Jessie Sponberg is wasting no time. As his campaign officially starts today at the site of the same reservoir he famously fought to keep as our city’s water source, the outspoken candidate is expected to invite fellow mayoral candidates to spend a night at North Portland’s Hazelnut Grove, a makeshift community that houses people whom Sponberg refers to as “economic refugees”.
Slowly but surely, Sponberg – who’s been known as a fighter for wage equality, wealth distribution, environmental issues, water rights, a myriad of civil rights, police accountability and the de-stigmatization of marijuana and hip-hop – is beginning to shape his campaign priorities. Today’s event should shed more light on that strategy. But we don’t speak for the candidates… Read the official press release below and show up if you can.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1st, 2016 – Portland Oregon
SPONBERG FOR MAYOR OFFICIAL KICK-OFF EVENT
– candidate will announce an agreement with the residents of Hazelnut Grove to host a mayoral candidate “slumber party” later in February.
WHAT: Campaign kick-off event
WHERE: Mt. Tabor Reservoir No.6 (SE 60th and Hawthorne)
WHEN: 3pm
A crowd of hundreds is expected to attend the official kick-off event this afternoon, on a volcano, for Portland Mayor candidate Jessie Sponberg.
The campaign has encountered an enthusiastic early response from a city desperate for a genuine people’s candidate. He recently garnered 63% of the vote in the only online poll conducted by a local media source (KGW) and was the only candidate to speak at the recent Bernie Sanders rally.
Sponberg will be accompanied by a diverse collection of community leaders and personal friends who individually and collectively represent his dedication to sincere community relationships being the change in culture needed to repair Portland
Teressa Raiford, Ibrahim Mubarak and Carrie Medina are among those who will be standing with him. He is expected to touch on his familiar core issues of social justice, environmental stewardship, and transparency.
It’s no coincidence that the event is planned for the reservoir, as the site still brings up sour grapes for the water activist who considers this to be unfinished business.
Perhaps the most newsworthy part will be announcement of an agreement reached with the general assembly of Hazelnut Grove. The residents of the city’s controversial economic refugee camp agreed by consensus late last week to graciously host an overnight visit by all eleven candidates. Both David Schor and Sean Davis have already agreed to participate and the other eight will be personally invited as soon as possible.
We politely ask that media gather in the designated area below the reservoir as there is expected to be a large number of children. Sponberg will be available to answer questions immediately after the event and then again at Stark Street Pizza following the event. Any media source interested inusing our drone footage or scheduling an interview should reach out to the campaign directly at:
sponbergformayor@gmail.com
www.sponbergformayor.com
www.ozone2016.com