2-24-25 Newsletter

 

STOP THE COUP! PEACEFUL PROTEST RALLY Courage is contagious. Tuesday, March 4, noon - 1:30 17th and Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon 97103 Hosted by 50501, Clatsop Democrats, Indivisible North Coast Oregon (INCO), North Coast Action, and Working Families Party   Speak out now! Trump-Musk's assaults on our privacy, health, jobs, security, and democracy are already hurting people in Oregon and Washington.    * Invite others to join us. * Bring a sign if you can. * Please do not park in the Columbia River Maritime Museum parking lot. * Please do not obstruct pedestrians or vehicle traffic. * Don't engage with counter-protesters.  STOP THE COUP! PROTEST A community of strength, patriotism, and civility lined both sides of Astoria's Marine Drive as about 250 people protested to Stop the Coup! on February 17. People came from throughout Clatsop County, Tillamook, Nehalem, Manzanita, Clatskanie, and the Washington peninsula. INCO co-hosted this protest rally with Clatsop County Democrats. More photos are below and on our Facebook page.  PEOPLE'S UNION EVENT "On February 28, 2025, the People's Union have organized a nationwide 24-hour economic blackout to protest the federal government's rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs." If you plan to participate, INCO suggests the following guidelines: 1. The event's stated goal is to buy nothing, or to buy only essentials, like food, medicine, and emergency supplies. 2. If you must buy, then please support local businesses. Kudos to INCO activist Bebe Michel for designing and making more buttons for INCO! Buttons are available at INCO events, or contact incoregon@gmail.com. INCO ACTION TEAMS We'll have updates on INCO's Action Teams in upcoming newsletters.  Please email incoregon@gmail.com  if you'd like to work on one of these teams: Protecting people at risk  •  Service - Helping our neighbors  •  Signs Watching local government  •  Voting-civics-May 2025 elections  •  Communications  More community: Indivisible North Coast Oregon is on Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky. GRATITUDE "Getting to cuddle with others' dogs who deliver unconditional love."-LinMarie SAVE THE DATE INCO's next Community Meeting is Saturday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church parish hall, 1545 Franklin Avenue, Astoria. Our thanks to the church for hosting us when KALA was not available. On-street parking only. PENINSULA UPDATE Pro-democracy folks on the Washington peninsula would love to hear from others who'd like to join or learn more about their existing group, Long Beach Peninsula Direct Action. Please contact Carol Ham, weetwo580@gmail.com, ‭(503) 468-8300‬. Onward, Washington! STOP THE COUP! PROTEST, part 2 MERKLEY AND BONAMICI SPEAK OUT Kudos to everyone who attended the town hall with Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici on Saturday in Astoria!  The capacity crowd of some 700 people demanded to know what they and others in Congress are doing to stop the Trump-Musk coup in progress. Senator Merkley gave a shout-out to Indivisible and to last Monday's protest rally Astoria, which he drove by. They encouraged and applauded citizen engagement, especially urging the audience to keep telling Congress how the Trump-Musk actions are affecting them and to demand that Congress stop the coup and restore our democracy and the rule of law.   WYDEN: "A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY" Reporter Jim Acosta interviewed Oregon Senator Ron Wyden last week about democracy, mobilization for truth, the assault on our privacy, effectively opposing Trump, and courage-chutzpah. Worth watching. Wyden's been outspoken in pointing out Trump-Musk abuses of power." P.S. Indivisible reminds us that Members of Congress want to hear only from their own constituents. Don't waste your time calling Schumer, Jeffries, or others not from Oregon. CONTACT THESE PEOPLE, TOO Remind these people that a determined minority can use the motion to recommit, the discharge petition, the veto strategy and procedural disruption to overcome the House majority and significantly influence the outcome of legislation. Democratic National Committee, (202) 863-8000 https://democrats.org/contact-us/ Senate Democratic Caucus https://www.democrats.senate.gov/about-senate-dems/our-caucus House Democratic Caucus https://www.dems.gov/ Senate Republican Conference https://www.republican.senate.gov/ FILE FOR MAY 2025 LOCAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS Important positions in Clatsop County are up for election in May 2025. The list of positions on the ballot is here. Correction: The last day to file as a candidate is March 20. Additional information about district elections from the Clatsop County Elections Department is here. GET ON BOARD If you want to help kids, schools, and your community, run for your local school board. The Oregon School Board Association has valuable info about runing and serving.  WHAT'S THE PLAN? Thursday, February 27  *  noon -1, via Zoom Join Indivisible co-founders  and co-leaders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week, as they discuss what’s happening and – more importantly – what’s the plan. Most of the hour is left open to Q&A, so submit questions when you register or submit them in the chat during the event. Register for the next What’s the Plan call on Thursday, February 27. Watch the February 20 event here on Indivisible's YouTube channel. * Get updates and action suggestions from Indivisible. Sign up here. * INCO is part of COIN, the Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network. Get updates, track Oregon legislation, and learn about the 40+ Indivisible groups across Oregon. Sign up here. ELECTION CAMPAIGN TRAININGS The Oregon Working Families Party and Vote Run Lead Action are teaming up to help you run for office, organize winning campaigns, and build real power in your community. In-person and virtual options are available when you RSVP for a training. Training dates: Redmond on March 4 – Building the Team You Need + Campaign Strategy Tillamook on March 17 – Crafting Your Story + Campaign Budgeting & Fundraising WHAT CAN YOU DO? "What can you do? Show up at school board meetings, work on a community garden, read to school kids, protest at your state capitol, let your elected representatives hear your voice, work on a campaign, volunteer as a poll worker, and run for office. Whatever it is that matters to you the most, do your research about how to have an impact and get to work. Nothing beats back fear and anxiety over our future like exercising the muscle of democracy." -- Joyce Vance, Civil Discourse, February 19, 2025 IF YOU'RE READY TO THROW THINGS.... Jonathan Pie offers a furious denunciation of Trump's global "art of the deal" and his allegiance to Putin about Ukraine and more. Warning: Extremely coarse, vulgar language. And yet so cathartic, if you can tolerate the language. Watch it here.   Per Wikipedia, "Jonathan Pie is a fictional character portrayed by British comedian Tom Walker. Pie is a political correspondent who rants angrily about British, American, and Australian politics...."   FUN STUFF  TRUMP AND THE GOP ARE ENACTING PROJECT 2025 • Project 2025 Explained -- An in-depth analysis of the MAGA playbook by Indivisible • A long list of major features of Project 2025 from Robert Hubbell in his Today's Edition newsletter • The 920-page Project 2025 document is here. Find a topic that interests you in the Project 2025 table of contents.   INCO INSIGHTS “And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.” - Winston Churchill, remarks on the Munich Agreement, 1938 Indivisible defends democracy by opposing authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption. Comments, news, and photos to INCO at incoregon@gmail.com.  Resources and other information at www.incoregon.org and www.indivisible.org. Encourage others to sign up for the INCO newsletter here. Look for the INCO column in Hipfish Monthly.  Indivisible North Coast Oregon is on Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky. INCO Weekly Newsletter  •  February 24, 2024 Website Email Facebook Copyright © 2025 INDIVISIBLE North Coast Oregon, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or signed up at a community group meeting. Our mailing address is: *|766 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103:HTML|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

2-17-25 Newsletter

 

TODAY  *  STOP THE COUP! PROTEST RALLY  *  TODAY Monday, February 17  •  noon - 1:30 pm 17th and Marine Drive, Astoria Hosted by INCO and Clatsop County Democrats Bring a sign if you can. •  CLATSOP COUNTY TOWN HALL  • Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Suzanne Bonamici   Saturday, February 22, 2025 -- 2:00 PM PT   Clatsop Community College -- Patriot Hall   1650 Lexington Avenue, Astoria Both Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Bonamici welcome your questions and want to know your concerns. WHO VOTED FOR A COUP? Thank Senators Wyden and Merkley and Congresswoman Bonamici for opposing the Trump-Musk coup in words and actions. Congressional Democrats must unite to fight back against Trump's lawlessness and not give in to his demands. Scroll down for tips to make your calls and emails especially effective. This information is on INCO's website, www.incoregon.org. Senator Ron Wyden https://www.wyden.senate.gov/ (202) 224-5244 or (503) 326-7525 Senator Jeff Merkley https://www.merkley.senate.gov/ (202) 224-3753 or (503) 326-3386 Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici https://bonamici.house.gov/ (202) 225-0855 or (503) 469-6010 Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (503) 378-4582 https://www.oregon.gov/gov/pages/contact-us.aspx TIPS FOR TALKING TO ELECTED OFFICIALS 1. Talk about only one topic each call or email, especially if you're asking your legislator to take specific action. It's best to use your own words. Ask for a written response with your legislator's position on the issue. 2. Thank the official and staff for their work if you like what they're doing. 3. Give your name and zip code so they know you're a constituent. 4. Call daily or as often as you can during the week, about a different topic each time. FILE FOR MAY 2025 LOCAL DISTRICT ELECTIONS Important positions in Clatsop County are up for election in May 2025. The list of positions on the ballot is here. Correction: The last day to file as a candidate is March 20. Additional information about district elections from the Clatsop County Elections Department is here. GET ON BOARD If you want to help kids, schools, and your community, run for your local school board. The Oregon School Board Association has valuable info about runing and serving.  WHAT'S THE PLAN? Thursday, February 20  *  noon -1, via Zoom Join Indivisible co-founders  and co-leaders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week, as they discuss what’s happening and – more importantly – what’s the plan. Most of the hour is left open to Q&A, so submit questions when you register or submit them in the chat during the event. REGISTER HERE. Watch the February 13 session here.  * Get updates and action suggestions from Indivisible. Sign up here. * INCO is part of COIN, the Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network. Get updates, track Oregon legislation, and work with 40+ Indivisible groups across Oregon. Sign up here. INCO ACTION TEAMS INCO's Action Teams met again at Saturday's Community Meeting. We'll have updates on their activities in upcoming newsletters. Please email incoregon@gmail.com  if you'd like to work on one of these teams:   Protecting people at risk  •  Service - Helping our neighbors Watching local government  •  Voting-civics-May 2025 elections  •  Communications  •  Signs More community: Indivisible North Coast Oregon is on Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky. GRATITUDE "The birth of a baby elephant, named Tula-Tu, at the Portland Zoo." - Denise GOOD NEWS FROM THE OPPOSITION Check out this Indivisible post about outraged protesters across the country, including Oregon, of course. Photos, articles, and commentary to boost your spirits. "I know it’s tempting to give into cynicism or despair right now. So let me tell you what keeps me going. We are in daily communication with Members of Congress and senior staff who want to see a unified opposition as well. They are fighting on the inside to build that opposition. And what they tell me is this: It’s the pressure we all are applying on the outside that is giving them a foothold on the inside. All those press hits above? Members of Congress are reading those too. This is the reason we see Senate Democrats start to use their power to slow the Senate to crawl; and the reason we see signs of opposition building on the House side. "We do not yet have a unified opposition party, but we are building one." --Ezra Levin, Co-Executive Director, Indivisible, February 10, 2025 DECENCY AND COURAGE VS. MONSTERS "We can maintain our ideals by demonstrating them whenever and wherever we can — showing courage in the face of fear, protecting the vulnerable in the face of brutality, practicing kindness in the face of cruelty, and preserving what is left of our democracy in the face of tyranny.  "We can maintain decency in the time of monsters. We must. It is the first step in resisting the monsters, and the prerequisite for overpowering them." -- Robert Reich, Decency in the time of monsters, February 16, 2025 "Let’s make them understand that we are here, we are engaged, and we are not going away. It would have only taken a few senators getting cold feet about Kennedy to make a difference. It’s worth pulling out all the stops and contacting your senators with the vote on Kash Patel looming ahead this week. "My take on what we need to do right now is this: stay informed about what’s happening nationally, and get engaged locally." -- Joyce Vance, The Courts Aren’t The Cavalry; We Are, Civil Discourse, February 15, 2025 OREGON ATTORNEY GENERAL RAYFIELD: "NO" -- Marc Elias, Democracy Docket, February 14, 2025 •  From Democracy Forward, one of the lead organizations filing lawuits against the Trump-Musk regime: "Learn more about our efforts to protect our nation's civil servants visiting www.civilservicestrong.org. And, if you know a federal worker, encourage them to visit www.civilservicestrong.org." PROFILES IN COURAGE INCO thanks the valiant public servants defying illegal Trump-Musk  actions. Robert Reich honors several "Profiles in Courage" in his February 13 Substack newsletter. INCO recommends this series of hour-long programs with excellent interviewers and guests. Joyce Vance's Civil Discourse newsletter on Substack is always informative and timely. REGISTER HERE. If you miss America at a Crossroads live on Zoom, you can watch later on YouTube.   TARIFFS IN OREGON INCO recommends the Monday newsletter of Oregon Representative David Gomberg (HD 10). His February 10 issue discusses the impacts on Oregon's imports and exports of Trump's proposed tariffs. Sign up here to get his emails.   FUN STUFF  -- Bob Eckstein, The New Yorker, February 11, 2025 TRUMP AND THE GOP ARE ENACTING PROJECT 2025 • Project 2025 Explained -- An in-depth analysis of the MAGA playbook by Indivisible • A long list of major features of Project 2025 from Robert Hubbell in his Today's Edition newsletter • The 920-page Project 2025 document is here. Find a topic that interests you in the Project 2025 table of contents.   MORE FUN STUFF --Video with Norm Eisen, The Contrarian, February 12, 2025 INCO INSIGHTS "When a complex system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to shift the entire system to a higher order."  -- Ilya Prigogine, Nobel Prize-winning chemist Indivisible defends democracy by opposing authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption. Comments, news, and photos to INCO at incoregon@gmail.com.  Resources and other information at www.incoregon.org and www.indivisible.org. Encourage others to sign up for the INCO newsletter here. Look for the INCO column in Hipfish Monthly.  Indivisible North Coast Oregon is on Facebook, Instagram, and Blue Sky. INCO Weekly Newsletter  •  February 17, 2024 Website Email Facebook Copyright © 2025 INDIVISIBLE North Coast Oregon, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or signed up at a community group meeting. Our mailing address is: *|766 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103:HTML|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.