Community Statement on May 26th, 2017 Killings by White Supremacist

Causa joins hundreds of community leaders in the following statement.

May 27, 2017

Community Statement on May 26th, 2017 Killings by White Supremacist

We are grieving the brutal stabbing and murder of two courageous bystanders who sought to disrupt a potential assault on a Muslim woman on the TriMet Hollywood MAX station. We extend our heartfelt care and support to the people and their families impacted by this trauma. This senseless tragedy happened on the eve of the Holy Month of Ramadan, a period that draws Muslim communities together with intentions for peace and harmony by centering our purpose and relationship with God.

We wish to extend our gratitude to fellow commuters who spoke out against racist and xenophobic taunts. We expect that those responsible for their deaths are held accountable, and that we will seek community-driven ways to restore safety. News that the perpetrator was a known White Supremacist, and was intimidating People of Color, Immigrants and Refugees on April 29th on 82nd Ave calls us to be vigilant in our resistance.

This horrific violence requires us to reflect deeply on root causes, and is not an excuse to further militarize our communities. We believe in a world where everyone lives without fear of discrimination, exclusion or harm.May more Oregonians take action to interrupt hate and stand for love. In these terrible moments, we are reminded of our fragile humanity and the need to build institutions around the inherent worth and dignity of all people, institutions that function as systems of care.

Here are several concrete ways community members can show support:

• Show up for the Vigil Saturday May 27th 8:30pm and at upcoming public demonstrations planned to resist oppression (more info TBD). There will be a City Press Conference at 3:30pm on E Burnside and 47th ave.
• Attend the Portland Ramadan Tent Project, an interfaith sharing of Iftar – the breaking of the Ramadan fast – this weekend.
• Join, lead or start an organizing group and educate yourself about the legacy of White supremacy and White nationalism in Oregon (A few resources: One Oregon Coalition, Interview with Scot Nakagawa, Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About This Podcast)
• Place a Solidarity Sign in your home or place of business or school

We all have a role in creating the society we live in. As organizations and individuals committed to human rights, we are dedicated to confronting the forces of hate and building movements for social justice. May we find courage and purpose, challenge anti-Muslim Islamophobia,  and foster community that ensures each of us have the rights, resources and recognition to thrive.

Sincerely,

Co-Signers:

Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, Executive Director APANO and APANO Communities United Fund

Diego Hernandez, Oregon State Representative

Lew Frederick, Oregon State Senator

Karin Power, Oregon State Representative

Jessica Vega Pederson, Multnomah County Commissioner

Andrea Valderrama, David Douglas School Board

Ann Linninger, Oregon State Representative

Ana del Rocío, David Douglas School Board Member-Elect

Chloe Eudaly, City of Portland Commissioner

Wajdi Said, Muslim Education Trust

Rania Ayoub, Muslim Education Trust

Congressman Earl Blumenauer

Andrea Williams, Executive Director, Causa Oregon

Bobbin Singh, Executive Director , Oregon Justice Resource Center

Duncan Hwang, APANO and APANO Communities Fund

Khanh Le, State Director, Main Street Alliance of Oregon

Mary Nolan, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon

Rev. Michael Ellick Senior Minister, First Congregational United Church of Christ

Jan Elfers, Executive Director, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

Andrea Paluso, Executive Director, Family Forward Oregon and Family Forward Action

Kayse Jama, Executive Director, Unite Oregon

Nancy Haque, Co-Executive Director, Basic Rights Oregon

Amy Herzfeld-Copple, Co-Executive Director, Basic Rights Oregon

Grayson Dempsey, Executive Director, NARAL Pro Choice Oregon

Rev. Lynne Smouse Lopez, Pastor, Ainsworth United Church Of Christ

Jackie Yerby, Executive Director, Bradley Angle

Toya Fick, Executive Director, Stand for Children Oregon Chapter

Nikki Fisher, Executive Director, Bus Project and Co-Director of New Leaders Council Portland Chapter

Charles McGee, Executive Director, Black Parent Initiative

Jackie Leung, Chair, Micronesian Islander Community of Oregon

Rev. Barbara Stevens, Universalist Recovery Church

Alan Hipolito, Executive Director, Verde

Jillian Schoene, Executive Director, Emerge Oregon

Rev. Kit Ketcham, Pacific Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Ashnie Butler, Regional Outreach Director, Family Forward Oregon.

Rev. Tracy Springberry, West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Maureen Andersen, Event Coordinator, Portland Indivisible

Samantha Gladu, Co-Director, New Leaders Council Portland Chapter

Noel Mickelberry, Executive Director, Oregon Walks

Huy Ong, Executive Director, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon

Patricia Rojas,  Executive Director, El Programa Hispano Catolico

Lamar Wise, Oregon Student Association Legislative Director

Rev. Ron Werner, Jr, Oregon Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sasha Vidales, Director, Creative Goal Solutions

David Rogers, Executive Director, ACLU of Oregon

Cindy Casama Gerber, Community Member

Aimee Santos-Lyons, APANO Member

Bea Downing, Community Member

Zeenia Junkeer, Community Member

Marlie Cardiff, Community Member

Heather Fercho, Community Member

Amy Casso, Gender Justice Program Dir, Western States Center

Hannah Love, Campaign Manager, A Better Oregon

Heidi Guenin, community member

Meg Niemi, President SEIU Local 49

Brian Rudiger, Executive Director SEIU Local 503

Bea Downing, Community Member

Zeenia Junkeer, Community Member

Marlie Cardiff, Community Member

Heather Fercho, Community Member

Amy Casso, Gender Justice Program Dir, Western States Center

Rachel Hirsch, Community Member

Jim Labbe & Rita Sabler, Community Members

Megan and William Bird, Community Members

Beatriz Gutierrez, Community Member

Vivian Satterfield, Community Member

Natalie Lerner, Community Member

Ivan Hernandez, Community Member

Megan Kovacs, Community Member

Whitney Grubbs, Community Member

Channbunmorl (Chom) Sou, CEO of JustBarz

Yian Saechao, APANO Youth Organizer

For a full list of signers, visit APANO's website.