In her May 5 column, Lily Raff McCaulou’s lead sentence states that Central Oregon is known for physical activism, not political activism. Hearing this, from one of The Bulletin’s best reporters, is hard news. There are a great many of us who have worked for years to keep Bend politically active.

We hold fundraisers, stage demonstrations and work with various groups and churches in the community to promote social justice legislation. We network. We collaborate with Crook County advocates under the umbrella of Rural Organizing Project, a statewide organization for political action.

With support from statewide CAUSA and local immigrant family advocates, we continue working to keep Deschutes County on the map for immigration reform. Bend now has a building, the Central Oregon Social Justice Center, centrally located, that houses seven advocacy groups. As political activists, we show up at city council as well as at the offices of our state and national legislators. Sometimes we take our causes to the street.

Although we inform The Bulletin of our activities and give notice if we plan a public protest, coverage is often minimal, if at all. But we do not give up hope; we will continue to let The Bulletin know when and what we are about. Coverage is their prerogative.

Janet Whitney

Bend