The Metro Council voted unanimously Thursday to make its first-ever Latinx Heritage Month proclamation, declaring the 30 days starting Sept. 15 to serve as recognition for people of Latin American ancestry.
The resolution, which followed testimony by several Latinx staff and leaders of the Portland region in both Spanish and English, recognizes contributions from people of Latinx heritage – people from all nations of Latin America and the Caribbean, including places where Spanish, Portuguese, French and English are the dominant or legal languages.
“In time where divisive rhetoric regarding immigrants is dominating the national news cycle, and detention centers are the epicenter of inhumane conditions - you as leaders in the region, have an opportunity to shine a light on the contributions and resilience of our community for others across country and the world to see, said Cassie Salinas, Metro’s Organizational Impact Program Manager.
The use of “Latinx” signifies Metro’s recognition of people of Latin American heritage who are gender non-conforming.
About 12 percent of residents of greater Portland are of Latin American heritage, making them the largest minority group in Oregon. Seven percent of Metro’s workforce is Latinx.
To recognize the month and educate about the contributions of Latin American people in greater Portland, Metro has several events open to the public scheduled, including a poetry reading by Salvadorian poet Yesika Salgado, and a Dia de los Muertos altar creation on Nov. 1.
Metro’s Antoinette Hatfield Hall is hosting “Borderland Stories,” an art exhibition featuring a visual report from the Texas-Mexico border will be available to view until the end of the month.
View the English proclamation
View the Spanish proclamation