CALL TO ACTION #949: Save Our Democracy; Fund Vote by Mail; Stop Police Violence (June 23, 2020)



133 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


***Today’s Call To Action***

SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY

FUND VOTE BY MAIL

STOP POLICE VIOLENCE


Demand that the Senate act quickly to pass the HEROES Act and the Justice in Policing Act 2020.

The HEROES Act funds voting by mail. Republicans are running a pincer operation to suppress voting in the name of public health. On one flank, Trump is lying from his bully pulpit to delegitimize mailed ballots, even as he and other party members mail in their ballots. On another, Republican-controlled states (Wisconsin, Georgia and Kentucky) are closing high numbers of polling places, disproportionately in Black neighborhoods.

We are not a democracy if we can’t vote. Fund voting from home by mail.

The House’s Justice in Policing Act 2020 would bring real change. The Senate bill has a loophole allowing chokeholds when deadly force is authorized; the House bill outlaws chokeholds, period. The Senate bill says nothing about qualified immunity, which the House bill eliminates. And so on.

In the 32 days since George Floyd’s murder, police have fatally shot 70 other people. In addition, police have blinded, brain-damaged, and in other ways hurt protestors, journalists and observers with rubber bullets, tear gas, and physical violence.

No one is above the law, including the police. Pass the Justice in Policing Act 2020.


**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]. 

Please tell the Senator that I strongly support the immediate passage of the HEROES Act and the Justice in Policing Act. We need both bills to stop the suffering caused by COVID-19 and police violence.

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]. 

The amorality of the Republican Party is breathtaking. Greg Walden should be ashamed to see his colleagues defend Donald Trump as he tears apart our democracy and increases the COVID-19 and police violence death toll. I urge Greg, during the sunset of his congressional career, to use whatever power he has left to encourage the immediate passage of the HEROES Act and the Justice in Policing Act.

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. 

Where’s Walden? 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**

June 24, 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.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Virtual Town Hall – Umatilla, Union, Wallowa & Morrow Counties
June 25 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-virtual-town-hall-2/

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Virtual Town Hall – Deschutes, Crook & Jefferson Counties
June 29 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-virtual-town-hall-deschutes-crook-jefferson-counties/

Coming Friday, July 3rd to the Guerrilla Drive-In… ‘The Brainwashing of My Dad’
July 3 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/coming-friday-july-3rd-to-the-guerrilla-drive-in-the-brainwashing-of-my-dad/

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/