City Council Unanimously Passes Avalos, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, and Clark Resolution to Protect Portlanders

The Protect Portland Initiative received unanimous approval from the City Council to protect residents from potential unlawful deployments by the Trump administration. Councilor Candace Avalos led the initiative, which is modeled after Chicago's Protecting Chicago Initiative. The resolution addresses concerns over the National Guard and federal agents being deployed in Portland, emphasizing the need to safeguard immigrant communities. Avalos highlighted that the initiative equips the city with tools to resist militarized enforcement and focuses local police on public safety. Council President Pirtle-Guiney condemned the Trump administration's tactics, framing Portland as a battleground for federal overreach.

The resolution calls for the Mayor to challenge unconstitutional actions and to ensure city resources are not used for protest suppression. It also seeks to create a Citywide Immigrant Affairs Liaison to coordinate policies for immigrant and refugee communities. This initiative represents a significant step in reinforcing local authority and community support in the face of federal threats.