Readers respond: Support downtown Portland

Letters to the editor

It looks like Portlanders are rolling up their sleeves and looking within to do the long-term work that will realize the goals of Black Lives Matter. Perhaps it is time to also focus some attention on downtown as a place for us all. For the past 10 weeks, our family has been walking downtown, and we have never felt unsafe. Sure, the boarded-up windows are a sad sight, but so many have inspiring murals with hopeful messages. We have photographed and treasured every one.

We love downtown and encourage all of Portland to come on down and buy something at the small and large businesses that are struggling to stay open. Grab some take-out dinner at the restaurants that so need our support. Our city has worked for decades to create a downtown that is vibrant, interesting, supportive of small business, a place for events, a place to meet and a wonderful place to be. We encourage everyone to come downtown and give Portland some love to preserve and encourage the heart of our beloved city.

Linda McKim-Bell, Portland

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