175 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
Oregon Primary Election
Ballots are due on May 19, 8:00 p.m. Postmark DOES NOT COUNT.
Please VOTE!
Track your ballot here.
Don’t delay; study your voter pamphlet, make your decisions, mark your ballot, put it in the Postage Paid envelope, and mail it in or deposit it in a county ballot box (locations) before you lose it under a stack of bills! Urge all of your like-minded friends and family to do the same.
Progressive activism means voting the ENTIRE ballot, including seemingly obscure local boards and commissions, and those pesky initiatives.
Help the BLUE WAVE wash over every level of government!
***Today’s Call To Action***
GIVE MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE
AND STATES
Although we are all in the same storm, we are NOT all in the same boat. Systemic racism has left communities of color and non-European immigrant populations more vulnerable to dying of COVID-19. Systemic racism and poverty funnel people into low paying jobs that can’t be done from home and don’t include paid sick leave or health insurance. Now, many of those jobs have been eliminated.
Trump’s GOP has consistently refused to protect US from COVID-19. They discount suffering and death while promoting white supremacy and violence. Trump’s GOP prioritizes immediate political gain over the public‘s health, diverts medical and financial resources intended for US to themselves and their wealthy cronies, and defies oversight. They reject paycheck protection, guaranteed income, universal health care, money for states, voting safety, and the USPS. They are unfit to govern a democratic society.
The next COVID-19 bill must give money directly to people and states according to need, not what they will do for “Quid Pro Quo” Trump. It must include specified constraints on how Trump can administer resources, robust legislative oversight, and full enforcement when the Administration obstructs or stonewalls. We cannot trust Trump and his “only the best” people.
We will continue to demand care for everyone.
We will continue to speak for those whose voices are discounted or ignored.
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code].
I have called several times about the need for Congress to give money directly to the people and to the states, and I appreciate that you agree such legislation is essential. You must refuse to accept “no” for an answer from your colleagues as you continue to push them to act.
You must speak out and support a relief package that:
- gives direct aid to state and local governments solely according to their needs
- keeps people on payrolls
- provides direct cash assistance, increased food aid, debt relief, and eviction protections to everyone (including those made vulnerable by having been marginalized) based on need.
- pays for universal access to all COVID-19 care
- supplies all necessary protection for all frontline workers
- funds universal vote-by-mail and the USPS
- allows for transparency in the distribution of resources
- grants individuals, municipalities, and states the right to sue if these requirements are not met.
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 yet again about the need for Congress to give money directly to the people and to the states, and I will keep calling until Congress passes legislation to do so! You must take all the necessary steps to demonstrate your morality and understanding during this monumental time.
You must speak out and support a relief package that:
- gives direct aid to state and local governments solely according to their needs
- keeps people on payrolls
- provides direct cash assistance, increased food aid, debt relief, and eviction protections to everyone (including those made vulnerable by having been marginalized) based on need.
- pays for universal access to all COVID-19 care
- supplies all necessary protection for all frontline workers
- funds universal vote-by-mail and the USPS
- allows for transparency in the distribution of resources
- grants individuals, municipalities, and states the right to sue if these requirements are not met.
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**
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: KS Wild – Climate Smart Conservation
TODAY: May 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-ks-wild-climate-smart-conservation/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Ongoing Event: Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Update Zoom Conference Calls
May 13, 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: Digital Activist Training: Campaign Priorities – Speak Up For Our Forests and Clean Water
May 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-digital-activist-training-campaign-priorities-speak-up-for-our-forests-and-clean-water/
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/
SOURCES:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/09/coronavirus-jobs-unemployment-kurzarbeit-us-europe
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/08/monthly-payments-2000-coronavirus-243670
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/09/jobs-report-demographics/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/us/politics/coronavirus-hunger-food-stamps.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/us/coronavirus-african-americans-bias.html
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/08/us/coronavirus-pandemic-race-impact-trnd/index.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/americas-racial-contract-showing/611389/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/09/us/coronavirus-public-private-school.html
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/05/donald-trump-coronavirus-economic-recovery
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/496720-republicans-not-sold-coronavirus-relief-checks