On Tuesday, December 7 CAIR-WA Community Outreach Coordinator Abigail Stahl and Civil Rights Coordinator Jennifer Gist participated in a public hearing held by Port of Seattle's Commission, to support Puget Sound Sage, a CAIR-WA ally organization working for economic justice. The commissioners were discussing the upcoming Clean Ports Act 2010, and hearing testimonies from a variety of community leaders.

Abigail spoke briefly in support of the measure, noting that the current structure of the port program places responsibility on the drivers to replace their out of date, polluted trucks, and using their own money for the maintenance of these vehicles. She also spoke to the concern that currently truckers are misclassified employees and as independently contracted employees drivers are exposed to abuses, such as not receiving Social Security or Disability benefits. Abigail also noted that in addition to this being a social justice issue that affects the wider community, CAIR-WA has a particular interest in protecting these drivers, as many of them are members of the Muslim community.

Individuals and several other partner organizations, such as One America, the Church Council of Greater Seattle, Seattle City Council members Mike O'Brien and Nick Licata, and State Representative Dave Upthegrove (D-33) gave testimony in support of the measure. Nonetheless, it was not successful.Two commissioners, Creighton and Holland were in favor, Albro and Bryant voted against and Tarleton abstained.

Efforts will continue from various organizations, spearheaded by Puget Sound Sage and in tandem with CAIR WA, to work on the issue of clean and just ports, as well as the rights of truckers and other laborers.