Cascadian Democratic Republic
 | This article refers to a micronation or element of micronationalism which is defunct and no longer exists. You can help make the article reflect that or ask on the talk page for further information. |
Cascadian Democratic Republic Republica Democratica de Cascadia (Spanish) | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Anthem: "O, Cascadia!" | |
| Location | Portland, Klamath Falls, Vancouver (WA), Boise and Salt Lake City |
| Capital | Multnomah |
| Largest city | Vanport |
| Official languages | English |
| Demonym(s) | Cascadian |
| Government | Federal parliamentary democratic republic |
• Premier | Josh Graceson |
| Legislature | Supreme People's Assembly |
| Establishment | 6 December 2018 |
| Population | |
• Census | 18 |
| Currency | Renoan punt |
| Time zone | -8, -7 |
Cascadia (officially known as the Cascadian Democratic Republic), is a constituent state of the Renoan Federal People's Democratic Republic. It was founded in northern Oregon and consists of residences located in Portland and Klamath Falls, Oregon, Boise, Idaho, Vancouver, Washington, and Salt Lake City, Utah. It was founded in December 2018 as an autonomous state of the former Sonoran Confederation. Over time, it began leading the charge for more sovereignty, culminating in a national grant of sovereignty to all Sonoran states and Cascadia's eventual independence in April 2019.
History
Cascadia was formed in December 2018 as the Cascadian People's Republic from the remnants of the former State of Willamette and the short lived Willamette Republic as a union between the cities of New Salem (the former Willamette capital) and Clackamas, which grew in size at the end of January 2019. It began gaining further national autonomy and sovereignty in March 2019, culminating in the Sonoran National Sovereignty Defense Act and the Cascadian National Militia Act, establishing the Cascadian People's Armed Police, the national military. In April 2019, Sonora faced internal collapse due to economic shortfalls and reverted to its 2016 Alliance structure. Cascadia and several other states gained their full independence and joined the Alliance.
Post-independence Socialist Government
Following independence, Cascadian underwent a palace coup after President Jim von Hindenburg and their partner and Vice President Katherine von Hindenburg resigned, leaving Titania Smith, Chairman of the People's Assembly in charge. Smith was on a day outing at recreational marijuana retreat with her wife and friends, where she managed to secure the revival of the City Of Willamette, albeit, with a 50 mile southern excursion from it's original settlement. It was there Smith declared the government would reform into the Cascadian Soviet Socialist Republic and the creation of the Cascadian Patritoic Party. She returned to Clackamas, the Cascadian capital, taking charge of the newly created one-party socialist state. On May 6, Smith won unopposed with 92.3% of the vote in the Cascadian general election.
Democratic Coup
Due to an ongoing financial crisis, a coup was launched against Smith on May 10, with Vice President, Cali Bear, seizing power, becoming the 3rd President in one month. The Smithists were purged from the Party and fled into exile after a small clash earlier that morning. Bear called for a fresh snap election on May 14, in which he said he would run, to allow the President to still be inaugurated without delay. The election would include a fresh election for the People's Assembly. On May 12, Bear declared the end of the brief Soviet Socialist Republic and the establishment of the Cascadian Democratic Republic, marking the third government since the country's independence. He was officially elected on May 14 as President with Buster McCovey elected as Vice President and Chairman of the People's Assembly. On May 17, the Cascadian War ended with the Smithists entering mainstream politics, another snap election on May 20, and a Constitutional Convention was held. Bear was confirmed as the President and a new National Assembly was elected. Cookie the Cat, who placed 2nd in the Presidential election was appointed as Vice President and McCovey took on the role of Prime Minister. A Constitution was ratified in late June establishing the current form of the Republic of Cascadia. On July 15, Bear announced he would not run for reelection and Prime Minister McCovey would instead be the ruling party's nominee. McCovey placed 3rd in the August Presidential election and the Patriotic Worker's Party gaining only 2 seats in the National Assembly. Vice President Cookie the Cat won the Presidency by 56% of the vote with Pusheen the Cat (who placed 2nd) becoming the new Vice President.
The Two Day Dictatorship
On August 12, just 3 days before the inauguration a meeting of high level National Union and Patriotic Worker's Party members met in Clackamas for a secret meeting. Called by Patriotic Worker's Party Congress leader, Titania Smith, the gathering was to discuss alleged corruption and attempts to undermine the state by "mutual adversaries of the two parties". On August 15, with the new elected government sworn in, a coup took place arresting newly elected Vice President Pusheen the Cat and detaining of several members of the Liberal Democratic and Patriotic Worker's Party, including newly elected Prime Minister, Tater the Cat. In the ensuing concern and investigative process, Smith was made Ceannaire ("leader") of Cascadia. However, after two days, President Cookie the Cat demanded a report from Smith regarding the alleged conspiracy to commit treason. When Smith could not and refused to provide information, the President had her office seized. The seizures not only showed no evidence of a conspiracy by those detained and arrested but that Smith and National Union executive, Sirsheen the Cat, had engaged in a plot to instigate a panic and paranoia in order to seize power and form a one-party syncretic dictatorship with the President as a puppet leader. Smith and Sirsheen were arrested and later pled guilty to their crimes. Vice President Pusheen the Cat was restored to her office and Smith and Sirsheen were fired from their positions and expelled from their respective parties.
Restoration of the Republic
Following the removal of Smith as Ceannaire, the office was immediately abolished. The National Assembly finally met and confirmed Tater the Cat, whom was previously agreed upon to serve, as Prime Minister. The Council of State was dissolved in favor of reforming it into a executive cabinet rather than centralized government commissions subservient to the National Assembly. The voting age was lowered to Sentient citizens over 6 years old and a conscription bill was passed in order to strengthen the Cascadian national defense. The Republic is currently working to live up to the national unity standards touted by the ruling government by enacting social reforms and fiscal responsibility while also decentralizing the state that existed under Smith's Soviet system and continued to exist even under a multi-party, yet socialist majority government. It has also passed environmental action response and banned smoking and vaping of nicotine products. On September 20, 2019, Cascadia declared a "war on predators" after it was found they had been creeping into the micronational community. The campaign against sexual criminals is codenamed "Operation: Bloody Unicorn" while the camapign also is expanded to include Operation: Dark Horse to take down and/or condemn state-designated "terrorists and human rights violators" and Operation: James Bond to take down and/or condemn state-designated "foreign spies".
Grand Republic experiment
On October 19, in an effort to smooth relations with monarchist factions, a Grand Republic was established with the intent to form a new government under a limited constitutional monarchy with a constitutional amendment reflecting the changes. A Transitional Council was established and the National Assembly was dissolved with Titania Smith being anointed as Queen but with only "spiritual leadership" and the "powers of military discipline". Over the coming days, support for this system began to fade as monarchist factions began favoring the republican system. On October 27, Smith abdicated the crown and ordered a reinstatement of the National Assembly and an immediate return to a full-republic citing the lack of public confidence. Prime Minister Tater the Cat, who initially ordered the dissolution of the National Assembly, and President Cookie the Cat, requested approval from the Constitutional Court to move ahead with an official nullification of the Assembly dissolution and government changes. In a late night vote, the Court approved the motion. On November 6, 2019, Cookie the Cat was reelected with 51% of the vote, avoiding a runoff election, the first instance in Cascadian history while Pusheen the Cat placed third, being surpassed in the electorate by her brother, Pip. Prime Minister Tater the Cat was also defeated in her home state of Portlandia by Titania Smith, who succeeded her as Prime Minister.
A New Brand of Socialism
Following the elections, a meeting was set up between President and the incoming Vice President and Prime Minister on the discussion of creating a unified democratic socialist state in which the political parties would all form together into one with ideological blocs which would elect candidates to run for office and whose outcome would play a role in their leadership in the party. This new form of governance and socialism would create accountability, more autonomy, and would be more democratic than previous socialist parties or governments. This would be branded as "Cascadian Socialism" and would set the stage for Cascadia's progressive culture. On November 16, the National Unity Party was established and on November 18, the party was firmly in control of the government, defense and police forces. Opposition forces had previously brokered a Collective agreement with the ruling party that previous week to cooperate with the new government while maintaining their own party, ideological views and autonomy. Under this new reformation, the government became a formalized one Party socialist state, reclaiming the short-lived name of the Cascadian Democratic Republic. Under the NUP, many reforms came in the form of expanded worker's rights, a sanctuary nation for stateless persons, and further environmental protections.
Decentralization
On January 10, 2020, the CDR announced an end to the NUP one-party rule in favor of non-partisan democracy and greater autonomy to the individual states. It also saw the reemergence of Yulyul as a constituent. Both Yulyul and New Reno opted for monarchist systems while Portlandia and Animalia opted for republics with Portlandia becoming a Soviet Socialist Republic and Animalia remaining a liberal democracy. On January 13, however, Yulyul was denied membership status and only afforded free association with Cascadia agreeing to manage their foreign affairs for them but not granting citizenship to Yulyul citizens, meaning they were essentially independent of Cascadian jurisdiction. This came after renewed talks with Yulyul leadership broke down over a proposed visit by Cascadian government officials was cancelled due to poor accommodations being provided by Yulyul. Calls for renewed talks continued into February but were eventually broken off, with the only official visits taking place were with the central government and New Reno. During which time, many new deals were brokered with opposition minorities in the country.
Cascadian Socialism Under Smith
On February 6, Prime Minister Titania Smith forced a run off in the Presidential election, going on to win the election outright on February 9. She was sworn in on February 15th. Smith began a process of rapid government restructuring and reforms aimed at transitioning the economy and government to a system based on the ideals of Cascadian socialism, which incorporates green socialism with the ideals of revolutionary and democratic socialism. Under Smith, a New Economic Policy, mirroring Vladimir Lenin's, passed the Cascadian Senate in late February. During this time, there were certain elements that believed that the Portlandian Soviet Socialist Republic had too much influence over the system and on March 4, an attempted coup took place to overthrow the governments of the capital city of Clackamas, the Portlandian Soviet government, and the Cascadian Democratic Republic. The plot failed and the conspirators were allowed to revoke their citizenship as Cascadians or be prosecuted for sedition and treason; the conspirators chose the former. During the same time, the worldwide pandemic of Coronavirus was growing increasingly worrisome, as cases began to grow in the areas nearest to Cascadian territory. A state of emergency was declared throughout the nation and the Seanad granted special emergency powers to the President who began using her authority to shut down borders, restrict public gathering, issue travel bans, and crackdown on potential seditious activity all while trying to keep the peace. Smith also used the crisis as an opportunity to take action on the transition process of Cascadia, implementing further Socialist policy and regime change. A collective bargaining agreement was reached on March 6 by members of the opposition, shortly before President Smith shuttered the Senate. Under the new agreement would outline the path to a one-party state governed by the Cascadian Socialist Party. The outline also called for a Constituent Assembly to draft a new Constitution. With the Senate proceedings on hold de to the crisis, Smith used her emergency powers to suspend the standing Constitution in preparation for a new one. She also implemented martial law but issued specific instructions safeguarding basic civil and human rights which, if violated, would mean Court Martial by uniformed officers. The first round of protections ended at the end of May. Smith also collectivized Ministries into Commissions and specific departments into Committees subject to the supervision of certain Commissions and the reorganizing of the Army and Police Force. The Police Force was disbanded in June 2020 after the widespread protests in the United States against the killing of George Floyd and police brutality.
In July 2020, Cascadia bagan a process of turning the republic into a Confederation and was on the path to a restoration of a multu-party system as unrest grew between conservative and leftist factions. However, on July 5, a Revolution was carried out by the ruling party across all three states. Opposition leaders were arrested and put on trial. Over the coming days, the new socialist governments coordinated with the central government to draft and approve a treaty that would federalize the system under a one-party state governed by the ideals of Cascadian socialism. The Union of Cascadian Socialist Republics was established on July 15, 10 days after the Revolution.
Under Smith's leadership, she consolidated power while also implementing massive social and economic reforms in a transition away from the New Economic Policy. The economy began to see growth in October, a first in nearly five years.
In November 2020, Smith was elected to her fourth term and spoke on the transition from New Economic Policy to Market socialism. During this time, a schism arose between factions in the ruling party, as several members left and eventually united with more liberal party members and independents, many who were members of Smith's opposition. The November Compromise, outlining a more democratic, communitarian approach while maintaining Smith as supreme leader, was reached and signed on November 15, inauguration day for the incoming government.
Great Patriotic War
Smith faced turmoil in the latter half of 2020 as anti-fascist and anti-racist protests began nearby the capital and in other cities in the US that bordered its territory. In response to the invasion of US agents into Portland and other surrounding cities, Smith declared "open hostilities" existed between Cascadia and the United States, essentially beginning a Cold war with the clashes between police and federal authorities with the protesters as a proxy. The conflict was largely due in part due to inflammatory remarks made by then US-President Donald Trump and the growing rise of white nationalism in the US and police brutality. Tensions between Cascadia and the US were already poor due to Smith's hatred for Trump and his fanatical supporters. Following the police murder of George Floyd, tensions became heated and boiled over when US agents were deployed to Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and other major cities on the Pacific coast and US. A ceasefire was in place for nearly a month before remarks of redeployment of US agents by Trump and federal deputization of state and local police drove a second wave of violent protests in Portland. Following the 2020 US Presidential election, Smith declared another ceasefire and following the Inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, Smith declared an official end to the conflict. The stalemate impacted Smith's image in the micronational community and within Cascadia with some calling for her removal as President. Despite this, Smith won a third term as President in August and a fourth term in November but had slowly consolidated her power to where she was now paramount leader of the country. In November 2020, a stronger emphasis on Celtification of Cascadia began and the position of President became synonamous with the title "Ceannaire" (lit trans. "leader"). A attempted coup in November and December eventually forced a change in the political practices but Smith still won by nearly 90% of the vote.
Greater and Grand Republics
Beginning at the end of 2020 and into January 2021, a strength of combined bioregionalism and Cascadian nationalism spurred on a "Greater Cascadian" movement to stake claim over almost the entire bioregion. In mid-January, Smith dawned the creation of the Greater Cascadian Republic claiming the lands as theirs while respecting its and other nations' currently held micronational claims in the area. Despite an attempt to circumvent her power, an attempt was created to force Smith into a regal role to hold her accountable to the National Assembly. On March 2, 2021 Smith reassumed her role as Ceannaire, placing the Smith Family Matriarch, Ceres Smith, on the throne. On March 15, Ceannaire Smith launched a coup to depose the her great-grandmother, the Banrí, and the Social Nationalists who supported her. By the end of the day, all members were either arrested and sent for re-education or had been isolated to exhile. Ceannaire Smith had managed to consolidate power around herself and solidifying factional loyalty to create the Cascadian Communist Party, effectively turning Cascadia into a one-party state. Smith continued to rule almost autocratically despite opposition from a growing Syndicalist movement, who advocated a more democratic form of governance with less bureaucracy and more transparency and a looser confederal system. Smith resisted and was initially given a choice to be removed or give up her power. In addition, she would take on the role of monarch. Smith ruled as monarch for several weeks before she agreed to a power sharing deal in July.
The UCCR is Reborn and Collapse
After securing a power-sharing deal, in which she agreed to be subject to the removal of an elected government executive council, Smith and the provisional government declared a revival of the short-lived project that had attempted to keep the former Union of Cascadian Socialist Republics alive in Fall 2020. On July 15, the Union of Cascadian Celtic Republics was established and would reflect a change in political structure from a Cascadian socialist and nationalist movement towards a Celtic democracy with a heavier emphasis on bioregionalism, environmentalism, and the deconstruction of the ideal of the nation-state. However, by the end of the same month, Smith was removed in a motion of no-confidence by the provisional ruling council. This, too, did not last long as the August 1st (Lugnasa) elections saw Smith allies or Smith-aligned candidates gain seats in the new government. This culminated in Smith's narrow reelection to the Celtic Worker's Council and the Council's reelection of her as Chairman and the de facto head of state, reestablishing her in her role as Ceannaire (President). Smith's rule lasted for one more month before she was once again deposed following certain comments made on social media regarding September 11th. Cascadia attempted to form a democratic republic with Smith's mother as a guiding leadership but within weeks, inactivity, coupled with Titania Smith's reputation tainting its image, a meeting was held to discuss Cascadia's future. It was decided, for the sake of reducing strain and burnout and just general ease, Smith would head a new micronation in a limited compacity, as a monarch, with Cascadia and its constituent countries becoming part of an empire. The Empire known as Panam lasted only a few short weeks before dissolving.
Rebirth Under New Reno
After several months of non-existence, the Dominion of Cascadia was reborn under the Renoan Empire. Ironically, New Reno had been a constituent country of Cascadia prior to its collapse with New Reno remaining a dormant Queendom in California, led by Smith's sister, Juno and several family members. In March 2022, it was formally decided that New Reno would take on the role of the dominant party with Juno abdicating in favor of her older sister and Titania Smith taking the throne as Empress and assuming the title of Queen of Cascadia.
Democracy
After the overturning of abortion rights in the neighboring United States, a widespread call for independence and sovereignty as well as democracy swept the Renoan Empire. On July 3, 2022, Smith abdicated the throne of New Reno and declared the formation of the Renoan Federal People's Democratic Republic under the transitional Provisional Revolutionary Council. This Council governed until democratic elections could be held the following week in which a new Renoan Senate was formed. Concurrently, the Presidential and several state and local elections also took place to ensure a quick and efficient transfer of power could be achieved. Titania Smith was elected the President either herself and the new government sworn in on July 15.
Etymology
The name is derived from the bioregion in which exists. This region gets its name from the Cascade mountain range that extends from British Columbia to northern California. The idea to create the micronation came from the Cascadian independence movement.
Government structure and Politics
Cascadia is a federal parliamentary democracy based on the ideals of environmentalism, progressivism and direct democracy. It prides itself on maintaining a democratic system of values along with its staunch progressive politics.
The Supreme People's Assembly is the legislative body and is responsible for proposing, voting on, and enacting laws and regulations to perpetuate a progressive and democratic state.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Cascadian Division of the People's Defense Force, a paramilitary, volunteer force responsible for state security and policing.
The Constitutional Court is the de jure head of the judicial branch. The Chief Justice is head of the Court and is the highest judicial official in Cascadia. The Constitutional Court is responsible for judging criminal cases and ensuring the constitutionality of laws passed by the executive and legislative branches.
Foreign Relations
Cascadian foreign relations are managed by the State Affairs Office of the Renoan Federal People's Democratic Republic, currently headed by the President.
Law & Order and Defense
Cascadian State Security (CSS) is the Cascadian branch of the Renoan State Security agency and is the primary state security service, merging and replacing the former Committee for State Security, National Defense Commission, and Central Military Committee in July 2021 (formerly Committee for Defensive Security until September 2021). They are responsible for neutralizing threats, countering espionage and gathering intelligence on matters concerning bioregional, micronational, and international security. The CSS also serves as the parent agency to the Special Investigative Service or SIS, which handles similar matters on internal security. The CSS oversees the standards and training of the Cascadian Division, which acts in place of a standard police force to deter crime and enforce laws.
Civil cases are tried before the local or state courts, or in their absence or request, may be presented to the Constitutional Court, the highest judicial authority, especially in cases of personal injury. Criminal cases and cases pertaining to violation of Constitutional law are tried before the Constitutional Court as well. The Special Investigative Service will sometimes be tasked to help in special judicial cases and is responsible for the safety of government officials.
Cybersecurity is handled through the Cybersecurity Council to protect Cascadian from cyberattacks and preparation for cyberwarfare. Cascadian State Security
Media
Cascadian news is broadcast through the Renoan and Multnomah Twitter page. People's News is the state-run news agency of the Republic and the successor of the Shoashanian and Sonoran news agency of the same name. There is plans to publish a newspaper weekly or monthly. As of August 2021, there is no current such publication.
National Holidays
| Date | Name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | |
| 8 January | Norton Day | Intermicronational holiday to commemorate the birthday of the Father of modern micronationalism |
| 15 January | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day | Holiday to remember the Civil Rights leader |
| 27 January | International Holocaust Rememberence Day | Day to remember the lives lost in the atrocities committed and solidarity against white supremacy and anti-Semitism. |
| 1 February | Cultural Awareness Day | Day to promote Cascadian culture and multi-cultural diversity. |
| 28 February | National Education Day | Day to promote education and teachers. |
| 17 March | Day of the Irish | Celebrated the same day as St Patrick's Day with similar traditions but commemorates the Irish culture and identity and the historic of Celtic and Gaelic heritage. |
| 18 April | Liberation Day | Day to celebrate our sovereign independence gained from the fall of the Sonoran Confederation |
| 1 May | International Workers Day | Holiday off to celebrate the hard working Cascadian. |
| 8 May | Victory Day | International recognition of the end of World War II in Europe. |
| 18 May | Cascadia Day | Bioregional solidarity with the Cascadian independence movement to celebrate bioregionalism. Considered to be Cascadia's national holiday. |
| 22 May | Harvey Milk Day | Day to commemorate the gay rights leader, celebrate pride, and a day against homophobia. |
| 4 July | Uniformed Services Day | Day to commemorate the Cascadian Army and Cascadian Police Force, coinciding in replacement of American Independence Day. |
| 31 October | Halloween/Samhain | |
| 1 November | All Saints Day | Day to remember and honor the lost souls of children who passed on |
| 2 November | Day of the Dead | Day to remember all souls who have passed on and to honor the dead |
| Last Thursday, November | Thanksgiving | Holiday to celebrate the harvest season and spending time with friends and family. |
| 6 December | Foundation Day | Continuation of the Sonoran Foundation Day as the day of Foundation of the State of Cascadia, which bore the future of our nation |
| 25 December | Yuletide | Coinciding with the Christmas holiday, day of giving and spending time with family. |
| 31 December | New Years' Eve |