Catherine Thomasson at the Portland gather, August 16
Portland
Portland community members met Sunday, August 16 at Migration Brewing in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Attendees were privileged to hear Catherine Thomasson, Lobby Coordinator for MCAT (Mobilizing Climate Action Together). Catherine spoke on data center issues and actions.
MCAT, TAO and 40+ other organizations in the state are partnering in pressuring the state legislature to require corporate accountability to protect our water, farmland, climate and economic needs statewide. Catherine encouraged TAO members and friends to join MCAT”s Data Center Lobby Day in Salem on September 8.
Portland Metro members are preparing for the upcoming MCAT/TAO Potluck Picnic.
Each summer since MCAT’s (Mobilizing Climate Action Together) inception, MCAT has hosted an end of summer potluck picnic in Portland and invited coalition organization members including TAO. This summer, TAO (Third Act Oregon) is inviting Portland Metro members and guests to the event.
Unfortunately, the original date for the picnic has been postponed, so we will catch you up later on the new picnic date.
MCAT is a community of experienced volunteers, sponsored by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, who help steward significant greenhouse gas reduction policy into law in Oregon. They actively engage with state agencies to ensure transparent development and vigorous implementation of climate programs including natural climate solutions. MCAT also organizes to elect n support legislators who will work for strong climate legislation.
TAO Corvallis at that city’s ICE OUT rally July 22
Corvallis
On July 22, Third Actors in Corvallis supported a vigil for the dozens of immigrants who have been murdered by ICE. With a crowd of about 75 we held up large photos of these neighbors. Passers by signaled their support with a chorus of honking.
At our August 11 at our monthly meeting Tom Coppolino provided a seminar on Democracy. Tom, who is on our Steering Committee, taught environmental studies and street law for many years and began with a look at our Declaration of Independence.
At the Corvallis Community Center there was a follow-up to this seminar on August 18. Third Act Corvallis hosted the showing of a 2018 documentary film written and directed by Astra Taylor, What Is Democracy? The documentary blends everyday experience and political theory to address questions viewed as central to democracy. Interviewees include academics, activists, politicians, refugees, trauma surgeons, students, and a barber. The film has a rating of 96% based on reviews from 26 critics according to Rotten Tomatoes. We also enjoyed pizza while we watch the documentary.
We have added two more days for postcarding in August which means we are writing on five different days now. We have written at least 800 cards during the last month.
TAO Eugene at the city’s ICE OUT rally July 18
Eugene
There were a smaller number of postcard party attendees for our July get-together, but it proved to be just enough. Completing the 200 postcards for mailing to likely voters in Kansas was a breeze. Up next for future postcard parties will be “Check your facts” mailed to Texas voters and “Please vote” reminders to Michigan residents. Third Act Eugene members will be able to complete postcards together but will also again be provided with stacks to complete on their own should they request. Those attending a future party might be treated again to Jan’s cheddar chipotle crackers. A big hit!
Like many others around the nation, Eugene residents were appalled at the news that ICE yet again murdered two people, one person in Houston and the other in Biddeford, Maine. To demonstrate our collective disgust and call for an end to the violence ICE employs to achieve their cruel and inhumane immigration goals, members of Third Act Eugene joined other protesters in front of the Eugene Federal Building on July 18. Support from motorists driving by was loud and abundant. Outrage over the tactics ICE uses must be heard by members of Congress.
Bob Doppelt, who has created the “Eugene Quiet and Clean Skies” campaign, requested a letter of support from Third Act Eugene. The group gladly drafted an endorsement of Bob’s proposal to measure the noise and aviation emissions created in the current flight paths for the Eugene airport before going ahead with the second phase expansion. Our letter of support for this campaign was forwarded to the Eugene Mayor and City Council members. Bob is hoping to garner support from additional local environmental organizations.
At our July 30 meeting, a representative from OCERA was present and facilitated a listening session for the Right to a Healthy Environment amendment being proposed for the Oregon state constitution. Several attendees spoke emotionally about the harmful impact the climate crisis is having on them and our community. These testimonies are to be added to the hundreds already submitted and will bolster the reasoning for adding such an amendment to the state constitution.
Signature gathering will be the next phase. TAOE members will be participating in to ensure the proposed measure will be included on the November 2028 ballot.