New Year, New Session 2022

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Happy New Year and new Legislative Session from The Alaska Center. We anticipate both opportunity and struggle in the year ahead, another year in the lifetime work of protecting and nurturing our Democracy and saving our home from the ravages of climate change.  

The 2022 legislative session will likely be consumed with election-year grandstanding antics. We already see some of this in the move by the Dunleavy Administration to remove the more or less moderate and politically seasoned Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer as a running mate – due in part to his honesty about the Division of Elections efforts in the 2021 elections and the fact that they are considered the most secure and legitimate in history.  

This runs counter to partisan lies about elections that exposed much of the Right to be in a feverish tilt toward authoritarianism. Though it likely was not the Lt. Governor’s decision to leave the ticket, it is good for his legacy that he will not be made to bow in fealty to the dangerous bullpucky of the new Right. The Governor will be introducing new election legislation soon, and we will be monitoring it closely for poison pills relating to voting rights and election subversion.  

As we recognized the one-year anniversary of the bloody insurrection of January 6, 2021, it is clear that we can never back down from the effort to halt legislation that would erode democratic norms. We all must work as if the future of the country depends on it to end the politics that ultimately seek to facilitate violence between Americans.   

The list of pre-filed legislation for the 2022 legislative session hit the streets today. You can peruse the full list here. A second pre-file release is scheduled for next Friday, January 14, ahead of the convening of the legislature on January 18. There is no special magic to a pre-filed bill though it gives the sponsor a chance to introduce and develop an argument for the idea and get it into the public sphere in the relative quiet before the start of the session.   

We look forward to communicating with you after the second pre-file regarding our analysis of those bills that The Alaska Center supports and opposes in the raft of the pre-files. Lawmakers and staff are headed to Juneau by land, sea, and air as we speak. We wish them safe passage and a healthy session.

Here is to the future.

The Alaska Center Team

PS: We are evolving our blog this year to include the Legislature and beyond. We will still be a resource for legislative updates but are inviting more voices in and will be providing more insights into the way we can all engage to defend our democracy, push for proactive climate policies and ensure Alaskans are at the decision-making table.

Community members gather around flagpole at Loussac Library holding candles in vigil to defend democracy on anniversary of Jan 6 violent insurrection and Nation's capital

January 6 Vigils Called On Lawmakers To Uphold Democracy

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Anchorage Community Members Join Nationwide Vigil in Coordination with Over 300 Events Across the Country

Anchorage, AK: In case you missed it, yesterday Stand UP Alaska, The Alaska Center and community organizers held a candlelight vigil at the Loussac Library. The event took place on the one-year anniversary of the violent insurrection at the nation’s capital on January 6th. The vigil was organized in coordination with over 300 events across the nation to give community members a moment of reflection and silence. 

The vigil also served as a starting point to remind people of the continued threats upon democracy in our own communities and ask that leadership pass policies that protect voting rights and ensure the violent attack of democracy we say on January 6, 2021, is never repeated again.

At 5:30 pm a gathering of people sipped hot beverages and held candles around the flagpole at the Loussac Library in the -10 degree weather. Participants stood around the circle of candles and took turns sharing why democracy mattered to them. From mothers to elected officials to retired service members each story was personal and powerful. “I am a recently retired Air Force officer with 24 years of service. I’ve been deployed to Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan in defense of my country. It was hard many times but it was always worth it because the unique democracy that America has is a beacon to the entire world.” Major Felisa Wilson, US Air Force (Retired) shared why she came out in the cold. “It means a great deal to those who are oppressed in corrupt countries where the citizens have no power, yet, to see America with our steadfast commitment to democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. We as Americans and Alaskans should be united in the shared belief in our democracy and the promise that it holds for our future.”

Polly Carr, Executive Director of The Alaska Center explained her commitment to the vigil,  “A true democracy is one in which all feel safe, respected, and able to participate. On this day, we thank and remember those who stood up for democracy. We stand in solidarity in asking our leaders to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act. Here at home, we renew our commitment to protect Alaskans’ voting rights, access, and security.” 

Stand UP Alaska asked participants to light a candle with a hope and a promise–Hope for our amazing democracy and a Promise to stand up for it.

With the temperatures dropping, the presence of the few dozen participants was a powerful testament to this community’s commitment to a safe and fair democracy.

  • Volunteer Kyla Kosednar with The Alaska Center signed up participants to stay connected and engaged around democracy actions moving forward into 2022.
  • Major Felisa Wilson, US Air Force (Retired) began the event asking everyone to think about their personal connection to Democracy.
  • Candles ring the Loussac Library flag pole as community members gather to have a moment of silence for the violent acts on democracy at the Nation’s capital a year ago
  • Community members, volunteers, and elected leaders held candles and walked in silence during Januray 6, remembrance vigil.