[UPDATE] An Open Letter from Resonance Ensemble and Members of the Portland Arts Community
June 9, 2020
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died handcuffed behind his back on a Minneapolis, Minnesota street, while white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes and three other officers watched. Local arts organization Resonance Ensemble immediately drafted an open letter in response to the devastating news, demanding that the state of Oregon and our leaders take action. Resonance invited arts leaders and citizens of our state to join us in stating unequivocally that BLACK LIVES MATTER and demanding that Oregon do better to protect the lives of our black citizens. The original plan was to deliver the letter to Governor Brown and Mayor Wheeler after a week of receiving signatures.
Resonance Ensemble’s original open letter garnered over 1,000 signatures representing the Portland arts community, citizens, major arts leaders, and organizations who all stand together in support of tangible change to protect the lives of black people.
Since that time, there have been some changes:
Governor Brown has taken bold steps to acknowledge where the state has failed black people, has met with local leaders of color, and announced actionable steps the state of Oregon can take to do better. Governor Brown has stated, “We must do what we can right here in Oregon.” and “Words are not enough, we need action.” and finally, “Join me in co-creating a more just Oregon where black Oregonians can thrive.”
Mayor Wheeler has removed police officers from the Portland Public Schools and has signed the Mayor’s Pledge, President Obama’s call for mayors, city councils, and police oversight bodies to address police use of force policies. He has also met with local leaders of color and announced actionable steps the city of Portland can take.
Because of these recent changes, we have updated our letter (June 9, 2020) to clarify the accountability the arts community still demands of our state and local government officials.