 Minoru Yasui Pre-Gavel
My heart is full – Wednesday was such a powerful and touching night! Thank you to everyone who joined us to honor the inspirational work and legacy of Minoru Yasui, who challenged the incarceration of Japanese Americans in concentration camps during World War II. Staff from the City Archives and Auditor’s Office brought original artifacts including bound volumes of the City of Portland’s 1942 resolutions, and speakers included Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, Executive Director of the Japanese American Museum of Oregon; Chisao Hata, artist and activist; Lynn Fuchigami; June Schumann; Minidoka internment camp survivor Kay Endo; and Peggy Nagae, who was the lead attorney who reopened Yasui’s WWII case and successfully campaigned for him to win a Presidential Medal of Freedom. You can watch the pre-gavel proclamation testimony here.
Yasui’s story is especially important now, when I and other members of the Japanese American community are committed to being the allies our families needed. When we see echoes of the same dehumanizing behavior in the federal response to immigrants and refugees, we must stand up and say Never Again is Now. I encourage everyone to attend the free 2026 Minoru Yasui Day event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave. I also call on Congress to pass House Representatives Ilhan Omar’s Neighbors Not Enemies Act, H.R. 630, which would repeal provisions that were used to imprison Japanese Americans and that are still being used today against our neighbors and community members.
 One Water Infrastructure Tour
Last week, my staff and I had the opportunity to join the Portland Water Bureau and Bureau of Environmental Services to tour the city’s important water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure. Our tour included District 3’s Mount Tabor reservoirs, the future Willamette River Crossing Project near OMSI, and an overview of rain gardens and bioswales that help divert water from our sewage pipes. They’re making a huge difference!
Clean water and working sewers are essential city services that many of us take for granted, and are a powerful example of the amazing things that we can do when we work together for the common good. I also want to highlight the often forgotten city infrastructure that we don’t see, including supply pipes running underneath us, pump stations sending sewage to treatment plants, and so much more. It’s important to acknowledge that we as a community have to work together and plan for how these important systems will continue to work over years to come. One of my favorite One Water resources? The Big Pipe Tracker site online!
 Street Books Visit
Thank you to Diana Rempe and her Street Books crew for a wonderful visit Wednesday! The bike-based library program has a regular weekly schedule to provide books and other resources, support, and advocacy to community members throughout Portland. It is clear that this program is making real, nourishing relationships. I am grateful for their outreach, and can’t wait to visit again!
 Reimagine the River
On Wednesday, more than 300 people gathered at the Redd in District 3 for the Reimagine the River Symposium. Leaders from tribal nations, government, private and nonprofit organizations, and the public shared concerns and ideas on reimagining, restoring, and reconnecting with the Willamette River. Panelists detailed how their ancestors lived with and from the river, and how the Willamette has served since "time immemorial" as a place of economy, culture, connections, transportation, refuge and escape. The event was a reminder of how vital the river is to Portland and its peoples, and was an opportunity to come together so that government, individuals, and communities could reimagine its future.
Migrawatch Training
APANO will hold a Migrawatch training tomorrow, Saturday March 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. The training will cover Oregon's Sanctuary Status, resources for immigrants and allies, and how to prepare for encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can register here
Regional Transportation Commission Vacancy
Multnomah County is looking to fill a vacancy on the Regional 1 Area Commission on Transportation (R1ACT). This Oregon Department of Transportation regional commission includes Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Hood River counties. The group discusses state transportation issues, policies, and projects impacting the region. To learn more and apply visit their website by 5 p.m. Monday, March 23.
Sunday Parkways and Bike Fairs
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has announced the schedule for Portland Sunday Parkways’ 19th year! The series of free, family-friendly events for walking, biking, rolling, and playing on a route closed to cars will include Southwest Portland on May 17, East Portland on June 28, North Portland event on Aug. 2, and Downtown Portland on Sept. 13.
Additionally, the Hazelwood Bike Fair will be held April 24 at Menlo Park Elementary and the Centennial Bike Fair May 29 at Parklane Elementary. More bike fair dates for North and Northwest Portland will be announced online this spring. Neighborhood Bike Fairs are free, all-ages events where community members can learn to ride a bike, get fitted with a new helmet, practice riding, and get minor bike repairs made.
Harrison Park Tree Planting
Urban Forestry and APANO are holding a tree planting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4 at Harrison Park, 1931 SE 84th Ave. Participants will plant ten trees, work in the nature patch, and connect with partners Friends of Trees and Portland Fruit Tree Project. Register by April 3 here.
El Camino de Dolores Walk+Roll to School Day
Oregon Safe Routes to School will hold El Camino de Dolores Walk+Roll to School Day on or around April 10. The event is an opportunity for students and their families to celebrate Dolores Huerta’s work with the farmworkers' movement and current efforts for positive change, while encouraging students to walk or bike to school.
Urban Forestry Tree Summit
Urban Forestry’s 2026 Tree Summit will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11 at Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 72nd Ave. The event is free and open to the public, and includes presentations from community partners, refreshments, and local organizations helping grow and care for our urban forest. Register by April 10.
Immigrant and Refugee Support
Here are some resources that support immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon:
- To report ICE activity in your community, you can call the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) at 1-888-622-1510. Their nonemergency line is 971-940-9053.
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The Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO) provides free legal assistance to immigrant and refugee Oregonians who need help with immigration law, are seeking asylum, are applying for DACA, are filing for an immigration work permit, or cannot afford a lawyer or filing fees. For help finding an immigration attorney through ECO call 1-888-274-7292 or email Info@equitycorps.org.
If you or someone you know was targeted in violation of Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise laws, please call the Sanctuary Promise Hotline at 1-844-924-STAY / 1-844-6-AMPARO or report online at SanctuaryPromise.Oregon.gov or PromesaSantuario.Oregon.gov.
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