Mayor Wilson proclaims Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month 2026

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In accordance with this acknowledgement, we recognize:

WHEREAS, Portland is home to more than 70,000 residents who identify as Latine, Latinx, Latino/a, Hispanic, Native, Indigenous, Afro-Latino/a, Blacktino/a, Chicano/a, Mestizo/a, or by their country of origin or heritage. We are a vibrant and diverse community whose labor, leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity, culture, advocacy, and civic engagement have helped build Portland and shape its future; and

WHEREAS, our histories, languages, traditions, identities, and lived experiences are an integral part of Portland's story, carrying generations of knowledge, resilience, and cultural richness rooted in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Indigenous nations throughout the Americas; and

WHEREAS, our community is not defined by a single one race, nationality, language, or identity. We are immigrants and descendants of immigrants, Indigenous peoples, Afro-Latinos, first- and second-generation Americans, longtime Portlanders, workers, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, caregivers, public servants, organizers, families, and leaders; and

WHEREAS, our history is one of perseverance. In the face of racism, discrimination, economic hardship, exclusion, language barriers, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and efforts to divide or silence us, generations of our community have organized, advocated, built institutions, created opportunities, and opened doors for those who followed; and

WHEREAS, those challenges have strengthened our resolve and fueled meaningful change. We turn barriers into pathways, fear into courage, and adversity into action. Our businesses, organizations, cultural institutions, nonprofits, educators, artists, advocates, service providers, and community leaders create opportunities, strengthen neighborhoods, preserve culture, and empower future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Latinx PDX Employee Resource Group (ERG) reflects this strength in action-creating space for employees to elevate lived experiences, build belonging, advance representation, challenge barriers, and advocate for meaningful change within the City of Portland and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Latinx PDX ERG stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, immigrant, refugee, and other marginalized communities confronting discrimination, erasure, and underrepresentation. We recognize that struggles for dignity, safety, freedom, and justice are interconnected, locally and globally, and stand with those affected by genocide, forced displacement, famine, war, and rising authoritarianism; and

WHEREAS, Latinx PDX ERG remains committed to working alongside City bureaus, community partners, civic leaders, and other ERGs to dismantle barriers, expand representation, strengthen communities, and ensure all people can participate fully and meaningfully in Portland's civic life; and

WHEREAS, our accomplishments do not happen because the road was easy. They happen because parents sacrificed, workers persevered, elders shared their wisdom, young people raised their voices, and communities stood together and said, "¡Sí se puede!" (Yes, we can!)-and then proved it; and

WHEREAS, our presence is not temporary. Our contributions are not conditional. Our cultures are not disposable, and our voices will not be erased. We have planted roots, built communities, raised families, created institutions, strengthened Portland, and helped shape its future; and

WHEREAS, Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is not only a celebration of where we come from-it is a recognition of how far we have come, what we have accomplished, and what we continue to build together.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KEITH WILSON, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the "City of Roses," do hereby proclaim September 15 through October 15, 2026, as HISPANIC AND LATINX HERITAGE MONTH in Portland, and call upon all Portlanders to celebrate the extraordinary contributions, achievements, cultures, histories, and resilience of our Hispanic and Latinx communities.