Councilor Sameer Kanal
@councilorkanal.bsky.social
2.1K followers 140 following 560 posts
Official account for Portland City Councilor Sameer Kanal, District 2 (North/NE Portland). DMs not checked regularly. Reach out through portland.gov/kanal portland.gov/Disclaimer
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councilorkanal.bsky.social
We've extended the application deadline to Oct. 8!
councilorkanal.bsky.social
My office is looking for a superstar to join our team as a Constituent & Policy Support Student Intern for a 3-month term. The part-time position is open to students currently enrolled in high school, trade school, community college, or a training, undergrad or grad program. Apply by Oct. 1!
Constituent and Policy Support Student Intern for Councilor Kanal
Councilor Sameer Kanal's Office is seeking a Constituent and Policy Support Student Intern to join their team!Internship Duration: 3 months. Duration is flexible based on Council Office's needs.Availa...
www.governmentjobs.com
councilorkanal.bsky.social
I stand with Hispanic and Latino Portlanders in joy, in struggle, and in solidarity and celebrate your diverse cultures, traditions and histories—and your immeasurable contributions to this city and this country.

#HispanicHeritageMonth
The words "Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! on a blue, teal, yellow and red background.
Reposted by Councilor Sameer Kanal
agdanrayfield.bsky.social
The president must follow the Constitution. If he wants to push the boundaries, we’ll hold the line in court.

This is America. The U.S. military has no place in our streets.

Portland is peaceful. There is no reason to deploy National Guard here.
Reposted by Councilor Sameer Kanal
thebulwark.com
And now for a report from the hellish, war-zone that is Portland
councilorkanal.bsky.social
*Hypothetical situations, including one that was not so hypothetical. In late June was a call that Project Respond could have been dispatched to, SHOULD have been dispatched to, but was not - & it resulted in a death in PPB custody.

The work of our crisis continuum matters - and saves lives.

9/end
councilorkanal.bsky.social
We then ended the meeting with a five-minute highlight of the Great Shakeout on October 16, including an earthquake drill in chambers. For more information, see www.shakeout.org.

The next meeting of the Community and Public Safety Committee is Tuesday, October 21, at 2:30 PM.

8/
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations worldwide improve preparedness and practice how to be safe during earthquakes. Register to participate in your state or country's drill at www.ShakeOut.org.
www.shakeout.org
councilorkanal.bsky.social
This was a really informative presentation, in which we discussed from both a descriptive and hypothetical situation* perspective who does what, where there are (good) overlaps, where there may be lack of clarity, etc. One really exciting piece was how much coordination is newly underway.

7/
councilorkanal.bsky.social
After that, we had a crisis continuum presentation, which included presenters from the Portland Police Bureau's Behavioral Health Unit (who also spoke about general patrol responsibilities & Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team), Portland Street Response, & also Multnomah County's Project Respond.

6/
councilorkanal.bsky.social
We're asking for more Community and Public Safety Committee time pretty constantly because we have a huge backlog of issues to address. That's on the list.
councilorkanal.bsky.social
I want to thank our three presenters, their whole offices & electeds for them being here and answering questions.

We need, and I feel we have, solidarity with the other cities facing down this federal threat, and not just the city govts - to the people of LA, DC, and Chicago, we are with you.

5/
councilorkanal.bsky.social
I can't summarize the excellent conversation and information received from Jenn, Alison, and Kate, but I strongly encourage everyone to watch the video. They were clear, they were stark, and they were comprehensive in their descriptions of their experiences - things that could happen here.

4/
councilorkanal.bsky.social
City Attorney Taylor opened with thanking all the people that have contributed to our recent legal wins. I will second all those thank yous, especially to @agdanrayfield.bsky.social and team, and add a thank you for Robert Taylor himself, who's been particularly effective these last few weeks.

3/
councilorkanal.bsky.social
The first item is a discussion starting with an update from City Atty. Robert Taylor. Then we'll hear from Allison Murphy, staffer to Chicago Alderperson Andre Vasquez; Jen Kaufman, Policy Advisor for DC Councilor Janeese Lewis George, & Kate Pynoos, staffer for LA Councilor Hugo Soto-Martinez.

2/
councilorkanal.bsky.social
RIGHT NOW (2:30-4:30 PM), COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Today we're going to be discussing three items:
1. A discussion on federal troop deployment and response
2. Crisis continuum and mental health crisis services and interventions
3. A 5 minute update on the Great American Shakeout

1/
Portland City Council Community & Public Safety Committee 10/07/25
YouTube video by eGov PDX
www.youtube.com
councilorkanal.bsky.social
I am calling on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pressure for the release of Paul and Stephen, two Portlanders who joined the humanitarian flotilla to Gaza.

Humanitarian aid is not a crime.
Let's bring our Portlanders home.

#pdx #orpol #portland #portlandoregon #oregon
councilorkanal.bsky.social
The Dawson Park Resource Fair returns Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 10am-1pm at Dawson Park. Connect with vendors who provide resources such as housing, food, traffic safety, health and welfare, and other services that support community members.

www.portland.gov/community-sa...
Dawson Park Resource Fair
www.portland.gov
councilorkanal.bsky.social
We have included, in the Sanctuary City Codification ordinance, defining public and private spaces within City buildings. Private spaces would require city badges or judicial warrants to enter.

That ordinance should be ready for a Council agenda this month. I'll have more in the next few days.
councilorkanal.bsky.social
I'm not a lawyer, so I won't try to explain on here. But I can say, our lawyers didnt go in asking for something not legally allowed, nor did the state's, nor did California's.

Oh, and this was a TRO.
councilorkanal.bsky.social
Yeah, that's legally completely different from this.
councilorkanal.bsky.social
All those peaceful scenes of the waterfront, our parks, etc. are real reflections of Portland. So's this.
councilorkanal.bsky.social
The feds' attempt last night to circumvent yesterday's ruling by deploying the California Guard, & late today to deploy Texas' Guard, shows their contempt for the rule of law.

We must continue to honor the Constitution & the rights of all to free speech, due process, & more.

More to come.

3/end
councilorkanal.bsky.social
Thank you to @agdanrayfield.bsky.social & team along with our City Attorneys & California's team, the Court, and the thousands of Portlanders who have been nonviolently protesting for months and/or documenting our beautiful city.

We don't want troops deployed here. We don't need it.

2/3
councilorkanal.bsky.social
Judge Immergut has now granted a second Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), against the deployment of ANY National Guard (50 states + DC) to Oregon.

This will also be appealed, like yesterday's. The facts on the ground continue to matter to these ongoing legal proceedings.

1/3
councilorkanal.bsky.social
Let’s all continue to stand up as Portlanders by protecting our neighbors, exercising our First Amendment rights, supporting mutual aid, and showing the world that Portland is a city of values, inclusion, and resolve.

#orpol #PDX #Democracy
councilorkanal.bsky.social
I’m committed to working with my colleagues at the state and local levels to push back against federal overreach as much as we legally can.