Recently, Portland, Oregon has witnessed at least two groups (restaurants and performing arts) that have created local alliances to help generate and enact private, non-governmental vaccine/testing policies.. We suspect the motivation for the self-imposed mandates ranges from “we want to keep our patrons safe”, “many of our patrons have requested a vaccine policy“ to “we want to get ahead of the Governors mandates in March 2022.”
Our immediate attention is on Portland, Oregon businesses and organizations who are self-imposing vaccine and/or test mandates on their patrons. In our opinion, while it is certainly preferable and an easier process for businesses and organizations to simply drop their self-imposed mandates, we are explorimg the possibility of legal action with or without mandate.
In the case of an actual mandate, certain businesses may be named in addition to state actors, In cities such as Chicago, IL, state sanctions have been imposed and the battle is now in the Courts. In other states, some businesses have joined the fight and are suing the state against the mandates. Our hope is that if the Oregon mandates come to fruition, we will have gained a cadre of educated business/org owners who will join our fight.
The LOI has been written, a website was created, the LOI was posted on this site and the process of gathering supporting signatures is underway, so what‘s next;
(a) You can download or create your own LOI
(b) You can distill a quote or two from the LOI and create “bumper stickers”
(c) Present the LOI to business/org owners, including their staff and patrons, who you believe are engaging in the discriminatory application of vaccine mandates or testing option.
Service of the LOI to owners can be in person, with a group, email, certified mail or through whatever means you believe is of greatest benefit to your/our cause. Some will gain satisfaction in a non-binding effort to “simply” put owners, staff and patrons on notice and to hopefully educate/enlighten.
Note: Delivery of the LOI to an offending business/org is not a Court process, though if you elect to sue, expression of harm (“I was denied service, because I refused to declare vaccine/medical/health status to unknown individuals working the door at an ice cream shop”) and provide evidence (for example, the LOI) that you informed the business of the injury (discrimination, practicing medicine without license or qualification, etc.) with notice to refrain from the cause of harm (“let me enter your place of business without a need for medical/religious, etc. qualification”) may be used in your legal endeavors. If you do plan to sue, either Pro Se (self representation) or paid counsel, be aware of local court rules and details most advantageous to your claim.
(d) The key goal of the LOI campaign is to strongly encourage businesses to refrain from what we believe is unlawful, injurious behavior by imposing medical status as a qualification for service/exchange. We cannot over-emphasize, we hope the self imposed mandates will be rescinded without the need for legal action. The court of public opinion can and will likely play a significant, if not predominate role in defeating the mandates.
(e) We are planning a first service event (stay tuned) in Multnomah Village, where several area business denied one of our subscribers service on the basis of medical disqualification - during a heartbreaking series of refusals. incurred when his family attempted to treat him to a birthday breakfast.
(f) You are encouraged to schedule service and/or other events where the LOI and/or shortened variants can be shared throughout our communities.
(g) This page will serve as our first blog post and comments (will require sign up) are encouraged. We will also enable the events calendar to post events of interest, including others groups fighting for our freedoms.
(e) While the LOI campaign is underway, our grass roots group of concerned, impacted citizens (and that is who we are - we do not represent any organized or special interest and have received zero funds from any outside entity - but certainly open to donations to help fund the site and/or initiate a legal fund in the event we are compelled to initiate Court action) will explore legal options, including individuals with legal backgrounds, in the process of structuring an initial filing in Oregon. As mentioned earlier, the Illinois mandate case, provides a fantastic reference point and acclimation to legal filings. Of particular interest are the plaintiff’s unique allegations of harm.
(f) If you have ideas, suggestions or want to volunteer, please reach out via website or email admin@fcacm.org
Thanks for your support!!
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