News
Life on the Streets: Faith and spirituality
Many Street Roots vendors described their personal faith as the most important consideration in their lives, more important even than food or shelter. They paused thoughtfully before they shared their beliefs, then spoke with passion. Gary Barker started working as a Street Roots vendor two weeks ago. “I’ve been through a lot of experiences,” Gary…
What climate activism means to these teens
Youths around the world walked out of school on Friday, Sept. 20, demanding that their governments take bold and appropriate action to address the climate crisis. An estimated 4 million people participated in thousands of climate protests in more than 150 nations worldwide. Friday’s massive youth-led global strikes mark the largest collective climate protest in…
The progressive side of the Catholic Church
Heidi Schlumpf has reported on issues of religion, spirituality and social justice for three decades, most recently as the national correspondent with the progressive National Catholic Reporter. Through that publication, Schlumpf explores issues of politics inside and outside the church and the resistance movement that has taken on a renewed urgency since the 2016 election.…
Assault on tent campers among spate of violence against unhoused
At first, only the back half of the beat-up pickup truck with a faded-blue paint job can be seen in the security-camera video. About 10 yards behind the truck and to its left, a lone tent stands on a vacant lot near the edge of the street. Then, the truck backs up and makes a…
PHOTOS: Passion, fear, activism prevail at Portland Climate Strike
Their message was loud and clear: The future of our planet requires action now. Thousands of students rallied in downtown Portland on Friday, Sept. 20, demanding that politicians give priority to mitigating the climate crisis. The protesters rallied at City Hall, then marched across the Hawthorne Bridge to a Climate Festival at OMSI. The demonstration…
Environment
What climate activism means to these teens
Youths around the world walked out of school on Friday, Sept. 20, demanding that their governments take bold and appropriate action to address the climate crisis. An estimated 4 million people participated in thousands of climate protests in more than 150 nations worldwide. Friday’s massive youth-led global strikes mark the largest collective climate protest in…
New Bill McKibben book: A tough message, but a tougher reality
Given the terrifying knowledge he possesses, it cannot be easy being Bill McKibben. McKibben writes in an indefatigable effort to alert us all to the ecocatastrophe already well underway. His compelling book “Falter” is the most recent contribution to his vital mission. It is as timely as it is disconcerting. McKibben is an inveterate environmentalist,…
PHOTOS: Passion, fear, activism prevail at Portland Climate Strike
Their message was loud and clear: The future of our planet requires action now. Thousands of students rallied in downtown Portland on Friday, Sept. 20, demanding that politicians give priority to mitigating the climate crisis. The protesters rallied at City Hall, then marched across the Hawthorne Bridge to a Climate Festival at OMSI. The demonstration…
Housing
With grant to tackle teen homelessness, Clackamas County taps youths for ideas
It’s a new day in Clackamas County. The Department of Housing and Urban Development just named Clackamas County as one of 23 communities nationwide to receive an influx of grant money to help create solutions to address the growing problem of homelessness among teens and young adults. Clackamas is the only county in Oregon to…
Assault on tent campers among spate of violence against unhoused
At first, only the back half of the beat-up pickup truck with a faded-blue paint job can be seen in the security-camera video. About 10 yards behind the truck and to its left, a lone tent stands on a vacant lot near the edge of the street. Then, the truck backs up and makes a…
We stand firm against dangerous White House rhetoric on homelessness
When Trump dog-whistles, the hounds of hate come bounding. That’s why Street Roots convened a group of partners on Sept. 25 to draw the line clearly: Donald Trump’s carceral language toward homelessness is a no-go, and we must cast a vigilant eye. Most attention, understandably, is on the impeachment inquiry, but the Trump administration can…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: Overcoming fear and healing from abuse
Alex embodies the kind of strength and courage of a woman who has experienced violence (abuse, rape, poverty) and not only survived but triumphed. Little wonder her Portland friends know her as Mamma Lioness. She also carries what she described as a light, a legacy of her late partner, George Charmley, whom she met as…
Culture
New Bill McKibben book: A tough message, but a tougher reality
Given the terrifying knowledge he possesses, it cannot be easy being Bill McKibben. McKibben writes in an indefatigable effort to alert us all to the ecocatastrophe already well underway. His compelling book “Falter” is the most recent contribution to his vital mission. It is as timely as it is disconcerting. McKibben is an inveterate environmentalist,…
Opinion
We stand firm against dangerous White House rhetoric on homelessness
When Trump dog-whistles, the hounds of hate come bounding. That’s why Street Roots convened a group of partners on Sept. 25 to draw the line clearly: Donald Trump’s carceral language toward homelessness is a no-go, and we must cast a vigilant eye. Most attention, understandably, is on the impeachment inquiry, but the Trump administration can…
