We seek healing and justice for the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, all families in Portland who have experienced similar trauma at the hands of police in the past, and for our society that has not healed the wounds of systemic racism or even recognized how it uses the police for continuing oppression.

There is much that needs to be said about the current time we’re living in, too much to cover in a single message but it is so critical that we must not delay in expressing our compassion, solidarity, and support for our community.

Once again we are called to reflect upon the recent murders of Black men and women by a system that continues to assault without repercussion. Some are called to protest and to grieve at the injustice while others do not recognize that any problem exists. Hundreds of years of systemic racism continues to fester in our society.

During this time, please consider reaching out in support of our communities of color: seek out and support the black and brown businesses, lend support to Don’t Shoot Portland, Black Lives Matter, The Urban League, The Portland NAACP, Portland African American Leadership Forum, The Black Resilience Fund and the many other organizations of our black community.  

Kareem Abdul-Jabaar has said that “Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in.” We have all breathed it into our lungs. 

If you are a person of color and interested in having a place within the Democratic Party of Multnomah County, know that you are welcome. As an all-volunteer organization we seek to overcome injustice with activism, to welcome the struggle and stand with you as together we demand equity.

We pledge to do our part to make Black Lives Matter a reality.

Lurelle Robbins, Chair

The Democratic Party of Multnomah County