CALL TO ACTION #997: Stop Toxic Trump (September 1, 2020)
63 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
We’ve been calling it the November 3rd election, but it really takes place in OCTOBER. Mail service could be iffy this year with Trump and DeJoy attacking the USPS. We urge you to vote early, use a ballot box if you can get to one, then track your ballot (more on tracking once the ballots are mailed).
Important Dates:
October 13: Last day to register to vote; postmark or online by 11:59 pm
October 14-20: Voter’s ballots mailed; find your ballot box
October 20: Last day for county Voter’s Pamphlet distribution
November 3: Ballots must be in a ballot box or with the county clerk by 8 pm
We invite you to watch and share this YouTube video by ORD2 Indivisible co-founder, Jessica Sage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQNs_kR5JN0
Our Endorsements 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 endorse may be missing from this list.
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 Senate District 2: Jerry Allen
State Senate District 28: Hugh Palcic
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***
Stop Toxic Trump
“. . . (N)o one is truly safe with Donald Trump as President.” (Governor Kate Brown, August 30, 2020)
We the People have the right to be safe from government leaders who foment violence against us. We the People have the right to reliable health care, housing, and food. All Americans have the right to a government of the People, by the People and for the People.
Trump is toxic. He stokes fear, violence, and hate. He emboldens white supremacists and their police sympathizers to terrorize us—then praises them. He claims only he can save us, but he continues to abuse us. He blames Democrats for his own behavior. His enablers amplify his lies. They ignore our suffering while grabbing the only two things that matter to them: money and power. They steal our safety, our votes, our lives.
Our democracy is collapsing; DEMAND that Congress must act:
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The House must investigate domestic terrorism by white supremacists, police, and Trump/Barr’s federal forces.
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The Senate must stop its endless vacations and immediately pass the Justice in Policing, HEROES, Voting Rights Advancement, and Delivering for America Acts.
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Every Democrat must spread the message that the House passed these bills, but that Trump’s GOP has refused to negotiate or vote on them.
We are stronger together. We can and will stop Trump and his enablers from stealing our lives, our democracy, and our hope.
**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 to ask the Senator to:
Publicly call on McConnell to stop the Senate’s endless vacations and immediately pass the Justice in Policing, HEROES, Voting Rights Advancement, and Delivering for America Acts.
Remind the public that the Senate is enabling Trump to undermine our democracy by refusing to act. Then demand Director of National Intelligence Ratcliffe be subpoenaed to testify publicly under oath about why he is stopping briefings about Russian interference in our 2020 election and hold him in contempt if he fails to appear.
Remind the public that the Senate is enabling Trump’s calls for and praise of violence against peaceful protesters by refusing to act. Then demand the Senate investigates domestic terrorism by white supremacist groups, Barr’s paramilitary, and their policy sympathizers.
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 to remind Greg Walden that our democracy is in peril and we are suffering and dying from the pandemic, poverty, and state-sponsored/encouraged white supremacist violence. I demand that Greg end his refusal to take a stand against Trump and his collaborators as they steal our lives, our votes, and our future. Greg’s silence is collaboration. He is complicit.
Greg can begin earning back some of his lost legacy by standing up NOW to end Trump’s abuse of power.
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**
September 2, 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.
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Workers Helping Workers – Central Point
September 7 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-workers-helping-workers-central-point/
ORD2 Indivisible Virtual General Meeting
September 14 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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/