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Amplifying Melanated Voices Presents: Blackout Southern Oregon

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Note, these are not JoCo Dems events, but we support the Black Lives Matter Movement, and support our BIPOC communities. 

Please WEAR YOUR MASKS and practice SOCIAL DISTANCING at all events.

Friday July 3rd, beginning at 9:00 pm in Ashland at the Black Lives Matter memorial at Railroad Park there will be a “Say Her Name” vigil for the women lost to police brutality. Bring candles and signs and let’s all remember them together. Come dressed in black because we are in mourning.

Saturday July 4th at 11:00 am, beginning at Vogel Plaza, the event will begin with a protest to defund the police and fight for the end to systemic racism. Again, come dressed in black. Please click on these links for more information on the “defund the police” movement.

Sunday July 5th at 11:00 am This event is to show support to our fellow POC and allies in Coos Bay! It will begin at the Coos Bay Boardwalk to protest for black lives and for an end to police brutality and the racist actions that have been taking place there!

Monday July 6th at 4:00 pm Meet on 6th Street in front of the Josephine County Court House in Grants Pass to hold a protest and show our support for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Tuesday July 7th is a nationwide blackout encouraging supporters to use ‘economic power’ to fight racial injustice. That means we WILL NOT be stimulating the economy with our hard earned money, in recognition of the Black Lives Matter movement. Do not spend a single penny for the entire day! Let’s stand together!

RESOURCES AND TOOLS REGARDING RACISM AND ANTI-BLACKNESS

Use these resources to learn more about some of the issues, and how we can support our BIPOC communities to be better allies. Information and education can make a big difference in understanding what the protests are about and why we must stand united to make our country better for ALL of our citizens.

Timeline of Events that led to the 2020 “fed-Up” Rising

21 Day Anti-Racism Challenge

8 Can’t Wait

Statistics – Chances of being killed by police / use of force in the United States

2018 FBI Hate Crime Statistics

97 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

The 1619 Project

Open Carry Social Experiment

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack  (Hint, it has nothing to do with socioeconomics or class status)

 

 

 

July 1st-Masks Required in Indoor Public Spaces State-Wide

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Governor Brown announces indoor face covering requirement is extended statewide

Governor Kate Brown announced today that Oregonians statewide will be required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces, beginning this Wednesday July 1. The guidance applies to businesses and members of the public visiting indoor public spaces. Face covering requirements are already mandated in eight counties.

“The choices every single one of us make in the coming days matter,” said Governor Brown. “Face coverings that cover your nose and mouth play a critical role in reducing the spread of this disease because droplets from our breath can carry the virus to others without us realizing it. If we all wear face coverings, practice six feet of physical distancing in public, wash our hands regularly, and stay home when we are sick, then we can avoid the worst-case scenarios that are now playing out in other states.” The statewide mask requirement comes after continued increases in the spread of COVID-19 since reopening. COVID-19 cases have increased each week for four straight weeks statewide, and it is spreading faster in the community. While large workplace outbreaks have driven increased cases in recent weeks, sporadic cases (those with no clear link to another case) account for a growing percentage of new cases.

Oregon can stay safe if we all do our part to keep COVID-19 under control and protect our friends, family and neighbors from this virus.

For more information, read today’s press release.

Click here for Statewide Mask, Face Shield, Face Covering Guidance

Outreach with Law Enforcement and Interaction with the Community

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After the “Baskin Robbin Flag Incident” on May 30, in which a large group of citizens felt motivated to take a stance against fake reports of “busloads of ANTIFA” coming into town, one of our members sent letters to both Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman and Sheriff Dave Daniel. She was extremely concerned about having untrained, armed militia citizens invited to “stand side by side” with law enforcement in defending the community, when it is the responsibility of our law enforcement professionals to patrol and protect. This kind of situation is dangerous, not only for these officers, but also for those they are called on to protect.

Law enforcement has the ability to request additional resources, utilizing mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions, state and federal resources if their own capacity to handle an incident is insufficient.  It is dangerous to call on politically motivated, untrained, undisciplined reactionaries to “defend our community” perched on roof tops, willing to shoot fellow American citizens.

The Grants Pass Police Department and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Department are our well-regulated militias, paid for with our tax dollars, and charged with protecting our community. Although we don’t seem to have experienced any arrests, injuries or deaths related to excessive force, like that which has occurred in other parts of the state and the country, this does not mean we should not educate ourselves on their policies and procedures and provide input on potential improvements to prevent those kinds of issues from occurring here.

Grants Pass Police Chief Hensman called our member within minutes of receiving her communications, and she reports that they had a very good conversation. He has agreed to meet with representatives from the Democratic Party and Indivisible Southern Oregon in the near future to talk about local policing, policies and other concerns. If you are interested in participating, email us at outreach@josephinedemocrats.org.

She has still received no response from Sheriff Daniel.

 

 

IMPORTANT – June 23, 2020 Special Legislation Session 

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IMPORTANT – Special Legislation Session 

The Governor has called for Special Legislative Sessions to discuss and consider Policing Reform and Accountability.

The Joint Interim Committee relating to Police Reform will begin at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2020, with the full 2020 Legislative Special Session of the 80th Legislative Assembly convening on Wednesday, June 24th at 8 am.

These two links provide information on the sessions and how to testify:

Online Committee Agendas and how to find out more participation options.

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/LIZ/Committees/Meeting/List

How to Testify to a Legislative Committee

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/committees/Pages/How-To-Testify.aspx

Governor Kate Brown is supporting several police accountability measures put together by the People of Color Caucus. Those include:

  • Banning the use of chokeholds by police,
  • Creating a police discipline database in the state,
  • Adoption of a measure to make it easier to fire a police officer found guilty of misconduct,
  • Requiring that police report the misconduct of other officers,
  • Requiring the state attorney general to lead investigations when police use of force results in death or serious injury.

We encourage all Democrats to submit written testimony or remote oral testimony in support of these proposals.

Other bills that may be considered include inspections for meat processing plants and some that were killed earlier this year when Republicans walked out. A budget session may be called later in the summer when the state determines what, if any money is coming from the federal government to help states deal with COVID-19 issues.

Legislators will be social distancing, but the public will be banned from the Capitol as lawmakers debate, however a large screen will be set up on the Capitol steps, along with a laptop for public comment.

To access a live stream of this meeting, go to

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019I1/Committees/J1SS/Overview

Locate the meeting dates on the far right of the screen and click on the camera icon at the designated time. A viewing station will also be available outside on the front steps of the Capitol Building.

 

Alert: Oregon Special Legislative Session is in Progress… Action Needed

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Public hearings on police reform are scheduled for Tuesday June 23 starting at 9:30 AM. Email J1SS@oregonlegislature.gov to submit written testimony. You can see the agenda and other information for this meeting here. If you wish to submit oral testimony, please consult the meeting agenda for details. Persons wishing to submit oral testimony must apply by 2:30 AM ON JUNE 22.

Also, contact our Republican Representatives and Senators to BE THERE to work on these Legislative Concepts. Here is a link that will tell you who they are and how to get in touch with them.

You can find a complete list of the legislative concepts for the special session here. These include:

LC 39 – Broadband

LC 45 – COVID-19 Omnibus Response Bill. Includes rent freeze, foreclosure limitations, protecting stimulus checks from garnishment, low-income energy assistance, remote notarization, and other reforms.

LC 84 – A separate COVID-19 Omnibus Response Bill that is more limited in scope.

LC 80 – Law Enforcement Duty to Report and Intervene 

LC 81 – Limitation on Munitions Used to Control Assemblies

LC 83 – Prohibition on Use of Chokeholds

LC 85 – Temporary Foreclosure Limitations

LC 90 – Residential and Commercial Eviction Moratorium

Again, please testify in these hearings, if only by writing. Your voice is essential for helping our electeds craft a policy that will keep Oregon strong through this time of crisis.

ALERT: Finish Your OHP Application by July 2, or Wait Until July 6

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If you’ve started an online application for health insurance under the Oregon Health Plan, you’ll need to complete your application by July 2, or wait until July 6 to start a new one.

The Oregon Health Authority is updating its computer system, and all incomplete applications will be deleted after 4 p.m. on July 2. You can still turn in a paper application if you prefer.

For more information, visit https://one.oregon.gov/ or call OHP Client Services at 800-699-9075.

Governor Brown’s Mask Order Impacts Phase 2 Counties Too!

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As you may have heard, Governor Brown issued official guidance about face coverings in indoor public spaces for Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Marion, Polk, Hood River and Lincoln counties.

That guidance also applies to counties that have entered Phase 2 regarding swimming pools (obviously not while swimming), indoor entertainment facilities, indoor venues, and indoor recreational sports facilities. Acceptable face coverings can be cloth, paper, or disposable, including bandanas and homemade masks.

It makes sense… wear a mask when you are out and about!

Timber — Who Pays the Price with These Clear Cuts

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If you are driving on Hwy 199 toward Cave Junction, somewhere around mile marker 6, you will see a newly balded hill. All trees, with the exception of a few stragglers on top. Do you think such logging is giving jobs to our County? Or even to local companies? No… read this article about wealthy timber corporations reaping the benefits of tax cuts that have cost rural counties, including ours, billions.

50-50 Raffle for June

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Those who attended meetings in-person remember our 50-50 raffles. This month, we are trying an online version. (And yes, it is legal to do.) So, if you are so inclined and want to try your luck, check out our June raffle. Buy a couple of tickets! It gives you an opportunity to win some dough, and help fund our Get Out The Vote efforts for the General Election!

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