Civil Rights

Oregon senators and representatives are asking U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate "extremist groups" following violent clashes between protesters last month in Portland. In a letter dated Aug. 30, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer, called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate "interstate criminal activity and coordination between extremist groups across state lines with the intent to commit acts of violence in connection with recurring violent altercations in Portland."

US Rep. Suzanne Bonamici joined those who condemned the recent actions by the school board, issuing a statement on August 26. "Students need a welcoming and safe school environment, and all school leaders should strive every day to make sure students know they are valued and respected," she wrote. "The Newberg school board's move to ban Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride symbols in schools is antithetical to this bedrock value."

"The principle of freedom of speech does not preclude the Proud Boys and other right-wing extremist groups from espousing hateful, repugnant ideologies," reads the letter, signed by Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer. "However, the Constitution does not provide protection for the criminal behavior that we have seen in Portland such as assault, firearms violations, potential hate crimes, and more—some of which may rise to the level of federal offenses."

First Congressional District Rep. Suzanne Bonamici joined those who have condemned the recent actions by the school board, issuing a statement on Thursday. "Students need a welcoming and safe school environment, and all school leaders should strive every day to make sure students know they are valued and respected," she wrote. "The Newberg school board's move to ban Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride symbols in schools is antithetical to this bedrock value. "In my conversations with community members, I have heard the heartache and profound concern many of us share about this decision.

The Respond, Innovate, Succeed and Empower Act, or RISE Act, would allow students with a disability to use documentation from their secondary education as proof that they have a disability and need accommodations while attending a college or university. The bill is led in the Senate by Senators Bob Casey, the Democrat from Pennsylvania, and Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, and in the House by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat from Oregon, and Larry Bucshon, a Republican from Indiana.

"Oregon will continue to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all who call our state home – including and especially our immigrant and refugee communities," Gov. Brown said. Several Oregon leaders have also released statements after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban as well, including U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden.