 Sign Making and Never Again Is Now
It felt wonderful to march on Saturday with so many fellow Portlanders, and to see the many other protests and actions around the country and world. Portlanders said loud and proud that this is our home, and that we do not need or want military interference in our city. The humor, creativity, and positive energy gives me so much hope! I am beyond proud of how our city is showing up and standing together.
My morning started with a sign-making event hosted by my office. It was heartening to see so many people show up to express themselves creatively, teach their children how to speak out, and offer to share Protect Oregon posters with their neighbors, coworkers, friends and family. (There are still many posters available for pickup and distribution. If you are interested; you can pick them up at SE Uplift, 3534 SE Main.)
I then headed to the Japanese Historical Plaza to speak with Tsuru for Solidarity and Oregon Stands Against Hate, to say that Never Again is Now. Understanding how government internment in World War II irreparably hurt Japanese Americans (with ripple effects lasting for generations) strengthens my resolve to do all I can to protect targeted communities in this moment. Immigrants and refugees are our neighbors, have rights, and must be treated with dignity. I will continue to work to draft and support legislation strengthening protections and programs to push back against federal violence in our community.
I wrote about the 9th Court of Appeals decision in a newsletter on Tuesday, and you can find the full City Council response here.
Many organizations are leading trainings, volunteer programs, and other activities to resist aggressive use of force by federalized troops and increased ICE activity. You can access Protect Oregon’s list of upcoming events here.
SNAP Benefits Threatened
Along with all of my fellow City Councilors, Mayor Keith Wilson, Multnomah County leaders, SEIU Oregon, Portland for All, ACLU Oregon, and many others, I am calling on the Trump administration to immediately fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Money will be unavailable after the end of the month if nothing is done, leaving almost 1 in 5 Multnomah County residents without this essential assistance. This is unacceptable, and I will be watching the situation closely.
If you are experiencing food insecurity you can use this food finder link from the Oregon Food Bank. If you are able, this is a good time to donate food or money to causes helping provide food for those who need help.
 Finding Home Report Released
The Welcome Home Coalition and Sisters of the Road have released a report that is an extensive collection of findings from hundreds of surveys, focus groups, community analysis groups and data walks conducted 2022-2025. Researchers from Portland State University and Oregon Health and Science University helped compile information from more than 650 people with lived experience with homelessness in the Portland metro area. Two of the main takeaways are that 91% of respondents said they would move into housing if they could afford it, and that wraparound supports are needed to make the transition to housing permanent. At the release party on Thursday night there were many ideas about what our city can do to help with the urgent need for more affordable housing and services. You can read the full report, “Finding Home: Lasting Housing Solutions Rooted in Community Expertise,” here.
 Breast Cancer
I was glad to stand in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Wednesday morning at an event hosted by Councilor Jamie Dunphy. Speakers at the pre-Council event and in the City Council meeting included Dr. Alexandra Zimmer of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Susan Stearns of the Pink Lemonade Project, and youth advocate Nikhil Surya. It was powerful to hear their testimonies about the importance of early detection, equitable access to care, and the impact of community support.
 Portland Aquarium Field Trip
Today I got to be a chaperone on one of my son’s field trips, and it was so fun! We got to check out Mike Bennett Studio’s Portland Aquarium downtown. You’ve probably seen Bennett’s “slow down” traffic signs with sloths, snails, and other animals around town. With this installation he’s created an immersive world of sea creatures that features him as a Jacques Cousteau-type explorer, includes a scavenger hunt, and of course has lots of fabulous art! Our group came to City Hall for lunch afterward, and it was fun to see the overlap of experiences. Grateful for this chance to spend time learning and exploring with students today, and to celebrate innovation and creativity in our city!
 Oaks Park
Wow, does the newly renovated dance pavilion at Oaks Park look amazing! Built in 1905, the Dance Pavilion recently reopened after almost a year of renovations, which included the removal of the drop ceiling. The planks of the original timber roof shine, and there are many other great updates, including ADA accessibility improvements. It was fun to celebrate the reopening Wednesday night (I’m seen here with former US Representative Earl Blumenauer and Oaks Park mascot Chipper). Looking forward to making many more memories here!
Organizing Soccer for Refugee & Immigrant Communities
Youth soccer can be expensive and complicated: imagine navigating it as a new Portlander! If you are interested in supporting youth soccer and increasing the capacity of its community organizers, consider offering your support for a half-day event “How to Organize Soccer/Football Tournaments within Refugee & Immigrant Communities” next Saturday, November 1. For more information check out this post from the event organizer, Som Subedi, or contact him at 971-610-9429 or bottlestosoccer@gmail.com.
Free Dumpster Day
Dream Big City and Metro will be hosting a free Dumpster Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 25 at Portland Dream Plaza, SE 9th and Yamhill. Free hot dogs and drinks and music will be available, and multiple dumpsters will be by the big orange skateboard mural rain or shine. Bulky items accepted!
 The Advocacy Committee of Sunnyside PTSA and Community and Parents for Public Schools (CPPS) will be holding a Teach-In and Community Forum about Oregon Public School Funding and Advocacy from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 6 at Sunnyside K-8, 3421 SE Salmon St. The history of Oregon’s public school funding will be discussed, along with ideas for reform. All are invited!
 PBOT's Ride Through the Seasons campaign encourages Portlanders to keep riding their bikes into fall. Upcoming events include:
“Here is a very specific thing you can do right now that will meet the moment quite nicely” by my friend Garrett Bucks
Surveys About Greenways and Sunday Parkways
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is looking for suggestions about how to improve greenways so that they feel safer and more comfortable. For now, PBOT is focused on four elementary schools with bike/walk buses: Abernethy, Lent, James John, and Maplewood. PBOT will have $400,000 to construct the highest priority projects beginning in summer 2026. Whether you walk, bike, scoot, roll, or drive on neighborhood greenways, you can take the online survey through November 30 to suggest improvements. For more information about this project visit: portland.gov/BetterGreenways.
PBOT also has a survey about this year’s Sunday Parkways season. As part of the survey, due by next Friday, October 31, you can enter to win Portland Sunday Parkways merchandise!
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