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14 Columbia Gorge News Wednesday, July 21, 2021 www.columbiagorgenews.com Poll: 1 in 5 say Black Lives Matter movement good for Oregon Zane Sparling ■ By Pamplin Media Group The Black Lives Matter movement has won support- ers and detractors in equal measure, according to a new poll, but many on both sides agree: It changed Oregon, and the world. The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center found that 19% of Oregonians believe the social push, often abbrevi- ated as BLM, had a positive impact — while a roughly equivalent portion (22%) say the effect was negative. A larger share, 29%, said the movement contains both good and bad elements. Another fifth (22%) said it had “no impact” and 9% were unsure. “There was more equality but at the same time it turned into unwanted riots,” said one survey respondent, identified as a female Democrat living in Clackamas County. Oregon Values and Beliefs, a nonprofit polling orga- nization, conducted from June 8-14 the online survey of 1,400 Oregon adults, who were selected to mirror the state’s broader demograph- ics. The margin of error ranges from 1.6% to 2.6% depending on the question. Let’s dive into the data: • Nearly half of Republicans (46%) believe the Black Lives Matter cause hurt their community, while one-third of Democrats (32%) said it was for the best. A significant share of Democrats had mixed feel- ings (38%) on the movement. About the project The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center is committed to the highest level of public opinion research. To ob- tain that, the non-profit is building the largest online research panel of Oregonians in history to ensure that all voices are represented in discus- sions of public policy in a valid and statistically reliable way. Selected panelists earn points for their participation, which can be redeemed for cash or donated to a charity. To learn more, visit oregon- vbc.org. A plurality (38%) of rural residents said BLM had no impact on their lives. • Almost half (47%) of those polled think the Black Lives Matter movement’s impact, be it for good or ill, will be long lasting. Twenty percent believe it will only have a fleeting effect, and a third (33%) are unsure. Those identifying as Black, Indigenous or people of color were more likely (27%) than whites (19%) to see the changes as temporary. • The elderly, defined as those 75 or older, were most likely to say Black Lives Matter had no impact, with 29% holding that opinion. Those who identified as A new poll finds a roughly equal number of Oregonians believe the Black Lives Matter movement has been good for Oregon. A larger share said the movement contains both good and bad elements. Above, marchers lie outside The Dalles Police Station on Third Street, down- town The Dalles. Mark B. Gibson photo/file Black, Indigenous or people of color (36%) were sig- nificantly more likely than whites (28%) to see the pro- tests as both good and bad. Voices from across Oregon: The Oregon Values and Beliefs Center also asked sur- vey respondents open-ended questions regarding their thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement. Here’s what they had to say: • “BLM has caused significant decline in racial harmony and harmed the very people it claims to be supporting. Unfortunately, the media is hiding the fact that the BLM organization is an avowed Marxist organiza- tion,” said one Washington County man. • “BLM brings awareness, education and visibility to the communities it touches,” said a Washington County woman. • “White supremacists have been emboldened, have become more threatening as they wield deadly weapons to intimidate,” said a Clatsop County woman. “Potential mayhem is more likely to ensue.” • “It has been wonderful to see all races and creeds walk with the BLM demonstra- tions, actually, heartwarm- ing,” said one Multnomah County man. “Police and oth- er city policies have changed to assist in the underserved communities, including the homeless.” Recall effort against Sen. Findley gets official signal to collect signatures Gary A. Warner ■ By Oregon Capital Bureau the House added new rules for gun storage and locks in homes. Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, A recall effort against Sen. told the East Oregonian Lynn Findley, R-Vale, has newspaper that prior to the been officially approved to vote, the Republican caucus begin circulating petitions, had been lobbied by the the Secretary of State said Oregon Firearms Federation, Thursday. The Findley recall was ap- which advertises itself as the proved to circulate petitions state’s “no compromise” gun rights group, to walk out on on July 7. Proponents now have until the session. A Republican walkout would have prevent- 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13 to submit at least 8,289 valid ed a quorum in the Senate, signatures. stopping all legislation. “Each petition signer The decision of whether or must be an active registered not Republicans should walk voter in Senate District 30 out over the gun bill split the at the time of signing the caucus. petition,” said Carla Axtman, Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, communications director said he would go to the for Secretary of State Shemia Senate floor to argue against Fagan. the bill and vote. Findley’s Senate District Republicans should not 30 is the largest in the senate, bring the session to a halt covering all of Baker, Grant, with more than three months Harney, Jefferson, Malheur to go and crucial legislation and Wheeler counties and still pending, Girod argued. parts of Deschutes, Lake and He also expressed concern Wasco counties. that Republican single inter- The Secretary of State’s est groups were beginning to website shows that a “Findley expect a walkout against bills Failed” political action com- they opposed. In the end, six Republican mittee was created on July 1. senators — Girod, Findley, Patrick A. Kopke-Hales of Mount Vernon is listed as the Bill Hansell of Athena, Tim Knopp of Bend, Bill chief petitioner. HollyJo A. Beers of Pendleton is listed as Kennemer of Canby and Dick Anderson of Lincoln City the treasurer. — went to the floor to vote Findley was among six against the bill. Republican senators who Republican senators who have been sharply criticized chose to be absent without by some conservative activ- ists for voting against Senate Senate permission included: • Dallas Heard of Roseburg, Bill 554, a gun control bill, who is also the chair of the rather than walking out to Oregon Republican Party. prevent the legislation from • Dennis Linthicum of moving forward. The final version of SB 554 Klamath Falls, who is also the treasurer of the Oregon barred concealed weapons Republican Party. from the state Capitol and • Kim Thatcher of Keizer, the passenger terminal who was also the unsuc- at Portland International Airport. An amendment by cessful GOP nominee for HOOD RIVER THE DALLES WHITE SALMON SUBSCRIBE for less than a fancy cup of coffee per month. FREE CONSULTATION ColumbiaGorgeNews.com Melanie Chapman Licensed Denturist Chris R. Chapman Licensed Denturist c gn Gorge News The Findley recall is in an earlier phase, with the circu- lation of petitions approved on July 7, the day after the demise of the Girod recall drive. Findley told the Blue Mountain Eagle in June that going to the floor of the Senate was doing the job voters sent him to Salem to do: Represent constituents’ positions and values through the legislative process. “I chose to stand and fight and put stuff on the record,” he said, “and by staying in the session, I was able to work hard for the constituents. And that’s what I’m supposed to do.” The petition also criticized Findley for co-authoring Senate Bill 865 which would have barred senators from si- multaneously holding public office and being an officer in a major political party. SUMMER SALE 25% OFF NEW ARRIVALS EVERY WEEK! PLAN NOW FOR FALL ARRIVALS Excellence in denture care! subscribe@gorgenews.com 541-296-2141 ext. 112 Columbia Secretary of State in 2020. • Art Robinson of Cave Junction, a freshman, who would eventually leave the Republican caucus to join Sen. Brian Boquist of Dallas as senators elected as Republicans but announcing later they were independent. Other senators received permission in advance to be excused, removing them from the center of the quo- rum issue. Though Findley and the other GOP lawmakers spoke out forcefully against the bill, their presence in the cham- ber allowed for a quorum of senators to do business. SB 554 passed 16-7, with Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose also oppos- ing the bill. It was sent to the House, where House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, R-Canby, announced ahead of time that there would not be a walkout. The bill, with some Democratic amendments, passed 34-24. Gov. Kate Brown signed the bill, which will go into effect on Sept. 27. Backers of a proposed referendum to overturn the bill must submit 74,680 valid signatures to the Secretary of State by Sept. 24. The law would then be put on hold until voters could decide the issue in the November 2022 general election. There were angry de- nouncements of Republicans who went to the floor instead. The Senate Republican Caucus also reported death threats against some of the GOP senators to the Oregon State Police for investigation. A recall was filed against Girod, but the July 6 deadline to file petitions passed with no documents submitted. That action is now dead. 1-year no interest Financing available. On approved credit. See store for details. Downey Furniture Hood River, 926 12th Street 541-386-2012 Downtown The Dalles | 541-296-2871 The Dalles, 414 Washington St. 541-296-3310 Our store is a clean and sanitized shopping environment.
