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Don’t Shoot Portland will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march, formally titled the 11th Annual Reclaim the Dream March for Human Rights and Dignity. The family-focused, youth-led event will start at 1 pm Monday, Jan. 20, at Peninsula Park.
The timing of this year’s march is especially poignant, as it coincides with the second inauguration of Donald Trump.
“As Donald Trump takes the White House, Don’t Shoot Portland encourages Portlanders to unite, reflect on the legacy of MLK, and uplift the voices of community changemakers,” the organization said in a statement.
Don’t Shoot Portland is an arts and education organization that promotes social justice and civic participation. The organization was founded in 2016 by activist Teressa Raiford and successfully sued the city of Portland to limit the police’s use of tear gas after the 2020 protests.
To get ready for the MLK march, Don’t Shoot Portland is partnering with the Pacific Northwest College of Art for a free community art build on Saturday, Jan. 18. Participants are invited to make their own signs and posters for the march or listen in on a free presentation by the American Civil Liberties Union called “Planning for a Second Trump Presidency.” The community art build is free and takes place 11 am-3 pm Saturday, Jan. 18, at PNCA, 511 NW Broadway.
Last year’s Reclaim the Dream March was canceled due to the ice storm.
“This event is a protest, meant to include everyone as we support and uplift the voices of Black people,” Don’t Shoot Portland says in a statement. “We are unapologetic in our movement for Black lives, and we use this event to center the voices of our children, who are most vulnerable to the systemic violations of civil liberties.”
GO: 11th Annual Reclaim the Dream March for Human Rights and Dignity at Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way (meet near the playground), dontshootpdx.org/community-events/11th-annual-reclaim-mlk. 1-3 pm Monday, Jan. 20. Free.