Northwest VEG's Viva La Vegan PORTLAND - Metro

🔥 Let’s Pack City Hall for the Force-Fed Foie Gras Ban Hearing 🔥

Portland’s Arts & Economy Committee has a tentative hearing date for the proposed foie gras ban, and this is our moment to show up for animals.

This is the most important time to show up. If you can be there, we need all hands on deck.

You don’t need to live in Portland to attend. Everyone is welcome, and it doesn’t matter where you live or where you’re registered to vote.

RSVP: Pro-Animal Oregon uses a custom-made activist platform called Stampede. I would encourage you to sign up and RSVP on there as well using this link. This is the best way to streamline our coordination so that we can be as organized as a voting bloc.

📅 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
📍 Portland City Hall and Youtube (Livestream)

In person meet up: 9:00 AM outside City Hall the SW 4th Ave entrance.

Youtube Livestream

For those attending virtually but not giving testimony, there is no Zoom link, you will view on the Youtube Livestream.

Refreshments:
For those able to attend in person, there will be bagels and cream cheese (vegan, of course), courtesy of our friends at Ben & Esther’s.

And if you need a little extra help waking up for the 9:30am hearing, we’ve got you covered with coffee generously donated by Orange & Blossom Patisserie.

We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m. and head through security together, then grab bagels and coffee in the City Hall courtyard before the 9:30 a.m. meeting starts.

Timing:

Foie gras is slotted as the opening agenda item, so please be ready to go at 9:30 a.m. sharp if you're giving testimony (in person and on Zoom).
You are free to leave at any point. Testimony will be given at some point between 10:00am and 11:00am.

This will be the first time Portland elected officials formally discuss foie gras. What they see in the chamber and online will help shape what happens next. Let’s bring a respectful, energized, united presence.

What to expect:
A presentation and public testimony, followed by committee discussion and a vote.

How you can help:
✅ Attend in person or on Zoom, even briefly
✅ Testify (both verbal and written)

Verbal Testimony:

If you’re able to and comfortable giving testimony, it’s really important that we get a lot of people to show support. Zoom or in-person both work.
Sign up for testimony here.

Because we're limited to 15 minutes for public comment and aim to have ~30 people testify, testimony will just be one sentence: "I'm a Portland district X resident (or local who regularly shops and dines in Portland), and I support the ban."

Written testimony:

Anyone can submit written testimony. Written testimony is encouraged even if you’re giving verbal testimony. It’s really important that we get a lot of written testimony as it helps ensure your support is on the record. Here you can be more verbose.
Indicate you want to submit written testimony on the same form. You have to submit it once for verbal and then re-open to submit again for written.

Find examples of written testimony here.

What to wear:
If you have a Pro-Animal Oregon shirt, please wear it. If not, everyday casual clothes are great. This helps us show we’re just concerned Portland voters showing up for our community. Animal-friendly/public health/environmental shirts are welcome too.

Polite request:
Please avoid shirts that mention veganism or could be interpreted as vegan messaging, so we keep the focus on the ordinance and make it easy for everyone to feel included. We’ll have a few Pro-Animal Oregon shirts on hand for you all to wear.

Parking & Transportation:
Parking near City Hall can be limited, so please plan extra time and consider carpooling, biking, or transit if you can. Have extra seats in your vehicle, need a ride or transit support to attend in person? Please fill out this short transportation form and we’ll be in touch.

The SmartPark garage at 4th and Yamhill is a five minute walk from City Hall.

Time-off Request for Employers:
This hearing is during normal business hours. For those who need it, here is a simple time-off request letter template. Just make a copy, add your details, and adjust the timing if needed before sending it to your employer.

Let’s pack City Hall and the Zoom room with supporters! We need a strong showing for animals, every voice counts.

Join Pro-Animal Oregon for a celebration!

After the hearing, let’s come together at The Uncanny to celebrate the outcome, connect and unwind, and talk about next steps for our work for animals.

We’ll have the upstairs reserved, a welcoming space to gather, share a few moments of community, and recognize what we’ve accomplished together.

Anyone is welcome, whether you’ve been involved throughout or you’re just getting connected.

Come enjoy good food and good company. We’ll share updates and talk about what comes next.

RSVP on Stampede here.

This is an excuse to get out of the house and make winter a lil less lonely! Come hang out with Northwest VEG, snag a warm drink, and try some spooky goodies with friends at Memento Mori Cafe. This cozy little all-vegan spot in Northwest Portland has lots of themed, brunchy treats. Hope to see you there!