Dear ROPnet,
We’re feeling empowered and connected after last Monday’s “Meeting the Moment” virtual gathering. Over 70 of you joined us to build our strategy, skills, and analysis to Protect People in the coming months. Read on for a recap of that Zoom call, as well as what to expect from our upcoming Zoom “office hours” on Monday, January 27th from 6-7:30 pm PST!
Recap: January “Meeting the Moment”: Protecting People
On January 13th, over 70 people from across the state gathered for our first Meeting the Moment virtual gathering of 2025, where we talked about protecting people under the Trump administration.
We were joined by Reyna Lopez of PCUN (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste) and Tess Hellgren of Innovation Law Lab. In a powerful and enlightening fishbowl conversation we discussed what it will look like to effectively protect people in the months ahead, how we should be preparing, and what lessons we’ve learned from past campaigns that have made us more ready to meet this moment. Watch the recording of the conversation with Reyna, Tess, and Hannah on our YouTube here.
One key takeaway was that we have faced huge challenges and overcome them before! This video documents the powerful work that won the release of all the men who were detained in FCI Sheridan under Trump’s first Family Separation policy back in 2018. This article shares how central Oregonians delayed the detention of two men for over twelve hours in 2020. There are so many stories like these across Oregon and across the country!
A few other key recommendations highlighted in the conversation:
- Do not obey in advance
- Build coalitions as broadly as possible
- Scapegoating leads to unfair treatment, address it proactively even if the person speaking might not have follow through, someone else could.
- Separate the thunder from the lightning: While some real challenges are ahead of us, there are MANY more threats being made than actual “lightening bolts” hitting the ground.
One key question that we discussed was: What role do schools and churches have to play in this moment to protect undocumented community members?
Here’s what Tess shared in response: “Right now, schools and churches are sensitive locations where ICE enforcement may not occur. However, this restriction is ICE policy and can be changed. We expect the new administration to try to rescind this policy but hopefully there will be push back from litigation to pause or slow that process. In the meantime, schools can provide family preparedness resources to students and parents. School boards and administrations should also learn about what information they may not share under the Sanctuary Promise Act, and other rights to protect their students’ information; for example, to resist the kind of administrative subpoenas that were wielded by the first Trump administration. In 2020, we created this toolkit about administrative subpoenas.
We also held a short organizing training to build up and brush up on our skills. We covered finding your people, components of a strong group, and more! Watch the recording of the training on our YouTube here.
So what are these “office hours” and why should I come?
After our first few “Meeting the Moment” virtual gatherings around the election, we asked you all what would be most helpful. You answered that you wanted more spaces for building shared analysis and strategy, but also more spaces to connect face-to-face with other volunteer human dignity leaders around the state and build skills for your local campaigns. Our upcoming office hours are one way to do exactly that!
3 specific things you can expect to get out of office hours:
The office hours on Monday, January 27th will specifically focus on how your group can organize around the Sanctuary Promise Act locally (check out this month’s KTA for more information if you missed it). Are you figuring out how to approach local law enforcement about whether they will follow state law to protect immigrants in your community? Are you trying to find or build a group to take this on with you? Come chat with ROP organizers and get support figuring out your next moves.
Office hours are also a space to be in community with rural folks across the state! Feeling unsure of where to start or whether there are other people in your community with shared values and desires to get involved? Come join us and we can help!
Group capacity building! Is your group trying to build a leadership team, a communications system, or an action plan? We’ve got tips, tools, and resources for you, and can chat through the specifics of what you’re working on.
Warmly,
Sidra and the ROP team
