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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 23, 2020)
December 23, 2020 Page 2 Empowering Life with Art Annabelle Araya, a first generation African American artist from Portland, reflects on the African Diaspora in her paintings. A first generation African Amer- ican artist from Portland is getting some deserved recognition for her paintings, works that uplift, empow- er and identify the state of our com- munity. Annabelle Araya was born in Er- itrea and immigrated to Portland un- der a refuge program. Her work has been selected for display in 2021 at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University. Araya is one of 20 Black Lives Matter artists the museum recently an- nounced it was supporting by award- ing them each a $2,500 grant to use Record Homeless Deaths The A new report shows that 113 people died in 2019 while lacking perma- nent housing in Multnomah County, an increase mainly due to an increase in people experiencing homelessness, more than in any previous year studied. Innocent Killed in Gang Crossfire Authorities said a Portland wom- an who was not the intended tar- get was killed in a gang-relat- ed shooting last Thursday near North Vancouver Avenue and Stan- ton Street. Kelly Marie Smith, 53, was making de- liveries as a food service contrac- tor with her husband, when she was hit by crossfire bullets, police said. Her husband survived the attack. Mistakenly Shot Uber Driver Dies An Uber driver who police believe was shot in a gang-style ambush that was their voice, experience and artistic expressions to reflect on social justice efforts in response to systemic racism. “I want to keep hope alive through my art, to transition the state of mind of self awareness,” Araya said. Her artistic medium reflects on the Di- aspora of Africans to the Americas, in Week Review a case of mistak- en identity, died from his injuries last week. The local resident, Dhulfiqar Mseer, an immigrant from Iraq, was about to pick up a fare around mid- night on Dec. 12 in the Woodlawn neighborhood when he was shot multiple times while behind the wheel of his white Honda Accord, authorities said . during an armed robbery on Dec. 14 at Cured Green on North Lombard and Washburne Avenue. The victim was identified as Michael Arthur, 44. Dispensary Worker Killed in Burglary First COVID-19 Vaccinations Crime Stoppers of- fered a $2,500 re- ward last week for information lead- ing to the arrest of a gunman who shot a marijuana dispensary worker COVID-19 immunizations began last week, kicking off a statewide effort that could see thousands of health care workers getting first doses. Officials expect to vaccinate more than 100,000 health care workers and long term care facility residents by the end of the month. past to present. “I touch past and present and con- vey the fluidity of the joys, sorrows, trials, tribulations and aspirations of my people. If you take note, I go from childhood to the natural progression to the elders. A very traditional Afri- can transition. We honor our elders.” Death Blamed on Tent Candle One person died last Wednesday when their tent caught fire along the I-405 on-ramp to the Fremont Bridge, according to Portland Fire & Rescue. The victim and another adult were sleeping when at some point, a candle used for warmth was knocked over and rapidly consumed the tent and its contents, officials said. BLM Sign Draws Fine by City Portland has fined a business owner $292 for displaying a Black Lives Matter sign (wweek photo above) that violates the city’s sign code. Someone didn’t like the 42-foot long banner on Columbia Boulevard near the intersection with I-5 and filed a complaint, officials said.