Commemorate the life of George Floyd and reaffirm the commitment to racial justice of the City of Portland

WHEREAS, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25, 2020, after a police officer knelt on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while George Floyd was lying face down on the street, handcuffed and pleading for his life; and WHEREAS, this tragic event captured the nation's attention throughout the rest of the year and galvanized a broad, multiracial uprising for racial justice; and WHEREAS, his death, along with the deaths of other Black Americans, such as Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, brought renewed focus to the long-standing inequities, discrimination, and systemic racism experienced by Black communities across the United States; and WHEREAS, Portland, like cities across the nation, witnessed a historic public outpouring in 2020 as community members demanded greater accountability, transparency, and urgency in addressing racial inequity; and WHEREAS, across the country, the movement for Black Lives elevated the voices of Black leaders, deepened the national understanding of systemic racism, and spurred reforms including increased data collection of police use-of-force incidents, strengthened oversight measures, expanded access to body-worn cameras, and heightened community engagement around public safety; and WHEREAS, the City of Portland has undertaken efforts to strengthen police oversight, including the establishment of the Community Board for Police Accountability, defined in the City Charter as a result of Measure 26-217, which was approved by 81.58 percent of Portland voters in November 2020 and entrusted with decision-making authority over police misconduct investigations and oversight of police practices and policies; and WHEREAS, the activism of 2020 also emphasized the importance of supporting Black leadership, promoting restorative justice approaches, and addressing the social and economic inequities that disproportionately impact Black communities; and WHEREAS, in the years following the 2020 racial justice uprising, many local and national commitments to advance Black lives and dismantle systemic inequities have not been fully realized, and in some cases have been scaled back, weakened, or dismantled, leaving many Black communities without the sustained investment and action that was promised; and WHEREAS, alongside the national impact of George Floyd's death, local deaths of Black Portlanders such as Immanueal Clark and Damon Lamarr Johnson have deepened community grief and reinforced the urgency of advancing racial justice and systemic reform; and WHEREAS, Black Portlanders and local Black-led organizations continue to work toward a future rooted in dignity, justice, safety, and opportunity, contributing to the ongoing collective effort to build a more equitable city for all; and WHEREAS, the City of Portland recognizes that commemorating the life of George Floyd requires both remembrance and continued commitment to learning from the past, uplifting community voices, and striving for systems that uphold fairness, accountability, and human rights; and WHEREAS, as the City approaches the sixth anniversary of George Floyd's death, this moment serves as an opportunity for reflection, honoring his life, acknowledging the collective grief felt across communities, and reaffirming values that strengthen Portland's commitment to racial equity. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Portland honors the life of George Floyd and recognizes the profound impact his death had on the national movement for racial justice; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City affirms its commitment to prevent future acts of police misconduct by promoting transparent community oversight, collaboration with local organizations and leaders, and restorative justice initiatives; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City affirms its dedication to advancing racial equity and commits to ensuring that its stated values are consistently reflected in its policies, budget decisions, and institutional practices; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City affirms its commitment to fully implementing City Council Resolution 37722, adopted by the Council on October 30, 2025, which directed the City Administrator to conduct two studies to evaluate disparities in City contracting and workforce participation, and to pursue restorative and reparative actions in response to the findings of that process; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City extends gratitude to the many community members, advocates, and leaders who continue to work toward a more just and equitable Portland; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City affirms the importance of ensuring Black Portlanders are not only meaningfully included but engaged as collaborative partners in discussions and decision-making processes related to the causes, consequences, and solutions in the effects of systemic racism on Black Lives; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be recorded in the Council documents in commemoration of the sixth anniversary of George Floyd's passing.