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ACTIVISTS STRETCH TO TACKLE WOES ACROSS REGION

Oregonian, December 8, 2002
FRED LEESON

Summary: An alliance reaches beyond churches, rallies hundreds of volunteers
A new political activism organization, built on the bones of the Portland Organizing Project, attracted about 600 people on Saturday to a rally and planning session in Southeast Portland.

The Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good is trying to draw members from churches, labor unions and community groups to attack problems involving schools, affordable housing, sustainable jobs and health care.

The old organizing project, which was active in the 1970s and '80s, drew almost exclusively from church members in Portland. The new alliance has expanded its geographical bounds to include Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties and opened its doors to other organizations.

"Our power base wasn't strong enough with just churches and Portland," said the Rev. Terry Allen Moe, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland.

The alliance issued a list of 33 participating institutions, including 22 churches. The church list was dominated by Catholic, Lutheran and United Methodist congregations but included the Oregon Islamic Chaplains Organization, Havurah Shalom, First Unitarian Universalist Church and Lake Oswego United Church of Christ.

Saturday's rally was the first public appearance by the new organization. Its leaders had met earlier and decided on key issues that they plan to pursue. The alliance is calling its four-pronged program the Renew Oregon Campaign.

After hearing opening speeches in front of Buckman School, the crowd marched in orderly fashion to St. Francis of Assisi Church for discussions.

The Rev. Steve Bossi, a priest at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, said growing numbers of unemployed, homeless and hungry citizens pose too many problems for churches alone to solve. "We will do what we can," he said, "but this is the responsibility of the whole community."

Bossi described the march as a "procession of purpose" rather than a protest.

One of the alliance's first initiatives will involve affordable housing. Moe said a January summit is planned at which the Portland Development Commission, mortgage lenders and bankers will discuss new funding ideas for housing. Moe said the region is short by as many as 90,000 units for low-income renters and buyers.
Fred Leeson: 503-294-5946; fredleeson@news.oregonian.com

Copyright (c) 2002 Oregonian Publishing Co.