CALL TO ACTION #923: Demand Racial Justice in the Next COVID-19 Package (May 15, 2020)

172 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


Oregon Primary Election

Ballots are due on May 19, 8:00 p.m.

Postmark DOES NOT COUNT.

Too late to mail your ballot!

Find your closest ballot box location here.

 Please VOTE!

Track your ballot here.

Progressive activism means voting the ENTIRE ballot, including seemingly obscure local boards and commissions, and those pesky initiatives. 

Help the BLUE WAVE wash over every level of government!


***Today’s Call To Action***

DEMAND RACIAL JUSTICE IN THE NEXT COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE


White supremacy allows two white men to chase down and murder a black man jogging through their white neighborhood. It’s the root of structural racism in this country.  Racism equals poverty, low wages with no benefits, mass incarceration, and lack of food and housing security and health care.  It equals greater vulnerability of entire communities to infection, illness, and death. 

(Poverty Rate by Race for San Diego County)

Meat packing plants were declared essential; workers, mostly Latino immigrants, were forced back to work.  The financial well being of plant owners was protected.  The health and safety of workers was not. Most jobs that have been declared essential are minimum wage service industry jobs.  Workers in those jobs are the most vulnerable to infection, and they are primarily African-American and Latino. 

Those advocating for the economy over lives are overwhelmingly white, and they are protected by the power of their privilege.  Senate Leader Mitch “Grim Reaper” McConnell’s C-19 response priority has been to protect businesses from lawsuits. Many in the GOP are openly voicing that the economy is more important than saving lives. Republicans value their personal material comfort over “other” peoples’ lives, people who are not white.

White supremacy allowed armed white terrorists to feel safe when they stormed the Michigan statehouse demanding that businesses reopen to serve them.  They knew the police would not confront them, and they also knew that it’s people of color who are especially suffering and dying in this pandemic.

 

White supremacy is deadly.  Demand that racial justice is a cornerstone of the next COVID-19 package. 


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].

People of color are especially vulnerable in this pandemic.  Too many are dying because of the racist roots of poverty and incarceration in this country.  I’m asking the Senator to ensure that there is racial justice in the next COVID-19 relief package, including rent and food assistance and health care.  Low wage essential workers must have safe work environments,  paid medical and family leave and hazard pay.  And I’m asking that people held in immigration detention and those in prison who are vulnerable and non-violent be released.

Thank you.”

SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY

Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

 

SENATOR RON WYDEN

Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

 


**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. 

People of color are especially vulnerable in this pandemic.  Too many are dying because of the racist roots of poverty and incarceration in this country.  Tell Greg Walden to ensure that there is racial justice in the next COVID-19 relief package, including rent and food assistance and health care.  Low wage essential workers must have safe work environments,  paid medical and family leave and hazard pay.  Tell Greg that people held in immigration detention and those in prison who are vulnerable and non-violent should be released.

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me


**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**

Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Ongoing Event: Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Update Zoom Conference Calls
TODAY: May 15, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth  Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”

Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.

“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”

The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773. Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.

Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Digital Activist Training: Campaign Priorities – Speak Up For Our Forests and Clean Water
TODAY: May 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-digital-activist-training-campaign-priorities-speak-up-for-our-forests-and-clean-water/

Virtual Election Watch Party!
May 19 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/virtual-election-watch-party/

Ongoing Action: ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard and Letter Writing Parties

Postcards to Voters:

Our postcard team is temporarily suspending the delivery of postcards to your door. However, the good news is that you will find everything you need to continue writing from home (including templates to print your own or purchase pre-printed cards) here: https://postcardstovoters.org

You can sign up through https://postcardstovoters.org/volunteer/

To avoid unnecessary trips to the post office, order stamps directly from the USPS:
https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/coral-reefs-postcard-stamp-S_745104

…and voila, you’re ready to go! Send an e-mail to with any questions.

Letters to Voters

We encourage our team of volunteers to sign up with Swing Left to start writing letters to voters in 12 swing states.  It is super easy to join. Check out their website, sign up, and let’s start writing! https://swingleft.org/

Send an e-mail to if you would like more information about how to get involved.

Virtual Letter-writing Parties

We encourage you to join virtual letter-writing parties hosted by Oregon Indivisible / Swing Left. The parties are held at noon every Saturday and on the last Tuesday of every month. Here are the links for the next two parties:

https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/267146/

**Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/