Sisters’ Civic Action Group

Sit-Lie law Truth Commission

August 7, Sisters held a powerful and emotional Truth Commission about the Sit-Lie law. Here is some coverage:
Mercury Blog
Street Roots
Willamette Week

SAFE listening session

We then joined many concerned citizens at the SAFE listening session at the First Unitarian Church on Monday, August 11, where many people spoke out against Sit-Lie:
Mercury Blog 2
Willamette Week 2

Postcard Campaign

Street Roots and Sisters Of The Road presented almost 2,000 postcards to Portland City Council on Wednesday, June 11 at 9am asking for the repeal of the sit-lie and anti-camping laws. The postcards were signed by citizens who are concerned that the ordinances punish thousands of Portlanders who lack adequate, safe and affordable shelter. Here’s some coverage:
Portland Mercury
Willamette Week
Loaded Orygun

Sisters leaves SAFE Oversight Committee

http://wweek.com/wwire/?p=11854#comments_view
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/2008/05/sisters_out_of_safe_wants_sitl.php
Mercury: Homeless Nonprofit Resigns from Sit-lie Group

Sisters’ Community Organizer on OPB

Patrick Nolen was on OPB’s “Think Out Loud” talking about the legality of homelessness. Click here.

Sisters’ Voter Registration Work

Check out an article from the Willamette Week on our Civic Action Group’s (CAG’s) voter registration work.  Although we are pleased that the Willamette covered this topic, we also want to clarify some of the inaccuracies in the article.  The title byline “A good meal and a chance to choose between Obama and Clinton” suggests that we are telling people to choose between Obama and Clinton and this is not true!  We are not suggesting that people vote for any candidate in particular.  Rather, we are just registering people to vote and they can choose to vote for whomever they want!  We also don’t understand the title “Vote by Shelter” because we are not a shelter.

Thank you again Willamette Week for writing about the important work of the Civic Action Group and hopefully next time some of these misrepresentations can be avoided. 

Sidewalk Ordinance Unfairly Applied

Portland Mercury reporter Matt Davis weighs in on the Sidewalk Obstructions Ordinance; Sisters’ organizer puts in his two cents.  Click here.

Sisters Awarded Largest Grant for Solutions to Homelessness

In December, Sisters was awarded a $225,000, three-year grant through the Kaiser Permanente Community Fund at the Northwest Health Foundation.  The grant will be used to help end homelessness in Portland and the nearby region by addressing the social policies and attitudes that impact homelessness.  To read the press release, click here.

Erik Sten Did Good Work on Homeless Center

Sisters’ staffer Orion Lumiere letter to Portland Tribune editor (second story down).  Read the letter.

Reporter and CAG Member Sleep on the Street

Mercury reporter Matt Davis spent a night on the street with Patrick Nolen (at left), Sisters’ Community Organizer.  Read the story.

Portland Business Journal - Sisters’ ‘Revenue Redemption’

Sisters’ rise to financial health since 2002: http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2007/10/15/smallb1.html

Sisters’ Meal Coupons a More Human Answer

A response to an August 2, 2007 article by the Oregonian’s Margi Boule on how panhandlers should be given nothing. http://blog.oregonlive.com

Sisters’ Research and Voices from the Street

• PDX Magazine article on how Sisters’ book Voices from the Street it is a book of national significance despite being based on interviews conducted in Portland.
• Street News Service EDITOR’S CHOICE: Voices from the Street
• Street News Service EDITOR’S CHOICE 2- Voices from the Street
• Street News Service Story:Voices from the Street - Chapter 2

Sit? Lie? Stand!

Since around 2001, Sisters Of The Road and their allies have been active in fighting for the just and non-discriminatory regulation of Portland’s urban public space. Read more about it in the Portland Mercury:

• Standing up to the Man Click here.
• Buying your Rights? Click here.
• Worse in LA? Click here.

RJ Anheier’s Lack of Justice

Sisters’ dear friend RJ Anheier (pictured left) died and was pronounced ‘homeless and indigent’ although he was carrying his ID and address with him; his death and the circumstances of it are mourned by his community.  Read more on Indymedia.

Is the U.S. Ready for Human Rights?  Yes.

Sisters’ Systemic Change Manager Devin DiBernardo was quoted in Yes magazine in reference to economic human rights.  Click here.

Genny Wins 2005 National Caring Award

This prestigious award, created to honor Mother Teresa, was granted to Sisters’ Cofounder as one of “the most caring Americans.” Click here to learn more.