 Ana Godinez spoke passionately about her concerns for the country during the town hall meeting Jan. 18 at LBCC. "It wasn't like this when I was growing up," she said. ‘Am I the only one that cries |
 2nd CHANCE Shelter in Albany was honored with an American flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington. From left are Rep. Janelle Bynum, CHANCE Executive Director Emma Deane, Shelter Director Jon Phelps and Sen. Jeff Merkley. Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Janelle Bynum fielded questions about canceled federal grants, ICE, student loan repayment, housing affordability and the confusion and uncertainties of bad Trump Administration policies during their hourlong town hall Jan. 18 at Linn-Benton Community College. But it was Ana Lila Godinez of Sweet Home whose passionate story riveted the crowd at the Russell Tripp Performance Center. “Am I the only one that cries to see our country the way it is?” Godinez said through tears. “My parents came here legally from Mexico in the ‘60s. I’m a first generation Mexican (American). I’m so proud. I consider myself a patriot.” But she said it hurts to see how Donald Trump, “this man full of hate and racism” is getting everybody to fight against each other — "divide and conquer.” “If the United States fights each other, then we won’t be paying attention to all the stupidity and insanity that’s he’s causing in our world,” she said; “First, Venezuela, then Greenland. He’s getting away with it. … It wasn’t like this when I was growing up.” Godinez then talked about personal challenges she has faced. When her middle son was in Army boot camp a decade ago, his wife gave gave birth in Texas to a severely disabled baby girl who was given six weeks to live. The mother couldn’t take care of the baby, so Godinez brought the child to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland and later adopted her. The girl, who will turn 10 in March, requires constant care. Godinez, who does full-time caregiving for the child and has assistance from other caregivers, worries about her health care benefits.” I got a letter that they’re going to cut hours,” she said. Her youngest son, who had been one of the caregivers for seven years, committed suicide in 2024 at age 25. “He was gay, he felt he didn’t fit in, he felt our country was not a safe place for him. He’s gone, and he was the one who helped me with the baby this whole time,” she said. And her son who served in the Army has PTSD. “What’s going to happen with our health insurance? What’s going to happen to our world.” she said. “The world proceeds, but I feel the war’s coming here now. … This is not the America we were born in. This is not the America my parents came to.” America is not a melting pot but a “salad,” she said. “And everything works together. We have our own individuality, our own importance in that salad. … It’s everybody coming together, working together and loving each other as God commands. Love your neighbor as yourself, not just because they’re white, black, gay, straight, bi or trans. He (Jesus) said love each other.” |  Rep. Janelle Bynum and Albany Mayor Alex Johnson listen as Sen. Jeff Merkley makes a point. Bynum thanked Godinez for "sharing her story and her truth. … I feel a kinship to your story. We’re actually pretty close in age (Godinez is 56, Bynum turns 51 Jan. 31). This country denied my family rights for years. My mother went to a segregated high school. Valedictorian but no a place to go. And how you let that much talent go away is the same playbook that the president is playing today with DEI because the assumption is that you’re automatically less than and that you don’t deserve a fair shot even if you’re smart, bright and talented.” Bynum talked about the long flights from Washington, D.C. to Portland. "Sen. Merkley is really tall and he sits in coach with the rest of us," she said. "He’s a true champion of the people. He talks to everybody. He’s a great mentor. We get on that plane out of love and our defense for this country and the promises that it is supposed to keep for each each of us. Our country has not been perfect, but we strive to have a more perfect union. That’s the goal.” Looking toward Godinez, Merkley said: ‘Twenty million people are paying twice what they (previously) paid on the health care exchange. It really comes down to individual stories. You have presented such a powerful individual story about the carnage that occurs on the end of bad policies. … A good policy can help millions of people. A bad policy can hurt millions of people. What an honor for us to be able to fight for good policies. Right now we have so many bad policies hurting so many people. “Thank you for baring your heart and soul with us. It resonated throughout this room because we all have so many individual stories about what’s going wrong.” *** Albany Mayor Alex Johnson emceed the town hall, and LBCC President Lisa Avery gave welcoming remarks. Merkley spotlighted the work of 2nd CHANCE Shelter in Albany and presented Shelter Director Jon Phelps and CHANCE Executive Director Emma Deane with a flag that had been flown over the Capitol in Washington. It was Merkley’s 626th town hall since first taking office in January 2009. For videos from the town hall’s 47-minute question-and-answer period, click the links below. |
The Albany Free America Walkout was promoted at the Jan. 16 Honk & Wave protest at Fourth and Ellsworth, which is the same location for the Jan. 20 walkout,
Free America Walkout protests planned
Tuesday, Jan. 20, in Albany, Corvallis
The "Free America Walkout." a nationwide protest, is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Fourth Avenue and Ellsworth Street in Albany. Albany Region Indivisible is organizingthe local event. You can sign up to attend here.
"People can join us for all, or just part of that time," said Bernadette Niederer of Albany Region Indivisible. But you can also stop everything, wherever you are, for 5, 10, 15 minutes, whatever and however works for you."
Also, Third Act Corvallis is hosting a Free America Walkout protest from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Benton County Courthouse, 120 N.W. Fourth St., Corvallis You can sign up to attend here.
The Women's March, primary national coordinator of Free America Walkout, posted this statement on its website:
"One year into Trump’s second regime, we face an escalating fascist threat: ICE raids on our communities, troops occupying our cities, families torn apart, attacks on our trans siblings, mass surveillance, and terror used to keep us silent. It is time for our communities to escalate as well. On January 20 at 2 PM local time, we will walk out of work, school, and commerce. We will withhold our labor, our participation, and our consent. A free America begins the moment we refuse to cooperate. This is not a request. This is a rupture. This is a protest and a promise. In the face of fascism, we will be ungovernable.
For more Free America Walkout events, click here.
"People can join us for all, or just part of that time," said Bernadette Niederer of Albany Region Indivisible. But you can also stop everything, wherever you are, for 5, 10, 15 minutes, whatever and however works for you."
Also, Third Act Corvallis is hosting a Free America Walkout protest from 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Benton County Courthouse, 120 N.W. Fourth St., Corvallis You can sign up to attend here.
The Women's March, primary national coordinator of Free America Walkout, posted this statement on its website:
"One year into Trump’s second regime, we face an escalating fascist threat: ICE raids on our communities, troops occupying our cities, families torn apart, attacks on our trans siblings, mass surveillance, and terror used to keep us silent. It is time for our communities to escalate as well. On January 20 at 2 PM local time, we will walk out of work, school, and commerce. We will withhold our labor, our participation, and our consent. A free America begins the moment we refuse to cooperate. This is not a request. This is a rupture. This is a protest and a promise. In the face of fascism, we will be ungovernable.
For more Free America Walkout events, click here.
Merkley to hold Linn, Benton town halls Jan. 18
Sen. 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 town hall, with 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 town hall, with 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.
Jackson Street dedicates
new Youth Service Center and Drop-in
Jackson Street Youth Services has entered a new era for its street-based outreach with the opening of its relocated Youth Outreach Center and Drop-in.
The renovated 3,700-square-foot building, at 1025 Pacific Blvd. S.E in Albany, is more than four times larger than Jackson Street’s previous outreach center at the southeast corner of Queen Avenue and Elm Street.
“Today, our outreach team of 12 finally has the space they need to do this work sustainably,” Jackson Street Executive Director Kendra Phillips told the crowd gathered Jan. 14 for the Youth Service Center and Drop-in open house. “And more importantly, young people now have access to a teaching kitchen, showers, laundry and a space specifically with dignity, safety and connection in mind.
The building was purchased in 2023 for $1 million, with the recently completed renovation costing $1.7 million. It has all been paid for with grants, donations and two major anonymous contributions, Phillips said.
“None of this would be possible without our staff, our board, our partners, our funders and the young people who have trusted us with their stories over the years,” Phllips said. “Thank you for believing in this vision and helping make it real.”
Partners on the project included contractor Chris Salveit and architects Chris Morris and Kaley Fought of Forward Architecture in Salem.
For drop-in and program hours, contact Youth Service Center and Drop-in staff at 541-220-2955 or [email protected].
The renovated 3,700-square-foot building, at 1025 Pacific Blvd. S.E in Albany, is more than four times larger than Jackson Street’s previous outreach center at the southeast corner of Queen Avenue and Elm Street.
“Today, our outreach team of 12 finally has the space they need to do this work sustainably,” Jackson Street Executive Director Kendra Phillips told the crowd gathered Jan. 14 for the Youth Service Center and Drop-in open house. “And more importantly, young people now have access to a teaching kitchen, showers, laundry and a space specifically with dignity, safety and connection in mind.
The building was purchased in 2023 for $1 million, with the recently completed renovation costing $1.7 million. It has all been paid for with grants, donations and two major anonymous contributions, Phillips said.
“None of this would be possible without our staff, our board, our partners, our funders and the young people who have trusted us with their stories over the years,” Phllips said. “Thank you for believing in this vision and helping make it real.”
Partners on the project included contractor Chris Salveit and architects Chris Morris and Kaley Fought of Forward Architecture in Salem.
For drop-in and program hours, contact Youth Service Center and Drop-in staff at 541-220-2955 or [email protected].
Albany Banner Drop 11
The Albany Banner Brigade held its 11th banner drop Jan 10 from the Santiam Highway overpass at I-5.
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 Jan. 8 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 |  Video: Vigil organizer Melissa Evans across from Winco. “People need to get out on the streets and let them know that these kind of things can’t happen anymore.” |
Dr. Vincent Intondi spoke Thursday at Linn-Benton Community College. “King once said, ‘The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice,'" Intondi noted. "Today, I ask you to reach up, grab hold of it, and let’s bend it together.”
Speaker focuses on overlooked
legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered for his famous “I Have a Dream” speech of 1963. In a program Thursday at Linn-Benton Community College honoring the legacy of the slain civil rights leader, Dr. Vincent Intondi talked about something often ignored about King’s work. “He always saw the intersection of peace and civil rights as part of the links to the same chain,” Intondi said. “Many people think that his jump into foreign policy was really with the Vietnam war, but actually he was speaking out against nuclear weapons as early as 1957. He always saw this as something near and dear to his heart and that we must fight for nuclear disarmament. He’d always say, ‘What does it matter if we integrate lunch counters, if we don’t care about the world we’re trying to integrate.’” Intondi is Executive Director of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and a research scholar at Cornell University’s Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies. He had a transformational experience in 2005 when he visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki and met with survivors of the atomic bombings of August 1945. He is now a nationally recognized expert on nuclear disarmament and environmental justice and the author of “African Americans Against the Bomb” and “Saving the World from Nuclear War.” Intondi, who holds a Ph.D in history, said many kids are growing up learning only what’s “safe” about history.\ Video: Dr. Vincent Intondi | “We take King and put him in a nice categorical box in our textbooks with ‘I Have a Dream.’ We don’t want to look at that last year of his life when he was too radical. We don’t want to look at what he said about economics, or environmental justice or nuclear weapons." The New START Treaty will expire Feb. 5,” Intondi noted. “Trump said yesterday, ‘If it expires, it expires.’ It’s the last nuclear treaty that we have. He’s gotten rid of every other one. It says that the U.S. and Russian will not deploy more than 1,500 nuclear weapons. If that (treaty) ceases to exist, there will be an all-out nuclear arms race with the United States, China, Russia and more.” The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the U.S. will spend nearly $1 trillion on nuclear weapons and delivery systems over the next decade. Meanwhile, in Baltimore, they’re asking for parents to bring space heaters because they don’t have heat in the schools, Intondi said. And in Oregon, there’s a push for data centers for AI, which proponents want to power with small nuclear reactors. “You want to live next to one with the cancer rate?” Intondi said there was successful pushback back on 13 nuclear power bills during the last legislative session in Salem, but he expects more bills to come. “They are hellbent on getting nuclear power in the state,” he said. Circling back to Martin Luther King Jr., Intondi said, “If we truly want to live up to Dr. King’s legacy, then now is when you need to commit to live in a world in which human rights are protected, nuclear weapons are abolished, wars are ended, autocracies are defeated, and equality and justice are not just words. “King once said, ‘The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice.’ Today, I ask you to reach up, grab hold of it, and let’s bend it together.” *** Thursday’s program was presented by the LBCC Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Linn-Benton Branch NAACP. Jason Dorsette, Executive Director of the LBCC Office of IEDI and past president of the NAACP branch, emceed the program, and LBCC President Lisa Avery gave the welcoming remarks. Among those in the audience was John Phillips IV, new president of the Linn-Benton NAACP Branch. |
Albany Banner Brigade
protests U.S. actions in Venezuela
The Albany Banner Brigade held an "emergency banner drop" Jan. 5 as questions mounted following the military strike two days earlier that deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. "We don't like Maduro, but we can't condone invading another country," Banner Brigade organizer Dave Pinyerd said. "What's next?" The banner facing northbound I-5 traffic from the Santiam Highway overpass read, "NO BLOOD FOR OIL." and southbound, "HANDS OFF VENEZUELA." Eighteen people took part in the 90-minute banner drop, the 10th since Aug. 30.
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In Albany, more than 40
protest attack on Venezuela
| Susan Leonard was hoping for a day off to put away her Christmas decorations. “But with this guy in the White House, there’s never a day off,” said the Linn County Democrat, who was among more than 40 people who turned out Saturday, Jan. 3, for an “emergency” Honk & Wave protest in downtown Albany in response to the U.S. military strike on Venezuela to oust the country's authoritarian ruler, Nicolas Mudaro. “Now we’re not just defending what happens in our country.” Leonard said. “Now we have to defend international law — which he (Donald Trump) has broken — which we know has stood since World War II. So there’s no excuse. We all need to be in the streets; this (resistance) has to win. Impeach. Convict. Remove.” The two-hour afternoon protest at Fourth Avenue and Ellsworth Street was organized by Albany Region Indivisible. |  |
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