The National Guard? In Portland?

Portland has a history of passionate public response — from the ICE protests downtown to ongoing debates about homelessness, public safety, and how we care for our neighbors. Now, with talk of the National Guard possibly being sent here, big questions are surfacing. For some, it feels like a step toward safety and order. For others, it feels like a threat to democracy itself. Many are simply wondering what it would mean for daily life in our city.

This conversation is a chance for Portlanders of all perspectives to reflect together. How might the presence of the Guard affect protests, houseless communities, or our sense of freedom and security? What worries you, what reassures you, and what do you think it would look like in practice?

Join us as we explore these and other questions, such as:

• When you first heard the idea of the National Guard coming to Portland, what was your gut reaction?
• What do you think would be a reasonable justification for the Guard to be sent to a city anywhere in the U.S.? What, if anything, would make it reasonable in Portland’s case?
• Where do you personally draw the line between a situation that should be handled locally and one that warrants federal involvement?

Your voice matters, and by hearing from one another, we can better understand what this possibility could mean for our city and our future.