Western States Center Launches “No On 9 Remembered” Project in Which Oregonians Defeated The Harshest Anti-Gay Measure Put to Voters in American History Thirty Years Ago

Project to Publish Stories from the Massive Multi-Year Mobilization Effort In An Effort To Learn Lessons for Today’s Fight for an Inclusive Democracy

** LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NO ON 9 REMEMBERED PROJECT HERE **

OREGON -- Marking the 30th anniversary of the “No on 9” campaign, in which thousands of Oregonians from all walks of life came together to defeat Ballot Measure 9, one of the harshest antigay measures ever put to American voters, the Western States Center is launching the No on 9 Remembered project commemorating the remarkable multi-year mobilization that defeated the measure. 

The project will share 30 stories from 30 years ago - three every month until Election Day in November - each offering a unique prism on how this epic battle for civil and human rights can impart lessons for today’s fight for inclusive democracy.

LEARN MORE HERE: https://noon9remembered.org/ 

Western States Center is beginning the project in January by remembering Act I, in 1988 when racist skinheads beat Mulugeta Seraw to death on the streets of Portland, foreshadowing the spike in hate crimes that will accompany Measure 9. Other stories include a deeper dive into the language and meaning of Ballot Measure 9 and about one response supported by Western States Center to the measure 30 years ago, the Oregon Democracy Project.

“We have to become a movement that understands the long arc of history. Learning from earlier struggles teaches us discipline and helps prevent the sin of despair,” explained Eric Ward, executive director of the Western States Center and a leader in the No On 9 fight. “In a time where some seek to erase or deny our nation’s history, remembering the stories that are part of the movement for inclusive democracy is a powerful act of resistance and redemption.”

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CONTACT: Anya Silverman-Stoloff | anya@unbendablemedia.com