Progressive Salem

Category: Presentation

  • Upcoming Progressive Salem events

    Please mark your calendar for the following upcoming Progressive Salem events:

    First Tuesday

    Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 4:30–6:30 pm
    Taproot Lounge, 356 State St, Salem
    Councilor Mai Vang will be our featured speaker. She will update us about her write-in campaign to defeat Betsy Vega in the November election. Hope to see you at the Taproot Lounge on State Street on September 1.

    General Membership Meeting Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 6 – 7:30 pm

    (Note time & location change!) Bush’s Pasture Park, SW Corner Picnic Area – Bring Your Own Chair
    Join us to learn about the Ward 6 & Ward 8 City Council races for November, and how you can help!

    East Salem Canvass Kickoff

    Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10 am
    Royal Oaks Park, 4882 Carriage Rd NE, Salem, OR
    Join Councilor Mai Vang and Special Guests to officially kick off our canvass of East Salem! 

    West Salem Canvass Kickoff

    Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 1 pm

    Brush College Park, 2600 Doaks Ferry Rd NW
    Join Councilor Micki Varney to kick off our canvass of West Salem!

    Presentation: Socialism, Communism, and American Politics

    Saturday, September 19, 2026, 3:00–4:30 pm
    Salem Public Library, Anderson Rooms
    Professor Bill Smaldone, will speak on Socialism, Communism, and American Politics today. What is Socialism? What is Communism? How are they relevant to American politics at this crucial moment in our history? Bill Smaldone, Professor of History at Willamette University and former Salem City Councilor, will examine the history of the stark differences between socialism and communism and how they are relevant to our current policies. Join us in the Anderson Rooms at the Salem Library on September 19! This promises to be a very interesting, important talk.

    First Tuesday

    Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4:30–6:30 pm
    Taproot Lounge, 356 State St, Salem
    Councilwoman Micki Varney will speak on her re-election campaign. Because neither she nor her opponent garnered over 50% of the votes in the May election, a run-off between Micki and her opponent is required. Come join us for some fun and a discussion about her campaign. Join us at the Taproot Lounge on State Street on October 6.

  • Presentation: Fascism in the United States

    Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 PM
    Marion County Dems Office
    (245 High Street NE)

    Professor Seth Cotlar will speak on the history of fascism in the United States from the 1920s to the present.  Professor Cotlar, a history professor at Willamette, will speak about the national history of American fascism, and will share some of his research on the history of the Oregon Republican Party and the 1930s-vintage fascist and White Christian Nationalist named Walter Huss who led a 20-year grassroots insurgency that resulted in him getting elected chair of the Oregon Republican Party in 1978.  Professor Cotlar’s  presentation promises to be educational and relevant to current events in our nation.

    We hope you will join us Thursday evening.

  • April 12: Meet the candidates for Salem mayor

    MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Plan to come to the first-ever all ages mayoral forum at the Salem Public Library on Sunday, April 12th at 2 pm. Bring the whole family! Send in a question using the QR code below.

    Meet the candidates

  • Event: Autocracy and Oligarchy in American History

    Event: Autocracy and Oligarchy in American History

    Local Keizer resident Larry Scruggs, who has a doctorate in urban studies, will examine how autocratic tendencies and oligarchic structures have influenced our nation’s political and economic development from the founding era to the present day.  Drawing on his expertise in social change, Scruggs will help attendees understand the historical context behind current debates about wealth inequality, corporate influence, and democratic governance.  The presentation will examine both the mechanisms that have allowed power concentration and the grassroots movements that have challenged these tendencies throughout our history.

    RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/scruggs-oligarchy

  • How we win an election

    A presentation by Tina Calos, Kirk Leonard, and Chris Hoy

    Saturday, August 2, 10 am at the Marion Democrats HQ

    Tina Calos, Kirk Leonard, and Chris Hoy

    The program will introduce new members and prospective members to Progressive Salem’s mission by describing the recent Mai Vang campaign and how the group succeeded in supporting her election to the Ward 6 City Councilor position. Veteran members will also learn from our recent success.

    Our program is for all comers, but we hope new members to Progressive Salem will plan to come to learn more about its vision for our group. And of course, we always welcome others who are prospective members and are interested in learning more about our group and its mission. We hope the program will inspire you to get involved with our upcoming campaigns in a way that suits your interests.

    We hope to see you there!