The Albany Banner Brigade held its 11th banner drop Jan 10, with the message above for I-5 northbound traffic from the Santiam Highway overpass.
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Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility director
to speak at NAACP's King program Jan. 15 at LBCC
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Dr. Vincent Intondi. Executive Director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and a research scholar at Cornell University's Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, will be the featured speaker during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program presented by the NAACP Linn Benton Branch from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in second-floor Cascade View Rooms A and B of the Calapooia Center at Linn-Benton Community College.
A nationally recognized expert on nuclear disarmament and environmental justice, Intondi is the author of African Americans Against the Bomb and Saving the World from Nuclear War. His presentation will explore how Dr. King's commitment to nonviolence, anti-nuclear activism, and environmental justice connects to today's social movements and the challenges facing marginalized communities. |
Merkley to hold Linn, Benton town halls Sunday, Jan. 18
Jeff Merkley
Oregon Democratic U.S. Sen Jeff Merkley will update constituents on his work in Washington, D.C. and answer questions during Linn and Benton town hall meetings Sunday, Jan. 18.
Merkley’s Linn County meeting, which will also feature Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-5th District, starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Russell Tripp Performance Center at Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany.
The Benton County town hall begins at 3 p.m. at Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St.
“My office is committed to diversity, inclusion, and fostering full participation for all,” Merkley said. “While there is no need to RSVP for the town hall, my team is ready to help should you need disability-related accommodations or have other access needs to participate in the town hall.”
Contact Merkley's State Operations Manager Allison Burke ( [email protected] or 326-3386) to make accommodations requests by noon Wednesday, Jan. 14.
For more about the town halls or any future events, visit Merkley’s website: merkley.senate.gov.
Merkley’s Linn County meeting, which will also feature Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-5th District, starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Russell Tripp Performance Center at Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany.
The Benton County town hall begins at 3 p.m. at Philomath High School, 2054 Applegate St.
“My office is committed to diversity, inclusion, and fostering full participation for all,” Merkley said. “While there is no need to RSVP for the town hall, my team is ready to help should you need disability-related accommodations or have other access needs to participate in the town hall.”
Contact Merkley's State Operations Manager Allison Burke ( [email protected] or 326-3386) to make accommodations requests by noon Wednesday, Jan. 14.
For more about the town halls or any future events, visit Merkley’s website: merkley.senate.gov.
Rally draws more than 120 protesters in Albany
More than 120 protesters lined both sides of Pacific Boulevard adjacent to WinCo in Albany for two hours Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10. The protest rally was organized by Mid-Willamette Valley For The People, in response to Wednesday's shooting death of 37-year-old activist Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
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Participants stand quietly during the vigil in front of the Linn Courthouse. They heard brief remarks by organizer Melissa Evans and later sang "Peace Like a River."
Vigil honors life of Renee Nicole Good
 Pastors Peter Epps of Albany Mennonite Church, center, and Jared Ruari of Albany First Christian Church read "A Prayer for the Kind of Peace That Doesn't Behave" by Mark Sandlin.
Twenty-five people turned out Thursday evening in front the Linn County Courthouse for a candlelight vigil honoring the life of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed Wednesday by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
“This woman was an activist, she was a poet, she was a devout Christian, she was a mother and a wife. And she did not deserve what happened to her,” said Melissa Evans, the vigil organizer and co-founder of Mid-Willamette Valley For The People. “We’re here to come together as a community to celebrate that life and protect each other. Today, as well, we’re hearing that border patrol federal agents have shot two people in Portland." Evans said her group is also organizing a protest rally from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, on Pacific Boulevard across from Winco. “People need to get out on the streets and let them know that these kind of things can’t happen anymore.” |
Video: Vigil organizer Melissa Evans
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Friday Honk & Wave protests continue
The weekly Honk & Wave protests are scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays on Ellsworth Street at Fourth Avenue in Albany
and along Main Street at Academy Square in Lebanon. The Honk & Waves are organized
by Albany Region Indivisible in Albany and East Linn Indivisible in Lebanon.
and along Main Street at Academy Square in Lebanon. The Honk & Waves are organized
by Albany Region Indivisible in Albany and East Linn Indivisible in Lebanon.
'Day without an Immigrant' observances planned
The "Day without an Immigrant) is being organized by PCUN to stand with Immigrant workers:
"Immigrant workers are the backbone some of Oregon's most important sectors. We came here following the American dream, and to build a better life for our families.
We work the jobs nobody else will do. Backbreaking. Low paid. Dangerous labor. We helped make this country one of the richest countries in the world. We're not criminals, we're families, workers, PEOPLE!
We have seen an overwhelming increase in ICE and Border Patrol in our communities, terrorizing our children, destabilizing our local business, harming our community. As farmworkers, one of our most powerful messages is that we're the workers that feed America. Without us America doesn't eat. It will be important that we start to own that power, and gain commitments from immigrants and allies alike to deny economic participation. No work. No shopping. No school. Join our cause!"
"Immigrant workers are the backbone some of Oregon's most important sectors. We came here following the American dream, and to build a better life for our families.
We work the jobs nobody else will do. Backbreaking. Low paid. Dangerous labor. We helped make this country one of the richest countries in the world. We're not criminals, we're families, workers, PEOPLE!
We have seen an overwhelming increase in ICE and Border Patrol in our communities, terrorizing our children, destabilizing our local business, harming our community. As farmworkers, one of our most powerful messages is that we're the workers that feed America. Without us America doesn't eat. It will be important that we start to own that power, and gain commitments from immigrants and allies alike to deny economic participation. No work. No shopping. No school. Join our cause!"
- Jan. 19 — MLK Day
- Feb. 16, 2026
- March 16, 2026
- April 1, 2026
- May 1, 2026 — International Workers Day
Linn Dems urge congressional delegation to strongly oppose
any new ICE detention facilities in Oregon
Ben Watts
Dec. 11, 2025
Dear Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Congresswoman Bynum and Congresswoman Hoyle,
On behalf of the Linn County Democrats, I am writing to urge you to strongly and immediately oppose the placement of any new ICE detention facility anywhere along the coast or anywhere else in Oregon.
As you know, there is a complete lack of transparency from the Department of Homeland Security on their facility planning for ICE agents and detainees. We appreciate the effort from our elected leaders in response to the news about a potential ICE facility at the Newport Airport. We support your continued efforts as we learn more about new potential sites they seek to use to lodge those seized under the guise of immigration enforcement.
It is disturbing that there is no transparency about the plan for a detention center and no opportunity for our local leaders, let alone the public, to be informed or have input. It only underscores that the location and operation of ICE detention camps in Oregon will further jeopardize the safety and well-being of our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
The prospect of an increased ICE presence in our communities is deeply disturbing. Here in Oregon and across the country, anonymous masked “agents” have already taken moms, dads, and even children from their homes, places of work, and off of sidewalks while on their way to school.
News about current facilities has included reports of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and lack of food, water, or medical care. People have been unable to communicate with family or have access to legal counsel. There seems to be virtually no accountability for what goes on in these camps or for the way people are treated. There is no indication that any new camps in Oregon would operate any differently. It is unthinkable that we would tolerate additional such facilities to further inflict these things on our community members, friends and neighbors.
The just administration of the use of force on behalf of the people requires that those who have that delegated authority are accountable to the people. Anonymity, deceit, and opposition to collaboration with local leadership and institutions directly oppose this principle, and the individual’s right to due process is being ignored. Such actions contradict our American values and are a grave threat to our way of life.
Thank you for the work you continue to do on behalf of Oregonians.
Sincerely,
Ben Watts
Chair, Linn County Democrats
Dear Senator Merkley, Senator Wyden, Congresswoman Bynum and Congresswoman Hoyle,
On behalf of the Linn County Democrats, I am writing to urge you to strongly and immediately oppose the placement of any new ICE detention facility anywhere along the coast or anywhere else in Oregon.
As you know, there is a complete lack of transparency from the Department of Homeland Security on their facility planning for ICE agents and detainees. We appreciate the effort from our elected leaders in response to the news about a potential ICE facility at the Newport Airport. We support your continued efforts as we learn more about new potential sites they seek to use to lodge those seized under the guise of immigration enforcement.
It is disturbing that there is no transparency about the plan for a detention center and no opportunity for our local leaders, let alone the public, to be informed or have input. It only underscores that the location and operation of ICE detention camps in Oregon will further jeopardize the safety and well-being of our families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
The prospect of an increased ICE presence in our communities is deeply disturbing. Here in Oregon and across the country, anonymous masked “agents” have already taken moms, dads, and even children from their homes, places of work, and off of sidewalks while on their way to school.
News about current facilities has included reports of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and lack of food, water, or medical care. People have been unable to communicate with family or have access to legal counsel. There seems to be virtually no accountability for what goes on in these camps or for the way people are treated. There is no indication that any new camps in Oregon would operate any differently. It is unthinkable that we would tolerate additional such facilities to further inflict these things on our community members, friends and neighbors.
The just administration of the use of force on behalf of the people requires that those who have that delegated authority are accountable to the people. Anonymity, deceit, and opposition to collaboration with local leadership and institutions directly oppose this principle, and the individual’s right to due process is being ignored. Such actions contradict our American values and are a grave threat to our way of life.
Thank you for the work you continue to do on behalf of Oregonians.
Sincerely,
Ben Watts
Chair, Linn County Democrats
About the Linn County Democratic Central Committee
The Linn County Democratic Central Committee (LCDCC) of Oregon welcomes all those, regardless of party affiliation, who support our ideals. We’re an all-volunteer organization that works hard to elect Democrats to represent the people of Linn County at local, state and national levels. Meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5.
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