Calendar: April 20 to April 27

In last week’s calendar, I noted that the mask mandate for TriMet (along with all other public transportation) was expected to end on April 18, but had been extended until May. However, a federal district judge ruled that the mandate was not necessary on Tuesday, effectively ending it immediately. TriMet has dropped its requirement that riders wear masks in response.

Wednesday, April 20

All day — 4/20

While there are many events throughout Portland today to celebrate 4/20, we need to remember that there are people still incarcerated for crimes related to cannabis, including here in Oregon. Consider supporting The Last Prisoner Project as part of your 4/20 festivities, either through donations or through actions. The Last Prisoner Project is a non-profit dedicated to freeing the estimated 40,000 individuals still in prison for cannabis due to cannabis.

9:30 a.m. — City of Portland council meeting

Portland’s city council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for this meeting is online and includes several settlements involving City of Portland agencies. A second reading on an ordinance to create an event parking district in the Lloyd neighborhood is also scheduled. The city council will also hold additional sessions both Wednesday and Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday’s afternoon session will focus on renewing the Central Eastside Enhanced Service District. Thursday’s will cover amending zoning maps to comply with new legislation.

3:00 p.m. — Nonprofits and Public Policy as Tools of White Supremacy

Cinder is hosting a panel on the structural inequalities built into nonprofit and public work. The panel will be moderated by Marcus Carter II (Cinder’s director of social equity) and will include Shannon Hardt (an organizer with Critical Resistance) and Amanda Hernandez (a consultant with the Multnomah County Health Department). The event will take place online and attendees must register in advance.

Thursday, April 21

All day — President Joe Biden to visit Portland

Joe Biden will visit Portland to promote his infrastructure package. Biden will also attend a fundraiser at the Portland Yacht Club at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for the event range from $500 to $36,500. The City of Portland will likely conduct sweeps of homeless camps in areas Biden is expected to see, so be ready to provide extra support to your unhoused neighbors.

There’s at least one protest already planned: Sunrise Movement PDX is holding a rally at Harriet Tubman Middle School at 4:00 p.m..

9:30 a.m. — Multnomah County Commissioners Board Meeting

Multnomah County Commissioners board meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. The agenda for Thursday’s meeting is online. It includes the second reading of an ordinance to prevent the display of human remains for profit and a resolution approving an extension of the the Joint Office of Homeless Services Intergovernmental Agreement between Multnomah County and the City of Portland to June 30, 2023.

12:00 p.m. — Tools of Survival: Tribal Education, Relationships, and Sovereignty in Oregon

The Never Again Coalition is hosting a discussion between Lisa Watt, the director of the Indigenous Leadership Program at Ecotrust, and Brent Spencer, the Indian education coordinator with the Oregon Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education. The discussion will cover efforts to resist Indigenous genocide and cultural erasure, as well as healing from repeated efforts to destroy tribal cultures. The event will take place on Zoom and attendees must register in advance.

5:00 p.m. — City of Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing public meeting

PCCEP’s April meeting will include discussions on a proposed plan for PCCEP, as well as a refresher on the committee’s creation and purpose. Two weeks ago, Police Commissioner Ted Wheeler (who also serves as Portland’s mayor) suggested suspending the committee. Interestingly, the City of Portland’s Police Accountability Commission, which works on similar issues, has a work session scheduled at roughly the same time.

Friday, April 22

Multiple events — Earth Day

Quite a few events are occurring around Portland in observance of Earth Day. Here are a few:

More events are on these lists from Earth Day Oregon, EarthDay.org, Everout, and Bike Portland.

12:00 p.m. — City Club of Portland’s Democratic Gubernatorial Debate

The City Club of Portland is hosting a debate between former House Speaker Tina Kotek and Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read. The event will be held on Zoom and attendees are asked to register in advance. The event will also be livestreamed to YouTube. Attendees on Zoom may submit questions for consideration by the moderator while registering.

7:30 p.m. — ERA Trivia Night

Eviction Representation for All is holding a trivia night in partnership with the Oregon Public House and Brain Salad Trivia. The Oregon Public House requests attendees wear masks while ordering at the bar.

Saturday, April 23

11:00 a.m. — Community conversation on swimming in North Portland

Portland Parks and Recreation will host a drop-in discussion at Charles Jordan Community Center to discuss a new North Portland indoor aquatic center, as well as expanded swimming opportunities in North Portland. Masks are not required at this event.

12:00 p.m. — Portland ABC letter writing event

Portland ABC is hosting an in-person and virtual letter writing event for Malik Muhammad, who was arrested in connection with the George Floyd Uprising and faces decades in prison. There’s also an on-going fundraiser for his family. Masks are required for in-person attendees.

Sunday, April 24

4:00 p.m. — ERA volunteer training

Interested in helping Eviction Representation for All collect signatures to get on the ballot in November? ERA will hold a training over Zoom, which will include education on the details of the policy, talking points, and the ballot initiative process. The training also includes canvassing practice. Attendees must register in advance. ERA will also be at Montavilla Farmers Market on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to collect signatures.

Monday, April 25

Monday through Wednesday — Oregon Active Transportation Summit

The Street Trust’s annual summit on transportation will take place both virtually and in-person. The summit has talks across four tracks: Justice & Equity, Resilience & Recovery, Accessibility & Safety, and Technology & Innovation. Tickets start at $199. Financial aid is available and applications are due by the end of the day on Thursday, April 21.

10:00 a.m. — Lents Community Wellness Fair

A coalition of local organizations host a weekly wellness fair at Lents Park with resources, support, and activities. This week’s fair will include a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 26

DEADLINE — Last day to register to vote, update registration information, or change party affiliation for the May 2022 primary

Those interested in voting in the upcoming primary election for state and local representation should confirm they are registered before this date on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website. More details about registering in specific circumstances are available in PDX.Vote’s guide.

5:00 p.m. — Charter Review Testimony 101 Workshop

The Coalition of Communities of Color is hosting a workshop to help attendees prepare testimony to share during upcoming public hearings on the Portland City Charter Commission’s proposals for updating the city charter. The workshop will be held on Zoom and attendees must register in advance.

5:30 p.m. — National Weather Service spotter training

The National Weather Service’s Portland office is hosting an online training for their Skywarn volunteer program. Skywarn volunteers report weather hazards to the NWS. The event will be held through GoToWebinar and attendees must register in advance.

Wednesday, April 27

DEADLINE — Last day to mail voters’ pamphlets and first day to mail ballots

If you’re participating in the May primary, keep an eye on your mail for your ballot and voters’ pamphlet. Ballot envelopes have changed from past elections, so keep an eye out for the new design.

Wednesday through Friday — Oregon Heritage Conference

The Oregon State Historic Preservation Office will hold a virtual conference on Oregon heritage preservation, with workshops on mental health, collection management, archaeology, and more. Tickets start at $50.

7:00 p.m. — Holocaust Remembrance Day memorial service

Congregation Beth Israel will host a memorial service for Yom Hashoah. Partipants include the Oregon Board of Rabbis, Holocaust survivors, and their descendants. The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education will hold its annual Reading of the Names at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Thursday, April 28. Both events will be in person.

Looking ahead

CLOSING — Braided River: Lower Willamette Speaks

Clackamas Community College’s Alexander Gallery’s exhibit on the history and health of the Willamette River closes on April 29. It showcases Indigenous tribes who have stewarded the land around the river. The exhibit was created by the Braided River Campaign, which provides environmental education about the river and centers environmental justice for historically marginalized people in the area now known as the North Portland Harbor. A panel discussion about the exhibit will be held on Thursday, April 21.

Updated Thursday, April 21 to correct Brent Spencer’s affiliation under the “Tools of Survival” event on Thursday, April 21. Previous versions of this article are available on the Internet Wayback Machine.

By Thursday Bram

Thursday Bram founded PDX.Vote after making numerous zines, newsletters, and other media about politics in Portland, Oregon. Thursday has also written for publications ranging from Autostraddle.com to Entrepreneur Magazine. You can find more of Thursday's work at ThursdayBram.com.