In this Moment, We Choose Us

The Portland City Council passed the Protect Portland Initiative and codified Sanctuary City protections, achieving twelve votes for each resolution. These actions address federal threats from the Trump administration, which attempted to send in the National Guard. Councilor Kanal emphasized that local government must use its power to protect residents against federal overreach. Recent court decisions, including a federal judge blocking the deployment of the National Guard, validate Portland's approach. The community's involvement in drafting legislation demonstrates the effectiveness of municipalism in the face of federal challenges.

This initiative mirrors similar efforts in other cities, such as Chicago, where local leaders have successfully pushed back against federal policies. The council's resolutions aim to ensure that public services remain accessible and not serve as immigration checkpoints. Portland's actions signal a broader movement among cities to assert local authority in response to federal immigration enforcement.