WE CANNOT THRIVE DURING AN EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE & POLICE BRUTALITY

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House
Get 2020 Ready

Background

We cannot THRIVE during an epidemic of gun violence and police brutality. We cannot THRIVE when this violence is targeted at BIPOC communities and women.

Last week witnessed two mass shootings, at least one of them racially motivated. These horrific crimes are a fraction of daily gun violence. This week, the trial of Derek Chauvin began. He is the policeman who murdered George Floyd, claiming he was justified because Floyd had bounced a check. Contrast this white policeman's callous murder of a Black man with white mass murderers and insurrectionists being peacefully arrested for their horrific crimes. Every week, intimate partner violence leads to gun deaths. This epidemic has worsened during pandemic lock-downs and job losses.

President Biden, VP Harris, and Congressional Democrats have solutions. The Bipartisan (HR8) and Enhanced (HR1446) Background Checks Acts of 2021, George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620) were passed by the House.They await Senate action.

We ask that you thank your Representative for passing these important bills, and let your Senators know you have their backs as they promote them. Together we can pass critical legislation, stop the too often racist or misogynist violence, and all THRIVE.

How you can help: Attend a Town Hall (virtually)

We will update this list with new links as they become available. You can check your MoCs’ websites for town halls as well.

Senator Wyden’s Recovery Recess town hall:

https://www.wyden.senate.gov/town-halls

Represetative Bonamici’s Recovery Recess town hall: https://bonamici.house.gov/about/events

Representative Schrader’s Recovery Recess town hall:

https://oregoncitizenslobby.org/events/us-rep-kurt-schrader-virtual-town-hall-3-29-21/

2. Call the Senate.

Script for Sen. Merkley

Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office 202-224-3753 My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]

The Bipartisan (HR8) and Enhanced (HR1446) Background Checks Acts of 2021, George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR1280),and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620) have all passed the House. I believe we cannot thrive during an epidemic of gun violence, police brutality, and violence against women and BIPOC communities -- and I urge you to promote these bills publicly and help get them passed in the Senate.

Script for Sen. Wyden

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

The Bipartisan (HR8) and Enhanced (HR1446) Background Checks Acts of 2021, George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR1280),and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620) have all passed the House. I believe we cannot thrive during an epidemic of gun violence, police brutality, and violence against women and BIPOC communities -- and I urge you to promote these bills publicly and help get them passed in the Senate.

Script for Republican Senators

The Bipartisan & Enhanced Background Checks Acts of 2021 (HR 8, HR1446), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR 1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620) have all passed the House. These bills have broad bipartisan support among your constituents, because we know we cannot thrive under threats of violence, and I expect you as my senator to vote for them.

3. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855 My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…

Thank you for voting for the Bipartisan & Enhanced Background Checks Acts of 2021 (HR 8, HR 1446), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR 1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620). I believe we cannot thrive during an epidemic of gun violence, police brutality, and violence against women and BIPOC communities, and I am delighted my representative voted for bills to curb them.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

_My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am disappointed but not surprised that you voted against the Bipartisan & Enhanced Background Checks Acts of 2021 (HR 8, HR1446), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR 1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620). These bills have broad bipartisan support among your constituents, because we know we cannot thrive under threats of violence, and I am appalled you voted against them.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

Thank you for voting for the Bipartisan & Enhanced Background Checks Acts of 2021 (HR 8, HR 1446), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR 1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620). I believe we cannot thrive during an epidemic of gun violence, police brutality, and violence against women and BIPOC communities, and I am delighted my representative voted for bills to curb them.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416 _My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Thank you for voting for the Bipartisan & Enhanced Background Checks Acts of 2021 (HR 8, HR 1446), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR 1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620). I believe we cannot thrive during an epidemic of gun violence, police brutality, and violence against women and BIPOC communities, and I am delighted my representative voted for bills to curb them.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Thank you for voting for the Bipartisan & Enhanced Background Checks Acts of 2021 (HR 8, HR 1446), George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 (HR 1280), and Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (HR 1620). I believe we cannot thrive during an epidemic of gun violence, police brutality, and violence against women and BIPOC communities, and I am delighted my representative voted for bills to curb them.