CALL TO ACTION #947: Mark Juneteenth With Action (June 19, 2020)



137 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


***Today’s Call To Action***

MARK JUNETEENTH WITH ACTION


It took almost two and a half years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and two months after the Civil War ended for the news to reach the last bastion of legal slavery, Texas. The announcement read:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”

Freed slaves organized Juneteenth to commemorate emancipation, now an international-celebrated holiday.

Juneteenth is a good day for non-Black people to figure out how to join against anti-Black racism. Here’s simple, practical advice from one activist, Deray Mckesson: “Find an issue that’s important to you, and be as curious and close to it as possible.” 

There is plenty of work to do here at home and in Congress. This week, Portland made Juneteenth a paid holiday for city workers. But across the state armed white militias are intimidating people who are demonstrating for racial justice.

Wherever we enter the stream of social justice is a good place to start.


**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]. I am calling today because…

I am taking a moment to reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth. I want you to know that I fully support strong federal action to end police violence. We also need more funding going to social services, education and health care, and less money going to the military and policing. My support is not a flash in the pan, and won’t end with a few reforms are made. I am in this fight for the long haul and pledge to keep supporting legislation that will extirpate racism from America.

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]. I am calling today because…

…I am taking a moment to reflect on the meaning of Juneteenth. I want Greg Walden to know that I fully support strong federal action to end police violence. We also need more funding going to social services, education and health care, and less money going to the military and policing. My support is not a flash in the pan, and won’t end with a few reforms are made. I am in this fight for the long haul and pledge to keep supporting legislation that will extirpate racism from America.

To remain silent on so many issues, as Greg continues to do, is a moral outrage. If that is his decision, I call on him to resign his office effective immediately. 

History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake. 

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**

TODAY: 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
TODAY: 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.

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/