CALL TO ACTION #953: Keep Americans Safe at Home and Abroad (June 29, 2020)
127 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
***Today’s Call To Action***
KEEP AMERICANS SAFE
AT HOME AND ABROAD
Today we urge you to call your MoCs about a domestic issue that Congress can fix now, and a foreign policy issue that probably won’t be fixed until we vote.
At Home: The Senate is on track to expand the flow of military-grade weapons to law enforcement under the 1033 program, despite massive public support for demilitarizing the police. Recently 1033 was in the news when the LA County Schools Police returned three grenade launchers. The Senate will likely add “disaster-related emergency preparedness” as a law enforcement justification. This is mission creep, not sensible policy. We need to ask House Reps to 1) allow no companion amendment in the House bill; and, 2) ensure the Senate amendment is dropped in reconciliation.
Abroad: In the America we want, Congress would impeach the President and Cabinet for sitting on proof that Russia paid the Taliban to kill US soldiers. Instead of protecting our troops, Trump invited Russia into the G7 and began withdrawing American troops from Germany. Trump says he wasn’t briefed. Either the President, his advisors or both are committing treason. Senate Republicans have done nothing so far to reign-in this rogue POTUS. Apparently, they condone the Traitor in Chief’s actions.
We must speak out; we must double down on unseating the President and flipping the Senate.
**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].
The Senate Armed Services Committee just voted to expand law enforcement’s access to military-grade equipment under Program 1033. This despite strong, demonstrated public support to stop militarizing the police. I ask the Senator to support the Schatz-Paul amendment to remove Program 1033 from the National Defense Authorization Act.
I also want the Senator to call for censuring Trump for his failure to protect our troops from Russia’s bounty hunting. This is a treasonous act by him and his Administration.
[For Merkley only: Since he is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, please ask the Senator to use his power to have the committee go on record that it will or will not investigate this issue.]
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 to demand that Greg Walden publicly rebuke Donald Trump for his failure to protect our troops from Russia’s bounty hunting. This is a treasonous act by Trump and his Administration.
To remain silent on this Trump travesty, like so many other issues, is a moral outrage. If that is Greg’s 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 WALDENDC (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 29, 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 – 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/
ORD2 Indivisible Virtual General Meeting
July 13 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-indivisible-virtual-general-meeting-2/
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:
NYT article that broke the story: NYT Russia-Afghanistan-bounties
Follow-up WaPo article that confirmed the story: Russian operation targeted coalition troops in Afghanistan, intelligence finds
About Program 1033: War Comes Home
About the Schatz-Paul amendment: Lawmakers Want To Stop Militarizing the Police | 1033 Program
About use of military equipment in quelling the uprising: Lawmakers Begin Bipartisan Push to Cut Off Police Access to Military-Style Gear
