Bend post office rally part of nationwide effort in support of U.S. Postal Service

(Update: Adding video, more quotes)

Union says USPS needs $25 billion in funding

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As part of a "Save the Post Office" national day of action by the American Postal Workers Union, a small demonstration was held Tuesday at Bend's main post office on Northeast Fourth Street.

Emily Gibson, a Bend elementary school teacher, helped put together the rally. Gibson told NewsChannel 21 the public reaction to the day's rally had been "hugely positive."

About five people showed up for Tuesday's rally, but organizers said a larger group of about 50 gathered last Saturday at the old Post Office Building in downtown Bend.

"In Oregon, we all vote by mail, so if our mail system is slowing down and we are hearing that they can't guarantee that the ballots will be delivered on time, that's a serious problem," Gibson said.

The union's campaign calls on elected officials and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to provide at least $25 billion in immediate support to the USPS and to stop and reverse the mail slowdown policies he has introduced.

"At the end of the day, it's an issue of what serves our communities, what makes us a great place to live and what makes us a place that functions as a society" Beverly Vazquez told NewsChannel 21. "And without public services like our Postal Service, I think we really are losing track of what's important."

Gibson said one way you can help support the USPS is by contacting local politicians and your state's senators.