Girls Are Speaking - Let’s Follow Their Lead
Contact your rep in the House of Representatives to encourage them to vote no on H.R. 9495.
Find Your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
A Draft Email and Additional Contact Through the ACLU : Tell Congress: Protect the Right to Dissent!
Representative Val Hoyle (Lincoln, Coos, Curry, Benton, Lane and parts of Linn and Douglas)
202-225-6416 | hoyle.house.gov
Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Linn, Deschutes and parts of Marion counties)
202-225-5711 | chavez-deremer.house.gov
Dear Friends,
After the recent presidential election, girls spoke.
Whether it was during afterschool drop-in, therapy appointments, or empowerment groups, youth shared fears, uncertainty, and sadness about what could happen to women’s and girls’ bodily autonomy, the safety of migrant families and youth, the validation of youth in the LGBTQIA+ community, and acknowledgment of those with disabilities.
Some youth took action. A Eugene feminist student union staged a walkout to raise awareness about their concerns. Girls expressed their interest in doing more as we enter the new year by joining OP’s Women’s Advisory Council for Youth – a girl-led group that focuses on community support and activism.
And now, we encourage you to follow the lead of these youth by taking action today.
Proposed legislation in Congress, H.R. 9495, which will be voted on again this Thursday, Nov. 21, could significantly impact nonprofit organizations and their operations. According to the Center for NonProfit Law, this bill requires no oversight, no due process, and no justification for the executive branch to indiscriminately label any non-profit organization - human rights groups, civil liberties organizations, universities, student groups, humanitarian aid funds – a “terrorist supporting organization” and strip it of its tax-exempt status.
The potential for misuse of this authority is deeply concerning. Here’s why.
Historically, “material support” laws have been applied in ways that disproportionately affect certain communities, including nonprofits and charities, particularly in the post-9/11 era. This legislation raises serious questions about how nonprofits could be scrutinized or penalized for activities such as advocacy, protests, or financial assistance. Some fear that this law could be used to suppress dissent, including pressuring educational institutions to disband student organizations or punishing groups perceived to support controversial causes.
Ophelia’s Place, along with many of our fellow nonprofits in Lane and Linn counties that serve youth, families, and anyone who identifies with historically marginalized communities, could fall under the cloudy definition of this law.
Originally, the House of Representatives narrowly blocked this dangerous bill. But it is unfortunately set to be voted on again tomorrow. We strongly encourage you to engage with your elected representatives to express your concerns about H.R. 9495 and its implications and to tell them to vote NO.
For some, maybe the results of the presidential election or subsequent legislation don’t create the same level of additional concern. But one thing remains true for everyone no matter the political affiliation you might carry: the social and emotional health of girls ages 10-18 needs support - for girls and youth who hold those intersectional identities even more so.
At OP, we believe in girls. And you do too. Help us lift them up so they can find their innate power and voices. To remind them that their power and voices can change the world, and help them navigate a sometimes-tumultuous world with confidence.
OP will continue to be here for girls, who are our past, current, and future leaders. Protecting their rights, as well as other basic human rights of others should never be controversial.
Girls are speaking. Let’s follow their lead.
With Gratitude,
Laura Sanchez
OP Executive Director