November 21, 2018
Page 9
Mississippi
Alberta
North Portland
Vancouver
East County
Beaverton
A diverse group of high school students from all over the Portland area gather to tackle social justice issues. They are volunteers with ‘What Now Oregon’ a youth
orchestrated event coming to Wilson High School on Saturday, Dec. 1.
What
Now
Oregon
Students set table for
social justice event
The stage is set for a youth orchestrated
event that puts a focus on social justice is-
sues and provides an opportunity for any-
one--especially youth--to participate in our
democracy.
“What Now Oregon” makes it return for
a full day and evening event, on Saturday,
Dec. 1 at Wilson High School in associat-
ed with dozens of non-profit organizations.
Free and open to all, individuals of all
backgrounds are invited to join in and put
energy into action for good.
This year, for the first time, youth lead-
ers already active in their communities are
at the helm of providing the direction, con-
tent and structure for the event.
The topics to be covered include racial
justice, gun violence, criminal justice, in-
digenous rights, climate change, LGBTQ+
rights, sexual assault and women’s rights,
refugees and immigration, religious free-
dom, mental health, and education and stu-
dent rights.
By exploring these critical and timely
topics, student will gain a better under-
standing of our community and how these
social justice topics relate to engagement
in democracy.
“The planning committee is adamant
about an equity focus in every one of our
workshops. We want to make sure under-
represented voices that have been neglect-
ed in social justice movements are given
total focus,” says Gabby Cosey, a senior at
Lincoln High School and one of the stu-
dent organizers focusing on preventing gun
violence.
In 2016, Natalie Sept founded the
“What Now” event bringing 2,000 peo-
ple and over 55 nonprofits organizations
together at Revolution Hall after the No-
vember election for community mem-
bers to direct their energy into action for
good.
After a successful second year, she
along with the help of J.T. Flowers, native
northeast Portlander, and Rhodes Scholar
recipient for 2018, co-created a succession
plan where student activist leaders would
assume responsibility for and lead the
event moving forward.
To register and RSVP for the free “What
Now Oregon” event, visit whatnoworegon.
org.