Thousands of people joined the NO KINGS protests across Jackson County on June 14th in Ashland, Medford, and Jacksonville.  If you participated, saw reports of the events on the local news or heard from your friends about the protests, I’m sure you agree that the June 14th No Kings rallies were an inspiring affirmation of the power of the people, and of our First Amendment right to peacefully assemble.  

Jackson County is considered a “red” county with 7,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats . . but on this June 14th . . Jackson County looked very purple with so many folks (and not only Democrats) on the streets standing up to Trump’s policies and the MAGA agenda.  

Thank you to organizations that spearheaded the huge sidewalk protest  in Medford (ORD2 Indivisible, Women’s March Southern Oregon, and Jackson County 50501) and a tip of my hat to a small but feisty group that organized a rally in placid Jacksonville, led by Pat Gordon, a long-time Neighborhood Leader. 

The morning following the rallies, I found this message in my email from a fellow Democrat:  “That was great!  When’s the next one?” 

Getting the information you need to get involved in the Resistance  

Here are some recommendations to help you stay in loop about upcoming events: 

Make sure you read the weekly newsletter of our local Indivisible chapter, Oregon District 2 Indivisible. Indivisible’s mission is to push back against the Trump administration’s policies and hold our elected government officials accountable. Go to ORD2Indivisible.org to subscribe. This newsletter provides a link to a very helpful Action Calendar. 

If you don’t already subscribe to the Jackson County Democrats’  newsletter, go to jcdemocrats.org/contact and look for the newsletter link.  This is a monthly publication.  You’ll find details about which events our local party is promoting or involved with.  Bookmark the following national websites because you will learn about additional events:  fiftyfiftyone.org,  mobilize.us, and indivisible.org (the national organization).  If you are interested in unseating Rep. Cliff Bentz, you may want to check out what other county Democratic parties in his district are up to.  They often post events on mobilize.us. 

Follow the Facebook pages for ORD2Indivisible and the Jackson County Democrats. Sometimes things happen suddenly, and these sources may be more effective in getting out information quickly.  

Start an old fashioned phone tree with your friends so you can let them know about important events happening in our community. 

You can help get the word out about local events by volunteering with Jackson County Democrats or Oregon District 2 Indivisible. Both organizations have communications teams.  It takes lots of volunteer time to round up information about events and fact-check it for accuracy – not to mention to post it on the web and in social media platforms and email. 

Beyond Protests . . What you can do to stay involved:

Now that June 14 has come and gone, let’s remember that while rallies are highly motivating and an important part of the resistance (and take a herculean effort to organize), there are many other important jobs to do in our opposition to MAGA and Project 2025.  We need all of them!  

Let’s not sit around waiting for the next protest.  Here are just a few suggestions:

Call your representatives every week – especially our Representative in the US House, Republican Cliff Bentz.  Call daily if you can.  The 5 Calls phone app is a powerful tool.  Download it to your smartphone from your app store, or find out about it at 5calls.org. You can call Cliff Bentz’s office in Medford at 541-776-4646 or in Washington D.C. at 202-225-6730.  

Once again, the Indivisible newsletter includes many resistance activities you can get involved in – the Knitter Resisters, Art for Democracy, Rabble Rousers, and Hey Cliff Tuesdays, Letter Writing Fridays.  If this list has piqued your curiosity, you’ll have to read their newsletter! (see link above)

Explore the possibility of running for office.  Send an email to Chair@jcdemocrats.org (that’s me). I have a personal goal for November 2026:  I want to recruit at least one Democrat to run for every city council in Jackson County next year – including Prospect, Shady Cove, Butte Falls, Eagle Point, Rogue River, Gold Hill and Central Point – as well as the larger communities.  Moderates and progressives can win these offices and serve the public – even in the most conservative areas of our county.  Let’s make Democrats competitive everywhere. 

Meet Democrats from across Oregon – including many young Democrats – when the Jackson County Democrats host the quarterly meeting of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Oregon.  It will be held at Southern Oregon University June 28 and 29, and many events are free.  Check out the Young Democrats Caucus, the Rural Caucus and the Stonewall Caucus, among others. 

Find out more at dpo.org/scc. And we need more volunteers for Sunday, June 29!  Check out the shifts here. 

Get inspired by joining us Saturday evening, June 28 for a joint           fundraising dinner with the Democratic Party of Oregon celebrating the theme of  “Lighting our Way to Democracy” where State Rep. Pam Marsh will be the guest speaker.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m. - Dinner at 6:30. 

 Click here to purchase tickets

Please purchase your tickets ASAP as seating is limited.  We will not be able to sell tickets at the door. 

Join us as we Light the Way for Democracy Together in Ashland’s 4th of July Parade.  We’re making a float and some of us will be riding along and others walking together to show not only Ashland but southern Oregon that Democrats are strong and committed to positive change for our communities.  Call our party at 541-858-1050 if you’d like to be in the parade or help out building the float.  

Help us build up funds so the Democrats can be competitive in the Midterm elections in Jackson County next year.  Our party will be working hard to support local candidates – from city council races to State Representatives and State Senators and getting out the vote for a strong candidate to defeat Republican Cliff Bentz.  All donations to the Jackson County Democrats are used right here in Jackson County.  Donate to our midterm fund here:  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/midterm26 

Or you can send a check to: Jackson County Democrats, P.O. Box 4474, Medford, OR 997501. Please include your address and your employment information or if you’re retired for campaign finance reporting compliance.  Also, please allow 2-3 weeks for your check to post.

Our mutual challenge:  Become Doers

John F. Kennedy is memorable for this challenge:  “Ask not what your country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your country.”

Today I’m challenging Democrats of Jackson County to become Doers.  

Be persistent!  Hunt down the sources you need to stay informed.

Take initiative!  Step up and volunteer – and try something you’ve never tried before.  

And please don’t rule out knocking on doors and making phone calls.  If Democrats want to deliver a major victory over extremism in 2026, we must have real conversations with real voters.  We’ll train you!

Let’s make this a Summer of Inspired Activism.  Yes, it’s family and vacation time for many folks, and we all need to take occasional breaks and take care of ourselves.  But that doesn’t mean we can put off the urgent work of defending our liberty and our democracy.   Our county, our state, and our nation are depending on us to Light the way for Democracy – Together.

Get involved today!  Call and leave a message at 541-858-1050 and one of our enthusiastic volunteers will get back to you.  Or you’re welcome to email me at Chair@jcdemocrats.org. 

In solidarity,

David Sours

Party Chair

Jackson County Democrats