Developing her housing platform

 Jo Ann Hardesty’s campaign asked me to make photographs today as they worked on her housing platform. She invited the head of a tenant’s association and the head of one of the very successful long-term camps for unhoused people to help her shape the platform. They said the greatest need for unhoused people is toilets and showers, which she is calling “right to dignity.” They talked about the criminalization of poverty and about the “right to rest,” which, if made into policy, would stop police from arresting unhoused people for sitting or sleeping on sidewalks. JoAnn has practical ideas for creating affordable housing for people at all income levels, but I was pleased that she included unhoused people in her planning. It is the business-owner’s association that usually demands that police “sweep” unhoused people away from their premises, which adds to the suffering of people who are already vulnerable from hunger, lack of medical care, exposure, lack of rest, and lack of access to hygiene. It’s also business owners that bankroll campaigns. Jo Ann is a brave and highly principled person. I pray it may be possible for her to win an election without the support of the business association.

If she wins, she will be only the second African-American and the first African-American woman in Portland's history to serve on the City Commission.

I was invited because the campaign wanted “action” shots of meetings (almost a misnomer--I was looking for any kind of interaction, so I didn’t just get people sitting around a table). It was a dark day and the lighting was difficult, but I couldn’t stop myself from making more portrait shots of JoAnn. I’m posting a talking shot and a listening shot (Extra). If you were able to vote in this election, which photo would engage you more?