More than 400 people turned out to events in cities and towns across the state say no to racial profiling and no to Measure 105 at the kick off for Oregonians United Against Profiling. The volunteers were there to spread the word about voting no on Measure 105 (Initiative Petition 22), which seeks to eliminate a 31-year-old law that prohibits local law enforcement from using personnel, funding, equipment, and facilities to enforce federal immigration law.
“We had an incredible turnout of people all across the state today to say no to eliminating Oregon’s anti-profiling law,” said Cristina Marquez, campaign manager at Oregonians United Against Profiling, the No on Measure 105 campaign. “It was very inspiring to see people of all backgrounds hit the streets in their towns to let their neighbors know that Measure 105 would throw out the law that protects Oregonians from unfair racial profiling.”
The volunteers canvassed local businesses, asking them to hang welcoming posters to send a unified message that Oregon is a place where we believe in fairness and looking out for our friends and neighbors.
“We cannot let Oregon become a “‘show me your papers’” state,” said Cristina Delgado, a Washington County resident who participated in the Portland campaign event. “There is already a lot of fear among immigrants in Oregon about being discriminated against based on the color of our skin or the way we speak. We must come together to make sure our state is a place where all people are treated fairly.”
Oregonians United Against Profiling is a broad coalition of more than 100 business leaders, law enforcement leaders, labor groups, civil rights groups, and faith groups that have come together to say no to Measure 105 on the November ballot. The state’s existing ‘sanctuary’ law was passed 31 years ago with the near unanimous support of state Republicans and Democrats to stop profiling of those perceived to be undocumented immigrants and to keep local police resources focused on enforcing local laws.
The campaign events were held today in Portland, Eugene, Medford, Salem, Bend, Astoria, McMinnville, Lincoln City, Redmond, Woodburn.
Another kick-off event will be held in Cornelius on August 18. Supporters in other towns are encouraged to reach out to the campaign to set up a local event.
Oregonians United Against Profiling includes Oregon business leaders Columbia Sportswear, the Timbers and Thorns, and the Portland Business Alliance; civil rights and immigrant rights groups Causa Oregon, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon (ACLU of Oregon), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the National Immigration Law Center; and unions including Oregon Education Association (OEA), SEIU, AFL-CIO, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United (PCUN).
Join the No on 105 campaign at orunited.org.
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