Crowds of Black Lives Matter demonstrators filled the streets of Corvallis once again Saturday night, marching towards the Benton County Courthouse while chanting and waving signs. The group of passionate advocates are hardly the only ones continuing to protest.
Ever since George Floyd’s death on May 25 at the hands of police, protests have spread throughout the world, some of the most notable occurring in Portland. As states and cities across the nation grapple with reconciling age-old systemic racism, Gov. Kate Brown has implemented her own plan for Oregon. She instituted a Racial Justice Council, comprised of people of color, to help address systematic racism in Oregon and offer advice regarding the 2021-2023 budget.
On the Racial Justice Council’s website, the mission statement declares, “We must change how we listen to, engage with, respond to, and support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and Tribal members in Oregon.”
So far the council includes over 20 members, with more to be added. They will evaluate policies and provide insight on criminal justice reform, housing and homelessness, health equity, economic opportunity, and environmental equity.
“The urgency could not be greater to center the voices of those who are most impacted by historical and institutional racism in Oregon and create a better system, together, that fully supports us all,” Brown told KGW8. “Our budgets, policy agenda, and priorities should reflect, support, and honor the communities who have been most deeply impacted by systemic racism.”
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