SunrisePDX Endorses Total Recall PDX
The Sunrise Movement, including our PDX chapter, is guided by a mission to achieve an equitable and sustainable future for all communities. Ted Wheeler’s actions as mayor show that he is not a leader who cares about the livelihood of all his constituents. From his complicity in incredible police violence, to his nonchalance regarding the expansion of the Zenith oil terminal, he has repeatedly refused to govern responsibly. The recall campaign is an important first step towards empowering Portland to hold elected officials accountable for their actions.
During the electoral season, our non-endorsement of Wheeler asked people to choose which GND Mayoral candidate they believed in and asked them to discard our dangerous mayor. Though Ted Wheeler was narrowly reelected in the 2020 election cycle, his blatant disregard for campaign finance laws, use of scare tactics, and disrespect of political BIPOC leadership are a constant disgrace to the city of Portland. SunrisePDX had members volunteering and staffed by the Iannarone and Raiford campaigns. Though the path to a Green New Deal—and who we follow in this critical moment—differs between members of the hub, we are united by our goal of collective liberation and a livable future.
On October 16, 2020, SunrisePDX released the following statement, “Don’t Vote for Ted Wheeler”: “What Sunrise PDX can wholeheartedly stand behind is that Ted Wheeler is a disastrous and dangerous leader for Portland constituents. While he postures as the ‘anti-Trump Mayor’ on national news, the Portland Police Bureau (of which he is commissioner) enacts unending physical and psychological terror against the city’s residents. He protects fascist rallies while gassing innocent families in their homes. His major donors all come from his background as a Timber Baron, and he has shown pompous disregard for campaign finance law time and time again. Ted Wheeler’s inability to hold himself accountable to his actions as Mayor is a weapon of white supremacy.”
Today, as the repercussions of his actions escalate, SunrisePDX is proud to endorse the Recall Wheeler campaign and urges residents across the Portland metro to remove Wheeler from a position of electoral power. To join the effort, visit totalrecallpdx.com to learn about signature gathering for the recall petition, where you can sign and donate, and how to support the campaign.
