Street roots
O ct 24, 2014
In support of Measure 88: Give Oregonians equal rights
BY SHARON GARY-SMITH
CON TR IB UTIN G WRITER
Sharon Gary-Smith
is the
Executive Director of
the McKenzie River
Gathering
Foundation.
To fin d out more
about the foundation
visit WWW.
mrgfoundation.org
. At McKenzie River Foundation (MRG),
we have never been shy about articulating
our vision for a just and joyful Oregon. For
nearly four decades, we’ve funded innovative
grassroots groups advancing social, racial,
economic, and environmental justice. We
invest nearly half a million dollars each year
in groups that are working on some of the
most pressing issues facing Oregon
communities.
This year, we’ve decided that there are
times when we must also lend our voices
and speak out in support of critical issues.
Which is why I’m urging you to vote yes on
Measure 88, the Safe Roads Act
Since 2007, when Governor Kulongoski
restricted driver licenses to only those who
could provide proof of legal residence,
MRG’s grantees and allies have been
working for a better system, developing the
leadership of those most impacted, and.
building a powerful cross-sector coalition. In
2013, these groups secured a major victory
when the Safe Roads Act passed the Oregon
legislature with statewide, bipartisan
support The Act ensures that
undocumented Oregonians, those
experiencing homelessness, and others
without documentation, can live their lives,
get to work and go to school without fear of
arrest or deportation.
Now, a small group of opponents is trying
to dismantle that work by referring Measure
88 to the ballot And we cannot allow their
efforts to go unchallenged. We must vote
yes on Measure 88 and guarantee access to
Oregon roads for all Oregonians.
Voting YES on Measure 88 ensures that
Oregon residents who can pass a driver’s
test will be able to get a driver’s card,
allowing them to safely and legally drive on
Oregon roads. While this driver card is
actually quite limited, it moves us ever
closer to securing social justice for all
Oregonians. We will only thrive when all of
us have equal access to roads, education,
services, and jobs - voting yes on Measure
88 is an important step in that direction.
From my position as the executive
director of MRG Foundation, I have a
somewhat unique opportunity to see across
issues, across communities, and across the
state. From Ashland to Scappoose and from
Coos Bay to La Grande, MRG’s grantees,
donors, and leaders work in nearly every
county and come from every movement I
see the ways that this measure will benefit
not just undocumented immigrants, but also
seniors and those affected by homelessness.
It’s clear to me that it will strengthen not
just one social justice movement, but many;
transportation is essential to employment,
accessing healthcare, education, and much
more. And being able to live without fear of
persecution or deportation is an essential
building-block for family security, equity, and
justice. Voting yes on Measure 88 advances
not one, but many causes. The measure
supports not one, but many communities.
All of us must do what we can to stand Up
to those who would deny rights and access
to all Oregonians. For me, and for MRG,
that means
supporting the
"Mil ©I tts must do what we
Measure 88
campaign with both can to stand up to those who
our voices and our
would deuy rights and
resources. For
access to a ll Oregonians. For
others, it might
me and for
that means
mean knocking on
supporting the Measure 88
doors or talking to
campaign w ith Both our
neighbors. And
others still might
voice and our resources,**
simply vote yes on
the measure. But we
can all contribute to
this important effort
This is an opportunity to build stronger
coalitions and demand an Oregon where we
can all get to work and school. It’s an
opportunity to lift our voices for friends and
allies, to change a system that punishes
people based on where they were bom or
where they live, and to take a crucial step
toward a more just and joyful Oregon. We
must seize this opportunity together.
... to the
health care you
know and trust.
Workingin partners hip with providers,
THE MAGIC IS N THE HOL.EI
community health centers and social service
agencies to serve people on the Oregon
Health Plan, Health Share is building a more
accessible and coordinated care system
throughout the Tri County area.
Together we are
health
503-416-8090 I www.healthshareoregon.org
G k
Health Share of Oregon
2 2 SW 3RD
& BURNSIDE
1501 NE DAVIS
SUPPORTING STREET
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