LET’S GET TO WORK TAKING BACK OUR COUNTRY AND FIGHTING STRUCTURAL RACISM
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
Anti-racism’s taken center stage at the Democratic Convention. Through its presenters and the interspersed video clips, it’s celebrated America’s diversity, preached inclusion, instructed citizens on need to vote, and recognized challenges of combating structural racism.
The contrast with Trump/GOP can’t be clearer.
Trump illegally sent out the military and DHS thugs to confront Black Lives Matters protesters, spouts law-and-order and white nationalist rhetoric, and works tirelessly to keep black and brown communities from voting
House passed Justice and Policing Act, establishing national standards for police departments, requiring data collection on police encounters, improving excessive force prosecutions
House passed Voting Rights Act, requiring federal approval before states with voter discrimination histories can change voting procedures or any state can make changes tending to burden voters of color
House passed For the People Act, limiting voter-role purging, making Election Day a holiday, eliminating partisan gerrymandering
House passed HEROES Act giving states necessary funding for absentee voting
If, for the next 73 days, we work tirelessly to flip the Senate and elect the Biden/Harris ticket, we can protect and expand voting rights and begin to fight structural racism and police misconduct, by passing this legislation which has been languishing in the Senate.
How you can help
1. Call the Senate.
Script for 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 am calling because…
It is time for the Senate to recognize the devastating effects of structural racism on all aspects of American life. Good first steps would be passage of the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, The Anti-Lynching Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and the HEROES Act, that gives states the necessary funding for absentee voting and funds the Post Office. I know that the Senator has been working tirelessly to get these to the Senate floor, and I thank him for his efforts. I am also asking that he push for Senate passage of the USPS bill once it passes the House and work to safeguard mail-in ballots and secure the election against voter suppression and interference.
Script for 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]. I am calling because…
It is time for the Senate to recognize the devastating effects of structural racism on all aspects of American life. Good first steps would be passage of the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, The Anti-Lynching Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and the HEROES Act, that gives states the necessary funding for absentee voting and funds the Post Office. I know that the Senator has been working tirelessly to get these to the Senate floor, and I thank him for his efforts. I am also asking that he push for Senate passage of the USPS bill once it passes the House and work to safeguard mail-in ballots and secure the election against voter suppression and interference.
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 calling because…
Thank you for passing important legislation that begins to attack the structural racism affecting all aspects of American life—the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, and the Anti Lynching Act, and the HEROES Act. But to get them passed in the Senate and signed into law, we first need a free and fair election, which requires financial support for the Post Office, reversal of DeJoy’s subversive policy changes, and possibly his removal. Please work to produce robust legislation and quickly send it to the Senate.
Script for Greg Walden (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]. I am calling because…
While the House has passed important legislation that begins to attack the structural racism affecting all aspects of American life, you have been conspicuously absent. It is not too late, however, to put country above party, joining with your Democratic colleagues to support legislation that provides financial support for the Post Office, reverses DeJoy’s subversive policy changes, and possibly seeks his removal.
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]. I am calling because…
Thank you for passing important legislation that begins to attack the structural racism affecting all aspects of American life—the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, and the Anti Lynching Act, and the HEROES Act. But to get them passed in the Senate and signed into law, we first need a free and fair election, which requires financial support for the Post Office, reversal of DeJoy’s subversive policy changes, and possibly his removal. Please work to produce robust legislation and quickly send it to the Senate.
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 calling because…
Thank you for passing important legislation that begins to attack the structural racism affecting all aspects of American life—the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, and the Anti Lynching Act, and the HEROES Act. But to get them passed in the Senate and signed into law, we first need a free and fair election, which requires financial support for the Post Office, reversal of DeJoy’s subversive policy changes, and possibly his removal. Please work to produce robust legislation and quickly send it to the Senate.
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 calling because…
Thank you for passing important legislation that begins to attack the structural racism affecting all aspects of American life—the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, and the Anti Lynching Act, and the HEROES Act. But to get them passed in the Senate and signed into law, we first need a free and fair election, which requires financial support for the Post Office, reversal of DeJoy’s subversive policy changes, and possibly his removal. Please work to produce robust legislation and quickly send it to the Senate.
3. Get 2020 Ready.
Oregonians are joining with activists across the country to power a LANDSLIDE democratic victory in November 2020, from the White House to the Senate to the State Houses. Here’s how you can get involved:
Elections Power Hour weekly strategy call. Mondays at 5pm
Call Arizona voters. Thursdays, training at 5pm, calling begins at 5:30
Write letters to voters with Swing Left and Vote Forward. Saturdays 12-2pm
Write postcards to Voters of Color with Reclaim Our Vote. Sundays 3-5pm
Sources
Democratic convention takes ‘earth-shattering’ turn with its focus on race
Democratic Party Platform 2020
Joe Biden releases statement on 55th anniversary of Voting Rights Act
What would Voting Rights Act do? With John Lewis’ death, Democrats want it restored
Frustration and Fury as Rand Paul Holds Up Anti-Lynching Bill in Senate
US Postal Service: Democrats to press on with bill despite U-turn on cutbacks
