The DAT is proud to announce that letter writing is officially back! Join us in person on Tuesdays (in the UUFC library) and on Zoom (link HERE) on Thursdays – both at 5:30 pm. We’ll write to voters in Pennsylvania asking them to retain State Supreme Justices who oppose partisan gerrymandering and to Virginia to inform voters of issues that will help them understand the choices they face in the upcoming state election. We will also write to our legislators. We’ll have addresses and supplies on Tuesdays.
The Democracy Action Team will be watching the town hall with Rep. Hoyle at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, October 7 in the UUFC Library. The town hall will be followed by the regularly-scheduled Speaking of Democracy discussion at 6:30 PM, which will be about Digital Safety.
Join us on Saturday, October 18 at 12 PM at the Benton County Courthouse for the No Kings protest!
A little worried about recent developments? What we know is that the only way out of this slide to dictatorship is for everyone to get involved. THAT is what has stopped a tyrant. And only that. No one else is going to save us, as much as we watch and hope things will change. So WE must make the 18th the largest protest ever on the planet. So each ONE bring ONE (or ten) to the October 18th protest.
Members of the Democracy Action Team are collaborating with Benton County Indivisible and Standing Up for Racial Justice to place signs of solidarity supporting immigrants around Corvallis. If you would like to join this effort, contact Karen J. Or you can print out your own copies of the posters and take them to local businesses! You can find the digital poster files here: https://brandfolder.com/indivisibleproject/signs-of-solidarity.
The Secure Housing and Food for All team meets on September 21 in Room 7 @ 11:30 AM.
We’ll discuss what is happening for unhoused folks. Join us to share what you know, ask questions and determine how you/we can support the unhoused in Corvallis. We’ll also have information for supporting school needs for students.
Currently the Room at The Inn at First Methodist is housing 50 men and 50 women considered most vulnerable to living outside. Volunteers are needed at ‘The Inn’.
In November separate night housing could open at the Men’s shelter. You can sign up online and get training for the kinds of support needed.
A small group of highly motivated UUs, spawned from the Democracy Action Team, are organizing to create the Freeway Banner Brigade. We will make large banners to display on I-5 overpasses in the Albany area, following the guidance of a Washington group that has been doing this for years. We just ordered our banner-making supplies, and are looking for volunteers to join us. Participate at whatever level you’d like—organizing, banner making, or show up to help hold the sign at our bannering events. We needs lots of sign holders! With this project, a small group of people can make a big impact. For more information or to volunteer, contact Jeanne Holmes.
Consider attending the “Workers Over Billionaires” protest rally on 4th street, taking place from noon to 3 PM on September 1. Just before our Tuna Roast!
Traveling to and from the protest (and parking nearby) is an obstacle for many people. To alleviate that problem some kind people at the Fellowship are offering a shuttle service to the protest. Those who would like to use this service should show up at the UUFC parking lot to get rides to and from the front of the Corvallis Library. We will be available, as needed, to pick up at half-hour intervals, leaving UUFC at 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, and 2:00; and doing return trips from the Library at 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, and 3:00.
For any who are interested in using the shuttle service, please contact Jack Elder by email, phone, or text, and give him your name and the times you would like get rides in both directions.
We could also use a few more volunteer drivers. With more drivers, each individual will need to drive fewer trips, and can spend more time at the protest!
During the justice renewal earlier this year and the Democracy Action team meeting in June, many voices were raised in support of more opportunities for training. Created by the organizers of the “No Kings” protests, in which many of us were participants, the “One Million Rising” education campaign offers just such an opportunity.
We will gather to watch and discuss the lessons from this national campaign as well as to celebrate our solidarity with our innumerable brother and sisters in democracy around this nation and around the world. If you cannot attend any of these sessions, you can always sign up to watch any session online. We look forward to seeing you there.
The passage of the Big Beautiful Bill has had a profound—and deeply challenging—impact on local Corvallis shelters. With funding significantly reduced, these vital organizations are struggling to meet the basic needs of those they serve. The loss of resources has been devastating, but the need has not gone away. In this difficult moment, volunteers have become more essential than ever. If you’re able to give your time, even a little, your support can help keep dignity, warmth, and safety within reach for our neighbors in need.
For more information on how you can help, you can visit the following web pages or contact the Secure Housing and Food for All Justice Team, Roberta Smith (https://uufc.breezechms.com/people/view/27347382).
Handmade tie-dye t-shirts made by Elaine Kahn will be available to purchase in the parking lot on August 3rd and 10th to raise funds for the Democracy Action Team’s work of letter and postcard writing for the mid-term election.
