106 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.
**Let’s flip Oregon Congressional District 2 and make Oregon’s DC delegation 100% 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
Watch this space; more to come.
***Today’s Call To Action***
CONGRESS: ACT TO GET TRUMP’S PRIVATE ARMY OUT OF PORTLAND
In June, Trump had the Attorney General of the United States assemble a force of militarized federal forces to violently force peaceful protesters from Lafayette Park. It was to facilitate his desire for a political photo-op.
The lack of a forceful response from Congress has emboldened Trump to land his DHS forces in the streets of Portland as he indulges in more political posturing. At best they are here to serve Trump’s re-election campaign. At worst they are here as an expansion of his authoritarian powers at the cost of our democracy.
Not only are they in our city with no invitation, they are here with no accountability and very little restraint.
They:
- move through our streets in unmarked vans and wearing unmarked military camouflage.
- grab people off of the streets for questioning.
- fire into crowds using munitions that courts have restricted Portland police from using.
- injure peaceful protesters
- fill our streets with tear gas and pepper spray.
- are not wanted here.
- have been asked to leave by our elected officials.
- refuse.
Portland is the first city to be occupied by Trump’s jackboots.
If he’s not stopped, it won’t be the last.
**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 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 senator for demanding that DHS forces leave our streets, and for adding legislation added to the NDAA to increase the accountability of federal officers. 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 action to get them out of Portland now. And I am asking him to work to defund DHS. They have become a dangerously militarized force with few restraints and too much power.
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/
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].
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’m saddened that once again Greg Walden has remained silent. We are all Oregonians and Americans. I am asking him to join his Oregon colleagues to speak out against Trump’s abuse of power and demand that the DHS get out of Portland now. I am asking for action to get them out of Portland now. And I am asking him to work to defund DHS. They have become a dangerously militarized force with few restraints and too much power.
Where’s Walden? History is watching; Greg’s legacy is at stake.
Thank you.”
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 20, 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:
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:
Trump Unleashes His Secret Police in Portland
Is this what Democracy looks like? History hangs in the balance
Trump ‘Trying To Look Strong’ By Sending Federal Agents To Portland, Mayor Says
Trump digs in on federal crackdown against Portland protesters
Portland Protests: Local Leaders Urging Feds to Leave
Senators Merkley and Wyden demand federal officers leave Portland