One issue Business for a Better Portland has focused on throughout 2020 is the continued danger of hate groups and white nationalists coming into our city and causing violence that threatens our neighbors and communities, including many small businesses.

Two organizations, Western States Center (WSC) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), have spent years studying these groups and their activities. Together, they are working on a project to provide lawmakers, government officials, community organizations and business leaders critical information about recent trends in hate group activity in Oregon and other parts of the country, with an emphasis in the post-election context, paramilitaries’ responses to COVID-19 and related public health measures, projections for 2021, and resources to take action.

We believe this is critical information for businesses throughout Portland to hear. We want to invite you to join a virtual briefing for business leaders from 1 - 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2020 with these regional and national experts. If you or someone from your organization can join us, please RSVP by emailing ethan@stuartcollective.co. We will send you invitation details and a Zoom link to join!