In Mid-May, OPAL and our partners in the Oregon Just Transition Alliance convened a three-day Just Transition retreat. We gathered in partnership with the Multnomah County Climate Justice Collaborative, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, and the Oakland, CA-based Movement Generation, a movement strategy center leading in […]
An important part of our work in movement-building is strengthening and supporting our relationships to allies across the country. Recently, Deputy Director Vivian Satterfield went on a two-leg trip across the US to do just that. In mid-April, Vivian first traveled to Chicago for […]
Organizers in Training is now the BRU Fellowship! This new, six-month cohort program will enable OPAL to have a more consistent presence organizing on Portland’s buses, while we deepen our investment in developing leadership in our communities. Last Saturday, we onboarded the five leaders […]
In response to community concerns about air toxics in our neighborhoods, OPAL brought a student researcher into our organization to do an in-depth study on air toxics. OPAL Air Toxics Intern Kate Jentoft-Herr compiled an 80-page document to help OPAL staff understand the issues […]
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the OPAL Family! After an exhaustive, prolonged search featuring candidates from across the country, we have chosen our Oregon Just Transition Alliance Organizer! Welcome Marissa Naranjo! Marissa is a tribal citizen of Kha’p’o Owingeh, or […]
OPAL works in coalition with labor and environmental groups to ensure major new developments benefit our communities. Right now is a critical decision-point for a project that could change the face of Northwest Portland, and we want your input! Join us March 21st at […]
As in so many legislative sessions, Oregon’s political and lobbying class is playing politics with the lives of people their decisions impact. In yesterday’s Oregonian: “A group that includes two Democratic senators, a Republican senator, regulators and two industry lobbyists is drafting legislation that […]
OPAL knows that for far too long, environmental justice communities across the state have been forced to bear the very real health risks and costs imposed on us by the lack of an adequate air toxics regulatory program. We’ve known that in Portland communities, particularly […]
For the past seven years OPAL has conducted Organizers In Training (OIT). This program has produced a number of organizers who have gone on to do amazing work in the Social Justice movement. We are proud of the work we have accomplished through OIT. In […]
OPAL and our community stand in solidarity to demand that TriMet halts their rushed process of selecting a new General Manager. We have gathered signatures of regional and local elected officials, organizational leaders, and community activists who know this decision came too quickly and […]