KITCHEN TABLE ACTIVISM     March 2003 Activity

Background: Kitchen Table Activism (KTA) is a monthly project of the Rural Organizing Project.  Often building on quarterly themes, short actions are described in each KTA.  The theory is that basic steps and tasks can lead to powerful collective results as small groups of people gather to complete the same action throughout the state of Oregon.  ROP works to keep the basic tasks easily achievable so that groups with other projects or groups with limited immediate energy can still manage to complete the KTA each month. 

GOING, GOING, GONE?  A Civil Liberties Reality Check

WHY THIS ACTIVITY?  Civil liberties are eroding rapidly in our new permanent war state.  As of January 2003 men carrying visas from “suspect” countries must re-register with the INS, and many of them have been detained for small violations.  Even routine chores, like opening a bank account, are regulated and complicated by the US Patriot Act.  An even dastardlier Patriot Act II is in the works with the possibility that it may be enacted with out even a pretense of congressional review!  In Oregon we have an immediate local way to challenge further erosions of civil liberties.  Model legislation for the nation was enacted in Oregon in the 70s.  It is now under legislative attack.  Therefore, the March 2003 KTA is to pledge your group’s support to immediate defensive action.

WHAT IS THE ACTIVITY?  We ask that each group get familiar with the Oregon civil rights laws called ORS 181.575 and 181.850 (see below.) These two provisions set Oregon apart in ensuring that civil liberties are protected.  Both laws are under attack this legislative session.  After review, we request that your group decide what level of activism you can commit to protect 181.  Ideally your group will: 

• Lend your name in opposition by signing an endorsement;
• Contact your house member for a conversation designed to educate your representative on why you think weakening these laws would hurt Oregon (talking points provided below);
• Consider whether your group has the ties to local law enforcement agencies, or others directly affected by these changes, who might speak to legislators about their impact.  (There is a growing roster of law enforcement agencies that oppose weakening of these policies as it might limit their ability to serve the entire community.)

If as a part of completing this activity you find that your group wants more information on civil liberties roll-backs or wants to offer a salon or forum on the topic for either your members or your broader community, let the ROP know.  Keep in mind that the Rural Caucus and Strategy Session on Saturday, May 17^th will have an update on this topic.

STEPS TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY:

        I.      Decide whether your group wants to do this activity;

      II.      Review and discuss the information below or contact Grace for an ACLU briefing paper on the subject.

   III.      Decide if your group wants to sign on in opposition to weakening of ORS 181, and if so, e-mail grace@rop.org or call (503) 543-8417.

   IV.      Decide the best route to have contact with your House representative on this topic. While it can be folded in with other concerns, you do want to make sure that you have a process that gives stand alone attention to why your group wants to say about the value of current 181 law.  Hold off on contacting Senators on this – we hope to keep this bill from making it out of the House!

      V.      Decide what might be a next step in getting supporters (versus the public) to understand this issue.  It might make a good update in your next newsletter – ROP can provide text if needed.

   VI.      Update the ROP!

 

 

Current Law:

ORS 181.575 - Protects Against Police Spying on Innocent People and Organizations:  The law prohibits law enforcement agencies from collecting or maintaining information about the political, religious, social views, associations or activities of any person or group unless that information directly relates to a criminal investigation.

ORS 181.850 - Allows State & Local Law Enforcement to Focus on Oregon Priorities:
This law prevents state and local law enforcement agencies from targeting people based on their race or ethnic origin when those individuals are not suspected of any criminal activity.  

Local law enforcement is prohibited from using resources to apprehend people whose only offense is a federal immigration violation.  The law allows state and local law enforcement to contact the INS after they have arrested someone.  The law also permits state and local police to request information from the INS that may help solve a criminal case. This law does not prevent local law enforcement from working with federal law enforcement to investigate threats of terrorism.

What we are fighting:

There are currently three bills before the legislature that would undermine or repeal Oregon's existing "181" laws.  As far as we know, none of the bills is supported by any law enforcement agency or association.  

Bottom line:  We strongly oppose all three bills because they would eliminate important protections for all people who live in Oregon.

•  HB 2539 & HB 2554 are identical and would allow state and local law enforcement to ignore both "181" laws if "requested" by a federal agency.  HB 2539 was introduced by Rep. Betsy Close and HB 2554 was introduced by Rep. Donna Nelson on behalf of Jim Ludwig, an anti-immigrant activist who has been meeting with individual legislators;
•  HB 2051 would repeal ORS 181.850.
  

Please call or write your state representative and state senator as soon as possible, and voice your opposition to House Bills 2539, 2554, and 2051!

To find YOUR legislator, go to http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm <http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm> and follow the instructions, or call Capitol information toll free at 1-800-332-2313.

Please TAKE ACTION and let us know how your legislators respond! (You can email us their responses at: grace@rop.org)