White supremacy allows two white men to chase down and murder a black man jogging through their white neighborhood. It’s the root of structural racism in this country.  Racism equals poverty, low wages with no benefits, mass incarceration, and lack of food and housing security and health care.  It equals greater vulnerability of entire communities to infection, illness, and death. 

(Poverty Rate by Race for San Diego County)

Meat packing plants were declared essential; workers, mostly Latino immigrants, were forced back to work.  The financial well being of plant owners was protected.  The health and safety of workers was not. Most jobs that have been declared essential are minimum wage service industry jobs.  Workers in those jobs are the most vulnerable to infection, and they are primarily African-American and Latino. 

Those advocating for the economy over lives are overwhelmingly white, and they are protected by the power of their privilege.  Senate Leader Mitch “Grim Reaper” McConnell’s C-19 response priority has been to protect businesses from lawsuits. Many in the GOP are openly voicing that the economy is more important than saving lives. Republicans value their personal material comfort over “other” peoples’ lives, people who are not white.

White supremacy allowed armed white terrorists to feel safe when they stormed the Michigan statehouse demanding that businesses reopen to serve them.  They knew the police would not confront them, and they also knew that it’s people of color who are especially suffering and dying in this pandemic.

 

White supremacy is deadly.  Demand that racial justice is a cornerstone of the next COVID-19 package. 

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**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

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Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Ongoing Event: Oregon Health Authority Coronavirus Update Zoom Conference Calls
TODAY: May 15, 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
TODAY: 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/

Virtual Election Watch Party!
May 19 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/virtual-election-watch-party/

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.

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