CALL TO ACTION #970: Seize the Moment; Demand Better Coronavirus Response (July 22, 2020)



104  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 a 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 Oregon House District 5 Blue! 

President: Joe Biden

U.S. Senate: Jeff Merkley

U.S. Congress CD2: Alex Spenser

Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan

State Treasurer: Tobias Read

State Attorney General: Ellen Rosenblum

State House District 4: Mary Middleton

**State House District 5: Pam Marsh

State House District 6: Alberto Enriquez

Jackson County Commissioner: Terrie Martin


***Today’s Call To Action***

SEIZE THE MOMENT

DEMAND BETTER CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE


A seemingly humbled Trump acknowledged yesterday that the coronavirus outbreak will get worse before it gets better. Reading from notes, he encouraged people to wear masks, wash their hands and maintain “at least” six feet from one another. He said his goal was to protect workers, schools and families from what he calls the “China virus.”  The dishonest, divisive bully momentarily vanished in the face of overwhelming evidence that Americans think his response has failed. Most of the world agrees, banning Americans from their countries.

Trump’s outrageous lies, bluster and profound ignorance have crippled a thriving economy, trashed scientists, and, as always, fueled conspiracy theories that left Americans both bitterly divided and a feast for the virus—143,000 of us dead, so far. 

If this new Trump lasts longer than a daily news cycle, our representatives in Washington must seize the moment to demand:

  • More research money to develop tests that give results in minutes to hours, not days to weeks.
  • An efficient supply chain to get PPE to health care workers, and workers in meatpacking facilities and nursing homes.
  • Financial relief to states, a continued supplement for unemployment insurance, and extended eviction moratorium.
  • Trump back off his push to reopen schools—schools can reopen safely only when the virus is driven to low levels in the community.

Enough is Enough!

Now is the Time!

Fix the C-19 Response!


**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 because, based on his press briefing yesterday, Trump momentarily seemed open to a better coronavirus response. I want the Senator to quickly demand:

  • More research money to develop tests that give results in minutes to hours, not days to weeks.
  • An efficient supply chain to get PPE to health care workers, and workers in meatpacking facilities and nursing homes.
  • Financial relief to states, a continued supplement for unemployment insurance, and extended eviction moratorium.
  •  Trump back off his push to reopen schools—schools can reopen safely only when the virus is driven to low levels in the community.
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 because, based on his press briefing yesterday, Trump momentarily seemed open to a better coronavirus response. I want Greg Walden to quickly demand:

  • More research money to develop tests that give results in minutes to hours, not days to weeks.
  • An efficient supply chain to get PPE to health care workers, and workers in meatpacking facilities and nursing homes.
  • Financial relief to states, a continued supplement for unemployment insurance, and extended eviction moratorium.
  •  Trump back off his push to reopen schools—schools can reopen safely only when the virus is driven to low levels in the community.
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: CALL GOVERNOR KATE BROWN**

Governor Kate Brown Phone: 503-378-4582  Trump’s militarized DHS forces who have invaded Portland are acting without restraint or accountability.  They are suppressing free speech and terrorizing peaceful protesters.  I want to thank the governor for calling for them to leave and speaking out against Trump’s abuse of power.  But I am asking for more.  Every night that the DHS continues to march on Portland streets, more people are endangered.  I am asking for real action to get DHS forces out of Portland now.  And action necessary, up to and including use of the Oregon National Guard, to protect all Oregonians on the streets of Portland.


**ACTION FOUR: BE AN ACTIVIST**

July 22, 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.


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.

Correction:

In yesterday’s newsletter, the contact information for Dasja Dolan, who is one of the leaders of ORD2 Indivisible’s letter-writing campaign for Vote Forward, was incorrect. Her email address should be . We regret the error.

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/