Call to Action:
Phone Zap!
Join us in contacting Governor Kate Brown's office today to demand the decrease of people in prisons and jails to stop the spread of COVID-19
Who We Are & What We Want
What: Phone Zap Action in conjunction with a statewide action targeting Governor Kate Brown, to release people in prisons and jails to stop the spread of COVID-19. #FreeThemAllForPublicHealth #FreeThemAll
Who: Oregon DA for the People
Facebook: @oregondaforthepeople Instagram: @oregondaforthepeople Twitter: @OrDAforthePeople
When: Friday, April 28th, from 12-5pm
How: Call and email Kate Brown (for the first time or again)
Why: Read our full statement and demands.
Demands:
We have organized a state-wide action to demand that Governor Kate Brown:
Immediately release all prisoners over 50 and those who have underlying health conditions that will be more at risk of a lethal COVID-19 infection, as well as those who have one year or less left in their sentence. For all others, identify community based diversion programs and reentry services that can support their swift release.
Create a state budget that guarantees the reallocation of funds saved from the decreased number of people in courts, prisons, and jails to programs outside of the criminal legal system that support our communities, including those exiting prisons and jails, with mental and physical healthcare, housing, and other needed services.
Make a public statement demanding that:
County sheriffs immediately release all people being held pretrial and those who have been serving misdemeanor sentences in Oregon county jails. These releases should NOT be coupled with electronic monitoring.
County district attorneys and prosecutors decline to prosecute misdemeanor charges, and charges related to houselessness, sex work, drug use, and mental health, and retroactively release people currently being held in jail or monitored for offenses that are no longer being prosecuted.
State and local law enforcement immediately place a moratorium on all arrests.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately releases all people in ICE detention centers and that all state and local law enforcement not cooperate with or hold people in custody for ICE.
The Parole Board should expand release opportunities and expedite release decisions for incarcerated people.
Phone Script
Hi, my name is________ and I live in ___________(state your zip code and county).
I am calling to demand Kate Brown use her* leadership as Governor to act for the health, safety and protection of our communities in a time of pandemic.
I am a member of Oregon DA for the People, a coalition of communities targeted by the criminal legal system and their allies, and we are a part of a movement across the country with the echoing demand to decarcerate our prisons and jails. To stop the spread of Covid-19, we are demanding that Governor Brown:
- Immediately release all prisoners over 50 and those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying health conditions that will be more at risk of a lethal COVID-19 infection, as well as those who have one year or less left in their sentence. For all others, identify community based diversion programs and reentry services that can support their swift release.
- Create a state budget that guarantees the reallocation of funds saved from the decreased number of people in courts, prisons, and jails to programs outside of the criminal legal system that support our communities, including those exiting prisons and jails, with mental and physical healthcare, housing, and other needed services.
Thanks so much for hearing the concerns of our community.
*If you can leave a direct message, use first person (you, yours)
If talking to a staff member, use third person (her, hers)
Email/Web Form Message Template
To Governor Kate Brown,
I am writing today to ask for your leadership as governor to act immediately for the health, safety and protection of our communities in a time of pandemic
I am a member of Oregon DA for the People*, a coalition of communities targeted by the criminal legal system and their allies. We are a part of a movement across the country with the echoing demand to decarcerate our prisons and jails. To stop the spread of Covid-19, we are demanding that you:
Immediately release all prisoners over 50 and those who are immunocompromised or have other underlying health conditions that will be more at risk of a lethal COVID-19 infection, as well as those who have one year or less left in their sentence. For all others, identify community based diversion programs and reentry services that can support their swift release.
Create a state budget that guarantees the reallocation of funds saved from the decreased number of people in courts, prisons, and jails to programs outside of the criminal legal system that support our communities, including those exiting prisons and jails, with mental and physical healthcare, housing, and other needed services.
Make a public statement demanding that:
County sheriffs immediately release all people being held pretrial and those who have been serving misdemeanor sentences in Oregon county jails. These releases should NOT be coupled with electronic monitoring.
County district attorneys and prosecutors decline to prosecute misdemeanor charges, and charges related to houselessness, sex work, drug use, and mental health, and retroactively release people currently being held in jail or monitored for offenses that are no longer being prosecuted.
State and local law enforcement immediately place a moratorium on all arrests.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately releases all people in ICE detention centers and that all state and local law enforcement not cooperate with or hold people in custody for ICE.
The Parole Board should expand release opportunities and expedite release decisions for incarcerated people.
For the health, safety, and future of our communities,
____________________________(your name) and Oregon DA for the People*.
*Please add other organizations that you represent to your email!