watch and comment by Zoom.
- Take the Diversity Commission’s Community Survey to make sure we’re all represented!