Dear OSTPDX Members,
Just three days into 2020, the Trump Administration threw our national security into such a state of chaos by killing Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, that the prospect of America going to war again is frighteningly real. This recklessness must end! Let your representatives know that you support the House War Powers Resolution which aims to limit the President's ability to take military action against Iran by reasserting Congress’ war-making power.
It’s time to get back to work on ridding America of Trump, Trumpism and voting out every single member of the GOP possible. Below you’ll find information on actions to pressure Oregon GOP state senators to stop threatening to boycott and show up for the Oregon Legislature’s 2020 short session and plenty more.
Announcements
One Small Thing-PDX Jan 28 General Meeting
OREGON’S 2020 SHORT LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
Issues, Strategies & Actions To Make an Impact in Our State
When: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 @ 7:00 PM (Doors open 6:40)
Where: Subud Center, 3185 NE Regents Drive, Portland OR
What key issues will Oregon legislators consider in the 2020 short session, which starts on February 3? Might Republican legislators simply walk out again, as they did last summer over the Clean Energy Jobs Bill? How can we help to support progressive legislation in our state?
We’ll discuss these questions and more at our January meeting, led by a legislator who’s in the thick of the action—Oregon’s House Majority Leader, Representative Barbara Smith Warner.
We’ll also hear from members of the OSTPDX 2019 Legislative Task Force who have been tracking the development of proposed legislation on four key issues for the 2020 short session: Climate Change, Gun Safety, Revenue, and Campaign Finance Reform. As well as sharing actions to take at the meeting, they are developing information that is being shared with Indivisible groups in the Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network, who can use it to spur legislative action on progressive issues.
Don’t miss this chance to find out what’s happening in Salem and how you can help to promote important legislation. Plan to stay after the meeting for conversation and snacks.
Actions & Events
OSTPDX Activist Reading Group
The next meeting of the OSTPDX Activist Reading Group will be on Thursday, January 30, 7:00pm-8:30pm.
The topic will be environmental activism. Please send suggested readings to Ken Rosenberg. Let me know if you would like to host this meeting. rosenbergkd@yahoo.com
Swing Left Letter Writing Events
Swing-Left Letter-Writing Organized by Melanie Plaut
We have moved!
Our new location is Augustana Lutheran Church.
Corner of NE 15th and Knott.
Come for the early shift 3-4:30, , or the later shift 4:30 - 6:00.
Friday, January 10th, and every Friday until November!
Bring a small donation for materials, or stamps for letters. If you feel moved, feel free to bring food or drink to share - but NOT necessary.
Spend an hour or so. Bring a friend. RSVP for people who haven't attended the prior sessions at Guilder or my house so I can get a rough idea of numbers: melanie.plaut@gmail.com
Augustana is a community centered church that does a great deal to advance social justice. They don’t have a janitorial staff so we all keep our spaces clean. Entrance is in the middle of the block on either 14th or 15th. Come up the stairs, go through the hallway on the right where you will find the kitchen space we’ll be working in. Bike rack on both sides. Parking lot on 14th.
Swing Left Letter Writing at Sisters Gourmet Deli Saturday, January 11th from 3-5. You must RSVP HERE in order to reserve your spot and to ensure letters are printed for you.
Write Letters to Voters with Swing Left! Sunday, January 12th from 2-4. Julie and Michelle's House - West Hills. This event's address is private. Sign up for more details, Portland, OR 97229
Events with OSTPDX Climate Energy and Environment Task Force
OLCV Metro Climate Action Team general meeting at Friendly House, January 7th. 1737 NW 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97210 6:45 - 8:30. Find out about proposed climate legislation and actions you can take to make stronger legislation.
Oregon Public Health Association Lobby Day on health and climate change. February 6th-Salem.
Renew Oregon Lobby Day for strong climate action. February 11th-Salem Register here.
BLACK VOTERS WILL BE PIVOTAL IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Donald Trump won the 2016 election by a very narrow margin. Donald Trump would not be president if he had not won in 3 states in the Rust Belt: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He lost by less than 1% in each of those states. Black voter turnout was critical in all 3 states.
In Wisconsin, 74% of blacks voted in 2012 but only 55% voted in 2016. Much of the decrease in black voter turnout caused by a new Wisconsin state requirement (which was in effect for the first time in a presidential election in 2016) to show a photo ID to vote.
Please consider supporting a black-run community organization in Milwaukee, Detroit and Philadelphia that are actively registering black voters. BLOC (Black Leaders Organizing for Communities) is an organization of and for black Wisconsin residents, especially in Milwaukee. You can learn more about BLOC on their website: https://www.blocbybloc.org.
Actions by Indivisible Oregon
Our Tuesday ask: We start this year where we ended the last. This Congress must hold Trump accountable. We must have a proper impeachment trial in the senate. We must have answers for what is happening with Iran. This President must be held accountable. The action will be posted on Tuesday October 1st at 6:00 AM. The link is indivisibleor.org/actions
Other Events:
Find a Town Hall near you with The Town Hall Project.
Stand On Every Corner Pioneer Square: Mon-Fri 9:30-11:30 & Weekends 11:30-1:30
Indivisible Tuesday at Sen. Wyden & Rep. Blumenauer's office PDX. Tuesday, January 7th at 11:30.
Climate Forum: The Role of Forests in Climate Change. Wednesday, January 8th from 6:30-9:00 pm at Hollywood Senior Center.
Thawing ICE Meditative Walk. Thursday, January 9th from 12-1 pm at Portland ICE Detention Center.
Indivisible Tuesday at Congresswoman Bonamici's office. Tuesday, January 14th at 11:30.
Indivisible Tuesday at Senator Merkley's office PDX. Tuesday, January 21st at 11:30.
Think & Drink: Democracy and the Courts. Wednesday, January 22nd from 7-8:30 pm at Alberta Rose Theatre.
Moms Demand Salem - Advocacy Day 2020. Wednesday, February 5th at 8:30 am.
Articles
Check out DemCast! It’s grassroots media by the people, for the people. Read why DemCast is so desperately needed. If you’re on Facebook, Demcast Oregon is now up and running.
Visit our website – www.onesmallthingpdx.org – like our Facebook page -- follow our Twitter account -- @onepdx.
OSTPDX will not be endorsing any candidates before primaries. All content included in our newsletters is informational in nature and should not be considered an endorsement.
Regards,
Sara McKinney
Comments