If you haven't already - register HERE.
Come and hear how Act for Democracy is planning to meet the challenges of another Trump administration right here in Portland!
Bring your own thoughts and ideas, and see how you fit into it all. For every one of us, there will be that one small thing that will make a big difference!
We will enjoy the bracing and uplifting support of our fellow activists and inspire each other to greater heights!
This event will take place in NE Portland. After registration, Mobilize will email you the venue details.
ICYMI:
1. Our Target Issues for 2025
2. How we will hold our elected officials accountable
3. More about our Kickoff Event on January 5th
4. Our new Calendar of Events
5. What about State and Federal issues?
Target Issues for 2025
Act for Democracy has identified Twelve Target Issues for 2025. If this list seems like a long one, it's because most of these items are interconnected and overlap. Working on one, often means progress and sometimes requires work on another issue as well.
Public Safety: Law Enforcement, Civil Rights, Surveillance.
Protecting our immigrant & refugee communities: Oregon’s Sanctuary Act. How will our new Mayor comply with this Act? How will our County and Sheriff comply? Especially in the face of Tom Homan’s threats?
Protecting our Trans & LGBTQ+ community: especially in the face of U.S. v Skrmetti.
Protecting women’s right to bodily autonomy. We have reason to believe that the attack on gender affirming care for trans people is preparation for a broader attack on bodily autonomy for everyone.
Homelessness, Affordable Housing & the Fentanyl Crisis.
Climate Issues: Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), Zenith Energy, Earthquake Safety, etc.
Money in our local politics: There are quite a few goings-on where our electeds need to know we are watching them.
Threats to our Public Schools from the Trump Administration.
Unions & Labor: The Trump Administration is gearing up for a big fight on this front as well.
Mutual Aid & Community Emergency Preparedness: Turns out that if you prepare for fires & earthquakes, you build community and prepare for a whole lot of other things at the same time.
Right Wing Watch: Any right-wing activity or disinformation campaigns we need to be aware of?
Constituent Education & Trust in Our Local Government: Fighting disinformation with good information.
Holding Portland's Elected Officials Accountable
We support our representatives with enthusiasm when they uphold justice and freedom for all, and we make our displeasure known in a variety of ways if they don't. To do this, we need volunteers who can monitor a leader or a public office, and let A4D know of anything that affects our 2025 Target Issues.
A volunteer monitor will scan media outlets and social media for articles (or videos or audio) and share them with us. It is also useful to sign up for their newsletter if they have one. If your schedule allows, you could attend a public meeting and report back any observations you may have.
You don't have to be an expert - just a willingness to share some links and notes with us. If you do not want to monitor a person or office, you could monitor media sources for information about your chosen Target Issueinstead. We will provide you with a starter-list of online sources tailored to your choice, and there will be (short & easy) training with friendly supportthroughout.
They say democracy dies in darkness. Well, we are going to start by shining a light on all our officials! Your links and observations will help us decide how and when to act.
Sign up to indicate your preferences and commitment HERE.
Calendar of Events
On the last Monday of every month in 2025, Act for Democracy will meet in-person at Migration Brewery, 2828 NE Glisan Street, Portland. Starting at 5pm and ending at 7pm we will connect, strategize, inform, educate and inspire each other.
When we secure speakers who need a formal presentation setup, we will arrange for that to happen at other times. There will also certainly be other events and actions, and all these will be placed on our new Calendar of Events which you can see HERE and will be placed on our website soon.
Naturally, you will be informed of any events in advance and will have the opportunity to register for them.
Federal Issues
Indivisible Oregon - although Portland based - has members from all over Oregon. It has been addressing Federal issues since it's founding and has developed a strong skillset in this regard. You can subscribe to their newsletter HERE. They often work in close partnership with Indivisible Cedar Mill.
Holding Oregon Accountable
COIN (Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network) is best situated to cover state-level and state-wide issues. This includes but is not limited to: the Governor's office, the Attorney General, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Bureau of Labor & Industry (BOLI), Legislative Issues and more. To this end, COIN is asking volunteers to join one of their teams below. You can sign up for one of them by clicking HERE:
COIN CEE - Climate/Energy/EnvironmentThis team works to support policies and programs at the state, federal and local levels that promote environmental sustainability.
COIN State Legislative TeamThis team tracks legislation through the state legislative sessions, researching their impact and making recommendations for whether or not it deserves our support.
COIN Social and Economic JusticeThis team focuses on diversity, equity and inclusive issues and making sure that vulnerable populations in Oregon are protected from the Trump agenda.
COIN State Accountability Team (new)This team will determine if Oregon is ready for the threats Trump is voicing, holding our state officials accountable, and will advocate for new, more protective laws and policies if needed.
COIN Communications (new)This team will use social media, newsletters, website work, and other technology to create communications for COIN and support campaigns and promotions needed by other teams.COIN BAT & Federal TeamsThe BAT team holds our sole GOP Congressman, Cliff Bentz in District 2, accountable. A sister-team, DRAT, which held former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer accountable and helped replace her with Democrat Janelle Bynum, will be retooled as a Federal Accountability Team.
Other Groups
There will naturally be some overlap between these and many other groups, which is good because then we will lean on the expertise and capacity of our sister-groups and multiply each other’s influence. Right now, many new Indivisible and Progressive groups are forming in Oregon. It will be exciting to welcome them and work alongside them. Solidarity is the only way forward!
Indivisible groups draw their inspiration from the Indivisible Guide for strategy and ideas, and we will discuss how the principles in this guide translates to local governments - especially in the Portland Metro Area.
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