Welcome to the 350PDX newsletter!
This week, we’re joining the People vs. Fossil Fuels coalition in honoring Joye Braun, who was a defender of Indigenous sovereignty, human rights, and climate justice. Stay tuned for action opportunities this Friday, Jan 20, on the #JoyeBraunDay of action when folks all around the country will be taking action in her honor, and for climate justice. Jan 20 is both Joye’s birthday and the second anniversary of the end of the Keystone XL pipeline.
You can also join us TONIGHT (Wed Jan 18) at 5pm PT for Spark Joye, Extinguish Fossil Fuels: Virtual Kick-off Rally.
This will be a virtual, national kick-off rally leading up to the Joye Braun People Vs. Fossil Fuels (PvFF) day of action on January 20th. Eloise (350PDX National Fossil Fuels Organizer) will be co-hosting the rally. Join us in honoring the life of Indigenous organizer Joye Braun, to learn why the People v Fossil Fuels coalition is demanding Biden declare a climate emergency, and to connect to local actions later in the week. RSVP for the rally here.
We’re grateful to be in this fight with you, and for everything you do for climate justice. Read on for more opportunities to take action, resources, and more. But first — we wanted to give you an update on our action night:
UPDATE: We are canceling the January Action Night tomorrow (Thurs Jan 19), and are instead hosting a New Volunteer Evening
New Volunteer Evening
Thurs, Jan 19, 6:00-8:00pm — 350PDX offices (3625 N Mississippi Ave, Portland) – RSVP here
Our January Action Night tomorrow (Thurs, Jan 19) is cancelled because the big room we usually use is suddenly out of commission! So instead, we’re doing a smaller new volunteer evening. It’ll be a great chance to hear more of what 350PDX is all about, meet some staff and volunteers, see our office space, and explore more how to get involved!
We’ll start at 6pm with some pizza and wine/beer/soft drinks, and then have an intro training that covers what we’re all about. We’ll then do a letter-writing action, part of a national week of action pressuring Biden to declare a climate emergency. We’ll finish with some time to chat one on one about getting more involved or get your remaining questions answered. This will be an indoor masks encouraged event. See full accessibility information here. RSVP here
In solidarity,
350PDX Staff and Community
Take Action
For quick actions like petitions, check out our Take Action Page. Take the Pledge of Action for more updates.
Take action to stop the GTN XPress pipeline expansion
For years, communities in the Pacific Northwest have been standing up to fossil fuel corporations. Now, TC Energy (the company behind Keystone XL) is trying to quietly expand the GTN pipeline with an additional 150 million cubic feet of gas per day while also adding a new gas compressor station in Morrow County, OR. This proposed expansion project is called GTN XPress. GTN XPress is expected to result in more than 3.24 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The increased pollution would be the same as adding 754,000 passenger vehicles on the road per year until 2052. Over the holidays, Oregon Senators Merkley and Wyden came out in opposition to the GTN XPress, after many of us had been urging them to do so! This is an important step in the right direction for our campaign.
Now, it’s important that we make our voices heard to FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, during the agency’s open comment period. Comments to FERC are due by February 16. Learn how to submit your official comment to FERC in opposition to the GTN XPress project here.
Call on Commissioner Carmen Rubio to rescind Zenith Energy’s land use permit
As of this month, Commissioner Rubio is overseeing the Bureau of Development Services, the city bureau that oversees Portland land use work — so our main target in the fight to stop Zenith Energy. Our coalition of 20+ groups sent Rubio a letter on her first week calling on her to listen to the community about this issue, hold a public hearing, and rescind Zenith’s LUCS permit — but we haven’t heard anything back.
So please join us in calling Commissioner Rubio at (503) 823-3008 using this script:
“My name is _____ and I live in (neighborhood or zip code) I’m calling to urge Commissioner Rubio to meet with environmental and community organizations about Zenith ASAP, before the DEQ will likely start reviewing Zenith’s air permit application; and to withdraw Zenith’s Land Use Compatibility Statement; and to hold a public hearing and take evidence on this important issue. Thank you.”
Submit public testimony to support City Charter amendments
Tomorrow (Thursday, Jan 19, at 2pm) — the Portland City Council is meeting to discuss City Charter proposed amendments, and we need to show that they have popular support!
We need people to show up and testify at 2pm on Thurs, Jan 19. Register to deliver public testimony here. See our testimony toolkit here. If you’re available to show up at 2pm next Thursday, either in person or remotely, please contact chris@350pdx.org and we can help you with your testimony!
Sign the Petition & Write to Congress: Restore Federal Recognition for the Chinook Indian Nation
In 2001, the Chinook Nation obtained federal recognition from the U.S. government. However, celebration turned into heartbreak when the U.S. government rescinded this recognition eighteen months later. The Chinook Indian Nation was essentially declared nonexistent in the eyes of the government. The nation has been unable to access programs and resources to which federally recognized tribes are entitled. Over the last 20 years, the lack of federal recognition has cost $200 million dollars, opportunities for youth, and countless lives.
Congress has both the power and authority to recognize tribes. We are calling on our elected officials to do what’s right and end this humanitarian crisis: Stop the genocide and federally recognize the Chinook Indian Nation.
Events & Opportunities
350PDX Climate Book Club
Wed, Feb 8, 6:30-8pm — 350PDX office (3625 N Mississippi Ave, Portland)
We’re so excited to explore climate texts together, and look forward to reading with you. Light refreshments will be provided. Masks are encouraged at this event. Please RSVP here.
Contemplative Practices for Activists and Other Engaged Humans
Thurs, Feb 9, 6:30-8:00pm — at Havurah Shalom (825 NW 18th Ave, Portland) – learn more and RSVP here
Join us for the first in a series of monthly gatherings to explore various meditative, contemplative, and creative practices to explore feelings, deepen our intention, and support our hearts as we contemplate and clarify our role as citizens. Drawing from both traditional and emergent ideas and practices, we grow our sense of belonging and groundedness with joy, gratitude, and radical honesty. Facilitated by Barbara Ford and Elva Redwood.
“We love our urban forest” social
Mon, Feb 13, 6:00-8:00pm — at the 350PDX office (3625 N Mississippi Ave, Portland)
SAVE THE DATE for the “We 
our urban forest” social. Join tree, ecology and climate people from across our city to meet, mingle and share updates & ideas about how to grow a more climate resilient and equitable urban forest. We will also be sharing stories about our favorite urban trees, and making them valentines! Food & drinks provided. The event is family-friendly, including a staffed space for kids. Please contact Forest Climate Manager Brenna (brenna@350pdx.org) with questions or if you can volunteer. Learn more here.
Actions with Don’t Shoot PDX
Throughout the week, across the city – details here
Worker Solidarity Actions
Throughout the week, across the city – visit the Portland Jobs with Justice page for more info (PJWJ is a coalition of over 100 labor, faith, community and student organizations and individual activists taking action for workers rights and economic justice). Also see their list of solidarity actions.
News & Updates
We’re still celebrating that the Forest Service withdrew the Flat Country timber sale!
Last month, the Forest Service withdrew its decision to sell over 2,000 acres of mature and old-growth forest in the Willamette National Forest for logging. Called the Flat Country Project, this logging sale would have been disastrous for our climate and the health of Oregon forests. This is a major victory, and would not have been possible without the President’s Earth Day Executive Order, the organizing of the Climate Forest Campaign, and, most importantly, advocates like you! Read the Forest Services’ news release here.
New resource: Check out this recording of a recent Oregon Wild webinar centering Indigenous perspectives on the intersections of forest protection and climate justice.
The N&N Land Justice Learning Platform
N&N Land Justice has curated a semester’s worth of classes that include interviews with land stewards, scholars, and activists as well as workshops and trainings that can deepen your understanding of the need for land justice. You can register by visiting the Land Learning platform.
Ongoing request to support Indigenous Elders who were evicted from their homes in the Winnemucca Indian Colony
In December, Indigenous elders were wrongfully evicted and banished from their homes in the Winnemucca Indian Colony (Paiute and Shoshone lands, Nevada). Attorneys from Water Protector Legal Collective (WPLC) and Nevada Legal Services (NLS) had requested to stay the eviction and banishment orders. But on Dec 28, the Inter-Tribal Court of Appeals of Nevada (ITCAN) denied the stay and ordered them to leave the homes they have lived in for decades. WPLC and NLS attorneys will continue to fight the eviction, and the fight isn’t over. Read the full update from WPLC here.
Support Request: Many Indigenous elders and residents who were evicted have nowhere else to go. They are requesting support to help with temporary housing. Please make a donation at CashApp: $defendWIC (or DM @neweneensokopa if you need to use a different app). Learn more at linktr.ee/ElderProtectors and @neweneensokopa
In love and gratitude,
The 350PDX staff
