 Waterfront Park Rally
The news that National Guard troops could be sent to Portland is alarming and still unfolding. The Council President has asked me to represent the Council with the multi-agency response led by the Mayor's Office and Portland Emergency Management. In that role, I am participating in several meetings and briefings daily to respond to rapidly changing information and events. I am committed to communicating with the Council and our communities as we face this threat together.
As I wrote in my letter Sunday, our community is resilient, and we will not be intimidated. Portland’s strength is our PEOPLE. It is our diversity, our commitment to justice, and our care for one another that serve as shields against attempts to divide and destabilize us, but we do need to take steps to face the present moment. Some of the resources I included in Sunday’s letter are posted below, in the community resources section. One way to help our community is to report ICE and federal force actions to the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) hotline so they can be verified. Their number is 1-888-622-1510.
Sunday afternoon’s rally at Waterfront Park was a gentle way to gather, protest, and clearly send the message that we do not need federal forces in Portland. I was glad to stand in solidarity to send the message that Portland cares about our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and affirms the right of freedom of expression.
 ICE Building Visit
On Wednesday morning I visited the ICE building on Macadam, to meet with Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) staff and volunteers and to hear more about how things have been going in the last few days. As has been true every time I visit the site, everything was organized and calm, and evening protests are small and peaceful. There is a growing number of counter-protesters agitating, but the situation still sounds safe overall. It is clear to me that there is no need for additional support from the federal level. I am grateful for the powerful work PIRC is doing and will continue to support their efforts.
 Urban Forestry Tour
On Tuesday I took a tour with Urban Forestry and learned so much about how trees are managed in Portland! As part of the tour we talked with Home Forward staff about how trees improve housing quality, and how planting and caring for trees can help build community. Shade equity and traffic calming are two benefits from a healthy tree population that feel especially important right now.
My team and I learned about the three-year maintenance schedule for new trees (after which trees require almost no maintenance), the 93% survival rate of trees being planted, and the new program being launched to do proactive maintenance of older trees. We also heard about the importance of Portland Clean Energy Fund money for these and other programs, including preemptive work against invasive pests such as the emerald ash borer.
Volunteers are needed for upcoming events hosted by Urban Forestry, including the Portland Arbor Day event at Sacajawea Head Start, 4800 NE 74th Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 18, and at yard tree giveaways this Saturday at Farragut City Park, Oct. 11 at Gilbert Heights Elementary, Oct. 18 at Sacajawea Head Start, Oct. 25 at OMSI, and Nov. 1 at Mt. Tabor Nursery. Click here to get more information or to sign up!
 Kerby Garage Tour
Today I toured the 102-year-old Kerby Garage, which houses most CityFleet staff and all heavy-duty repair operations for Portland. We learned about the services provided there, and the many limitations and safety concerns the current building has. There is a plan to relocate CityFleet to a new facility, Cutter Garage, in the spring of 2027. I appreciate how tours like this help me make better-informed votes on the dais!
 Rahab’s Sisters
Last Friday our District 3 office sponsored a dinner at Rahab’s Sisters, a community for women, trans, and nonbinary folks experiencing poverty, houselessness, and isolation. Every Friday there is a gathering with dinner and other services from 5 to 8 p.m. We made pasta and salad, and got to serve dinner to a beautifully supportive group! Other events Rahab’s Sisters hosts include drop-in supplies and boutiques from 2 to 4 p.m. on first and third Wednesdays, and individual appointments for support. I am honored to be serving as the emcee for Rahab’s Sisters’ annual fundraiser, Sparkle Party 2025: Radical Hospitality as Resistance, this Tuesday, October 7 at 6 p.m.! Tickets are available here.
Advisory Bodies Enhancement Project Update
The Advisory Bodies Enhancement Project’s third status update is now available. The transition to our new form of city government has required updates to appointed boards, commissions and committees. As chair of the Governance Committee, I have been working closely on this process. The latest work will be presented Monday in the Governance Committee meeting from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Public feedback is welcomed at virtual community sessions on Thursday, Oct. 9 (register), and Oct. 14 (register). More information is available on the project webpage. The final report is slated for late October or early November.
Duty to Disobey
"Duty to Disobey: Veterans Stand Against War on American Soil," a demonstration and press conference, will be held at 2 p.m. this Sunday, October 5th, on the steps of Portland City Hall. Veterans of multiple conflicts will talk about the duty of service members to refuse immoral, illegal, and unconstitutional orders. Speakers at the event will include Dan Shea from Veterans for Peace, Mike Prysner from About Face, and Portland City Councilor and U.S. Army veteran Mitch Green.
Protect Oregon
Protect Oregon will be hosting several events for residents to peacefully gather and discuss how to organize to support democracy. An event in District 3 will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, October 12th. Location will be provided upon registration. For a full list of events, and to RSVP, click here.
Resources from Sunday's Letter
Here are some of the links and resources I included in my letter on Sunday:
Civil Rights Unit (CRU) Sanctuary Promise Community Toolkit: Community Toolkit - Oregon Department of Justice
Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition: Resources | Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition
Oregon for All: Vital resources for Oregon's mmigrant and refugee communities to protect and defend your families.
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice: Partner with IMIrJ to Support Immigrant Justice and Sanctuary Efforts
These are also groups I follow on social media– I highlight trusted groups on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
If you or your loved ones encounter federal immigration officers, please remember your rights. Share these “Know Your Rights” documents from the National Day Laborer Organizer Network: (NDLON). You will see your rights explained such as:
- Right to remain silent / refuse to answer immigration status questions
- Right to an attorney / legal representation
- Right to deny consent to searches
- Right to know if you are being detained / free to leave
General caveat / disclaimer from NDLON: Their handouts are not legal advice. You should consult an immigration attorney for legal guidance. They also warn that ICE may lie about who they are, so it’s important to be cautious about opening doors or being misled.
TriMet Service Cuts Announced
Last week I included the TriMet survey about service priorities in the face of budget shortfalls. On November 30, two District 3 lines will be cut:
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FX2-Division: Buses will arrive every 24–35 minutes before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. every day.
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77-Broadway/Halsey: Buses will arrive once an hour after 9 p.m.
My staff has met with TriMet and underscored our intent that they listen to riders and unions, and center equity and accessibility. If you’d like to take the survey, it is here.
SE Uplift Small Grants Program -- Applications and Committee Members Sought
Every year SE Uplift awards small grants to help fund projects that serve residents in their district area. Right now there are two ways to get involved with that process. The application deadline for both options is Sunday, November 2 at 11:59 p.m.
- Groups with a project located in the SE Uplift district area – and/or that will serve the residents of the district – may apply for funding to help shape the places where they live, work and play. Grants up to $3,000 that build community and increase civic engagement will be awarded. SE Uplift provides training and technical support to help applicants. For more information click here.
- You can also apply to be a member of SE Uplift’s Grant Review Committee (GRC). The GRC reviews applications for the District 3 Community Small Grants program. Volunteers must not be associated with the projects themselves, and must be able to attend two remote meetings – Sunday, November 9th at 7pm for orientation and Tuesday, November 19th 7 to 9pm for scoring the grant applications. Members receive a $50 stipend for their time, and contribute directly to transforming neighborhoods across District 3. Sign up here. If you have any questions, please email them to alex@seuplift.org!
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