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February 22nd, 2021News, Updates & Events |
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Uncle Foods Diner
Meal Schedule |
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 Watch Betty LaDuke presented February 25th at 8:00PM on OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting), channel 8 on the Oregon Art Beat program.Ashland’s Betty LaDuke is one of Oregon’s most internationally recognized artists. She has been traveling the world for more than 60 years, sketching and painting, telling the stories of people linked to land and community. Her colorful, evocative paintings are rooted in “survival rhythms, rites of passage and the expression of joy and sorrow.” |
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| We have a take-action opportunity that we need your help with! The safest way to secure nuclear weapons is to dismantle and dispose of them altogether. In order to survive the legitimate threats that face our societies, it is crucial that our brightest scientific minds and limited resources no longer be wasted on maintaining nuclear weapons that will never keep us safe and imperil us today. Oregon PSR and our members have created a petition urging OSU to model dismantling nuclear weapons. Please sign Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility’s petition to encourage OSU’s respected scientists and researchers to work towards true nuclear safety and security by mapping out a path for the United States to join the world community and embrace nuclear disarmament, the safest and most realistic way to prevent further nuclear injustice and a catastrophic nuclear war. We have created a social media toolkit to help spread the word about this action opportunity. Please help us by posting about it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter – just click on the toolkit link to find our info-graphics and suggested accompanying text. Make sure to tag us! |
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Black History Month Features |
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News & UpdatesCOVID The Environment The Nation International Legislation Housing and Community EventsClimate- Southern Oregon Climate Action Now
- February Monthly Meeting – Climate Conscious Fire Recovery – Feb. 23
- Sustaining Climate Activists – Feb. 27
- Government: Federal and State Project – Mar. 8
- SOCAN Leadership Circle – Mar. 10
Social JusticeWar & PeaceCommunity TV & Films |
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Black History Month Features |
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Why We Have Black History Month | | 
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Jackson County COVID StatisticsCurrent as of 02/21/2021: View updated stats HERE Jackson County COVID-19 TESTING SITES |
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Dr. Fauci: Trump Let ‘Terrible Things’ Happen After Our COVID-19 Disagreements
Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to open up about his experiences working under the Trump administration, revealing the moment he began to lose influence with former President Donald Trump. In a wide-ranging interview with The Telegraph, the infectious disease specialist recalled a marked shift in his professional relationship with Trump in April or May of last year, once the president began to publicly side with anti-lockdown protesters and back states’ efforts to lift stay-at-home orders. “My influence with [Trump] diminished when he decided to essentially act like there was no outbreak and focus on re-election and opening the economy,” Fauci, who is now serving as chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, recalled Friday. “That’s when he said, “It’s going to go away, it’s magical, don’t worry about it.” Continue Reading … Return to top |
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Take action for human rights at the JOCO Jail |
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Statement from Grace Warner, a member of Josephine Social Justice Alliance: Dear friends, We have community members trapped inside a county facility with a deadly virus, with little to no control over their own exposure. As people who care about social justice and human rights, we have a moral imperative to speak out and demand that our public officials take swift action for the safety of people in the jail and for the community at large. Here’s one way we can take action today: Our friends at the Siskiyou Abolition Project have created this “phone zap”– a phone-in campaign to demand immediate action from the Josephine County Sheriff’s office. Sheriff Dave Daniel is an elected official, and his office manages operations at the Josephine County jail. To participate in the phone zap, call these four officials: Dave Daniel, Josephine County Sheriff: 541-474-5123
Nate Gaoiran, Director, Community Corrections: 541-474-5165 ext. 3713
Scott Hyde, Deputy Director: 541-474-5165 ext. 3708
Angela Brown, Administrative Services: 541-474-5165 ext. 3727 If you reach someone, or if you are able to leave a message, please share the following demands: 1. Compassionate release for all adults in custody who are elderly, immuno-compromised, pregnant, or within 6 months of their release date.
2. Immediately offer vaccines to all adults in custody at the Josephine County Jail, following the federal court’s mandate for the Oregon Department of Corrections to offer the vaccine to state prisoners.
3. Mandate and enforce the proper wearing of PPE (masks, etc) by Josephine County deputies, corrections officers, and county officials.
4. Immediately provide additional PPE and disinfectant supplies for all adults in custody. After you call, let folks know how it went by emailing siskiyouabolition@protonmail.com Love and solidarity, Grace |
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Should We Be Worried About The New COVID-19 Strain In South Africa?
Another new coronavirus strain has been identified in South Africa, just a few weeks after health officials discovered a more infectious strain shooting across the United Kingdom. The new variant, known as the B.1.351 lineage, has quickly become the dominant strain in South Africa, driving a rapid increase in infections up and down the coast. Some experts are concerned the variant could be even more dangerous than the strain found in the U.K. Both strains are thought to be more infectious than the previously dominant strain going around, but there’s also concern the B.1.351 variant could wind up being resistant to the vaccines. Continue Reading … |
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Four More States Propose Harsh New Penalties for Protesting Fossil Fuels
Industry-designed bills silence climate protests are under consideration in Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota and Montana. Dawn Goodwin spent her 50th birthday among towering pines and yellow birches whose tree rings make her lifespan seem like a child’s in comparison. But on that cool, overcast Saturday in December, the growling of construction trucks and chainsaws drowned out the natural soundscape of gushing freshwater and wind whispering between pine needles on the banks of the Mississippi River. Goodwin was at this river crossing near Palisade, Minnesota, to protest the construction of the energy company Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline, a $9.3 billion project to carry tar-sands oil ― one of the dirtiest varieties of crude oil ― from Joliette, North Dakota, to a terminal facility in Clearbrook, Minnesota. From there, it’s distributed to refineries. Goodwin winced as workers felled a mighty spruce while clearing a 50-foot berth for the pipeline, its sappy rings laid bare as its crown thudded to the ground. Continue Reading … Return to top |
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‘California and Texas are warnings’: blackouts show US deeply unprepared for the climate crisisThe Texas state capitol grounds in Austin covered in snow. Power issues in the state have endangered elderly, poor and disabled residents most. Photograph: Jay Janner/AP When California saw widespread power blackouts last year during wildfires and a summer “heat storm”, Republican lawmakers from Texas were quick to deride the coastal state’s energy policies. “California is now unable to perform even basic functions of civilization, like having reliable electricity,” tweeted Senator Ted Cruz during the record-breaking heatwave in August. Those Republicans, including Cruz, had to swallow their words this week as a massive winter storm took out the Lone Star state’s power grid, leaving nearly fpur million people without electricity and heat amid polar temperatures. The crises in California and Texas are different in scale and severity. One faced fire, the other an ice storm. But experts say the power outages in both states make one thing clear: neither is prepared for the chaos of the climate crisis. Continue Reading … Return to top |
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 Nuclear Power in Oregon Again? Dear Friends, Oregon PeaceWorks is the grandchild of the successful statewide 1980 ballot measure campaign that halted the development of nuclear power in Oregon. That ballot measure required that in order to site a nuclear plant in Oregon, an operating federal nuclear waste repository had to exist and the proposal had to be subject to a vote of the people of Oregon. Despite nuclear proponents’ claims during the campaign, the industry was not able to meet either of these criteria. Thus our ballot measure has protected Oregonians from the costs and dangers of nuclear power for 40 years. This year we are seeing three legislative attempts to overturn Oregon’s voter-approved nuclear power policy. HB 2692 and SB 360 are companion bills that grant exemptions from the provisions of our ballot measure for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). HB 2332 is an outright attempt to repeal our popularly elected provisions. We would like to think that Oregon legislators are smart enough and have sufficient integrity to turn their backs on these three bills, but one never knows. Therefore, we are urgently requesting that you help protect Oregon from another attempt by the nuclear power industry to build nuclear power plants in Oregon. Please visit http://oregonpeaceworks.org/nuclear-power/ where you will find a legislative alert explaining the bills. We are asking you to do two things:
 Print copies of the action alert flyer and distribute them to your friends and family, or send out the link via email. Contact your state senator and representative and urge them to reject these three bills. (Find their contact information here.) Small modular reactors have the same problems that large nuclear plants have: there is no place to put their deadly radioactive waste and they are not a cost effective way to generate power, even if the waste issue were solved. Further, they are in no way “green.” The production of nuclear “fuel” depends heavily on fossil fuels, without which there would be no nuclear power. Thank you very much for your assistance in keeping Oregon free of nuclear power plants. – Peter Bergel Return to top |
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Oregon is poised to be the next hot spot for mega-polluting mega-dairies. The expansion of these large-scale commercial dairy operations is wreaking havoc on Oregon’s family farms, rural communities and the environment. Smaller family farms are being displaced by industrial mega-dairies with thousands of cows in confined spaces. But we’re fighting to put a stop to this destructive practice by Big Ag. Food & Water Watch is a member of the Stand Up to Factory Farms coalition, which has been working to stop the spread of mega-dairies in Oregon. This 2021 legislative session, Senator Michael Dembrow (D-23) and Representative Rob Nosse (D-42) are introducing legislation to enact a moratorium on new and expanding mega-dairies in Oregon. The time for our legislators in Oregon to take bold action to stop mega-dairies is now! Urge your legislators to co-sponsor this critical legislation! Mega-dairies are harming our state and our communities in a multitude of ways. Mega-dairies: - Create colossal volumes of waste
- Cause water and air pollution
- Contribute to climate change
- Take large amounts of water from our rivers, streams, and aquifers
- Harm the welfare of animals
- Push family-scale farms out of business
Our legislators must take urgent action to protect Oregon from dangerous mega-dairies. Urge them to support a mega-dairy moratorium. |
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The Christian Prophets Who Say Trump Is Coming Again![MIAMI FL - JANUARY 03: Pastor Paula White-Cain and US President Donald J. Trump remark at the "Evangelicals for Trump" coalition launch Miami at The King Jesus International Ministry on January 3, 2020 in Miami, Florida Credit: MPI04 / MediaPunch /IPX](https://static.politico.com/dims4/default/4ec7b8c/2147483647/resize/1160x%3E/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.politico.com%2Fee%2F4d%2Fbe54667a4eeab4f309314621e0d1%2Fchristian-prophecylede.jpg "MIAMI FL - JANUARY 03: Pastor Paula White-Cain and US President Donald J. Trump remark at the "Evangelicals for Trump" coalition launch Miami at The King Jesus International Ministry on January 3, 2020 in Miami, Florida Credit: MPI04 / MediaPunch /IPX")
Perched on a cream-colored armchair, Johnny Enlow, a 61-year-old, California-based Pentecostal pastor with short-cropped gray hair, a trim beard and Tom Selleck-style mustache, looked into the camera and prophesied that Donald Trump would become president again. Not in 2024. In 2021. “The January 20 inauguration date doesn’t really mean anything,” Enlow said in the January 29 video, which has gotten north of 100,000 views on YouTube. According to Enlow, more than 100 other “credible” Christian prophets around the world had likewise declared that Trump, somehow, would be restored to power soon. Indeed, Enlow was not alone out on that limb. Greg Locke, a Nashville pastor with a massive social media following, said after Trump’s loss that he would “100 percent remain president of the United States for another term.” Kat Kerr, a pink-haired preacher from Jacksonville, Florida, declared repeatedly last month that Trump had won the election “by a landslide” and that God had told her he would serve for eight years. In his video, Enlow went further. “There’s not going to be just Trump coming back,” he said. “There’s going to be at least two more Trumps that will be in office in some way.” Donald Trump, he proclaimed elsewhere, was “the primary government leader on Planet Earth.” Continue Reading … Return to top |
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Talking Back is a six-part web series that reveals the growing movement for justice in the theatre field. Through candid conversations with founding artistic directors, newly appointed leaders, and activists who have operated at all levels of leadership in arts organizations across the US, Talking Back explores what it takes to transform not just an institution, but an entire industry. |
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The Threats Against María Eugenia ContinueDear Friends, On Friday, January 29th and Saturday, January 30th the human rights defender María Eugenia Mosquera was threatened by Whatsapp for the second time while she was in Buenaventura, Colombia with representatives from FOR Peace Presence, Fellowship of Reconciliation Austria, and Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective. She received Whatsapp messages to her personal cellphone. The threat fits into a larger context of threats against social leaders in Buenaventura. The same assailant (cell phone number +57 317-694-3450) threatened human rights defender Orlando Castillo on January 31st. Orlando is one of the leaders of the Puente Nayero Humanitarian Space in Buenaventura. Threats have also been made against leaders of the Buenaventura Civic Strike and particularly against the Committee for Access to Justice, Victims, Protection and Memory, of which María Eugenia Mosquera is a member, and there has been intimidation of members of the La Esperanza Community Council. There is a new surge of violence in Buenaventura, with six people killed by illegal armed structures in a single day, December 30, 2020. These groups are responsible for forced recruitment of youth and are trying to impose their control in the city through fear. They are also using extortion and other tactics to promote what they call a social “cleansing” in the city. El Espectador journalist Ariel Ávila found in his research that there are several factions of armed groups fighting for control over the city, and that local authorities have been largely absent in preventing the escalating violence. You can help us take action today for María Eugenia. These kinds of threats should not be tolerated. Follow the link below, set up by our friends at Witness for Peace Solidarity Collective, for more. |
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This pandemic has made it even clearer that every American — regardless of the color of their skin, their zip code, or their income — needs and deserves quality, affordable health care. That’s why I’m pleased that President Biden took swift action to open a special enrollment period for Americans to sign up for health care coverage through HealthCare.gov. That means you have from now until May 15, 2021 to sign up and get covered. To get started, you can visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov to view 2021 plans and prices and enroll in the best one for you. You can also call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, which provides assistance in over 150 languages. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. And don’t forget that you can get help with any step of the process here: https://localhelp.healthcare.gov. The past 12 months have been especially difficult on a lot of Oregonians’ finances, so even if you think you may not be able to afford coverage right now, I encourage you to take a look at the options available through the exchange during this special open enrollment period. You may even quality for free coverage through the Oregon Health Plan if your income has dropped significantly this past year, and there are also other forms of financial assistance that could help you access coverage. Health care is a basic human right, and it shouldn’t be reserved just for the powerful and privileged. I hope you’ll join me in spreading the word so we can get all of our communities signed up for care during this difficult time. All my best, Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator
State Senator Jeff Golden is now a co-sponsor of the Anti-Racism Curriculum Act (SB 683) Return to top |
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Joyce Puccini Chapman, Jackson County Board of Commissioners Work Session (01/26/2021)1. Discussion of a Request for a Letter of Support for the Southern Oregon Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee – Rick Dyer. Dyer began by saying that he’d sent an email explaining this to the BoC and asking if there were any questions. — Dotterer asked what the background of the request was. Who would be running this project and who was making the request? Dyer said that Tom Walker of Adroit Construction sent the email. He asserted that it is well known that there are not enough trained construction workers, especially in the trades, such as electricians and plumbers and more. He asserted that the program would bring in more people and that they are desperately needed. He acknowledged that the BoC has supported trade programs at local schools in the past. Dotterer said that it appears to be an organization based in Klamath Falls and covers Southern Oregon and that they have made a request to BOLI. He noted that CTE is a big deal in the state and has a special funding stream and he enthusiastically supports efforts at training people in the trades. — Jordan explained that he only saw this request this morning. Dyer made a direct request to have this item on the agenda. Staff has not had a chance to review or create a draft letter of support because it didn’t come to staff first for analysis. Usually if it happens this way, the group making the request provides a draft letter. Dyer said they only provided samples. Read More… |
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Pop-Up Diner Provides Safe Warming Space In MedfordIn Medford, like many other cities, there’s virtually no place for homeless people to legally go when the weather turns cold. In response, a Jackson County-based activist group has established a pop-up warming center for homeless people in the area.A Southern Oregon activist group has started a pop-up warming center called Judi’s Midnight Diner. It’s a small trailer and a heated three-walled tent with food, coffee and chairs. Derek DeForest is a volunteer with the center. He says that because the city hasn’t opened a warming center, the group felt the need to take direct action to help people who are suffering. Continue Reading…
Judi’s is all-volunteer run! We need people to help with night shifts as well as daytime support roles (like prepping food and drinks) so email us at sorisingtide@gmail.com if you’d like to help. Donations to Judi’s Diner help us purchases food and supplies for free distribution — you can donate through Venmo to Siskiyou Street News, @siskiyou_sn. Just note it as “for Judi’s.” Or check out our Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/JudisMidnight |
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| | A night out at Judi’s Midnight Diner |
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$4.2 million grant to convert Ashland hotel into shelterASHLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Community Foundation announced Thursday that Options for Helping Residents of Ashland has been selected to receive the first Project Turnkey grant of $4.2 million in state funds to purchase and transform an Ashland motel into the new OHRA Center – a resource center and facility to safely shelter community members negatively impacted by wildfires and COVID-19 pandemic. In November, the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board allocated $65 million in state funding to purchase financially distressed motels across the state to deliver safe shelter in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires. These properties may ultimately be converted into long-term housing. OCF is administering the funds and convening a statewide community advisory committee to select qualified applicants to ‘Project Turnkey.’ Continue Reading… Return to top |
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Can you donate 1-2 hrs. for Data Entry or Research (your computer) to increase equity in Rogue Valley? (Stand up and help make a better future for all!) Your help, doing 1-2 hrs. data entry – OR 1-2 hrs. of research online, can change the health, education, and future of the Rogue Valley for everyone, as we promote the importance of voting in every election; we’re targeting MAY 18. Contact me for details and see how you can make a difference in creating equity and representation for all, including Latinx, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and all underrepresented groups in Jackson Co. and statewide. We’re partnering with nonpartisan organizations, groups, local influencers and individuals to reach everyone, using proven strategies. ALSO Needed: - Posting a few graphics to social media sites (all is provided) in late April & May.
- Emailing (script you can modify) organizations to send to all their contacts to vote and ask friends, and to post on their social media as well.
- Calling to follow up on email.
- Designing a logo OR a few social media graphics – Canva or other software.
Jacqueline Rosen 831-596-4500 SOCO – So. Oregon Community Organizing Ashland, OR |
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SOCAN February Monthly Meeting 
Climate Conscious Fire Recovery: The Role of Local Cities and Oregon’s Energy TrustAs residents of Bear Creek Valley build back after September’s disastrous Almeda Fire, we recognize that this fire disaster is not likely to be a unique event. Although weather conditions that day may have been historically unusual, the accelerating climate chaos that global warming imposes upon us warns that fire will return to SW Oregon. SOCAN’s February monthly general meeting will feature Michael Hoch, Sustainability and Parks Coordinator, City of Talent and Karen Chase, Southern Oregon Outreach Manager with the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) discussing how cities and the ETO can help residents build back greener and more resilient in preparation for the inevitable next fire event. The program will be held from 6 – 7 pm on Tuesday, February 23 via ZOOM. It is free and open to the general public but attendees need to register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkduGhqT4uH9RaBKJVtQoKEZH2kuL_JZif. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to join the event. Michael will provide a brief introduction to the Almeda Fire and discuss how Talent has been dealing with it. A review of how city operations have changed to deal with recovery efforts will be accompanied by a discussion of some ongoing energy-focused projects. Karen will then introduce the Energy Trust of Oregon, identifying the operations that are its focus. In particular, Karen will discuss the ETO Communities program and how this can help fire victims rebuild while retaining an emphasis on energy and sustainability. Karen will explore how this can help single-family, multi-family and mobile home residents as well as commercial property owners. Return to top |
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Sustaining Climate ActivistsSaturday, February 27 from 11:00 to 12:00 am via Zoom
Link to SOCAN Calendar Event
A facilitated support group addressing the fatigue, distress and grief for those engaged in climate action. Facilitators: Liz Olson (Clinical Chaplain) and Ken Deveney (Trainer of Re-Evaluation Counseling). Contact Liz Olson if you are interested in attending and are not on the current email list |
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 Government: Federal & State Project
Monday, March 8 from 2:00 to 3:30 via Zoom
Link to SOCAN Calendar Event SOCAN’s Board of Directors requested that the Government: Federal and State Project make recommendations regarding which proposals that are currently before the 2021 Oregon Legislature SOCAN should consider supporting, opposing, or watching. This determines which bills we submit testimony for. The team has determined its priorities and will discuss ongoing tactics. For more information contact Alan Journet. Zoom meeting link |
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 SOCAN Leadership Circle
Wednesday, March 10 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Link to SOCAN Calendar Event
SOCAN Leaders will discuss upcoming Monthly Meetings as well as SOCAN projects. Individuals who are interested in the work of SOCAN are invited to join the project leaders at this meeting. Contact Kathy Conway for more information. Zoom meeting link |
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A Movement Moment:
Racial Justice in These Times
Monday, February 22 | 12:00PM PT | 60-minute Call with Konda Mason and Drew Dellinger Join two longtime activist leaders at the intersection of ecology and justice, social entrepreneur Konda Mason and poet and teacher Drew Dellinger, for a conversation exploring racial justice in these times. Konda and Drew joined a Social Justice Journey to the Amazon with Pachamama Alliance years ago, and have brought their expertise to social justice and educational programs at the organization. They will be joining Pachamama Alliance Managing Director Mario Trigueros and team member Josh Wolf to explore this powerful moment in the movement for racial justice. Come hear what it is like for them to see the awakening to systemic racism taking place around the world and at Pachamama Alliance, and what they see the movement wants from you. |
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Discussion about Ashland’s New Proposed Racial & Social Equity CommissionWhen: Monday, February 22 via Zoom from 5:00-6:30pm Where: Online! If you would like to join the meeting, email cjvoisin@yahoo.com. Your email will be put on the master list of folks who will receive the Zoom invitation on Monday morning February 22. Details: We have assembled a panel to discuss Ashland City Council’s proposal for a new city commission – Race and Social Equity Commission. We are planning a lively discussion about the goals and vision of the commission. Our input and questions will be heard by two of the panelists – Ashland Mayor Julie Akins and Ashland Councilor Gina DuQuenne, who are strong supporters of the commission. We have asked local persons of color to engage them and us in a discussion around the issues of race and social equity in the Rogue Valley and in Ashland. Homework: Read the description of the commission: CLICK HERE for the link to the commission description as presented to the Ashland City Council Return to top |
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 Deconstructing Whiteness – A Learning Space A grassroots community offering. White folks becoming white aware – A first step in dismantling racism. TITLE: February Invite: Black History IS US History: A Re-Weaving DATE: Thursday, February 25, 2021 (Generally every other fourth Thursday of the month.) TIME: 6:30-8:30 PM RSVP: Click on the link. RSVP Here LOCATION: Zoom link will be sent to those who RSVP INVITATION: For folks who want to learn, and un-learn, the patterns of whiteness, of privilege, dominance, and fragility, in the company of others on the path of anti-racism work. FORMAT FOR THE EVENING: Join us for videos, reflection, small and large group experiential exercises, sharing, and connecting. We will also offer more details about The DW Cohort Connection opportunities in 2021. PREPARATION: Take a look at the following resources to jump start your learning. Forgotten Black Heroes | The 5 – Benjamin Mays, Ida B Wells-Barnett, Robert Smalls, Granville T Woods, and Sojourner Truth 7:56 Black Women’s History of the United States – is a radio interview From NPR with both Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross about their book. 49:12 Black Women’s History of the United States – is an interview with Kali Nicole Gross that aired on Rising Up With Sonali. 23:31 Why We Have Black History Month, and not White History Month 7:51 QUESTIONS?: Contact Toni Lovaglia: dwlearningspace@gmail.com NOTE: Do forward to friends and colleagues with whom you’d like to share this work. We ask that you not share this event on social media. We look forward to having you join us. Return to top |
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 K.A.W.S., Keeping Ashland And All Women Safe, brings you “Speak True, Stand Firm” small group series for Women. Four meetings once per month beginning February 26th to explore racism and our feelings, beliefs, experiences, and shifts over time with Dr. Sabre Patton-Fee and Alaya Ketani CHT CFT CPC. Registration and details: keepingashlandwomensafe.com/speak-true-stand-firm-small-group/ |
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 ENDING NUCLEAR WEAPONS BEFORE THEY END US Virtual Policy Briefing and Interactive Workshops Opportunities under the Biden administration to take action In January 2017, then-Vice-President Biden said: “As a nation, I believe we must keep pursuing the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons—because that is the only surety we have against the nightmare scenario becoming reality.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Over the last month, there has been a marked shift in the direction of nuclear weapons policy, with the inauguration of President Biden, the Entry into Force of the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and New START extension all having major implications for the survival of our species. While these changes will reduce the likelihood of nuclear war in the short term, it’s unlikely the new Biden administration will pursue global nuclear abolition as a top priority, despite knowing the existential threat these weapons pose to humanity. This is a critical moment for activists around the country to engage at the local level to build pressure on the new administration to make the elimination of nuclear weapons and reduction of nuclear risk an urgent priority. To that end, we’re excited to invite you to an upcoming event; Ending Nuclear Weapons Before They End Us: Opportunities Under the Biden Administration to Take Action, which will be March 4th at 11am EST / 8am PST. The conference is jointly sponsored by our partner organizations, Back from the Brink and our Nobel Peace Prize-winning colleagues at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. It will feature an expert panel and Q&A followed by interactive workshop sessions to provide activists with the tools and information required to make change under this administration. The workshops will cover a variety of topics, from Nuclear Weapons & Racism to Divesting from Nuclear Weapons. Click here to view the full program and register. Return to top |
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Keep the power on in Oregon! |
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Dear Peace, To protect families from losing power during the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) — the body that regulates investor-owned utilities — made an important decision in 2020 to keep every Oregonian’s power on, even if they could not afford their utility bill. Now the PUC wants to end this critical protection on April 1. Will you send an email now to tell the PUC to keep the power on for Oregonians struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic? COVID-19 is still impacting people across Oregon, especially seniors, low-income, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. The majority of Oregonians live in areas that are at extreme and high risk of COVID-19 transmission and over 2,000 Oregonians have died from the virus. The State of Oregon should be doing everything it can to help people stay at home, which means extending this power shut-off moratorium. Shutting off power can harm families and workers already deeply impacted by loss of income and even loss of loved ones during the pandemic. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that utility shut-offs increase the likelihood of COVID-19 infections and impact already vulnerable communities. Children can’t attend online school if their power is shut-off. Power shut-offs can even result in death for people who need electricity to run critical home medical equipment. On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the PUC is voting on whether or not to extend the utility shut-off moratorium beyond April 1, 2021. It’s up to all of us to speak out and demand that this critical protection is extended. You can also listen to the PUC’s meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 1:30pm at bit.ly/pucmeets. If you would like to speak at the meeting about extending the power shut-off moratorium, call 503-378-6611 or email puc.commission@state.or.us by Sunday, Feb. 21 to sign up. We have the chance to extend this life-saving protection and keep the power on for people across Oregon struggling to pay their bills during the pandemic and economic recession. Thank you for taking action. In Solidarity, Alessandra P.S. On Wednesday, Feb. 17 the Oregon Legislature is hosting a public meeting to hear from those impacted by this summer’s wildfires in Southern Oregon. Learn more and sign up to testify here: bit.ly/firehearing17 |
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Hi friends,
We’re so excited to share this news with you — will you help spread the word? You’re invited to our new Webinar Wednesday workshop series, GROW: GrassRoots Organizing Workshops! Starting next week, join PJALS Youth Organizers Sarah Hegde and Ivy Pete for intergenerational, interactive workshops on key skills YOU can use! Learn power-mapping, recruitment, campaign planning, self-care, and more! The workshops will be the fourth Wednesday of every month, February through July. All ages and experience levels welcome. The workshops will be recorded and will be available to those who register. Those who participate live in four or more workshops will receive a certificate! Anyone is welcome to choose the No Cost Registration option to participate! You can find all workshop titles and descriptions below, along with their sign-up links! You can always find these and all of our Webinar Wednesday events here: http://pjals.org/webinar-wednesdays/ Approaches to Change and Power-Mapping Workshop – Wednesday, February 24, 7:00-8:30 pm This is the first workshop in the GROW series! Youth organizers Ivy and Sarah will present on different ways to make change on local and national levels. They will also cover how to make change by working the way up institutions or individuals who have power. Return to top |
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Better Broadband, Basically Tuesday, February 23rd, 6:30-8 pm PST Broadband internet has never  been more essential than during the pandemic, and many communities are still struggling to get connected because of prohibitively high prices, the lack of physical infrastructure, or both. What can we do to push local and state governments toward truly accessible broadband internet? What grassroots efforts are already gaining traction in rural Oregon? Register here to join the conversation by phone or computer. Return to top |
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Ashland Artist Betty LaDukeWatch Betty LaDuke presented February 25th at 8:00PM on OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting), channel 8 on the Oregon Art Beat program. Ashland’s Betty LaDuke is one of Oregon’s most internationally recognized artists. She has been traveling the world for more than 60 years, sketching and painting, telling the stories of people linked to land and community. Her colorful, evocative paintings are rooted in “survival rhythms, rites of passage and the expression of joy and sorrow.” |
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Ashland Independent Film Festival |
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February 19-28 Ticket Price: $12.00/$10.00 AIFF Members Trailer: In 1999, filmmaker Davy Rothbart met Emmanuel Sanford-Durant and his older brother, Smurf, during a pickup basketball game in Southeast Washington, D.C. Davy began filming their lives, and soon the two brothers and other family members began to use the camera themselves. Spanning 20 years, this story illuminates a national, ongoing crisis through one family’s raw, stirring, and deeply personal saga. Made from more than 1,000 hours of footage, it all starts on the street where they lived in 1999, 17 blocks behind the U.S. Capitol. “An essential viewing doc about race & class in America… A documentary with Cinema Verite sensibilities and no qualms whatsoever about the honest presentation of its subjects, 17 Blocks is both heartbreaking and inspiring.” – Warren Cantrell, The Playlist |
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