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57 Days until the Senate Runoff Election in Georgia!

(Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossof)

Help These Two Guys Win!


***Today’s Call To Action***

Back to Work

End Systemic Racism


It’s tempting to take a break from the #Resistance front lines after the Biden/Harris projected victory, but we have work to do. In just 57 days, Georgia voters will determine who controls the Senate . . . and that’s a really BIG DEAL. Two seats are up for grabs because Georgia has a special Senate election this year. If we flip both BLUE, we control the Senate. If we don’t, Grim Reaper Mitch McConnell will control the Senate and the administration’s agenda will face horrific headwinds from the get go. Since Kentucky didn’t ditch Mitch, we must demote him to Minority Leader.

One important item on the Biden/Harris agenda is rooting out systemic racism. On Election Day, Barack Obama said, “Today, we decide as a nation who were really are.” The verdict: 71 million people voted FOR Donald Trump, arguably the most racist American president in modern history. He never stopped stoking racism to pit Americans against each other. It worked so well because racism is deeply embedded in America. Thousands of studies reveal Blacks live in a more brutal America than whites:

  • Inadequate schools, mandatory sentencing guidelines, and bank lending practices result in higher unemployment, lower wages, and a large and widening wealth gap for Blacks compared to whites.
  • Racism results in higher rates of infant mortality, deaths from heart disease and stroke, and shorter lifespans for Black Americans. Today, Black people are twice as likely to die from COVID than whites.
  • Black men are 2.5 times more likely than whites to be killed by police, and of those fatally shot by police, Black people are twice as likely to be unarmed.

Racism nearly toppled our democracy. Making America anti-racist is imperative.

Call Congress!

Root Out Systemic Racism!


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. 

We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Please ask the Senator to start by:

  • Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
  • Providing financial relief for those struggling economically from COVID.
  • Fighting against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.

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]. 

We almost lost our democracy to Trump inflaming racism. Of all the things that we can do to shield democracy from the next would-be dictator, making America an anti-racist nation is imperative. Tell Greg Walden to start:

  • Championing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
  • Providing financial relief for those struggling economically from COVID.
  • Fighting against police brutality and for criminal justice reform.

Greg sold us out on healthcare, the tax scam, big pharma, the internet and so much more. The least he can do at this point is to stand up for defeating systemic racism in America. Silence is consent. Silence is complicity.

Even lame ducks can quack on the way out the door.

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**

November 6, 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/4848426773Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.