Civil Rights
The Portland Womxn's March begins with a rally noon Sunday in downtown Portland with a march through nearby streets to follow.
While some other women's marches were held around the country on the Jan. 19-21 weekend, organizers for the Portland event chose to focus on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and events during those dates, which moved the Portland march and rally to Sunday.
For the most part, Sunday's Portland Womxn's March & Rally for Action was an upbeat event, featuring speakers and crowds who were united in their support of progressive values and causes.
The attendees, who numbered about 2,000 according to Portland Police estimates, gathered at noon on the Portland State University campus, on a clear, chilly day, to listen to speakers, and then march along downtown streets.
About 2,000 people filled downtown Portland for the 2019 Womxn's March and Rally for Action on Sunday.
Women took to the streets Sunday afternoon as part of the "Womxn's March and Rally for Action."
It was a peaceful march and many of those who attended said they were there to promote unity and gender rights.
Organizers kicked off the event with presentations, music and indigenous speakers. Lawmakers including Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici were there.
The 2019 Womxn's March & Rally for Action will take place March 3. The theme of the march is to educate, engage and empower womxn to fight for positive change and equality. The event will consist of a rally, a march and booths where participants can engage with local nonprofits and social justice organizations.
The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. March 3 at South Park Blocks, Smith Union at Portland State University (SW Montgomery and SW Park) There will be a rally at noon followed by a march at 1 p.m., with booths open until 3 pm.
Nearly 50 House Democrats are calling on a top government watchdog to investigate the force-feeding of immigrant detainees who have been on hunger strikes in protest of abusive conditions and prolonged imprisonment.
With the decadesold Violence Against Women Act left out of a recent funding bill, U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici met with staff of The Harbor in Astoria on Tuesday to discuss how the decision could impact the organization and the services it provides around domestic violence and sexual assault in Clatsop County.
A funding bill approved by Congress and President Donald Trump this month did not extend the landmark act, which has lapsed. First enacted in 1994, the act provides grants and other support to groups that work on issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Nearly 50 Democratic lawmakers called for a watchdog investigation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Tuesday after the agency confirmed it had been force-feeding immigrant detainees on a hunger strike.
Reporting by The Associated Press revealed late last month that nine Indian men who were refusing food at a Texas detention facility were being force-fed through nasal tubes against their will.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), joined by Reps. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) José E. Serrano (NY-15), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), introduced a critical legislative package to protect immigrant rights.