Author: LWVUV

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League Statement on DACA Reversal

American_Flag_3Washington, DC – The Trump administration today announced their intention to reverse the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, leaving the fate of 800,000 immigrants in jeopardy. League of Women Voters president Chris Carson issued the following statement:

“This administration’s decision to rescind the ‘Dreamers’ program is shameful and does not serve national interest.

“As a country of immigrants, we are made stronger by our diversity. Yet time and time again, this administration has discriminated against immigrants and communities of color.

“Reversing the DACA policy will have a devastating impact on our economy. Ending this program will increase unemployment.

“Thousands of the Dreamers protected by DACA were brought to this country as babies and have no memories of their birth country. These individuals are paying taxes, contributing to Social Security and are Americans in everything but the name.

“The League of Women Voters is opposed to deportation of non-criminal undocumented immigrants and we urge congress to pass a clean Dreamers Act to protect, not turn away, the 800,000 young people who were brought to the United States as children.”

Contact: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | scourtney@lwv.org

League of Women Voters Condemns White Supremacists in Charlottesville

The League of Women Voters of the United States president Chris Carson issued the following statement following the horrific acts by white supremacists in Virginia this weekend:american-flag-clip-art-waving-waves-w

“Yesterday the world watched in horror as white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia. There is no place for hatred and violence in our democracy and all leaders must condemn these acts of domestic terrorism. We must send a strong message that while the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly are some of our most cherished rights and must be protected, those rights do not extend to what we witnessed yesterday. The League of Women Voters stands in solidarity with the victims of violence in Charlottesville and against white supremacism.”

The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley agrees and supports this message by our national president.

The Latest on Our Children’s Trust Lawsuit

We, the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley, are proud that our state League (LWVOR) signed on to an amicus brief in support of Our Children’s Trust with our national League (LWVUS).

As Eleanor Revelle, Chair of the national League’s Climate Change Task Force, said on 8/12/17:

As I reported last week, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a temporary stay in the proceedings of the Juliana et al v. United States climate lawsuit while it considers a petition from the Trump administration that it review the November 2016 decision by District Court Judge Ann Aiken to allow the lawsuit to go to trial.  The attorneys for the 21 youth plaintiffs have been ordered to file an answer to the Trump administration’s petition.  And Our Children’s Trust (OCT) has requested that the Leagues (LWVUS and LWVOR) submit an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs’ response.

As you will recall, the LWVUS and LWVOR filed an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs when the case was before Judge Aiken in the District Court in fall 2016.  Courtney Johnson with the Crag Law Center will be drafting a new brief for us now. The basic premise for the Leagues’ brief is our organization’s interest is in protecting the rights of everyone in the democratic process.Unknown

When the political process fails, as here, to protect the rights of children, then the courts must step in to secure those rights.  The government has been debating climate change for so long, we’ve now reached a tipping point, and this case must move forward on the merits and not get bogged down in procedural issues.  These children’s rights are at stake, and time is of the essence.

As before, with the 2016 amicus brief, the League of Women Voters of Oregon has agreed to collect contributions towards the costs associated with drafting and submitting the brief, about $3,000.  I invite you to join me in making a contribution towards this effort.

If you can help, please send your check to:

League of Women Voters of Oregon
1330 12th St. SE, Suite 200
Salem OR 97302-2858

Include a note indicating that it is to support the amicus brief in the OCT climate lawsuit.

Download the amicus brief here

The LWV of Oregon consolidated into a 501(c)(3) organization in 2015; therefore your contribution is tax-deductible.  Thank you!

LWV Supports the Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2017

The League of Women Voters is proud to support the “Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2017” introduced on 6/14/17 by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Robert Brady (D-PA). Under this legislation, when eligible voters interact with a government agency, they will automatically be signed up to vote unless they decline.  It also provides for online voter registration for all eligible voters.vote-button

“This bill will improve the accuracy of voter records, cut down on costs, and modernize outdated registration systems, while supporting states in implementing these updated systems,” said Chris Carson, president of the League of Women Voters. “The League has advocated for online and electronic voter registration for many years and we are pleased to see Congress recognizing these technologies.”

Modernizing the American electoral system will protect and enhance access for eligible voters and this plan could add millions of eligible new voters to the rolls.

Read more here on the League’s national website.

And let your legislators know you support it, too!

League Reacts to Pence-Kobach Election Commission

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) has issued a statement that says …

“Democracy only works when people stand up and vote. The League of Women Voters urges the American people not to be intimidated by this Commission: stay enrolled and encourage others to register to vote.

“Our elections have integrity. This Commission does not.”

For the full statement, visit the LWVUS’s website here.

Contact your senators and representatives today and let them know what you think.

To find your Oregon representatives’ contact information, visit this page.

Lovely Garden Walks

We hope you enjoyed the 2017 Spring Garden Tour as much as we enjoy putting it together. It’s a lot of work but we consider the Tour a highlight of our year. Thank you so much, Community, for coming out for it!

Many thanks to the gardeners of Douglas County for sharing your delightful places with us!

Here’s some photos taken at this year’s Garden Tour to enjoy:

Perfect Weather for a Garden Tour!

There’s going to be almost perfect weather for a self-guided 2017 Spring Garden Tour on Saturday, June 17!

Get your tickets now from these fine locations!

See places like this for one day only! $15 per person.

LandscapeJohnsonquinnadams

Roseburg Community Bookshelves

Roseburg Community Bookshelves Grand Opening on Thursday, June 15 at 12:30

A grassroots, volunteer action team has announced the grand opening of Roseburg Community Bookshelves at Cascadian Coffee Co., 732 SE Cass, Roseburg (in the Grand Hotel).

A few speeches and a short ceremony are planned for Thursday. Some light refreshments will be served. All are invited.Books_0

Roseburg Community Bookshelves will provide a “grassroots honor-based lending system … because everyone should have something to read.”

In a proactive partnership with Cascadian Coffee Co., Roseburg Community Bookshelves will provide books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and books on CD (or tape) for loan during the business operating hours of 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM on Saturday. There is a suggested limit of three items to be borrowed for up to a three-week timeframe.

Donated books have been categorized as fiction, non-fiction, children’s and other books. They’ll be available for reading on-site or for loan, using an honor system.

Updates can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DCLibraryRescue/ or click here

We’ll see you at the bookshelves!

Eleanor Roosevelt in Eugene

“Eleanor Roosevelt: Across a Barrier of Fear”, a one-woman play

150805-eleanor-roosevelt-jsw-109p_94af2607b8c2d02f356e6ae6dd1152a1.nbcnews-ux-2880-1000The League of Women Voters of Lane County is pleased to sponsor “Eleanor Roosevelt: Across a Barrier of Fear”, a one-woman play in which acclaimed actress Jane VanBoskirk portrays Eleanor Roosevelt. It will be performed at 1 pm on Sunday, June 18, at the Wildish Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield.

The actress Jane Van Boskirk and the Wildish Theater (courtesy of Dan Egan, League member and theater manager) will donate a portion of each ticket purchased to the League when the purchase is made on line and the code word “Vote” is applied.

This is a great opportunity to get to know Eleanor Roosevelt! The play deals with Roosevelt’s influential and controversial place in American history, from her troubled childhood; her desire as a young woman to alleviate social problems; her marriage to four-term President Franklin Roosevelt; and her widowhood, which included an illustrious career at the newly founded United Nations.

Please share this message with your friends. Invite them to join you at the play! Put this event on your own Facebook page and share posts from the LWVLC page.

Buy Tickets Here! wildishtheater.com When you put in the code word, your purchase will be counted toward the League’s share of ticket revenue.