Feature of the Week
This week I have been inspired again by the many ways Portland’s community comes together. Rallies demanding more affordable housing, bike bus rides to school, tree lightings in Pioneer Courthouse Square, volunteers gathering at the Oregon Food Bank – Portlanders show up every day for each other, in so many ways.
As my friend Garrett Bucks wrote this week in The potluck manifesto, “They say that the heart is a muscle the size of a fist, and I agree, but if that’s the case then it’s also roughly the size of two peoples’ hands clasped together.” Another of my favorite lines: “…the most malevolent forces in the world (those that worship money, power, or the intersection between the two), would love for us to choose fear and cynicism rather than risk loving and building and showing up again even when the last meeting annoyed the hell out of us. What a thrill, to tell them no.”
At a Welcome Home Coalition rally on Wednesday, Rev. Sara Fischer of Hope & Bread Church spoke powerfully about the importance of caring for our neighbors. “Our city is never going to be renewed and revitalized until every Portlander has a safe, secure, dignified place to call home.” I agree with her that our priorities have to be preventing evictions and investing in permanent and affordable housing, and am hopeful for the work we are doing on Council to realize these goals. “Our neighbors deserve this, all our neighbors. People living outside deserve to be safely housed. People living in secure housing deserve to have neighbors who are safely housed….Have you seen the joy of someone being surprised by being offered dignity and love by a stranger? Our neighbors deserve this. We can do this. Let’s do this.”
This week Council passed an ordinance that would charge a fee to private property owners whose building is leased for use as a detention facility. I know that many of you would like the ICE facility shut down entirely, and I would encourage you to read this helpful fact sheet put together by Councilor Morillo’s team on the policy issues surrounding permit revocation. The measure we passed on Wednesday is a small but important step.
Keep reading for more stories from the week, plus upcoming events!
Atkinson Bike Bus
I cannot think of a better way to start a day than a Bike Bus! A huge thank you to the Atkinson Bike Bus crew, including parent coordinators and school staff, for a great ride Wednesday morning. The Atkinson Bike Bus rides every Wednesday, using three different routes. It was fun to learn more about the program, visit the school, and to see the enthusiasm the students brought to the morning commute!
Portland Tree Lighting
The Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square last Friday was so much fun – music, dancing, and a city gathering together. Such a wonderful tradition! It was great to gather with fellow councilors and constituents to sing and celebrate.
Volunteering at Oregon Food Bank
On Tuesday a crew from City Hall went to the Oregon Food Bank to work a repacking shift. I was joined by several of my staff members who worked together with other volunteers to bag more than 13,000 pounds of pears for distribution! While I was there I learned that last month more than 3,000 volunteers helped pack almost a million pounds of food for their neighbors. Way to show up for one another! No one should go hungry, and together we can help. I highly recommend checking out a volunteer shift – it’s a fun way to make a difference.
Central Eastside’s Annual District Celebration
The Central Eastside District Celebration Tuesday night was a vibrant gathering of community leaders. What a special treat to see Alex Murrell get an award for his work with Dream Big City!
Relatedly, please consider shopping locally this holiday season! Shop Small PDX has information on local markets and events. The Central Eastside PDX Passport offers prizes and discounts for shopping, dining, and exploring this amazing area. And many resources are available for small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs through the city’s Office of Small Business — check out their website to learn more!
Coming Up
Constituent Coffee – and Cocoa!
With so much going on in our community, I would love to hear from you! Our next constituent coffee will be held next Saturday, December 13, from 9 to 10:30 am in the Fireside Room at SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main Street. These gatherings are a chance to meet neighbors, talk about concerns and interests, and to ask questions and provide feedback. Coffee and hot cocoa will be provided. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Genocide Victims Remembrance Day
A bridge lighting and candlelight vigil for Genocide Victims Remembrance Day will be held at 4:30 pm Tuesday, December 9 at the Salmon Street Springs, 1000 SW Naito Parkway. There will be speakers from Palestinian, Sudanese, Rohingya, Jewish, and other communities sharing their stories. All are welcome to join in remembering victims and honoring survivors.
CEI Hub Workshop
The Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub is a six-mile section of fuel storage tanks between the Willamette River and Forest Park that stores 90% of Oregon’s fuels as well as fuels for export. A rank-and-file worker information session and comment writing workshop addressing safety concerns about the CEI Hub Policy Project will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm this Monday, December 8 at the Oregon AFL-CIO Building, 3645 SE 32nd Avenue. Food will be provided, and you can sign up here.
In the Media
Portland Traffic Deaths Are Trending in the Right Direction: Down
Sam Balto Has Made Portland’s Bike Buses Famous. Can They Last?
Community Resources
New PIRC Non-Emergency Number
Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) has opened a new number for non-urgent matters (upcoming ICE check-in support, volunteering, donations): 971-940-9053. The existing hotline number (888-622-1510) is still operational and remains the right place to report suspected Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.
Winter Weather Preparedness
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has several helpful resources for preparing for winter weather ahead.
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