PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Center for Intercultural Organizing
Media Contact: Kayse Jama
kayse@interculturalorganizing.org
http://www.interculturalorganizing.org
More Information: (503) 287-4117

COMMUNITY GATHERING
Uniting Cultures in Portland: Bridging the Gaps in City Policy
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 6:00 PM
1221 SW 4th Avenue
Rose Room - 3rd Floor, City Hall

Seating is limited, so please register online if you wish to attend.

On October 18, 2006 Portland's City Council passed a resolution protecting the civil rights and liberties of immigrants and refugees. This resolution also called for the establishment of a task force to investigate barriers to immigrant and refugee participation in civic life and their inclusion in local decision-making. The task force, to be comprised of city leaders and immigrant and refugee community members, will be charged with exploring workable solutions for the City of Portland.

Portland State University students in the 2006 "Politics of Immigration" Capstone have been working together for the past 10 weeks to compile the most recent demographics on Portland's immigrant and refugee communities, the issues that most impact these populations (based on visionPDX research, community groups’ input, public forums and focus groups), and to make suggestions on how immigrant/refugee leaders and the city government could create a balanced, efficient and effective task force.

On Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 6:00 PM, PSU capstone students invite you to witness the presentation of these findings at City Hall. The goal of this community gathering is to ensure that the task force begins their work with a solid foundation of research and to inform the community about current issues facing immigrants and refugees in Portland. Seating is limited, so please register online if you wish to attend.