Voter suppression, police brutality, inequities in criminal justice, and COVID-19’s impact are manifestations of systemic racism that disproportionately affect Black communities. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 reversed Jim Crow laws that blocked Blacks from voting, but gerrymandering and voter identification laws following the 2010 election created new obstacles. Required identification is often difficult to obtain, and the expense is a virtual poll tax. Despite sustained evidence of this and other racist voter suppression tactics, SCOTUS gutted the VRA’s protections in 2013.

The 2020 WI and GA primaries demonstrated how unequal resources and closed polling places in predominately Black, urban precincts make voting difficult and exacerbate the pandemic’s danger. Purging voter rolls, disseminating misinformation, and threats are also aimed primarily at Black voters, although as with gerrymandering, other Democratic constituencies are targeted. 

The HEROES Act fully funds Vote-By-Mail and the post office essential to it. Last December, the House passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019. McConnell refuses to move either forward, knowing he and his party will lose unless they suppress our votes. Yet to create the changes necessary to make Black lives truly matter, we must ensure everyone can vote safely and securely. 

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**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

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June 19, 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.

Friday Night at the Guerrilla Drive-In – Medford
June 19 @ 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/friday-night-at-the-guerrilla-drive-in-medford/

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.