CALL TO ACTION #937: Stop Trump and Barr’s First Amendment Assault (June 5, 2020)
151 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
***Today’s Call To Action***
STOP TRUMP AND BARR’S FIRST AMENDMENT ASSAULT
This Trump regime refuses to address the systemic racism and police brutality that have forced people into the streets of this country every night. Instead, Trump is using this moment to mimic the despots he so admires. He’s swaggering, posing, and talking tough. He and his enablers are politicizing the military and threatening to deploy it against the American people.
Monday night we got to see what it looks like when the streets of our cities are defined as “battle spaces.” We saw military vehicles in the streets and military helicopters using combat tactics to intimidate civilians.
Fake AG William Barr ordered a teargas assault on peaceful protesters so that Trump could strut across the street for a photo op flanked by the military chief of staff dressed in battle fatigues. He announced the same general would be in charge of maintaining order in the capitol.
Heavily armed men (apparently federal officers) wearing no name tags or insignia deployed alongside police and refused to identify themselves beyond “associated with the Justice Department.” Their anonymity invites the very abuses of power that justifies the protests they are suppressing.
Congress cannot let the military be used for political intimidation.
Stop the Trump Regime’s Abuse of Power!
Call for Trump’s Resignation!
Call for Barr’s Resignation!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Our government needs to address the systemic racism and police brutality that are the reason people are in the streets of this country every night. Instead, Trump and Barr are threatening to misuse police and the US military to intimidate and silence Americans. Congress must pass Representatives Pressley and Omar’s resolution to condemn police brutality. Trump must be censured and prevented from using the Insurrection Act. Barr must answer to Congress for the assault on protesters in Lafayette Square and ensure that law enforcement officers always be required to wear visible personal and agency identification.
Moreover, Please tell Senator [ . . . ] to call for both Barr and Trump’s resignation. Publicly. Loudly. Every day.
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/
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].
Our government needs to address the systemic racism and police brutality that are the reason people are in the streets of this country every night. Instead, Trump and Barr are threatening to misuse police and the US military to intimidate and silence Americans. Congress must pass Representatives Pressley and Omar’s resolution to condemn police brutality. Trump must be censured and prevented from using the Insurrection Act. Barr must answer to Congress for the assault on protesters in Lafayette Square and ensure that law enforcement officers always be required to wear visible personal and agency identification.
Moreover, tell Greg Walden to call for both Barr and Trump’s resignation. Publicly. Loudly. Every day.
History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake. Fascist sympathizer or American patriot?
Thank you.”
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
June 5, 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.
ORD2 Indivisible Virtual General Meeting
June 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-indivisible-virtual-general-meeting/
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/
SOURCES:
The American Military’s Newest Target: American Protesters
Can Trump can use the military to stop protests? The answer is yes. – The
What Is the Insurrection Act, the Law Behind Trump’s Threat to Deploy the Military?
William Barr’s Vast, Nameless Army Is Being Brought To Bear On DC Protesters
Barr seeks to subdue D.C. protests by ‘flooding the zone’ with federal firepower