Allan Classen

This Abraham Lincoln statue in South Park Blocks was toppled in 2020. By Fred Leeson By acting in near-secrecy, planners charged with restoring the Abraham Lincoln statue in the South Parks have created an unexpected ruckus by deciding—several months ago—that Lincoln should be displaced from the original plinth and set at ground level. Northwest Examiner is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The city of Portland began enforcing its no-camping ban last November, not that anyone would notice. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported in January that no one had been convicted for violating the ban on public camping. The policy prioritizes a service-first approach, offering alternatives before any citations or arrests are made. Citations may be issued if a camper refuses to accept a shelter space, but citations alone don’t mean much.