INCO Weekly Newsletter 8/26

Hundreds of area residents at all four corners of 8th and Commercial demanded sensible gun reform at INCO's Rally For Our Lives, March 24, 2018. GUN SENSE ADVOCACY EVENT  Hilary Uhlig, Oregon Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action Thursday, August 29 at 6:30 pm Seaside Library Community Room Hosted by INCO INCO supports the common-sense solutions proposed by Moms Demand Action (MDA) to address a dangerous culture of gun violence. Moms Demand Action mobilizes popular support for policies that respect Second Amendment rights and protect people. It also runs programs to promote gun safety. Oregon’s lawmakers passed gun safety laws to ensure background checks for all gun sales in the state and laws that prevent domestic abusers and stalkers from possessing firearms. Oregon now also has a red flag law, the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), which allows guns to be removed temporarily from those who are at substantial risk of harming themselves or others.   MDA was founded in 2012 after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which killed 20 children and 6 educators. It is a non-partisan grassroots movement with more than six million supporters.The group has organized volunteers from across the country to advocate for closing deadly loopholes in the background check system to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.   CONTACT YOUR SENATORS National Indivisible asks the you use this script to call your senators now to say that thoughts and prayers are not enough. In the weeks since the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, at least three more plots to commit acts of mass murder have been foiled.This is a crisis: every senator should publicly demand Mitch McConnell call an emergency session to debate and vote on gun violence prevention legislation AND cosponsor S. 42, which would close loopholes and implement universal background checks for gun purchases. Read more in our updated resource here.

INCO AND THE U.S. CENSUS  Would you like INCO to help keep the census accurate and complete? The ACLU suggests local folks could help in • educating the public about its impact • supporting local get-out-the-count efforts • helping non-English speakers to complete the form If you are interested in starting and working on a Census Advocacy Team, please contact incoregon@gmail.com by August 29.

TOWN HALL:  STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIFFINY MITCHELL Sunday, September 8 3 - 4 pm Clatsop Community College - Columbia Hall 219 - 1653Lexington - Astoria ADA parking in back: enter on Lexington just east of 15th  Representative Mitchell was a founding leader of INCO.

ELECTION SECURITY: SEPTEMBER 17DAY OF ACTION Call your U.S. Senators at 833-413-5906.  The security of our elections in 2020 is at grave risk, including here in Oregon. Senator Ron Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, “As of right now, 2020 will make 2016 look like child’s play” in terms of the potential for hacking and other abuses. He is urging us to create a “tidal wave” of support for the SAFE Act and HR 3351. These bills will provide states with more than $600 million, along with enforceable standards for election security. These bills were passed by the House of Representatives, but Moscow Mitch McConnell is preventing a vote in the Senate. Go here for more information and to get talking points and be connected with your senators’ offices. Tell them you want the Senate to secure our elections now by passing the election security bills already passed by the House. Info at https://secureourvote.us. You can also write a letter to your local paper in support of election security. Go here for talking points for a letter to the editor (LTE). Send your letter to editor@dailyastorian.com. Include your full name and contact info; the paper will call to confirm.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”  ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning Jen Hofmann, who was keynote speaker at INCO's first summit, in 2017, offers advice about living in "our world in distress."

HEALING THE WORLD:  HELPING CHILDREN FACE IMMIGRATION COURT The Safe Passage Project provides pro bono lawyers to refugee and immigrant children in New York who face deportation without a lawyer. The New York Times featured Safe Passage Project in a recent article.  "These children have a legal right to be heard and to have a fair process to determine if they may remain permanently in the United States. Without a lawyer, the immigration process is prohibitively complex for a child to navigate and more than 3 out of 4 children are deported despite qualifying for protections under U.S. law. With a lawyer, these statistics are reversed, and 3 out of 4 children with representation obtain legal relief, meaning protection from the violence and persecution they fled."  -- Safe Passage Project website   INCO occasionally features people and organizations making the world better.

PROMOTE DEMOCRACY WITH POSTCARDS TO VOTERS  Weekly postcard parties start Friday, September 6 2 - 4 pm Mary Blake Playhouse, 1215 Avenue A, across from the Bob Chisholm Community Center, Seaside Please park in the BCCC parking lot. Everyone is welcome, no matter where you live. Bebe Michel and Laura Allen, INCO's postcarding organizers, invite you to help us write thousands of cards to votersover the next 15 months to support candidates and other election issues. INCO and Postcards to Voters (PTV) provide supplies, addresses, and text. You provide energy and enthusiasm! Candidates for Congress and state legislatures in other states are already campaigning. Florida's Vote By Mail campaign is reaching thousands of voters. PTV campaigns make a difference in election turnout and outcomes, so jump in and get writing with us! START OTHER POSTCARDING PARTIES Gather a few friends or neighbors or relatives; find a good spot - a home, a business, a meeting room, etc. Contact incoregon@gmail.com if you'd like Bebe and Laura to help you get started. POSTCARD ON YOUR OWN A  postcard party doesn't work for you? You can postcard on your own.  Text (484) 275-2229, e-mail join@TonyTheDemocrat.org, or go to PostcardsToVoters.org and fill out the web form under the Volunteer tab to become a verified postcarder.   You’re making a difference with every postcard you write.  Thanks for all you do!

CANDIDATE TOWN HALL AND DEBATES CNN'S CLIMATE TOWN HALL Wednesday, September 4 With Democratic candidates for President DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE Thursday, September 12  and Friday, September 13 Presented by ABC News and Univision, from Houson

INCO'S GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE WEEK

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 INCO GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE RALLY Noon - 1 pm SEASIDE: At the orange chair, Highway 101 and Broadway Bring your signs SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 "PARIS TO PITTSBURGH"  A free public screening of the 2018 documentary film about climate change Directed by National Geographic filmmaker Sidney Beaumont In conjunction with INCO’s Global Climate Strike Week Columbian Theater, Astoria Doors open at 2:30. Film at 3 pm Hosted by INCO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 INCO GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE RALLY Noon - 1 pm ASTORIA: On Marine Drive between 16th and 18th Bring your signs

HAPPENINGS Details on our events page. Everyone is welcome to all these events. THIS WEEK Thursday, August 29 - Gun Sense Advocacy with Moms Demand Action, 6:30 - 8 pm, Seaside Library Community Room. INCO's Advocacy Team hosts Hilary Uhlig from Hillsboro, who's a statewide leader with Moms Demand Action.  UPCOMING Wednesday, September 4 - Climate Crisis Town Hall: Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate; on CNN. Thursday, September 5 - Forestry/Climate Advocacy Group, 7 - 8:30 pm, Astoria. Contact incoregon for directions.  Friday, September 6 - Postcards to Voters Postcard Party, 2- 4 pm, Mary Blake Playhouse, 1215 Avenue A, across from the Bob Chisholm Community Center, Seaside. More information above. This is a weekly event. Saturday, September 7 - Astoria Community Group monthly meeting, 10:30 a.m. - noon, WineKraft, on the Riverwalk at the foot of 10th. It’s OK to bring your own food and drink. State Representative Tiffiny Mitchell talks about her first term in the state legislature. Sunday, September 8 - Town Hall with State Representative Tiffiny Mitchell, 3 - 4 pm, Clatsop Community College, Columbia Hall 219, Astoria. Tuesday, September 10 - Seaside-Gearhart Community Group monthly meeting, 6:30 - 8 pm, contact Kathleenannmacdonald@yahoo.com for location. Thursday, September 12 - Presidential Candidates Debate, presented by ABC News and Univision, from Houson. Friday, September 13 - Presidential Candidates Debate, presented by ABC News and Univision, from Houson. Friday, September 13 - Indivisible National Day of Action: Defund Hate. Details here. Contact your Members of Congress. Saturday, September 14 - Warrenton Community Group monthly meeting, 11:30 - 1 pm, El Compadre Restaurant, 119 South Main Avenue, no purchase necessary. Contact Meridee about road pick-up details. Wednesday, September 18 - Vote the Future (VTF) monthly meeting,  6:30 pm, Seaside Library Board Room Friday, September 20 - Global Climate Strike Rally, noon - 1 pm, Orange chair at Highway 101 and Broadway, Seaside. Bring signs. Sunday, September 22 - "Paris to Pittsburgh," Doors open at 2:30; film starts at 3; Columbian Theater, 1114 Marine Drive, Astoria. Free public screening hosted by INCO in conjunction with INCO's Global Climate Strike Week. Tuesday, September 24 - National Voting Registration Day. INCO activists will be at area high schools, the Astoria Senior Center, and Clatsop Community College to register voters and to assist if voters need to change address or party affiliation. Update your voter registration on your own - new address, party affiliation - at Oregon's official site, My Vote. Friday, September 27 - Global Climate Strike Rally, noon - 1 pm, 16th and Marine Drive, Astoria. Bring your signs. WEEKLY Starting September 6, Fridays - Postcards to Voters Postcard Party, 2 - 4 pm, Mary Blake Playhouse, 1215 Avenue A, across from the Bob Chisholm Community Center, Seaside. INCO and Postcards to Voters provide supplies, addresses, and text. Please park in the BCCC parking lot.  NOTE for September 27th INCO Postcard Party in Seaside:Due to the Global Climate Strike Rally in Astoria that day, the INCO Postcard Party in Seaside will be from 3 - 4:30 pm, September 27 only.

INSIGHTS  “”Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” -  George Washington

DO SOMETHING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE How will your Members of Congress (MoC) and state legislators know what you want if you don't tell them? Contact info here. Contact ONLY elected officials who represent you so you don't dilute the power of actual constituents. Tell your MoC when you agree with their positions and votes.   Write a Letter to the Editor about an issue. Don't repeat fear-based messaging. Propose solutions and positive actions readers can take. Editor@dailyastorian.com.   OTHER ACTIONS THAT MATTER •  Be a postcarder! See info above about Postcards to Voters. •  Get active with organizations that strengthen our communities. •  Donate to causes that defend our democracy. •  For current action items, visit www.incoregon.org and www.indivisible.org. •  Update your change of address or party affiliation at Oregon's official site, My Vote.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Get active with INCO's Advocacy Team, Vote the Future Team, and Community Groups.  INCO has 3 websites: our main one; Vote the Future; and Really Do Care INCO Under 40s.   Join INCO's closed Facebook group. Really Do Care also has a Facebook group.  Sign up for emails from national Indivisible at www.indivisible.org. Questions, suggestions, & photos to INCO at incoregon@gmail.com.  Deb Vanasse and Laurie Caplan, INCO Co-chairs INCO Weekly Newsletter   August 26, 2019

Congress Is In Recess

AUGUST 26 – SEPT. 2, 2019 

CONGRESS IS ON RECESS AND SO ARE WE. 

TECHNICALLY, CONGRESS RETURNS SEPT. 9 BUT WE ARE PLANNING TO RETURN WITH DAILY ACTIONS ON TUESDAY, SEPT. 3.  SORT OF A BACK-TO-SCHOOL DAY FOR CALLING. 

WE WILL BREAK INTO THIS VACATION PERIOD IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ECONOMY GOES SOUTH,  IN WHICH CASE WE ALL WILL NEED TO RETURN TO CALLING AND OTHER ACTIONS. 

MEANWHILE, PLEASE ENJOY THE TIME OFF, REST AND BE READY TO TAKE ACTION STARTING SEPT. 3. 

Congress Is In Recess

AUGUST 26 – SEPT. 2, 2019 

CONGRESS IS ON RECESS AND SO ARE WE. 

TECHNICALLY, CONGRESS RETURNS SEPT. 9 BUT WE ARE PLANNING TO RETURN WITH DAILY ACTIONS ON TUESDAY, SEPT. 3.  SORT OF A BACK-TO-SCHOOL DAY FOR CALLING. 

WE WILL BREAK INTO THIS VACATION PERIOD IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ECONOMY GOES SOUTH,  IN WHICH CASE WE ALL WILL NEED TO RETURN TO CALLING AND OTHER ACTIONS. 

MEANWHILE, PLEASE ENJOY THE TIME OFF, REST AND BE READY TO TAKE ACTION STARTING SEPT. 3. 

Action: Trump Daily Tramples On Constitution

AUGUST 22, 2019

TRUMP DAILY TRAMPLES ON CONSTITUTION

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ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…

Trump’s relentless assault on the Constitution and our republic must cease. Towards that end, my Senator must:  

• Denounce Trump’s misuse of his bully pulpit to demean his political opponents 
• Denounce Trump’s revival of his “Pocahontas” label for Elizabeth Warren  

• Denounce Trump’s racist, sexist, Islamophobic attacks on members of a co-equal branch of government and his lies that they are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel 
• Denounce Trump’s use of influence with a foreign leader to bar House members from a fact-finding mission to a recipient of foreign aid 
• Denounce Trump’s refusal to label the “Proud Boys” as the violent, white nationalist group they are 
• Continue to call for immediate televised impeachment hearings in the House.   

CALL SENATOR MERKLEY

Portland: 503-326-3386

Washington DC: 202-224-3753

Salem: 503-362-8102

Eugene: 541-465-6750

Medford: 541-608-9102

Bend: 541-318-1298

Pendleton: 541-278-1129

CALL SENATOR WYDEN

Portland: 503-326-7525

Washington DC: 202-224-5244

Salem: 503-589-4555

Eugene: 541-431-0229

Medford: 541-858-5122

Bend: 541-330-9142

La Grande: 541-960-7691

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…

Trump’s relentless assault on the Constitution and our republic must cease. Towards that end, my Representative must:  

• Denounce Trump’s misuse of his bully pulpit to demean his political opponents 
• Denounce Trump’s revival of his “Pocahontas” label for Elizabeth Warren  
• Denounce Trump’s racist, sexist, Islamophobic attacks on members of a co-equal branch of government and his lies that they are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel 

• Denounce Trump’s use of influence with a foreign leader to bar House members from a fact-finding mission to a recipient of foreign aid 
• Denounce Trump’s refusal to label the “Proud Boys” as the violent, white nationalist group they are 
• Push for immediate televised impeachment hearings in the House. 

CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)

Oregon: 503-469-6010

Washington DC: 202-225-0855

CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)

Medford: 541-776-4646

Washington DC: 202-225-6730

Bend: 541-389-4408

La Grande: 541-624-2400

CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)

Oregon: 503-231-2300

Washington DC: 202-225-4811

CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)

Eugene: 541-465-6732

Roseburg: 541-440-3523

Coos Bay: 541-269-2609

Washington DC: 202-225-6416

CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)

Salem: 503-588-9100

Oregon City: 503-557-1324

Washington DC: 202-225-5711

ACTION THREE: HELP REGISTER VOTERS

INDIVISIBLE OREGON IS ORGANIZING LETTER-WRITING PARTIES USING SWING LEFT TOOLS TO CONTACT VOTERS WHOSE VOTER REGISTRATION DATA MAY NEED UPDATING. 

FIND A LETTER WRITING PARTY NEAR YOU OR ORGANIZE ONE YOURSELF:HTTPS://SWINGLEFT.ORG/EVENTS. 

PORTLANDERS, JOIN A PARTY ON THE FOURTH TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH:HTTPS://SWINGLEFT.ORG/EVENT/REGISTER/ACTION_NETWORK:E05C67B8-34AB-40B2-ABFC-AB9C92BC44BA?SOURCE=%2FEVENTS&S=U. 

BACKGROUND:

Trump’s disgraceful use of his office to pursue personal vendettas—an unprecedented abuse of power against political rivals that Congress must investigate—was on display in recent attacks against Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar and his response to the “Proud Boys” rally in Portland. 

At an official visit to a Pennsylvania petrochemical plant, Trump revived his pejorative “Pocahontas” nickname for Elizabeth Warren—demeaning the office of the presidency and exposing Trump’s racism and white nationalism.  

When Representatives Tlaib and Omar sought to visit Israel, Trump successfully pressured Netanyahu to block their visit, falsely claiming they hate Israel and are anti-Semitic—continuing his racist, sexist, Islamophobic vendetta against members of a co-equal branch of government, exporting partisan battles and demonstrating lengths to which he’ll go to target domestic opponents. 

“Proud Boys,” an extremist group with ties to white nationalism, came to Portland looking for a fight. Instead of calling this hate group a terrorist organization, Trump threatened, to apply that label to the anti-fascist groups counter-protesting it.  

We cannot allow this continued assault on our democracy. Unless its preservation is our highest priority, the republic’s already lost. Congress must pursue a serious, transparent impeachment inquiry now. 

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SOURCES: 

GOVERNING BY GRIEVANCE, TRUMP WIELDS OFFICIAL POWERS AGAINST POLITICAL ENEMIES 

TRUMP SLAMMED FOR SAYING JEWS DISLOYAL IF THEY VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS 

DONALD TRUMP HAS REPEATEDLY VIOLATED HIS OATH OF OFFICE: REASON ENOUGH FOR IMPEACHMENT