North Portland Protesters Declare: "We Are Not a Sacrifice Zone"

PORTLAND, Ore. (
KOIN
— The residents of this area know that eventually, a significant earthquake will shake the region. Often, discussions about potential destruction focus on critical infrastructures and the key bridges connecting different parts of Portland.

However, the 20,000 residents of the St. John’s Peninsula in North Portland are firmly stating, “We are not a sacrifice zone.”

‘Ticking time bomb’: Oregon legislators mull funding for Cascadia-prepared Columbia Boulevard Bridge

Donna Cohen, who established the

St. John’s Peninsula Emergency Routes Group
,

led over 50 individuals who came together on Sunday to highlight that they would become isolated and unable to reach help, even after a minor earthquake.

We have four small bridges linking us to Portland, which are more than 110 years old,” Cohen said to KOIN 6 News. “According to PBOT’s assessment, these bridges could crumble during an even slight seismic event. Some might fail at any time. Currently, one of them already has weight restrictions.

Portland is the most pristine metropolitan area in the U.S.

She mentioned that the other areas of the peninsula will turn into liquid, destroying every building and road. The sole escape routes available would be via Columbia Boulevard or Lombard Avenue. However, there is an issue.

They are not considered emergency routes since they cross the railway trench. These bridges would crumble during an earthquake, trapping us with approximately 20,000 individuals—workers and residents—in the Rivergate Industrial area.

However, it becomes even more problematic, Cohen stated.

“We reside opposite theصند$fdata(Initialized)

Critical Energy Infrastructure hub,

Which is where 90% of Oregon’s fuel supply is kept,” she stated. “Should the CEI hub fail—which it likely will—a hazardous gas cloud might spread over to us, leaving us with nowhere to run. This makes it an extremely serious, potentially fatal scenario.”

Cohen and her team, backed by

State Sen. Lew Frederick

, support

HB 2749

written by

Rep. Travis Nelson

That legislation allocates “$5 million for us to begin planning for a new bridge across the railroad tracks at Columbia Boulevard,” she explained to KOIN 6 News.

However, it’s currently stalled in the Transportation Committee, and her organization is encouraging legislators to expedite its progression to the Ways and Means committee and subsequently get it passed before the end of the current legislative session.

Frederick, present at the Sunday gathering, mentioned that public representatives are starting to realize the significance of this matter.

We are beginning to realize that preparedness for crises is essential, and understanding how to handle such situations to ensure everyone’s safety is crucial,” Frederick stated. “The individuals recognize this too; they’re voicing their concerns. This awareness is fundamental.

The current

The Oregon legislative session will conclude on June 29.

KOIN 6 News will keep tracking this matter.

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