Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

x close
The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Immigration Reform Rally Blocks Traffic Downtown

Politics   May 20, 2010 at 2:03 pm Camden Swita

An immigration reform rally  blocked traffic along Madison Street between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue downtown this afternoon.

The rally, which began at 11 a.m. at the Jackson Federal Building on Second Avenue, was staged by Washington Immigration Reform Coalition, the same group that put on the rally in Occidental Park in April. Similar rallies were scheduled for today in D.C., New York and Los Angeles. Protesters want federal policy that would make it easier for illegal immigrants to become American citizens.

Protestors first blocked access to elevators in a downtown office building that houses Seattle offices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but soon spilled out into the street.

I’ve got a call into the Seattle Police Department regarding any arrests, or what they plan to do in response to the rally, but so far no arrests have been reported. The Seattle Times reports that police have been following the protestors closely as they move up Madison Street and that some protesters intend to be arrested, including King County Councilmember Larry Gossett.


  • seven7

    Lame-o's

  • mathewrenndawgrenner

    Hey a bunch of idiots ralling for people who break the law by breaking the law themselves. If this was a Tea Party Patriots Rally doing this it woyld be universially condemmed by all media. Because it was in support of those who think our laws should be ignored it is supported. Viva Arizona

  • Chris

    What the demonstrators don't seem to understand is that getting a green card takes time. I know. I had one before getting my citizenship. But, do you know what takes the time? Getting “police clearance” from every city and county you have lived in!

    I had to get mine from Upminster, Essex (came via Scotland Yard), Victoria B.C. and Esquimalt B.C and from RCMP HQ in Ottawa. That is what takes time.

    By the way, the typical answer is written “No response” which is gov-speak for “no criminal record”.

    Now you now why so many illegals from south of the border have a long wait.

    Last, by “immigration reform” do they mean “don't ask about my criminal record?”

    Chris

  • http://votedemocraticparty.com vote democratic party

    Arizona’s Immigration Bill is causing a lot of controversy right now, but do you know why the good people of Arizona are standing behind this legislation putting themselves at risk from boycott’s and other economic setbacks set forth by other states. Check out this little video we put together. The people of Arizona have had enough, and this is why.

    http://digg.com/d31RgRX

  • http://spifflines.blogspot.com/ John Bailo

    They should have a parade in Arizona…would make it easier to round them up.