Today’s Washington Supreme Court ruling in Bolina v. AssureCare Adult Home, brought by Fair Work Center on behalf of live-in caregivers, is a reminder of how systemic advocacy shapes the law over time. The decision extends basic wage and hour protections to workers long excluded from these protections and draws from the same constitutional framework CLS advanced in our Martinez-Cuevas case, where farmworkers challenged an exclusion shaped by the racialized history of labor law.
As CLS marks 30 years of advocacy, this is the long view that guides our work: building legal tools, strategies, and partnerships that help communities challenge injustice now and open doors for others in the future. In this month’s advocacy update, read more about how CLS is carrying that work forward across immigration detention, farmworker rights, prison accountability, and emerging threats facing communities across Washington.
Thank you for believing in the promise of justice — and for being part of the work that helps make it real.
Latest Advocacy Updates
Rights do not become real simply because they exist on paper. They become real when people can use them. Read our latest advocacy update to see how CLS is helping communities across Washington challenge detention, retaliation, hidden labor practices, and prison systems that operate out of public view.
Is Remembering Enough?
Remembrance is not the same as responsibility. In this essay, DonYeta Villavaso-Madden reflects on Memorial Day, May Day, labor history, and Sankofa to ask what we owe to the people whose sacrifice secured rights and protections that are still not equally accessible today.
Building Power Through Partnership at Constellations
CLS attended Inatai’s Constellations Conference in Spokane, joining hundreds of leaders from across Washington to explore strategies for building community power and advancing change. The experience reinforced a key lesson: lasting impact happens when organizations and communities work together, each contributing their unique strengths toward a shared vision of justice and equity.
Ensuring Washington’s Protections Work in Practice
Washington law protects immigrant communities from unlawful collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, but those protections are only meaningful when they are enforced. Read how CLS is partnering with communities across the state to investigate violations, build local capacity, and defend the rights guaranteed under the Keep Washington Working Act.
A Night Full of Lotería, Laughter & Community
Our Lotería Night brought the Yakima community together for an evening of games, prizes, and great memories. We’re grateful to everyone who attended, donated prizes, and supported the event, with special thanks to Bale Breaker for hosting a wonderful Community Pint Night.
Imagine Justice Week
Join us for Imagine Justice Week, our annual fundraiser celebrating community, justice, and 30 years of impact at CLS. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details and your official invitation coming soon.
Save the Date: September 21 – 25
Want to be an Imagine Justice sponsor? Reach out to Annabell Joya at annabell.joya@columbialegal.org with interest or questions.
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