Sisters to march against sidewalk ordinance

Sisters Of The Road has been involved in the struggle to keep laws like “Sit-Lie” and the new “Sidewalk Management Ordinance” off the books. Unfortunately, these laws, while often well intentioned, are typically used to target people experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty who have no where else to go. The new Sidewalk Management Ordinance will separate sidewalks downtown and in the Lloyd District into zones. The area closest to walls and shelter will be limited to movement and business activities. If someone needs to sit or lie on the sidewalk, they will be forced to do so in the area of the sidewalk closest to traffic, which is potentially very dangerous because of cars and pollution.  If people do not sit in this area of the sidewalk, they will face being cited and fined.

Portland is a beautiful city that is worth celebrating no matter our socioeconomic status! Sisters and our community will continue working to make Portland a place where all of our basic needs are met. We think it is important to celebrate and struggle at the same time, in order to sustain our movements!

Thursday before the City Council Hearing on Sidewalk Management, we will meet at Sisters for a short rally and then have a Sidewalk Parade to celebrate sidewalks being for all of us! We will circle though old town on the sidewalks with signs, balloons and music spreading our message and gathering others. Then we will head to City Hall to sign up to testify against the Sidewalk Management Ordinance. Sign ups start at 1:30 pm and it will be so important that people both housed and houseless speak to the inequities in this law! The hearing starts at 2 pm and we plan to pack the Council chambers! Please join us!

Click here for Sisters’ position statement on the Sidewalk Management Ordinance. If you would like to testify on Thursday and would like to talk about framing you message, or if you have any other questions about Thursday’s events, feel free to call Chani @ 503.222.5694 x 25 or chani@sistersoftheroad.org

Click here for Street Roots position statement on the Sidewalk Management Ordinance.