Community Activism
These are my experiences engaging with my community as an activist.
Campaign
Towards the end of 2019, I decided to file to run for state representative. Over the course of that time, I met numerous other activists, many elected officials, and quite a few people just looking to vote.
I learned how to properly run a campaign, but most importantly, how to give others in my community a voice.
I learned how to properly run a campaign, but most importantly, how to give others in my community a voice.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
While campaigning, I helped set up, speak at, and attend multiple BLM events. Most of them were focused on creating dialogue with police and finding a way forward. For me personally, this helped sharpen my public speaking ability while allowing me to help spread a message of change and of hope.
Pendleton BLM March
My experiences from setting up prior BLM events gave me the tools to help set up our very own in my home town of Pendleton, Oregon.
Local law enforcement did a great job working with us to keep everyone safe. We obtained a permit for the park our event was in, a parade permit to march on Main Street, and a safety plan with the help of our police.
Our Chief of police, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and many others provided statements in support of our pursuit of change.
Local law enforcement did a great job working with us to keep everyone safe. We obtained a permit for the park our event was in, a parade permit to march on Main Street, and a safety plan with the help of our police.
Our Chief of police, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, and many others provided statements in support of our pursuit of change.
Pendleton's Peaceful BLM March took place August 29th, 2019
We were met with confederate flags, guns, trucks, explicit screams, and more while marching down Pendleton's Main Street.
Counter protestors followed our march and proceeded to shove those in the back including the police that were trying to keep everyone safe.
Our Chief of Police later told our local newspaper, The East Oregonian, that if the 'Back the Blue' rally was there to support him, he didn't feel supported because they made his job more difficult..
We were met with confederate flags, guns, trucks, explicit screams, and more while marching down Pendleton's Main Street.
Counter protestors followed our march and proceeded to shove those in the back including the police that were trying to keep everyone safe.
Our Chief of Police later told our local newspaper, The East Oregonian, that if the 'Back the Blue' rally was there to support him, he didn't feel supported because they made his job more difficult..
We received numerous threats from folks prompting us to meet with our law enforecent several times for safety planning. With how well communication went, it built an important bridge between protestors who felt lacked trust in police and the officers who felt that the movement on a national scale was dehumanizing them for wearing a uniform.
Community Service
During my time as a community activist, I was also invited to do community service every so often and connect directly with those in our community. This pictures below are of a food distribution.