Show Up to Save Democracy
Persevere, Practice Self-Care, Phone Your Members of Congress
Jump to today’s actions:
BACKGROUND
We worked hard to elect Democrats, and we expect them to work hard for us. Yet, political realities make their task -- and as a result, ours -- more difficult and time-consuming than we'd hoped.
We resisted Trump's atrocities and replaced him. Yet nothing changed overnight, and the work continues. Many of us are experiencing exhaustion and even despair.
Disheartened by the continuing need to show up, we may overlook the progress the Democratic leaders we worked to elect have made:
President Biden and House Democrats overturned Trump executive orders that harmed us.
House passed an array of amazing bills.
Biden's DOJ is working to protect voting rights and hold insurrectionists and white supremacists accountable.
Vaccine distribution dramatically slowed the toll of the pandemic.
House select committee on the January 6th insurrection was announced.
History is made by those who show up. It took months to change the filibuster and pass voting and other civil rights legislation in the 1960s. We stand on the shoulders of those activists, who continued to fight for the promise of democracy their entire lives. We, too will persevere, even as we practice restorative self-care. We, too, will show up to change history.
1. Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I thank you for your fight to end the tyranny of the minority by eliminating the filibuster. And I thank you for calling for cancellation of the August recess. I, too, feel the urgency of protecting our democracy.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Please join Senator Merkley in calling for an end to the filibuster and cancellation of the August recess. I feel the urgency of protecting our democracy and am terrified that if we don't keep showing up now to fight for it, we will lose it.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
This moment in history calls for everyone to take a stand: protect democracy or allow it to be destroyed. I am sad your party has chosen to undermine democracy and ask you to stand with your constituents who value it.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am concerned about the viability of our democracy and the urgency of protecting it. Please join Senator Merkley's call for canceling the August recess and ending the filibuster.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
This moment in history calls for everyone to take a stand: protect democracy or allow it to be destroyed. I am sad your party has chosen to undermine democracy and ask you to stand with your constituents who value it.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Thank you for calling for an end to the senate's filibuster rule. I am concerned about the viability of our democracy and the urgency of protecting it. Please join Senator Merkley's call for canceling the August recess.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am concerned about the viability of our democracy and the urgency of protecting it. Please join Senator Merkley's call for canceling the August recess and ending the filibuster.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am concerned about the viability of our democracy and the urgency of protecting it. Please join Senator Merkley's call for canceling the August recess and ending the filibuster.
3. Take Action
Please keep an eye on our webpage and https://townhallproject.com/ for a list of town halls during the 2-week July 4th Congressional recess.
Please check out Indivisible National’s phone banks for voter outreach and advocacy:
Arizona Phone Banks: June 29 and July 7
Further Reading
Voting rights activists on ‘Freedom Ride’ say their work will continue even after Senate Republicans block election reform bill
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/06/26/voting-rights-freedom-ride/
As Democrats spar over advancing Biden’s climate agenda, they move to cut methane
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/06/25/methane-climate-change/
Congress ends Trump-era rule enabling pay-day lenders to avoid interest rate caps
https://www.wsj.com/articles/congress-ends-trump-era-rule-enabling-payday-lenders-to-avoid-interest-rate-caps-11624563763
