[pjw] INFO: Update on Harney County and Taking Action

[Peace and Justice Works]

Hi
The Rural Organizing Project has been doing a great job of listening to 
and reflecting back concerns of rural Oregonians about the standoff in 
Harney County. PJW of course, especially with a police accountability 
group as part of our organization, is concerned about the Oregon State 
Police taking the life of one of the (armed) militants, and we appreciate 
ROP's expression of sadness at the loss of life.

They have some specific ideas of how you can help promote non-violent 
solutions and support the people of Harney County in the below email; it's 
not clear right now whether there is a Portland gathering set for Saturday 
but I wouldn't be surprised.
dan h
peace and justice works


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2016 23:07:53 -0600
From: Cara Shufelt - Rural Organizing Project <cara at rop.org>
Subject: [ROPNET] Update on Harney County and Taking Action

January 27th, 2016

Dear ROPnet,

Last night, eight leaders of the armed takeover at Malheur Wildlife Refuge 
were arrested outside of Burns en route to a meeting in Grant County 
dedicated to setting up a shadow county government the way they had 
attempted in Harney County. One of the occupiers was killed during the 
confrontation with police. The Rural Organizing Project mourns this loss 
of life, and hopes for a quick and peaceful resolution to the ongoing 
standoff without further bloodshed.

Despite the FBI making these arrests, the situation in Harney County is 
far from resolved. Not all militants have left the Malheur Wildlife 
Refuge. Dozens of militiamen from the Pacific Patriot Network remain in 
Burns, and paramilitary groups are pouring in from out-of-state. 
http://www.opb.org/news/article/harney-county-residents-relieved-but-still-on-edge/ 
The community is still frightened, many folks choosing to keep their 
children home from school today to remain in the safety of their homes.

It is clear that the militants are attempting to export their tactics to 
other counties, championing their "successes" in Harney County, making 
many in Eastern Oregon consider if their community could be next. 
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/oregon_standoff_venue_changes.html 
In fact, over 30 residents protested last night's meeting in Grant County 
to set up a misleadingly named "Committee of Safety", not wanting their 
community to be the next site of an armed standoff.

Now more than ever is the time for those of us who oppose these armed 
actions to raise our collective voices: we do not accept that our 
political differences should be settled by armed vigilantism and tactics 
of fear and intimidation; our communities have a rural tradition of 
collaboration, conversation and resolving disputes without resorting to 
threats or violence.

Let's show our solidarity with the people of Harney County and the Burns 
Paiute Tribe. Armed occupations are not welcome in Burns, in Harney 
County, or anywhere in Oregon!

Tips for Planning Your Local Day of Action:

Whether it is a group of a few people holding signs or dozens marching 
down main street, this is rural Oregon's chance to raise our voices 
collectively!

* http://www.rop.org/wp-content/uploads/HDG-Action-Flyer.doc Download this 
flyer and add the information about your local event. Email it far and 
wide. Be sure to send ROP your event details so we can send it along to 
fellow ROPers living your county!

* Read 
http://www.rop.org/wp-content/uploads/ROP-Statement-Day-of-Action.doc 
ROP's Press Statement for the Day of Action. 
http://www.rop.org/wp-content/uploads/Local-Action-Press-Release.doc 
Download this version to use as press release for your local event.

* Remember to take a few pictures and share them on Facebook. Send them to
  jessica at rop.org and cara at rop.org and we'll put them on ROP's Facebook
  page!

Remember: an easy way to create an action is to find a friend or two, make 
some signs saying "No to Militias" and take a picture of yourselves on the 
sidewalk. Or use this as an opportunity to collect donations for Harney 
County and Burns Paiute Tribe local programs. More details below.

The people of Harney County, and the Burns Paiute Tribe have been through a lot and deserve our support. Join us in emphasizing the very real needs of the folks who live near the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by showing your support in one of these ways:

1. 
http://burnspaiute-nsn.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=269&Itemid=73 
Donate to the The Burns Paiute Tribe's Tu-Wa-Kii-Nobi after school "Kid's 
House" program

2. Buy a ticket for a local to attend the Harney District Hospital's 
https://www.facebook.com/events/943643379047295/ a Sip for the Cure 
Masquerade Tea Party fundraiser for Communities Assisting Neighbors with 
Cancer (CAN Cancer). Tickets for this event are $8 and must be sent in by 
mail. Please write a check today to CAN Cancer and mail it to:

Harney District Hospital
Attn Savanna Boll
557 W. Washington
Burns, OR 97720

Since you must use the postal service anyway, please take the time to 
include a Thank You card to the people of Harney County to let them know 
we stand with them during this difficult time.

3. When your community organizes a protest, rally, or vigil on Saturday, 
January 30th take one more step: Submit a letter to the editor to the 
Burns Times-Herald expressing your community's support for the people of 
Harney County and the Burns Paiute Tribe.

Contact the paper at their website:http://btimesherald.com/

Or call the paper at 541-573-2022

In Solidarity,

Cara & Jessica