This weekend

By ANDREW WILKINS

Village Portland was started to focus on neighborhoods— to help report on the issues that don’t always rise to the attention of citywide media, and the hard-working advocates that make this city great.

In this coverage, I realized that there are often natural reporters in these communities, and storytellers from all sorts of backgrounds who want help sharing what they see.

It’s awesome that the Internet has broadened opportunities for this kind of storytelling, but some folks still want a little help— help with editing and story telling, as well as help sharing these stories with their community.

Over the past few years, we’ve told some awesome stories, worked with some great storytellers, and done our best to serve our communities and Portland in general.

And then the protests for better policing / Black Lives Matter started.

In Portland, we’ve seen many indie journalists make a name for themselves by recording the clashes between police and protesters. As an advocate for indie journalism, it’s been fascinating to watch these folks use new media like Twitter and livestreaming to tell their stories, mixing in their opinions, values, and humor… as they work in a dangerous environment which more resembles war than the safe spaces where most reporting happens.

It’s also been awesome to see the world rise up to support this important coverage.

Both Cory Elia and Lesley McLam have worked with Village Portland, and we’ve enjoyed making connections with other indies. We’ve also publishing two really cool stories by Rosie Riddle that really get to the heart of the amazing community support / mutal aid happening on our streets. We also did a long interview with Dr. Juniper Simonis, who is an advocate that uses research and videography to in their efforts to push back on police brutality and over-reach. Much of this coverage moves lightning-quick, so follow us on Twitter @villageportland for the latest.

Two things: thank you for your brave coverage, you wonderful indie journalists; and I want you to know we’re here if you need help. I know there are a lot of stories out there being missed— on the streets and in Portland— and we’re to help you tell them.

Our rates aren’t amazing, but they’re in line with what freelancers make in this town. We also provide editing and mentoring on a level that other media orgs simply don’t have time for— as well as a level of respect that most outlets don’t offer.

Along with that, we also have a paid project for someone in Portland’s indie journalist community. We need help with archiving, editing, and assisting during the protest coverage.

You’d be working directly with Cory, who has been doing this kind of coverage for years and has gained national and international coverage of his work.

Cory’s coverage at the protests has been his own independent work, but we support him as much as possible and wanted to include this project with our renewed call to Portland’s indie freelance journalists and storytellers.

Contact me, Andrew Wilkins at andrewtaylorwilkins@gmail.com / Twitter: @tweetatwilkins; or Cory on Twitter: @therealcoryelia if you’d like to know more.

Again, indie journaists: thanks for your work in the streets and renewing folks trust and support for media.

It’s essential to this movement and essential to a free society— especially as we face increased repression and brutality from both local and federal government.

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SATURDAY, JULY 25TH

Park restoration (event):

“Saturday July 25th join us at our first in person event for the summer! First opportunity to join for returning volunteers and Creek Crew Leaders.”

Johnson Creek in Centennial * 9 a.m. – noon

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Parklane Park Design Reveal (event):

“Drop by for a self-guided tour starting at the gate on the southeast side of Parklane Park (by Parklane Elementary). We will open up the fenced area, and provide a one-way walking route, with a few stops highlighting the location of future park amenities.”

Parklane Elementary School, 15811 SE Main St * 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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Music & movement (event):