CALL TO ACTION #957: Get Out the Vote to Stop Trump’s Criminal Immigration Policy (July 3, 2020)



123 Days

Until the November 3rd Election


 Our Recommendations for November

What Voting Blue means to us: We Steering Committee members are pragmatic progressives with no “purity or litmus tests” for our key issues. Rather, we will support the candidate that comes closest to our positions, which means that moderate Joe Biden is much preferred to fascist Donald Trump. And, electability matters; one can’t govern from the sidelines. Sometimes that means backing someone who looks less blue than their opponent, someone who is in better position to be elected and actually help us. Finally, some candidates might want us to maintain our distance for political reasons specific to their constituencies. We respect that, so people we would otherwise recommend may be missing from this list.

Keep Salem Blue! New today*

President: Joe Biden

U.S. Senate: Jeff Merkley

*Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan

*State Treasurer: Tobias Read

*State Attorney General: Ellen Rosenblum

Jackson County Commissioner: Terrie Martin

Watch this space; more to come.


***Today’s Call To Action***

GET OUT THE VOTE TO STOP TRUMP’S

CRIMINAL IMMIGRATION POLICY 


Trump wants to cleanse the country of immigrants, and C-19 is helping him do it. Although the vast majority of ICE detainees are accused only of civil violations, they and their children are housed in intolerable conditions that predated the pandemic—cramped unclean quarters, poor food, lack of medical attention. No social distancing, failure to isolate C-19-positive detainees, inadequate testing, continued transfer of detainees between facilities, insufficient access to masks, soap or sanitizer all increase the virus’ spread. 

Stopping C-19’s spread requires releasing large numbers of detainees—which this administration won’t approve and the Senate won’t force. Court orders or proposed legislation releasing small numbers of children or the medically compromisedHouse Democrats’ demands for ICE reforms, and calls for Congressional investigations are woefully inadequate. 

To stop Trump and the GOP from using this public health crisis to implement their unlawful, inhumane immigration policies, we must 

VOTE THEM OUT!  

This is why we’re asking you to join us in partnering with Swing Left to turn out 10,000,000 voters in key states that will guarantee Democratic control of all three federal Houses and the state houses needed to ensure fair legislative redistricting in 2021. See ways you can become more involved with this effort in ACTION THREE.


**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]. 

We cannot let Trump and the GOP use the COVID-19 pandemic to implement their unlawful and inhumane immigration policies. The Federal Immigrant Release for Safety and Security Together (FIRST) Act (S.3645), is a good first step, but it must be expanded to include not only children and those over 50 who are medically compromised but all adult detainees who are not dangers to the community. The Senate must also investigate ICE’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and push for the establishment of the Ombudsman office authorized in the 2019 budget. 

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]. 

Tell Greg Walden that using the COVID-19 pandemic to implement Trump’s unlawful and inhumane immigration policies is criminal, and he is complicit. Greg could begin to make amends for his enabling of  Trump by working to make these two things happen:

  • Working to pass the Federal Immigrant Release for Safety and Security Together (FIRST) Act (H.R.6537) as a  first step. He should also demand that it is expanded to include not only children and those over 50 who are medically compromised but all adult detainees who are not dangers to the community.
  • Fully supporting the investigation of ICE’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and pushing for the establishment of the Ombudsman office authorized in the 2019 budget. 

Trump’s criminal behavior in and out of office is obvious to anyone with eyes to see. Greg is his complicit enabler. His only way out at this point is to speak the truth and ask for forgiveness.

To remain silent on all of this is a moral outrage. If that’s 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 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**

July 3, 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.

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/