We’ve been seeing increasingly disturbing stories coming from Portland, Oregon over the past few days about Department of Homeland Security (DHS) affiliated Federal officers attacking protestors in the city. For instance, officers without any identification have on at least one occasion kidnapped folks off the street, forced them into unmarked vehicles, and held them in cells for hours before finally releasing them without charges. (Acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli has been extremely evasive about the number of times these kidnappings have occurred.) Federal officers have also been shooting protestors with ‘non-lethal’ munitions, like tear gas and rubber bullets.
What’s especially frightening about the situation in Portland is that DHS is threatening to deploy their paramilitary forces not just in Portland, but in cities across the country. Ken Cuccinelli: “This [deploying Federal officers] is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we’re responsible for around the country.”
Even as the situation in Portland continues to escalate, we need to make sure that it does not spread any further. That’s why we want you to contact your members of Congress on a Sunday to tell them that they need to stop Trump’s literally fascistic actions before he goes any further.
Today’s Action: Tell Congress they need to stop Trump’s fascistic moves now
Government offices are running on small crews and working from home to do their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19. We’ve been emailing rather than calling to support them, but this one is time-critical enough for a call.
Call your Representative:
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Rep. Pramila Jayapal: 202-225-3106 / 206-674-0040, https://jayapal.house.gov/contact/
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Rep. Adam Smith: 202-225-8901 / 425-793-5180, https://adamsmith.house.gov/contact/
Call both Senators:
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Sen. Maria Cantwell: 202-224-3441 or https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email/form
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Sen. Patty Murray: 202-224-2621 or https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Sample script:
Hi, my name is {NAME} and I live in {CITY, ZIP}. I am deeply concerned about DHS paramilitary forces attacking and kidnapping protestors in Portland. I am even more concerned about DHS Deputy Secretary Cuccinelli stating in an interview with NPR that DHS has plans to occupy more cities across the country. What is {Rep/Senator} doing to rein in DHS and stop its fascist behavior?
Background
“DHS Official On Reports Of Federal Officers Detaining Protesters In Portland, Ore.” – https://www.npr.org/2020/07/17/892393079/dhs-official-on-reports-of-federal-officers-detaining-protesters-in-portland-ore
“US federal agent shoots peaceful protester, 26, in the head with a ‘rubber bullet’ during a demonstration in Portland” – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8518283/Shocking-moment-officer-shoots-peaceful-protester-26-head-rubber-bullet.html
“Tell Congress: Stop Trump before we have troops in our streets” – https://www.seattleindivisible.com/daily-actions/2020/6/1/tell-congress-stop-trump-before-we-have-troops-in-our-streets
