On Sunday October 28th, 2018, in the wake of nationwide violence including pipe bombs mailed to political leaders, African Americans murdered while grocery shopping, and the slaughter of Jews in their place of worship—all on U.S. soil, Portland's daily newspaper opted to publish an op-ed piece in defense of a well-known nationalist who has been inciting violence in Portland’s local community, including the stabbing on a MAX train last year which resulted in one injury and two deaths.

Media plays an important role in the rise of totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and fascism. In the run-up to WW2, the media joked about Hitler and the Nazis, making light of and normalizing their behavior. The idea of “neutral” or “objective” media is a fallacy: by choosing what to cover and when and how the media can help or hinder causes; promote social movements or dampen them. The question is whether our media are working to promote freedom, liberty, and justice for all (you know, democracy) or promoting causes that threaten the civil and human rights of the most vulnerable people in our community.

We believe that the editorial staff of The Oregonian made grave error in timing and judgement by publishing this lighthearted piece normalizing the leader of a violent nationalist movement, which even went so far as to call him a “prophet”. The right-wing movement comprised of people in red hats has one goal: the maintenance of white supremacy through ethnic and racial cleansing. They brag about planning and committing violence in our community and regularly incite violence in public space around the city and region. To publish a piece when the country is enduring a wave of fascist terrorism is, as @coreypein succinctly put it, “simply depraved.” 

The Oregonian has engaged unconscionable, unethical, and dangerous behavior; accordingly, community response has been swift and sharp criticism and outrage. To promote the public safety and ensure Portland is truly a Sanctuary City, we ask you to join us in demanding that The Oregonian reconcile their poor judgment and timing with its impact on our community by taking the following actions:

1. Retract and issue a front-page apology to our community for publishing the "The misunderstood Joey Gibson" article

2. No longer employ Elizabeth Hovde in any capacity, compensating her for work, printing her writing etc

3. Discontinue the practice of lending fascists a platform to recruit and legitimize their hate

To drive home the seriousness of this issue, we are calling for a strategic boycott of Oregonian advertisers with a focus on local businesses where Oregonians spend their hard-earned dollars. We ask that that the companies listed below withdraw all their advertising dollars from the Oregonian effective immediately. Your dollars are being used to directly platform violent white supremacist organizations. If you are a consumer joining in this boycott, please sign your name to the petition in support.

[If you are a business on this list, and you’ve withdrawn your advertising dollars from The Oregonian, please notify us at boycott@pdxresistance.org and we’ll remove you from it.]

Affordable Lawn and Garden
503-891-5776

Amiton Furniture
503-665-5095

Atiyeh Brothers
503-639-8642

Beldon (Siding/Gutters)
971-247-4035, 971-599-2231

Bergman, Draper, Oslund
503-548-6345
@BergmanLegal

City Liquidators
503-230-7716, 503-238-4477
@CityLiquidators

Clark Public Utilities
(customerservice) 503-285-9141
@ClarkPUD

Columbia Credit Union
503-285-4521
@ColumbiaCU

Columbia Theater Assoc. for the Performing Arts
admin offices: 360-423-1011, (360) 575-8499
@CTPAtheatre

Dignified Pet Services
503-885-2211, 503-783-6115

Exercise Equipment NW
commercial office: 503-594-0500 Ext 2

Fred Meyer
Kroeger Media Relations: 513-762-4000
3800 SE 22nd

Fred's Sound of Music
503-234-5341

Get Smart Oregon
971-634-1634
@getsmartoregon

Howell's Home and Floral
503-255-2001

Jake's Waterproofing Company
503-379-9684

Loen Nursery
503-625-5454

Maloy's Jewelry
503-223-4720

Neil Kelly Remodeling
503-288-7461
@NeilKellyCo

NW Natural Appliance Center
503-303-0835, 503-894-5104

Options Counseling and Family Services
541-687-6983
@OptionsCFS

Oregon Historical Society
Comms Dir.:  503-306-5221
@OrHist

Pacific Residential Mortgage
503-699-5626
@PacResMortgage

Portland Hauling
503-777-2387

Portland Opera
Admin:  503-241-1407, Patron Services:  503-241-1802
@portlandopera

Portland Saturday Market
503-222-6072
@PDXsatmkt

Portland Youth Philharmonic
503.223.5939
@pdxyouthphil

Providence Hospitals
media:  503-893-6367, 503-893-6313
@providenceoregon

Sunrise Landscape
503-658-1828

The Spring Living, Lake Oswego
503-635-7000

The Whole 9 Yards
503-223-2880
@w9y
Tigard Landmark Ford, Lincoln
503-639-1131

Wheels for Wishes  (make-a-wish foundation)
503-388-5588

Winemaker Dinners PDX
503-343-3511, 503-972-0194
@ClassicWinesAux