OREGON IS OUR HOME When communities come out together in visible solidarity , troops often retreat. But it’s important that it be a community effort. So one of the best ways to prepare, both now and once National Guard rollouts begin, is to ensure you’re connected within your own neighborhood. Check in with your neighbors , and make sure you’re looped in on rapid response efforts in your city. Join Protect Oregon at local meet‑ups to learn about non‑violent ways to fight bac

Over the weekend, in Los Angeles, Trump deployed at least two MQ-9 Reaper drones over an American city to surveil American citizens. These drones are also used to shoot Hellfire missiles and are currently being used to surveil the border. The last time they were deployed over a major Ameri can city was in 2020 in Minneapolis. The Oregon legislature has a Democratic supermajority, so, nothing like this could happen here. Right?  Think again. The “Drone Surveillance Bill” - SB

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE NOW Choosing to go by OJM in the media, a Mexican trans woman was taken into custody by ICE yesterday. You can read about it HERE .  Bear in mind that - under the Trump administration - trans women are placed in male detention centers.  The Oregon Coalition for All (OFA) recommends that you contact your representatives and demand that they do three things: Denounce ICE in Immigration Court Share KYR Information as widely as possible Contact Federal offici

DRONE SURVEILLANCE IN OREGON? Image: from THIS website titled "Top Police Drones for Law Enforcement". IT'S BEING CONSIDERED RIGHT NOW! Before you enjoy the going through the juicy list of events below, please quickly submit written testimony before 3pm Tomorrow (Friday, May 9th) explaining that you OPPOSE Senate Bill 238A. We made it easy for you. SB 238A would: Give both the police and sheriffs in Oregon total discretion to deploy an unlimited number of drones for the su

NOTES FROM OUR IN-PERSON GATHERING:THE MANY POWERS WE HAVE Most of the opportunities available to us to influence power and move the “needle” seem tiny, but their power increases with repetition (many times), replication (many people), and volume (like large protests or wide media coverage). Too many amongst the powerful would LOVE for us to forget our own power. They would feel so much better if we would just forget (or were somehow unable) to do these things: Postcards,

One More State Bill Attacking Democracy Sadly, this one even has some support from Democrats. This bill would make it harder for citizens to get initiative petitions on the ballot - which is already very difficult to do - and making it even harder this is profoundly anti-democratic.There are restrictions on the initiative process in a lot of "red states" right now, and we definitely don't want to see it in Oregon. Click  HERE  to read COIN's testimony for more details, then c

WHY REVOKE VOTER-APPROVED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORMS WITH NO PUBLIC DISCUSSION? The City Auditor's office is trying to get the Legislature to pre-emptively revoke the contribution limits and disclosure requirements approved by 87% of Portland voters back in 2018 . This is all happening in a hurry and without public discussion even though many city offices are closed on Presidents' Day. A decision on this could happen as early as today (Monday, February 17th). ACTION:   Email yo

WE CHOOSE TO FIGHT MASS STRATEGY CALL Tomorrow, Sunday, Feb 2nd at 5pm Register HERE Right now, a second January 6th is unfolding. Without crowds or weapons. The tragic and entirely preventable aviation disasters that took place in the past few days are early symptoms of the cascading effects  of Trump and King-in-Waiting Elon Musk's ongoing attempted coup. Because of the saturation coverage given to these two events, you may have missed the vicious, completely unconstitutio

If you haven't already -  register HERE . Come and hear how Act for Democracy is planning to meet the challenges of another Trump administration right here in Portland! Bring your own thoughts and ideas, and see how you fit into it all. For every one of us, there will be that one small thing that will make a big difference! We will enjoy the bracing and uplifting support of our fellow activists and inspire each other to greater heights! This event will take place in NE Por

There will be an Act for Democracy  Kickoff Event on January 5th, 2025.  See more details further down. If you want to learn and strategize before January,  let's meet via Zoom and let us know HERE  which dates suit you best. We Refuse To Obey In Advance We know that tyrants test the population to see what they can get away with.  If they are allowed to, tyrants invariably follow up with something more ambitious. For example: if they can remove trans people from public existe

We have worked hard fighting the MAGA agenda to protect our freedom, defend our democracy, and enshrine unity, dignity, and opportunity. We stand united against hatred, division, racism, misogyny, court corruption, and burgeoning fascism . Let us keep calm through the inevitable GOP mischief to come and await a glorious celebration together on Inauguration Day. Americans from all over the nation have worked hardfighting the MAGA agenda to protect our freedom, defend our democ

Last night, during the Presidential debate - on the eve of 9/11 - Trump dared to try and position himself as the “peace candidate”.  While we remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and in the resulting war that followed, we must not fall for the GOP’s new tactic, which is to try and displace their responsibility for their wars of convenience onto Democrats in general, and onto Kamala Harris in particular. Tom Hartmann has an excellent, scathing analysis of it HERE .

The vast majority of you responded with a resounding YES to endorse V.P. Kamala Harris for President. Act for Democracy therefore formally endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President. We are so excited about the new energy and purpose that her candidacy brings to the American People. President Biden has given us the enormous gift of this political moment. Now it’s up to us to elect Vice President Harris - and to present her with a Blue House and a Blue Senate -

In a historic act of heroism, President Biden withdrew his candidacy for the Presidency yesterday. Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin described President Biden’s heroism as “... a genuinely inspiring act of political self-sacrifice in defense of democracy. It could not be a greater contrast with Trump and MAGA… an incredible display of leadership.”  We have not yet begun to take true stock of the positive effects of Biden’s Presidency on our nation - positive effects that will

. Here’s what you need to know:   One: Stop Worrying! Whether you love or hate Joe / Kamala / Gavin / Pete / Raphael / or Gretchen, in the end chances are you and I will probably not be on the decision-making team. In fact, the real decision lies with Joe Biden and no one can do anything until he makes it himself. So, please, stop worrying. If there is a rising chorus for Joe to stay or go and you feel strongly, go ahead and join it. But at the moment, this IS NOT in your han

Fall Hiatus Act for Democracy will be on hiatus until December. During this period, the steering committee will be strategizing and preparing for 2024. Look out for future newsletters and announcements. Next year is shaping up to be deliciously packed with many opportunities to exercise our personal and collective agency in shaping a future for our communities and our planet. Portland Transition Based on a draft letter obtained by Willamette Week , the road to Portland’s n

A Celebratory Evening Inspiring & Informative It was wonderful to see so many of you at our outdoor garden party last week. Being together in person renewed our energy, commitment, and solidarity. Representative Rob Nosse (rhymes with “dose”) and Senator Michael Dembrow (pictured below) fielded questions and talked about the issues close to their hearts. It was especially fascinating to listen to their first-hand accounts of the Republican walk-out during the legislative ses

One Week to A4D’s Garden Party Celebration RSVP Now! Next Tuesday, August 22, A4D members will gather for our annual garden party. Please join us! On the lawn of a beautiful Irvington home, we’ll celebrate past achievements and gain inspiration for the work that lies ahead. Come for the camaraderie, enjoy good food, and take advantage of the opportunity to speak with elected officials. Festivities get underway at 5:30pm . For details and to RSVP, click here . Tired of GO

RSVP Now! Annual Outdoor Celebration Join us at a member’s beautiful home in northeast Portland on Tuesday, August 22, from 5:30-7:30pm. We’ll enjoy good company, delicious food, and cooling beverages. Let’s celebrate A4D, take stock of what we’ve achieved, inspire one another, and meet elected officials! For more detail and to RSVP, click here . Portland Street Response Shuts Down According to one Willamette Week article, the Portland Street Response (PSR) “competes with

No Meeting Tomorrow Celebrate in August! A4D will not be holding a monthly meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, but we will be gathering for our Annual Outdoor Celebration in August on Tuesday, the 22nd. Please join us from 5:30pm to 7:30pm to enjoy good company, sip a cool beverage, and indulge in delicious food. We will celebrate, take stock, and meet elected officials. More details coming shortly. Tell Commissioners Gonzales & Ryan Hands Off Our Democracy It seems voters did