FEAR IS THEIR GOAL ... SOLIDARITY IS OUR ANTIDOTE!
- pdxletterwriters
- May 5
- 7 min read
 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, emails, and phone calls are amplified by repetition and replication. We should build time into our schedules to incorporate some of these actions into our lives on a regular basis. The idea is to maintain a regular drumbeat. Your Media. Your Words: Letters to the editor (LTE’s), social media posts, comments & likes. Having a consistent presence with a consistent message is very powerful. Having this message amplified by comments & likes increases its reach and influence. (Repetition and replication). Commenting on a post significantly increases its visibility to more users. Liking a post has much less impact but nevertheless helps. As part of your daily resistance, pick one or two accounts you really like, and consistently comment & like their posts. A comment can be a simple as saying: "This is good information". (Act for Democracy can be found on Bluesky @act4d.bsky.socal ;)HERE's a longer list of the many ways you have power. |
#TheMajorityProject is a mass-coordinated mailing campaign to flood Congress with the facts and prove that the real majority stands for progress. Unlike emails or phone calls, postcards pile up on desks, creating a physical, undeniable message that lawmakers can’t ignore. The far right is spinning Trump’s election victory as a mandate for policies the majority of Americans do not support. Let’s show our U.S. Congressional & Senate Representatives that this is not the case. One postcard is a statement. One Million is a movement! Learn HERE how you can participate. |
"Do you feel safe when you see a police officer approaching?" |
When we asked this question at our Monday meeting the majority of attendees indicated that they do, in fact, feel safe for the most part. We noted that all of us presented as white and cis-gender. Two attendees mentioned that, whereas they used to feel safe, they are no longer so sure because they have foreign accents and wonder how that may be perceived under the Trump regime. One of them now has a very strong fear of being deported - even though her documentation is legal and up to date. Some women noted that, in certain situations they might not feel comfortable around male officers, but that this is not a daily concern. A retired public defender explained that, although she does not feel unsafe around officers because she is white, she nevertheless understands perfectly well why non-white and non-citizen persons would feel unsafe when approached by an officer. Throughout her career she has witnessed how biased many law enforcement officers are against BIPOC and immigrant populations. |
POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY |
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Earlier this month, Act for Democracy hosted Portland Cop Watch on Zoom. We were treated to an in-depth discussion of Portland’s accountability structure for the Portland Police Bureau, and how that structure is likely to change with the city's new government. We also learned what our rights are when we interact with Law Enforcement.Watch the Zoom recording HERE - passcode: 3UC1WcAZ.
As if to confirm the importance of this work, the Portland City Council will be approving two huge settlement payments involving the Portland Police Bureau on Wednesday. Why are tax payers paying for police misconduct?Read more about the differences between Portland’s proposed new Oversight Board and its current system HERE.Learn more about Portland Cop Watch HERE. |
RACIAL JUSTICE UPDATE Why some black folks are sitting this one out: https://rabbisandra.substack.com/p/why-some-black-folks-are-sitting Dear Black Women… This Fight Is Not Yours- by Anyrah Shavéh:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI3stFJKdv4 |
IMMIGRATION UPDATE
Report suspected ICE activity to the PIRC Hotline: 1-800-622-1510. Use the SALUTE guide to do so.Support Oregon Senate Bill SB 149 - See how HERE.Join the Oregon For All coalition to keep up to date on recent news and action to take to protect immigrants living in Oregon.Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek have both affirmed our sanctuary law - and that Oregon is already in compliance with federal law. Kotek told OPB in a statement that Oregon “will not be bullied to deport people or perform immigration enforcement” and Wilson said “Portland stands unwavering in its commitment to sanctuary policies, rooted in the belief that every resident, including immigrants, deserves dignity, respect, and protection.” |
TRANS RIGHTS UPDATE On May 1st, the Trump administration released a pseudoscientific report pushing anti-transgender conversion therapy and junk science. So-called “conversion therapy” is a traumatizing experience known to leave trans kids in a state of despair which significantly increases their risk of suicide. Journalist Erin Reed of ErinInTheMorning is working hard to counter this disinformation.You can hear her latest interview from the NPR Show "Press Play" where she thoroughly explains why this report is so dangerous. Listen to her HERE. She also has a fact check of the so-called report HERE. You can see her Bluesky running-thread of the harmful pseudoscience in this report that goes far beyond her fact check, HERE. |
THE ARCHITECTS OF PROJECT 2025 Even though Act for Democracy’s focus is local, we understand that State and Federal issues cannot be ignored because they affect us no matter where we live. If you really want to sink your teeth into State and Federal issues, you can learn about Portland groups that engage on those levels HERE.Nevertheless, we feel compelled to highlight a question asked by one attendee: “What if we tracked the architects of Project 2025 and highlight their dangers in the same way we are doing with Elon Musk?” While such a project is beyond Act for Democracy’s purview, we will gladly support any member(-s) who would like to own this project. THESE links make for riveting reading and contain extensive lists of all those involved in creating Project 2025.Of particular interest is “The Reality of Project 2025” by Red Wine & Blue. RWB created a real-time PROJECT 2025 TRACKER - including ways to fight back at the end of every section! |
THE TECH BROLIGARCHY Although there was no plan to do so, the subject of a Techno-Fascist Futurethat we are beginning to experience in real time, bubbled up from the context of our conversation. Because it is almost impossible to talk about Elon Musk, without also talking about Techno-Fascism. As promised, HERE is some background with links. |
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SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT |
Are you Fed Up? Stand Up and Unite!Join fellow Oregon Indivisibles in Salem, OR on June 6-9 for a COINvention organized by the Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network (COIN). Come and learn about everything you need to know to be an effective activist. From social organizing and digital security to emotional well-being and grounded, non-violent communication. Learn from Constitutional experts exactly where we stand in terms of a Constitutional Crisis and from the ACLU about the various ways we can fight back.Register HERE.Note on accommodation: Some folks have offered to host attendees in their homes for the COINvention. However, there are already more requests than spots. Spots will be allocated starting with attendees who have to travel the furthest. |
CITY HALL THIS WEEK Everything on this list is important. However - items 12 & 13 - settlement payments “involving” the Portland Police Bureau are especially interesting in light of our Police Accountability overview from Portland Cop Watch above! Find your councillor's email HERE. City Council In Session: Wednesday, May 7, @ 9:30am: Item 3 - Council to consider appeals against a decision to approve various reviews for the expansion of transmission lines in Forest Park.Item 5 - The City Administrator’s Report (with introduction by Mayor Wilson).Item 7 - City Sustainability and Climate Commission appointee confirmations.Item 9 - Resolution to direct PBOT to construct and maintain sidewalks for all residents.Item 10 - Authorize revenue bonds to finance curb, ramp and street improvements.Item 12 - Settlement of a $100,000 civil rights lawsuit “involving PPB”.Item 13 - Settlement of a $375,000 bodily injury lawsuit “involving PPB”. Item 22 - @ 2:00 pm - Presentation of Insights Survey and Budget Listening Session.Item 23 - @ 2:45 pm - Public hearing of Prosper Portland’s proposed FY 2025-26 Budget. |
EVENTS in MAY Tuesday, May 6: The loudest and best organized rich white people are the racist authoritarians. Register HERE to learn about the Politics of Money under authoritarianism.Wednesday, May 7 and Saturday, May 10: While billionaires like Elon Musk play politics with people’s lives, it’s everyday people who are left to pick up the pieces. This November, Virginia voters have the opportunity to send a resounding message to the country by electing leaders who will put everyday people first. Sister District’s seven Virginia candidates don’t have billionaires bankrolling their campaigns - but early grassroots support can make all the difference: see HERE how you can help elect them in this vital off-year election.Wednesday, May 7 at 7pm, "Consider This" live Podcast: Reinventing American Democracy. The Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St. Oregon Humanities hosts political philosopher and author Danielle Allen for a conversation on the challenges facing democracy in the U.S. and what can be done to strengthen it. Allen brings experience as a Harvard professor, columnist for The Atlantic, and co-chair of a national commission on democratic citizenship. Tickets are $15. Purchase HERE.Thursday, May 8th: Not Above The Law: May Day Action Debrief - Register HERE.Indivisible National calls and Indivisible Oregon events - HERE. Every Friday: THIS grassroots pop-up "unhappy hour" protest has been getting bigger! May 20th, Sister District Happy Hour: After dropping off your ballot, head over to Lucky Labrador on 915 SE Hawthorne - probably out back on their patio where Sister District will be having their Happy Hour. No registration required, just show up!May 14, May 21, May 28: Multnomah County Budget Hearings In-Person and Online. No RSVP required to attend. But sign up HERE to testify virtually, in-person, or to submit written comments. If you plan to watch a live stream, find it at the Multnomah County Board YouTube channel.May 25, 2pm - Democracy Sunday: Don't miss Act for Democracy's next in-person gathering! Register HERE.May 26 Deadline: East Portland TIF Community Leadership Committee Community members are invited to apply for leadership committees that will guide investments in Portland’s new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts along 82nd Avenue, SPACC, and East 205. TIF is a public funding tool used to support affordable housing, jobs, and economic growth in underserved areas. Committee members will help shape five-year action plans starting in 2025, ensuring community priorities are reflected in how funds are used. Meetings are open to the public and include time for comment.HERE is the application form.HERE is the relevant Portland.gov page. |
Our Families - Our Freedoms - Our Future! |
Bluesky: @act4d.bsky.socialEmail: a4dpdx@gmail.com |
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