In 12 Months, We’ve Done So Much Together
DSP Social Justice Workshop with Julian Gaines and Community at PNCA, Nov 5, 2022 - Photo by Mika Martinez
As the new year approaches, we reflect upon support from our donors and how it has enabled us to provide for our community. Your donations have meant everything - we’ve always had a solid network of volunteers on the ground and in recent years, we’ve witnessed a grassroots development of groups building infrastructures for mutual aid.
This is a movement, not a moment.
Loved ones have been lost, mass shootings have increased and racialized violence continues to be an ongoing epidemic that we cannot ignore. Through the trials and tribulations of bearing witness to Race in America, we remain dedicated to engaging our community in the work of social change through art, education and civic action.
Juneteenth with Feeding Black Portland at Kee's Loaded Kitchen on June 19, 2022 - Photo by Mika Martinez
Because of your ongoing commitment to social change in 2022, Don’t Shoot Portland was able to provide direct advocacy to people in our community in response to legal needs, bereavement and critical response support.
What does a year in social change look like for us?
Direct financial support to hundreds of activists and individuals affected by death or violence nationwide
Thousands of free hot meals through community outreach
Hundreds of people attending our art exhibitions, including three installations (a collaboration with the Center for Art Research in February, an art auction with HOLDING Contemporary in August, and a current partnership with the University of Oregon's Special Collections University Archives running from October 2022 to February 2023)
Several legal victories including settling two major lawsuits in the City of Portland (June 2022 against an abusive landlord on behalf of elders and people with disabilities, and our June 2020 filing against the Portland Police Bureau which resulted in a successful ban against munitions). Read our statement regarding the 2020 filing here. The most recent victory comes today, December 30, 2022 as the Oregon Supreme Court held that people once or still imprisoned by unconstitutional non-unanimous jury convictions not only have the opportunity for a new trial, but are entitled to financial relief. Congratulations to the Still In Prison campaign for amplifying this important call to action. Learn more here.
Press Conference for Allen Fremont Residents on June 1, 2022 - Photo by Hattie Watson
Thousands of youth have benefited from our educational programming and literacy outreach, receiving brand new books and art supplies to encourage critical thinking in their journey towards social justice activism. Read our freshly updated Social Justice Required Reading List here
Community acknowledgements for our work have included The Skanner Foundation’s Drum Major for Justice award and the Newsmaker of the Year award and medal from the Portland Rose Festivals’ Royal Rosarians, both historic recognitions we are honored to receive!
Supporting artists with acquisitions of fine artworks, such as Ernie Barnes, Eric Orr, Julian Gaines, MissMe, Jacob Lawrence, Frank Morrison and many more to support our Artists for Black Lives foundational programming - these works will be displayed publicly in 2023
Tigray PDX visiting our Feeling Documents exhibit in February 2022 - Photo by LaLa of Tigray PDX
None of our work would be possible without the support of so many. For those who refuse to stay silent, speak up and show up, thank you for investing care and love into your communities. To the organizers, writers, artists, educators, speakers and innovators that actively seek ways to change our world, we couldn’t do this without you. Don’t Shoot Portland is a community action plan because we know that it takes every one of us to enact real change in our world.
