Blog Archives

August 23rd, 2025

8/23/2025

In Albany, countering Putin's
red-carpet reception in Anchorage

We thank Bernadette Niederer for holding the Ukrainian flag during the Aug. 15 Honk and Wave protest in downtown Albany. Thirty people turned out.
During that same afternoon in Anchorage, Alaska., Vladimir Putin, the man who continues to wage his cruel and senseless war against Ukraine and who stands accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, was getting red-carpet treatment and the usual deference from our president, Donald Trump.
Bernadette had this to say: “To paraphrase Timothy Snyder, Ukrainians were attacked by Russia and have been subjected to murder, mass torture, and kidnapping. To survive as a people, as a nation, they cannot simply stop fighting because they are asked or told to do so by the very people who are subjecting them to murder, torture, and kidnapping.”
The embarrassing summit in Anchorage is just one more reason the weekly protests continue against the harmful policies and actions of the Trump administration.
Join us from 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays along Ellsworth Street at Fourth Avenue in Albany and along Main Street at Academy Square in Lebanon. The respective organizers are Albany Regional Indivisible and East Linn Indivisible.

Comments

August 03rd, 2025

8/3/2025

Comments

'Dare to Fight Fascism'

Nearly 80 people turned out for the "Dare to Fight Fascism" demonstration Aug. 2 at Academy Square in Lebanon. The demonstration was co-hosted by 50501 and East Linn Indivisible. In a quick poll, we asked 28 participants if they thought our federal government was moving toward fascism or already there. Half (14) said "moving toward" and half (14) said "already there." Asked how we can counteract fascism, one protester said, "If Congress and the Supreme Court did their job, we'd stop it on a dime." Others listed: "protests" "calling senators," "letters to the editor," "lawsuits," "grassroots efforts," "recognizing the dangers," "standing up and telling the truth," "partnering with other like-minded folks," "giving young people hope that things can be better" and "voting for everybody we can (support)."

Comments

August 01st, 2025

8/1/2025

Comments

Demonstration scheduled for Saturday in Lebanon

East Linn Indivisible is joining The 50501 Movement for a "Dare to Fight Fascism" demonstration from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Academy Square along Main Street in Lebanon. Linn County Democrats and other ally organizations and individuals are welcome to participate. East Linn Indivisible provided this additional information:
• Parking is limited for this event (no library or St. Edward's Church parking), so please carpool if you can. There will be parking at the Senior Center and on the street.
• Please bring a cold drink, hat, sunscreen and chair if you need one.
• Signs should be positive in nature — Indivisible and 50501 promote non-violence — so please make sure your signs are not profane in nature.
• The Outreach Committee would like to collect food donations and/or health products (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) to donate to local charities. So please bring something to donate if you are able to.

Comments

August 01st, 2025

8/1/2025

Comments

Neighborhood Leaders to discuss effective
communication strategies at Aug. 3 meeting

Our next Neighborhood Leader Program meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 on Zoom. To receive Zoom access, contact Nancy Greenman.
We will share strategies for effectively communicating our values to a wide range of audiences.
How to respond when the person next to us at a protest says, "I've given up on political parties. They can't save democracy. I'm not sure what can."? Or a coworker (on break!) says, "The Democrats have lost the working class."?
We'll start with a review of the values for the country we want that we shared at our last Zoom. Then we'll look at general guidelines for effective communication. We'll finish up with a couple of role plays, integrating all that into (sort of) real life conversations.
  Useful Resource:  Last week's One MIllion Rising webinar did a fantastic job of laying out both the abc's of the authoritarian grab we're currently seeing here, as well as specific non-violent strategies for organizing to stop it. (The following day, Erica Chenoweth reflected on what had been shared, and on how we can make the most of the 2026 elections on Indivisible's weekly What's the Plan — starting at minute 13.)
   Hope you'll join us on Aug. 3!
— Carrie, Susan, Linda, Steve, Carol, Mark, Brenda and Nancy
  Linn Benton Neighborhood Leader Team

Comments

August 01st, 2025

8/1/2025

Comments

Linn Democrats' Aug. 7 meeting will be on Zoom

Our next Linn County Democratic Central Committee monthly general meeting will be on Zoom, starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7. Social time at 6 p.m. (For Zoom access, click the button below.)
Highlights to be discussed:
• Thank you to all the delegates elected to represent Linn County at the DPO Platform Convention on Aug. 15-17 at Western Oregon University.
• There's a new DPO Executive Director — Candy Emmons.
• The third Q3 State Central Committee Meeting will be 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, at Western Oregon University.
• The Linn Dems Cookout and Pie Auction is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24. Stayed for the RSVP and pie auction donation form.

Comments

August 01st, 2025

8/1/2025

Comments

GAPS Board holds 1st meeting with new members
Kris McLaughlin and Stephanie Lunceford

New board member Kris McLaughlin is flanked by Dave Bolin, the district's Executive Director of Operations, and Ryan Mattingly, who was elected Board Chair.

Kris McLaughln and Stephanie Lunceford were sworn in as school board members during the Greater Albany Public Schools Board meeting July 28 at the school district office. Both were elected in the May 20 Special District Election in which they had the endorsement of the Linn County Democrats.
Board Vice Chair Ryan Mattingly, who swore in McLaughlin and Lunceford, was elected Board Chair. Brad Wilson, who won a second term on the board, was also sworn in and elected as board Vce Chair.
McLaughlin spoke up early in the meeting, saying improved communication with the public should be a board goal this year. She suggested that the district explore creating an online newsletter like the city of Albany's "Bridges" publication.
"I would just like to see more robust communication as a goal," she said.

New board member Stephanie Lunceford couldn't make it in person to the July 28 meeting, but participated remotely.

Comments

August 01st, 2025

8/1/2025

Comments

Albany Pride Festival

Hundreds of people stopped by our booth July 26 during the Albany Pride Festival. Thanks to everyone who staffed the booth. And Monteith Riverpark proved to be a great new home for the festival.