Those in power are trying to consolidate their authoritarian control by pitting us against each other and scapegoating immigrants, trans and queer people, and others. Rural human dignity leaders have long been fighting for safe and welcoming communities for ALL Oregonians, and right now we need to protect one another more than ever. Whether you’re getting involved for the first time or starting a new campaign, this tool can help identify what is most strategic for your group and community.
Building our movement
The more of us, the more powerful we are. If you don’t already have a group, reach out to ROP to find out who’s active in your area!
- Create a Welcoming Team: Grow your group through organizing and attending potlucks and community events! ROP can share best practices, template sign-in sheets, and more.
- Build relationships with new allies: Ask business owners in your community to post signs declaring their support for immigrant neighbors and opposition to ICE, and to create a private area that ICE cannot legally enter without a signed judicial warrant. Find out more about this national noncompliance campaign at act.indivisible.org/signup/signs-solidarity-canvassing/
Flexing the Muscles of Our Movements
- Build or strengthen your community’s Rapid Response infrastructure: Reach out to ROP about what’s already happening in your area and how to get skilled up on ICE verification, Know Your Rights, and communications systems for rapid response. See the second page of this sheet for additional resources.
- Community protection and mutual aid: Make a plan for how your community can come together to fill the void left by cuts to federal and state-funded programs. That might look like hot meals, health care clinics, self-defense classes, or distributing family preparedness packets. What resources and skills can community members share with each other?
- Strengthen Sanctuary protections: After decades of rural communities organizing to build safe and welcoming communities for all, in 2021, the Oregon legislature passed the Sanctuary Promise Act (SPA) so that no local government or law enforcement agency can assist federal immigration enforcement without a warrant from a judge. There’s work to do to make sure it’s fully implemented! See the “Hungry for More” section on the back for more details.
Keeping Connected to the Movement
It can sometimes feel lonely out there, but know that you are not alone! Here are some ways to connect you and your group with the larger statewide movement for rural and small-town democracy.
- Kitchen Table Activism (KTA): ROP member groups around the state receive monthly KTAs that offer timely coordinated actions. Sign up at https://rop.org/sign-up-for-updates/
- ROPnet: Stay informed about rural organizing and statewide issues, events, actions, and opportunities through ROP’s email newsletter. Sign up at https://rop.org/sign-up-for-updates/
- Caucus 2026: Gather with small-town and rural activists from around the state for the annual ROP Caucus and Strategy Session. Stay tuned for the location, date, and registration form!
Hungry for More? Additional Resources
Statewide hotline for ICE sightings and disappearances: 1-888-622-1510
The hotline is run by Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC): https://pircoregon.org/
Save this number in your phone!
- Statewide hotline for ICE sightings and disappearances: 1-888-622-1510
- Free Know Your Rights Red Cards: https://www.ilrc.org/redcards
- Oregon for All: https://www.oregonforall.us
- Oregon for All is a coalition that advances immigrant justice to build a more welcoming and prosperous state through education, research, organizing, and policy advocacy.
- Innovation Law Lab: https://innovationlawlab.org/
- ILL provides legal representation for individuals for free in court and before immigration agencies to advance access to justice, and much more!
- PCUN: https://pcun.org/
- PCUN is Oregon’s Farmworker Union
- Oregon Food Bank: https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/
- OFB engages in advocacy work to address the root causes of hunger and works with food pantries and distribution centers across the state.
- IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice): https://www.imirj.org/
- IMIrJ empowers faith communities in Oregon to support immigrants and asylum seekers, and offers an accompaniment program that is always looking for volunteers.
- Looking for trainings on Know Your Rights, Legal Observing, self-defense, de-escalation, or more? Reach out to ROP, and we’ll work to get you connected to the resources you need!
- More ways to get involved around the Sanctuary Promise Act:
- Find out if your county’s policies violate the SPA by looking at the map below.
- Power map your community: Who’s an ally in this work? Whose stance can be shifted? Who has power to help keep community members safe? What roles are the local jail, sheriff, DA, and superintendent playing?
- Meet as a group with key community leaders to work together to strengthen Sanctuary protections and establish what actions they will take to keep the community safe.
