In the April edition of our newsletter about creating positive change, we look at thriving community fridges and gifted lasagnas. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/the-spark-food-donations-april/

A shortage of affordable housing in the coastal city in South Africa has forced many people to live far outside the city center, while tourists occupy prime real estate. bit.ly/41GT5kq

Portland knows what it's like to be Trump's punching bag. For No Kings, they resisted — with joy. Tim Dickinson was on the ground to capture it: https://www.contrariannews.org/p/in-defense-of-joyful-protest

According to Multnomah County, nearly 3,000 more people are living unsheltered in the county than there were when Portland Mayor Wilson took office. He believes that number is lower. Now, as both governments face budget gaps, old disagreements are resurfacing.

Portland’s economy appears to be struggling, so how do we fix it? While progressives cite everything from investment in green jobs, to building a skilled workforce with social programs, others, including the governor, are focused on using tax incentives to attract businesses investing in the state.

Festivals honoring South Asian, Arab American, Southeast Asian and Mexican heritage are scheduled across the city from April through May.

Portland's famed Thompson Elk statue is set to return to its longtime home on Main Street on April 12—but what does this mean for the statues that were toppled during the 2020 racial justice protests?

NE/SE Portland, OR No Kings ❌👑 Join a family-friendly group of neighbors at one of Indivisible Oregon’s three Portland corners. NE 42nd & NE Fremont 28th & E Burnside Cesar Chavez Blvd & SE Hawthorne Blvd Then head to the big event at the waterfront. www.indivisibleor.org/events/no-ki...

One of the many reasons I love this city! "Tabor Dance’s come-one-come-all ethos also means that a whole lot of strangers get to tumble around together. It’s a sort of mutual surrender to celebration." 🕺🌲🎶🌈 www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-cit...

Portland may be “weird, but life is good,” according to The New York Times.

Third Eye Books is one of Portland's only Black-owned bookstores. Co-founder Charles Hannah says he curates the book selection keeping in mind what Portlanders may want to read, but also what they need to read.

🗞 In the new issue of Street Roots: 'Girlypop Politics' encourages civic engagement, Portland leaders and an unspent $106 million, Third Eye Books' curated selection and more. Purchase this week's issue: streetroots.org/vendors#locate

Classic 1980s coming of age film “Stand By Me” is back in theaters this spring, ahead of its official 40th anniversary celebration in July. https://www.oregonlive.com/events/2026/03/classic-1980s-oregon-film-is-back-in-theaters-for-its-40th-anniversary.html 

“No Kings” demonstrations return to Portland, its suburbs and other Oregon cities and towns on Saturday. The last major “No Kings” rally on Oct. 18 drew an estimated 40,000 people to downtown Portland. Read more: theoregonian.visitlink.me/j0sgPf

Happy Birthday to our co-founding mother, Gloria Steinem! ❤️ Gloria is trailblazing activist, writer, and organizer, devoting her life to the fights for gender and racial justice. We are incredibly proud to be guided by her vision and advocacy.

March 28 is coming up fast! Locate your nearest rally at www.nokings.org Portlanders? Meet me on the waterfront near the battleship memorial at noon. For other local options: www.nokings.org And come and say hello! I’m bringing an army of frog stickers to share. Where will YOU be on March 28?

It was an honor to meet @ibramxk.bsky.social at his "Chain of Ideas​" book talk in PDX on Sunday and table on behalf of @indivisible-oregon.bsky.social with my friend Beverly Sherrill. If you're fired up and ready to take action, join us Saturday, March 28, for No Kings III. ❌👑 bit.ly/40Rzrly

Friends, do you want to immediately relax? Turn the volume up and feel like a little kid again, curled up in front of the TV 📺 Happy heavenly birthday Mister Rogers. We miss you. ❤️

The cherry blossoms are nearing peak bloom in Portland. 🌸

“The farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual. … I have kept this secret long enough. My silence ends here.” Read Dolores Huerta's statement on Cesar Chavez in full:

Solidarity with the survivors. Solidarity with Dolores Huerta. Solidarity with the @ufw.bsky.social movement. Solidarity with the workers and organizers who labor for lifetimes in relative obscurity. Movements are more important than their leaders.

Feeling grateful for Portland community and new kindred spirits like @bkuhnhaus.bsky.social! 💗

PDX, Mar 28: Everybody, Everywhere, All at Once! Start the morning at a neighborhood visibility corner: NE 42nd & Fremont 28th & Burnside Cesar Chavez & Hawthorne Then join the big No Kings III rally at Portland’s Waterfront Park. Show up locally—then together! www.indivisibleor.org/events/no-ki...

On the Oscars red carpet, Javier Bardem explained that he was wearing the same pin he wore in 2003 to protest the war in Iraq. This time, he says, he chose to wear it to speak out against the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Iran.

The absolutely epic ‘Sinners’ musical performance at the 2026 Oscars featuring Misty Copeland 🩰 ✨

Jean-Paul Sartre: When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die.

I had two organizing meeting this weekend and it remains true that organizing is an antidote to despair. It's always miraculous when people take time out of their lives to fight FOR something with others. I am grateful for these opportunities and for the chance to enlarge my circle of comrades.

Actually tearing up with joy to see our people winning these prestigious awards for their ingenuity, especially in times like these. 🥺🖤 Storytellers and artists are imo the backbone of progressive movements so I need this inspiration to keep pushing for change 🫶🏾✊🏾💪🏾 www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/...

Portland, OR March 22 Ibram X. Kendi in conversation with Sen. Jeff Merkley on great replacement theory—join the discussion. www.etix.com/ticket/p/932...

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden says Democrats have a real shot at blocking the bill but only with an all-out effort.

If you call yourself progressive but get uncomfortable when BIPOC communities speak hard truths, it might be time to rethink the label. Progress requires conflict, honesty, and a willingness to confront power and privilege.

Some days it’s political outrage. Some days it’s magic and whimsy. Most days it’s both. Art by @katieabey.bsky.social ✨🔥

One in four Portland tenants spends more than half their income on rent -- leaving little room to save for a down payment to buy a house.

A recent cringeworthy exchange during a Metro Council meeting shows the pitfalls of being "Portland Nice," where performative actions by white people often result in faux camaraderie with people of color, followed by bumbling missteps.

IWD was one for the history books. #internationalwomensday

Visits to the East Portland garden were up 346% in the wake of an emergency fundraising campaign.

Scenes from the 10th annual Lunar New Year Parade in Portland.

I don't hate this war because it wasn't "authorized properly," or because I am not a fan of the specific President waging it. I hate this war because it is a war. thewhitepages.net/p/you-will-n...

Don't go searching for OP, leave them alone. I just think that what they uplift is important and explains why many people simply cannot engage in activism and organizing regularly. And the truth is that it's hard to figure out actual ways around this because organizing in fact a labor.

This Oregon mom was the primary caretaker for her husband, who is recovering from a recent stroke. ICE kidnapped her. Now, her two teenage kids are struggling to keep up with school, caring for their dad, and their mother's immigration case. This is why we need to fund legal aid.

The “Lush Life” singer also signed autographs and did dances with fans.

People had already been unofficially celebrating Jane on April 3 — now the Jane Goodall Institute made it official. 💕

Since Multnomah County began collecting its Preschool for All tax in 2021, much has been made about the effect the program may be having on county income demographics.

East Portland! Next Tuesday, your D1 councilors will be sitting down for a conversation hosted by City Club of Portland. Join us for a free, engaging event where you'll get to know your East Portland representatives better.

Six months of standing vigil amid the seriously awful shit happening This week: 85 joyful, wonderful, positive people. Inflatables. Rollerskaters. And ordinary people. The last Sunday at NE Fremont & Williams is next week, (then we move to our new corner.) Join us: www.mobilize.us/swingleft/ev...

It was such a joy to talk about the 8th Annual International Women's Day Celebration hosted by Self Agency Academy on @koin6.bsky.social's Everyday Northwest yesterday! Join us from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Hoku Events. 💜 #IWD selfagencyacademy.com/events/p/9th...

Senior reporter @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social spent last week helping out the @minnesotareformer.com in her hometown of the Twin Cities. She reflects on what she learned there — and what it could mean for Portland. buff.ly/fcEH2zK

. @nhannahjones.bsky.social: "...the race traitor label evokes an inspiring and hopeful lineage: white people who are willing to give up the protection whiteness offers to stand for justice with those who are fewer in number and have far less power."

NO KINGS March 28!! ❌👑 This will be the largest non-violent protest in American history. Spread the word online and IRL, it’s up to all of us. FIND a No Kings protest: bit.ly/nokings328 ***Events are still being registered. Please check back next week if you don’t see one near you yet.***