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February 20th, 2023

2/20/2023

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Reflections on Black History Month

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February is Black History Month and this year's theme, as selected by Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is "Black Resistance."
LaGarrett King, an associate professor of social studies education at the University at Buffalo, commented about the theme to NPR. "With resistance there is an implied understanding of oppression, and it seems to be a segment of the population who do not want to admit those historical facts. Yet, resistance helps us understand the power that Black people have in terms of their historical realities, which counters the concept of victimhood that many say drives Black History education."
The ASALH notes:
"African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction.[...]
As societal and political forces escalate to limit access to and exercise of the ballot, eliminate the teaching of Black history, and work to push us back into the 1890s, we can only rely on our capacity to resist. The enactment of HR 40, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Breathe Act, and the closure of the racial wealth gap is not the end. They too will require us to mobilize our resources, human and material, and fight for 'freedom, justice, and equality'; 'self-determination', and/or 'social transformation'.”
In communities and states across the country, including here in Oregon, the political right isn't just trying to erase Black History, they are. For example, in Florida, an Advanced Placement African American Studies course has been banned, in Alabama, the State Board of Education has limited how educators talk about race, in Oregon, School Boards have banned symbols relating to Black Lives Matter and have fired educators and school administrators who support equity work [Albany] [Newberg], and books touching on the topics of race and racial justice continue to top the list of most-banned books according to the American Library Association.
​
We all have work to do in understanding how racism permeates our institutions, and to change or dismantle 

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Jonathan Harris with his painting titled ‘Critical race theory’ Source: Twitter, User Ottilia Anna MaSibanda @MaS1banda
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Photo Credit: Jeffrey Greenberg/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
systems that perpetuate it. Part of that work includes holding our elected officials accountable, and by electing and supporting leaders, especially those running for School Boards, who understand that diversity is a strength. We are stronger as a community when we can acknowledge, honor, learn from and respect the contributions and lived experiences of one another, inclusive of race.
​— Jerred Taylor, Linn County Democrats Chair
Black History Month events

Linn-Benton NAACP

The mission of the Linn Benton NAACP Branch in Oregon is the same as the national organization. The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. ​
Join the Linn Benton NAACP

Democratic Party
​of Oregon Black Caucus

The Democratic Party of Oregon Black Caucus represents the political interests and views of Black Democrats in Oregon. The Black Caucus invites people to honor the journey of Portland's Beatrice Morrow Cannady, by watching a 2007 Oregon Public Broadcast documentary and reading an essay about her by Kimberly Mangun.
Join the DPO Black Caucus
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February 20th, 2023

2/20/2023

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Sen. Jeff Merkley presents Build Lebanon Trails representatives Art Cisneros and Christine Davies with an American flag that flew over the Capitol. At the start of his town hall at LBCC, Merkley spotlighted the work of the Lebanon organization, which has been expanding the area's network of trails since 2005.

Merkley continues his town hall tradition

ALBANY — Sen. Jeff Merkley, started his 19th Town Hall of 2023 and 525th overall on Saturday afternoon at Linn-Benton Community College by noting that few senators hold town halls anymore.
“We have such a tribal divide,” said Merkley, who has served in the Senate since 2009. Yet he and his fellow Oregon colleague, Sen. Ron Wyden, who spoke in the same LBCC Forum auditorium last month, both believe the town halls provide important opportunities to hear Oregonians' concerns and viewpoints. And like Wyden, he asks audiences to adhere to one basic thing: Be respectful of others’ views.
The 60 people who turned out Saturday modeled that respect, as Merkley fielded more than a dozen questions on a wide range of topics.
The senator said he supports ending the U.S. embargo against Cuba, deplores tobacco companies marketing of flavored vapes to teens and wants a windfall profit tax on oil companies for their record $200 billion in profits in 2022. Merkley calculated that those profits amounted to $2 per gallon.
“They’re gouging Americans,” he said.
As for a Universal Health Care bill being considered in Salem, Merkley said that if the state comes up with a plan, he’d work to provide necessary support for it at the federal level.
He also said he’s calling for intense scrutiny of questionable practices within Medicare Advantage and that “no one should be shunted into Medicare Advantage.”
Before he concluded his remarks, Merkley noticed Scio-area resident Christina Eastman standing with a sign protesting the industrial chicken factory proposed for the rural area close to her home. 
“A good activist seizes the moment,” he said. “Well done.”
Albany Mayor Alex Johnson, who introduced Merkley, had the final words during the hourlong town hall. He mentioned the controversy over the planned removal of 84 trees in and near Monteith Riverpark to make way for the waterfront renovation project. Also planned is the planting of 3,000 new plants and trees, and he noted that a hotel is interested in locating downtown.
“Be patient.” he said.
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Albany Mayor Alex Johnson introduced Merkley. Johnson said Merkley was one of the first people to send him a letter of congratulations when he was first elected mayor in 2020. After the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, Johnson called Merkley to see how he was doing.
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This was Merkley's 19th town hall so far in 2023.
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February 20th, 2023

2/20/2023

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Drinking Liberally now offers three options in mid-valley

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​Drinking Liberally now has three monthly meetings in Linn and Benton Counties. If you miss one, there are nearby options to catch up on all the politics and socializing you enjoy so much. (And drinking is not required.) Here's the schedule:
• Corvallis: First Tuesday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd St.
• Lebanon: Second Thursday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dos Arbolitos, 50 W. Oak St.
• Albany Third Wednesday of the month, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Taqueria Alonzo, 240 Broadalbin St. (in Two Rivers Market), 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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February 20th, 2023

2/20/2023

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Neighborhood Leaders to look 
​at how to engage in legislative session

Please join with our Neighborhood Leader Program at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, as we focus on how to engage in the Oregon Legislative session that's going on right now.  
Special guest Representative David Gomberg will share his experience. We'll walk through how to navigate the Oregon State Legislature website, to find out about and advocate on the issues that matter to you.  Role-plays on contacting your elected representatives will be included. To receive Zoom access for the meeting and for more information about NLP, please contact NLP Leadership Team member Nancy Greenman.

Next Up:  Save the Dates:
  • New Linn County Neighborhood Leaders Orientation — You should have received a separate email with information and links to the program orientation by Zoom at 5;30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, and Sunday, Feb 26.  If you didn't get the email, please "reply" to let Nancy know.
  • Sunday, March 5, 5 p.m. -- As promised, we'll take an in-depth look at the so-called "parent power" movement in public education, as well as why removing books from access is not a good idea. Vince Adams, Corvallis School Board (and Oregon State Bar Association), and School Librarian Dana Zachary will share their expertise with us.
Thanks again to you all for doing the most important work to ensure our democracy!
Linda, Steve, Susan, Mark, Brenda, Carol and Nancy
Linn Benton Democrats Organization Team
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February 15th, 2023

2/15/2023

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State of the Union

'My economic plan is about investing in places and people that have been forgotten. Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind or treated like they’re invisible.'
— President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address

• Six takeaways from Biden's State of the Union address  (Feb. 8, CNN)
• Republicans repeatedly heckle Biden during speech (Feb. 8, CNN)
• How Biden successfully baited Congressional Republicans  (Feb. 7, The Atlantic)
• Full transcript of Biden's State of the Union address (Feb. 7, Axios)

​
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February 15th, 2023

2/15/2023

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Petition urges legislators to support moratorium
​on industrial-scale animal feeding operations

People opposing plans by plans Foster Farms to locate millions of broiler chickens in the Scio, Stayton, Jefferson and Aumsville areas are circulating an online petition urging legislators to support House Bill 2667, which would place a moratorium on industrial-scale animal feeding operations. Another related bill, Senate Bill 399. would close the loophole for unlimited groundwater for livestock watering. Hearings on both bills have yet to be scheduled. Below is a link to the petition urging support for HB 2667:
Petition
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February 07th, 2023

2/7/2023

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Black History Month events

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Events above are at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.
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Events above are at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, 100 S.W. Memorial Place on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis, unless otherwise listed.
Black History Month events at LBCC
More Black History Month events at OSU
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February 05th, 2023

2/5/2023

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Neighborhood Leader Program
to hold Feb. 5 meeting on Zoom

Please join us at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, when our next Neighborhood Leader Program on Zoom will begin with a quick look at how to find out — and participate in — what's happening in the Salem legislative session. Then we'll dive into our two policy areas, housing and climate/environment. 
  • Stacey Bartholomew, President of Creating Housing Coalition and Albany Planning Commissioner, will help us make sense of the legislative and regulatory frameworks impacting our local and statewide housing crisis, as well as the work underway to address housing needs.
  • Susan Heath, 1st Vice Chair of Linn County Dems, and member of the DPO Environmental Caucus, will talk about the Climate Solutions Bill, (SB530),  Building Resilience (waiting for a bill #), and related initiatives.
    To receive Zoom access for the meeting and for more information about NLP, please contact NLP Leadership Team member Nancy Greenman.

Save the Dates for Upcoming Neighborhood Leader Zooms
  • Sunday, Feb.19, 5 p.m. — We'll dive deeper into how to navigate the Oregon State Legislature website, and to connect with organizations advocating for the issues that matter to you.  Role-plays on contacting your elected representatives will be included!
  • Sunday, March 5, 5 p.m. — As promised, we'll take an in-depth look at the so-called "parent power" movement in public education, as well as why removing books from access is not a good idea. Vince Adams, Corvallis School Board (and Oregon State Bar Association), and School Librarian Dana Zachary will share their expertise with us.
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January 28th, 2023

1/28/2023

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Universal Health Care in Oregon webinar links 

Here are links from the Jan. 18 Town Hall webinar on Oregon’s plans for universal health care:
         • A recording of the webinar.
         • Dr. Bruce Goldberg’s informational slide set
         • The full report of the SB 770 Task Force

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January 22nd, 2023

1/22/2023

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Wyden's antidote for 
​divisiveness: 'The Oregon way'

PictureSen. Ron Wyden and LBCC President Lisa Avery
Among the many questions Sen. Ron Wyden fielded during his Linn County Town Hall on Jan. 11 at Linn-Benton Community College were two that focused on the divisiveness in Congress and the politics of personal destruction.
Like millions of others, Widen said he watched late last Friday night on TV from home in Portland as at least one Republican House member nearly slugged it out with another after the 14th vote for House speaker.
“We all know the country is more divided now. … I want to show something that’s different,” Wyden said, noting that there are two basics he adheres to and that have served him well during his long political career:
• Treat people with respect.
• See if you can find common ground.

“This is the alternative to the politics of personal destruction,” he said.
Wyden complimented the audience for its respectful tone during the hourlong Town Hall.
“What I saw on TV (last Friday), those people (in the House) could take lessons from the good people of Linn County,” he said.
Wyden also praised Cheyanne Rider, president of the LBCC Civil Discourse Program, who asked one of the questions.
LBCC President Lisa Avery said the college’s Civil Discourse Program is the only one of its kind in the country. Its mission is “to promote dialogue that enhances understanding among individuals with diverse viewpoints in an open and respectful environment.”
​“It’s about what we value,” Wyden said. “It’s the Oregon way — civil discourse."
— Graham Kislingbury
• This is what was on people's minds at Wyden's Linn County Town Hall (Jan. 11, Albany Democrat-Herald)

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      • City Council, Mayoral Candidates
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      • Albany City Council Ward 1: Keith Kolkow
      • Albany City Council Ward 2: Amanda Dant
      • Albany City Council Ward 3: Marilyn Smith
      • Lebanon City Council Ward I: Christan Stagg (write-in)
      • Linn Commissioner: Scott Bruslind
      • State House Dist. 11: Marty Wilde
      • State House Dist. 15: Miriam Cummins
      • State House Dist. 17: Paige Hook
      • State Senate Dist. 9: Jim Hinsvark
      • Secretary of State: Shemia Fagan
      • Attorney General: Ellen Rosenblum
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      • U.S. Rep., 4th District: Peter DeFazio
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      • President: Joe Biden VP Kamala Harris
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