|
This Action of the Week comes, in part, from one of the young people who presented at our annual meeting. Gun violence has not been in the headlines lately. But we know sooner or later another mass shooting will take place. Advocates for reducing gun violence need to let elected officials know NOW what we expect them to support during the 2019 legislative session. What can we do now? Passing effective laws during the 2019 legislative session means working now on the issue. Most of those presently holding legislative office will hold those same positions next year. So contacting them now will put the issue on their table and let them know that we still feel the urgency for getting legislation passed whether the issue is in the headlines or not. What kind of legislation? Legislative proposals divide into two groups: Safe storage, and legislative limits on guns and availability. Safe Storage: Safe gun storage, based on the idea that preventing children, and others from gaining unauthorized access to firearms may be the most important part of responsible gun ownership. Oregon should join other states which have passed safe storage laws. See this fact sheet for additional details. Legislative limits on guns and availability: Students for Change and March for Our Lives PDX have approached Sen. Rob Wagner with a list of proposed legal changes regarding guns. He has submitted these to Legislative Council with the support of other Senators and Representatives. Here are their proposed reforms:
Other gun violence prevention organizations have other proposals as well.Lift Every Voice Oregon has two proposals: banning large capacity magazines and banning future sales of assault weapons. Your Action of the Week is to write your Oregon state senator and representative, asking them to support any and all of these changes. DO IT NOW. Get on the record. Voice your desire for reducing gun violence.
0 Comments
OR UU Voices has researched the state-wide ballot measures and makes these recommendations. Many organizations, including UU churches, have made these same recommendations. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Measure 102 YES Would allow local governments to issue bonds to pay for affordable housing projects that involve nonprofits or other nongovernmental entities. This mix of private and public money is expected to expand funds for affordable housing and was submitted by the Legislature Also endorsed by Defend Oregon, Affordable Housing for Oregon, Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCCP), and First Unitarian's Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO) and Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Measure 103 NO A constitutional amendment that would bar new taxes on groceries, including food and soda, as well as freeze the state’s corporate minimum tax for supermarkets. Submitted by grocers and soda producers after Multnomah Co interest in imposing local soda tax for health reasons. Defend Oregon, Rural Organizing Project, OCCP, and First U's Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) and others recommend Vote No. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Measure 104 NO A constitutional amendment that would require a three-fifths supermajority for legislation that raises revenue through changes in tax exemptions, credits and deductions and fees. Submitted to halt fees on financial and real estate transactions and changes to a more progressive tax system. Rep Alissa Keny-Guyer “this measure would hobble the ability of the state to raise money “ Defend Oregon, Rural Organizing Project, OR Right to Health,OCCP, and First Unitarians's Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) recommend Vote NO. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Measure 105 NO Would overturn Oregon’s 1987 sanctuary law that prohibits state and local police from enforcing immigration law if a person’s only violation is being in the country illegally. Would increase threats to immigrants and their access to services, allow racial profiling and hamper farming operations. OR United, Defend Oregon, Rural Organizing Project, Oregonians Against Profiling, OCCP, Causa, and First Unitarian's Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG), Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) recommends Vote NO. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Measure 106 NO A constitutional amendment that would ban public funds from being spent on abortions in Oregon, except when medically necessary or required by federal law. (Currently no federal funds may be used for abortion.) Would lead to more limits on women’s rights, including limiting access to state funded abortion for all state employees and those on the Oregon Health Plan. Defend Oregon, Rural Organizing Project, Oregon Right to Health, OCCP, and First U's Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) recommend a NO Vote _____________________________________________________________________________________ Download a printable copy here. You may know that under the current administration’s zero tolerance policy everyone crossing the border is being arrested whether they are requesting asylum or not. Requesting asylum is legal. Can you imagine traveling thousands of miles, fleeing horrible conditions to the United States, thinking this will be a safe haven and instead being chained and shackled and sent to a federal prison? These men have spent months in lock down conditions, never even going outside, not understanding why they are there since they committed no crime. Thanks to a number of pro bono attorneys, including Innovation Law Lab, a judge found they all have valid asylum claims but is requiring they post bond. There are 10 men left in Sheridan who have not been able to raise the bond money. The Action of the Week is to donate to the bond fund for these men. Help get them out so they can continue to pursue their claims for asylum. https://www.mightycause.com/story/Bondplus 
Where will you be on Sept. 15? The board of OR UU Voices for Justice hopes you answer,“At the annual OR UU Voices for Justice Conference.”Or UU Voices for Justice strives to unite all the UU congregations in Oregon to give voice to our shared desire for economic, social, environmental and political justice. And therefore, we gather once a year to bring our voices together at our annual Justice Meeting. This year’s theme is Our Children, Our Future and will feature a youth panel discussion. Additionally, there will be time for raising up our voices in song, lunch and breakout sessions. Take a look at our conference agenda here. The panel discussion will have three young people who will discuss why they are activists and what sustains them. Panelists representing: Climate Change – Our Children's Trust (Environmental Justice) Immigration (Economic Inequality, Human Rights) Gun Safety/School Safety – March for our Lives Youth have stepped forward in record numbers with amazing influence this year. What can UUs learn from these “in the news” social justice campaigns? With synergy, we can each take action, multiplying impact and influence!Our suggested Action of the Week: Register for our conference.We need to know how many people will be joining us, and since lunch is provided, what you would like to eat. Click here to go to the registration page. And here are all the date/time details;, oh, also conference location. Event Timing: September 15, 2018, 9:30 AM - 4 PM Door open at 9:30 AM for registration; Program starts at 10 AM Event Address: UU Congregation at Willamette Falls 710 6th St, Oregon City, Oregon 97317 Attendance fee: $30 adults; $20 teens; scholarships available. Payment options here. Homestays are available. Please indicate desire for such when registering. We will be in contact. But please register here. Need a flyer? Print a flyer here. Please share this notice with all Unitarian Universalists. One of the largest contributors to the climate crisis is the burning of coal for energy. We know that if we are to make the necessary changes to avert or diminish the climate crisis, we need to stop the use of coal and other fossil fuels.
PacifiCorp is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company, getting 77% of its energy resources from either coal or natural gas. In Oregon, PacifiCorp is the second largest for-profit energy utility. Because the cost of other energy sources are now either less expensive or close to being so, Oregon Public Utility Commissioner (PUC) asked PacifiCorp to conduct an economic study, which it did. BUT IT IS NOT RELEASING THE RESULTS. Sierra Club conducted their own study of PacifiCorp coal-burning facilities and found them to “pose a significant financial risk to its customers.” And we know that the longer we take to get off coal, the worse the climate crisis becomes, creating an even greater risk than the financial one. Sierra Club has started a campaign to force the PacifiCorp’s report release by showing the PUC that Oregonians and customers of PacifiCorp want their report to be released. We want PacifiCorp to transition immediately off of coal and fossil fuels. Their campaign is asking that Oregonians write post cards to the PUC to be sure that PUC continues to apply their leadership and hold Pacific Power accountable to providing transparency and the lowest cost and least climate disrupting energy to its customers. Post cards, or comment letters, should be mailed to each of the PUC commissioners – Chair Decker, Commissioner Bloom, Commissioner Tawney, and PUC Staff. That is a total of four for each of you. Mail your cards or comments to Public Utility Commission of Oregon PO Box 1088 Salem, OR 97308-1088 More information and talking points available here. Action of the Week.
Where will you be on Sept. 15? The board of OR UU Voices for Justice hopes you answer,“At the annual OR UU Voices for Justice Meeting.” OR UU Voices for Justice strives to unite all the UU congregations in Oregon to give voice to our shared desire for economic, social, environmental and political justice. And therefore, we gather once a year to bring our voices together at our annual Justice Meeting. This year’s theme is Our Children, Our Future We will feature a youth panel discussion. Additionally, there will be time for raising up our voices in song, for lunch and breakout sessions. Take a look at our conference agenda here. The panel discussion will have Panelists representing: Climate Change – Our Children's Trust (Environmental Justice) Immigration (Economic Inequality, Human Rights) Gun Safety/School Safety – March for our Lives (Human Rights)Youth have stepped forward in record numbers with amazing influence this year. What can UUs learn from these “in the news” social justice campaigns? With synergy, we can each take action, multiplying impact and influence! Action of the Week: Register for our conference We need to know how many people will be joining us, and, since lunch is provided, what you would like to eat. Click here to go to the registration page. DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS Event Timing: September 15, 2018, 9:30 AM - 4 PM Door open at 9:30 AM for registration; Program starts at 10 AM Event Address: UU Congregation at Willamette Falls 710 6th St, Oregon City, Oregon 97317 Attendance fee: $30 adults; $20 teens; scholarships available. Homestays are available. Please indicate desire for such when registering. We will be in contact. Need a flyer? Print a flyer here. Please share this notice with all Unitarian Universalists. Ballot measure 105 violates several of our seven UU principles including:
1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; Ballot measure 105 would end the state’s tradition of being a sanctuary state, the first state to have adopted this position. For 30 years it has guided the state in its actions regarding immigration. We received this message from CAUSA with suggestions on actions that should be taken to oppose Measure 105. Their message in part reads: Late yesterday we learned that Oregonians for Immigration Reform turned in enough signatures to qualify their measure for the November ballot. Measure 105 would throw out Oregon’s sanctuary state law, a law that has been working for over 30 years to protect Oregonians from unfair racial profiling. We need your help to power an inclusive, statewide campaign to defeat Measure 105. Here are some important actions we ask that you take ASAP to mobilize your supporters to join the campaign to VOTE NO on Measure 105:
Jordon Cove would be an environmental disaster for Oregon. The planned project, including the Pacific Connector Pipeline, would cross almost 500 wetlands, waterways, streams, and rivers and would need the largest dredging project for any coastal bay or estuary in Oregon's history. Oregonians thought this project had been defeated but it raised its head again following the election of Pres. Trump. Jordon Cove will make it impossible for Oregon's already approved climate and energy plans to succeed, and would doom the more aggressive plans we actually need! The project has proposed building three 30 megawatt generators to provide power to the plant itself, which would require a permit from the State of Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council. But Jordon Cove has requested an exemption. Whether a permit is required or an exemption is given, a public comment period is required. That gives us an opportunity to have our voices heard! Read the Notice from Oregon Department of Energy Action of the Week We, the public, can comment until August 13, 2018. Send your comments to Sean Mole, Federal Projects Coordinator Oregon Department of Energy 550 Capitol St. NE Salem, OR 97301 Email: Jordancove.comment@oregon.gov Change is in the works for Oregon Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice. Last Friday was my final day as the Executive Director.
I have spent the last two years working with a very able board to grow our organization. I believe that OregonVoices has made a difference under my tenure. We have raised the voice of Unitarian Universalism in Salem and around the state. Last year I began sending out the Action of the Week. Nothing went out as an Action, unless there was something you could do about it! The Action varied by whatever was needed. You could attend a training, a rally, send an email, give testimony, gather signatures, sign a petition, attend a vigil. Each Action came with an explanation of what was happening here in Oregon or in the United States on that issue. Sometimes, the Action was to take good care of yourself and reflect on what it all meant. People always want to know why you are leaving. I am leaving mainly because my salary was covered by a generous grant from the UU Funding Program for the last two years. As all good things do, this grant finally ran out! Now it is up to the board to carry on. They are ready. They are excited. Support them as they move forward as a volunteer force. They will still need your gifts of time and money to continue. I enjoyed your company over these last two years. I will miss you! In Love and Faith, Rev. Katie Larsell 10 Christian pastors decided to have a service in the field next to the Federal Prison in Sheridan on Sunday Morning.
They wanted to bring the people together and protest in a holy way. Although, President Trump has supposedly stopped separating families there is still work to do. His new policy is confusing and unworkable. And, he has already separated thousands of families and is not putting them back together. Over a hundred men are being held in the Sheridan prison because they got caught in Trump's Zero Tolerance policy. Some of them have been separated from their families. They are also being held without communication to the outside world. They haven't had visitation of any kind. No lawyers, no outside help. Remember, they are being held in a prison without due process! When the Sikhs heard about the Ecumenical Service (a Christian service across denominations) they asked to be a part of it. Now the service is Interfaith, and, additionally, the Sikhs are serving a Langar (community meal). Action of the Week Attend and worship together with Christians, Sikhs and many others. The service is in a field outside of the Sheridan Federal Prison this Sunday, the 24th, at 11pm (tomorrow). Location: Sheridan Fishing Pond, South Side Park SW Ballston Rd, Sheridan, OR 97378 Details are here! Read up on the location, parking and what to bring. Think about chairs and a good sun hat. The forecast is for sun, and a high of 84. For continued updates check the Facebook page. If you want to help out -- they still may need volunteers. They need volunteers to help with parking, shuttling, security, and traffic. If you can help, please contact ron@imirj.org and arrive at 9:30am for an orientation. Sound System: They are still looking for a good sound system. It needs to be battery-operated. Or, if you have a small generator that can power a sound system, please let sarah@imirj.org know ASAP. Lunch: Is there a person or congregation willing to bring biodegradable sectioned plates, spoons, napkins, water cups for 300? Will you letsarah@imirj.org know? Van & Driver: We’re looking for a van and driver that can help shuttle people between the worship site and overflow parking. Might this be you? E-mail sarah@imirj.org. In Love and Faith, Rev. Katie Larsell PS During this moral crisis for our country, I have been sending out Actions of the Week a little more often than once a week. It seemed like the right thing to do. Calendar Sept 15 -- Oregon Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice Annual Social Justice Conference. Mark your Calendar |
Printable PDFs of
Action of the Week here. Archives
August 2019
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
