BLM Movement
Since the murder of George Floyd on May 25th at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department, a new civil rights movement has engulfed the nation. People of all races, ages, and backgrounds are marching in the streets, united by their common belief that black lives truly matter. This rising awareness amongst many segments of the population has also brought other civil rights issues to the forefront, including the treatment of the indigenous native population, detainment centers operated by ICE, mass incarceration, and the school to prison pipeline.
Jayne strongly supports the Black Lives Matter movement. We unequivocally condemn racism, white supremacy, and police brutality, and we are committed to working towards change. As a community-focused business, Jayne has always stood with local organizations helping those in need. Through our local cause program, we have donated thousands of dollars to organizations including the Oregon Food Bank, Sisters of the Road, and the Cascade AIDs Project. In light of the social movement we are in the midst of and given our status as a cannabis business in a historically Black neighborhood, we have decided to join with local nonprofit Don’t Shoot PDX for our July local cause.
Don’t Shoot PDX is a local social justice nonprofit that focuses on community engagement, advocacy, and police accountability. Headquartered in the former Albina Arts Center in North Portland, Don’t Shoot was founded by activist and 2020 mayoral candidate Teressa Raiford, with the goal of promoting art, education, and civic participation to create social change. This organization has filed several prominent lawsuits designed to protect the people of Portland, including a recent suit aimed to end the use of tear gas by the Portland Police Bureau. Don’t Shoot has been active in Portland since 2014 and is one of the organizations leading the charge to end racial inequality and injustice in our community.
The effects of cannabis prohibition have been felt most strongly by marginalized communities, as stigma and unjust sentencing laws conspire to trap people in the legal system. This can have the effect of tearing apart families, as well as making it harder for someone with a cannabis conviction on their record to find meaningful employment and housing. These vulnerable members of our community have been disproportionately criminalized for participating in an economy that is now legal. These folks benefit from the services that Don’t Shoot PDX provides, including legal representation and advocacy. At Jayne, we believe it is important to remain conscious of where your cannabis money is being spent, and if possible, shop at stores and support brands that share your values. Jayne is committed to supporting Don‘t Shoot PDX and their mission, and we hope that our customers, clients, and community will join us!
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we will discuss our collaboration with Don’t Shoot PDX and exciting ways that you can get involved, including raffles, community days, and more!