Yesterday, March 17, 2020, the 15 Now Tacoma Board of Directors (BOD) decided to postpone further gathering of signatures until at least the end of April because of the current pandemic. At the end of April, the BOD will decide how we will continue this campaign. It is possible we may delay any attempt to put Initiative 9 on the 2020 ballot and may go for a 2021 initiative instead.
We are concerned about the health of our volunteers as well as the health of petition signers. Health authorities tell us a person may be infected but show no signs of illness. Such people can pass on the COVID 19 to other, more vulnerable members of society.
We are very grateful to those who have supported Initiative 9 with their spirit and hard work. And we are grateful to everyone who signed our petition, spread the word, or in general worked for the betterment of working people. We have every reason to be proud of ourselves.
We’re not calling it quits. This is only a postponement. We will continue to maintain the website and continue trying to get endorsers for making the minimum wage to be a living wage. Hard times are ahead of us, but we must not allow ourselves to be defeated.
Please take care of yourselves, look after your loved ones and neighbors.
In solidarity,
15 Now Tacoma Board of Directors