UTSA College of Public Policy Community Outreach 2016-2017
Native cultures
1. Native cultures, newfound politics mix
By Elliott Wilson
Seattle Times staff reporter
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ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE
TIMES
Kenya native Hussein Mberwa, 18,
right, holds a sign as he and friend
Mohamed Mberwa, 22, listen to a
speaker on the Capitol steps in
Olympia, where some 800 immigrants
and refugees gathered Tuesday to
publicize
and rally
for their interests.
Related
Photo gallery | Refugee and
Immigrant Legislative Day
OLYMPIA — At the foot of the state Capitol, four women decked in chartreuse and coral gowns lobbied
their legislators by shifting their hips and twirling their wrists to the rhythm of a Turkish tune.
The tactic was unconventional by Olympia standards, but for many at the first Refugee and Immigrant
Legislative Day, traditional costumes, dances and songs were more familiar than the colossal dome
above them and the vociferous speeches of activists.
"Coming to the Capitol is very intimidating," said Assunta Ng, publisher of Northwest Asian Weekly. "In
your native country when you go to the Capitol, it's like you're in trouble."
Many of the estimated 800 immigrants and refugees who came to Olympia on Tuesday once lived under
dictatorial regimes and are still apprehensive about political participation, Ng said.
At the Legislature, far from their former homes in Somalia, Russia, China, Vietnam and elsewhere, they
asked leaders to increase funding for job training and English programs for non-native speakers, and to
adjust the state's standardized test to fit immigrants' needs.
After the rally, some participants met individually with lawmakers.
The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), which high-school students must pass in
order to graduate, was one of their top concerns.