May 2022 Hosted Zoom interview with DA candidate Brian Decker
August 2022 Book discussion at Rogers Park about "Rising Out of Hatred" by Eli Saslow about Derrick Black's change from clansman to racial justice advocate.
October 2022 Collaborated with Marshall family for 2nd Anniversary of James Marshall's death
Met with FGPD Police Chief Henry Reinmann over Zoom about the Teets saga, and made the video available to the public. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbcMq3tH8H0
Participated in Book Group discussion of "Tangled Up in Blue" by Rosa Brooks
Submitted question to City Council candidates at candidate forum hosted by Chamber of Commerce:
"What do you see are the main barriers to less-experienced or historically marginalized people participating and leading in Forest Grove’s government, and what would you do to make it easier?"
(will post link to video of answers soon)
Followed and participated in Forest Grove Community Policing Advisory Commission (CPAC)
Hosted Community awareness event about Alden Trial, and org members attended the trial
Followed and participated in Forest Grove Community Policing Advisory Commission (CPAC) until it was cancelled in November 2023.
December 2023 improved Google drive and continued to compile antiracism toolkit
link to Our Work in 2024-2025
Summer - Winter 2019: Me & White Supremacy Workbook discussion series based on Layla Saad’s social media challenge & subsequent workbook
Sept 2019: Creative Resistance: Annual Sidewalk Chalk Festival - drawing images & messages of racial justice; engaging in conversation with passersby re: racial justice & work of SURJ
Winter - Summer 2020: Me & White Supremacy Workbook discussion series based on Layla Saad’s social media challenge & subsequent workbook
February 24, 2020: Letters to FGPD regarding FG racist incident
February 25, 2020: Provide public testimony (reading SURJ letter of support) at Washington County Commissioners hearing on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative -- the initiative was passed unanimously
March 10, 2020: Meeting with Police Chief Reimann to discuss next steps re: the Feb 2020 racial harassment incident outside Jesse Quinn apartments
[COVID-19 Shutdown]
March 13, 2020: Forest Grove shelter in place measures for COVID-19; in-person meetings on hold
May/June 2020: spreading the word & attending Black Lives Matter protests in Forest Grove, organized by local Latina group, Fighting for Change
June 10, 2020: SURJ participation in ROP online de-escalation training with Ahjamu Umi
June 16, 2020: SURJ Online Meeting with Chief Reimann -- follow up from our March meeting re: racial harassment incident
July Book Group: How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
August Book Group: When They Call You a Terrorist
Winter 2021 - Placed SURJ representative on the new Forest Grove Community Policing Advisory Commission (CPAC). Following and participating.
Partnered with Pacific University students on Diversity Mural at Park
From Warrior to Guardian Police Training
Went to Pacific University FGPD training on Positionality with Jaye Cee Whitehead
Partnered Marshall Family w/ Memorial for James Marshall
Participated in Adelante "Free Them All" Campaign, writing Mothers' Day Cards to women in immigration detention
Forest Grove News Times article by SURJ member Jill Reinkoph-Smith, and SURJ members letters to editor
partnered w/ UCC Church on Talking Circle for Kyle Rittenhouse
Research about AP classes demographics
Joined ROP
Re-organized as Western WashCo for Racial Justice (WWRJ)
...
November 8, 2016 Presidential Election
November 2016 - First SURJ Forest Grove Chapter Meeting
Jan 2017: Letter-writing campaign to Forest Grove City Council urging adoption of “sanctuary city” language; presence & presentation at City Council meeting
January 2, 2017 SURJ Meeting
January 9, 2017 SURJ Advocacy at Forest Grove City Council Meeting
January 2017 Letter to Forest Grove City Council r.e. Sanctuary City
January 15, 2017 SURJ participation in MoveOn Meeting in Forest Grove
1/17/17 Notes from SURJ Meeting
January 20, 2017 Inauguration of President Donald Trump
Feb 2017: I Am Not Your Negro movie showing in Portland, followed by dinner and discussion
Apr 2017: Discuss Equity & Racial Justice in Education with Representative Susan McLain - open community discussion at Forest Grove Library
Apr 2017: The Power of The Other Tradition in American Race Relations at Pacific University - presentation by William “Smitty” Smith, founder of the National Center for Race Amity
5/15/17 Monthly Action Gathering Plans
Aug 2017: Peace Vigil / Counter-protest in response to Charlottesville white supremacy gathering; gathering on Pacific Ave with messages of welcome to all
Sept 2017: Creative Resistance: Annual Sidewalk Chalk Festival - drawing images & messages of racial justice; engaging in conversation with passersby re: racial justice & work of SURJ
Sept 2017: Defend DACA Peaceful Protest / Rally on Pacific Avenue during “rush” hour followed by discussion/meet-up at Telvet
Oct 2017: Defend DACA 800 Candle Vigil at Hillsboro Civic Center
Oct 2017: Understanding Implicit Bias with Dr. Caprice Hollins at Hillsboro Civic Center followed by dinner/discussion at Amelia’s Restaurant
March 2018: Local screening of Dolores, documentary of Dolores Huerta followed by panel discussion of local Latino/Latina leaders
March 2018: White Ally Conversation Toolkit (ACT) with Dr. David Campt hosted by Muslim Educational Trust - workshop designed to help participants have more effective conversations with people who don't think racism is real
April 2018: Support for Virginia Garcia and school-based health clinic at Forest Grove High School; contacted by Virginia Garcia staff asking for support from SURJ. Letter writing campaign, attendance of school board meetings, connecting the dots of access to affordable health care & reproductive services as an issue of race & class in Forest Grove.
April 2018: Dreamers of Oregon/Out of the Shadows - hosted by Pacific University, candlelight vigil and sharing from DREAMers about their lived experiences
April 2018: Oregon DA for the People Training, hosted by SURJ PDX and Family Circle. Training to prepare for the local DA race including history of DA office, connections with racial oppression.
April 2018: What’s In A Label?: Thinking about Diversity and Racial Categories with Ann Su at Forest Grove Library; members attended & participated in the workshop
May 2018: Organizing & educating around local DA Washington County election; canvassing, phone banking & attending candidate forums
June 2018: Families Belong Together / Día Nacional de Acción peaceful rally/protest at Hillsboro Civic Center
July 2018: Live Taping of OPB Think Out Loud: Changing Demographics in Washington County, hosted by Centro Cultural in Cornelius (recording here)
Sept 2018: Creative Resistance: Annual Sidewalk Chalk Festival - drawing images & messages of racial justice; engaging in conversation with passersby re: racial justice & work of SURJ
Sept 2018: Sheridan to NORCOR March - opening rally and providing lunch to marchers as they passed through Cornelius on their way to Washington County Courthouse