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Cameron Whitten
Whitten in 2013
Personal details
Born (1991-04-08) April 8, 1991 (age 33)
Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
Residence(s)Portland, Oregon, U.S.
OccupationCommunity activist

Cameron Whitten (born April 8, 1991) is an American community activist[1] best known for advocacy on affordable housing, racial justice, and LGBT rights.

Early life and education

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Whitten grew up in Sterling, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C. He moved to Portland, Oregon, in 2009 and experienced homelessness at the age of eighteen. He later enrolled at Portland Community College.[2]

Political activism

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A Portland resident for three years, Whitten, 20, joined the Occupy Portland movement from the start, on October 6. He camped in Lownsdale and Chapman squares for the 38 days of the occupation.[3]

Whitten was arrested four times.[4] He helped plan the Jamison Square occupation in October, and was arrested when police cleared it out. He was arrested during some occupiers' last stand in Chapman Square. And then he was arrested during a theatrical occupation of tiny Mill Ends Park downtown. He also has another arrest in January 2012 for actions during an Occupy the Courts rally.[5]

Whitten got his start in politics as a candidate for mayor of Portland, Oregon, in 2012. He campaigned on a platform of diversity and inclusion.[6][7] Although among the favorites in The Oregonian "most intriguing political figure" poll,[8] Whitten was not elected mayor. He was subsequently nominated by the Oregon Progressive Party for the position of state treasurer.[9]

Further community involvement

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Also in 2012, Whitten embarked on a hunger strike on the steps of City Hall[10] to protest the housing crisis in Portland, and to demand immediate action from city leaders.[11][12][13][14][15] The strike lasted almost two months, eliciting a statement from housing commissioner Nick Fish,[16][17] and ended after concessions were made by the Portland Mayor's Office.[18][19] Whitten continued to speak publicly about homelessness.[20]

In 2013, Whitten was in the news again when he participated in the campaign for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Oregon.[21] Also in 2013, after a homeless camp in front of Portland city hall was cleared and replaced by a burrito cart, Whitten organized a demonstration handing out free burritos which prompted the cart to relocate.[22]

In 2014 Whitten was executive director of the organization Know Your City.[23][24][25] In this role he conducted history-related walking tours of Portland.[26][27] That year several of his articles about excessive use of force by police were published in local magazines and news outlets.[28][29] He served on Portland's Transit Equity Advisory Committee.[30] Also in 2014 Whitten joined cyclists to protest the dangerous state of Portland city infrastructure after a cyclist was killed while riding in a bike lane.[31]

In 2015, by then a student at Portland State University,[1] Whitten was in the news again when he was arrested after complaining about conditions on a Portland streetcar.[32][33] In 2016, representing Know Your City, he spoke at a Portland City Council meeting about the importance of culturally relevant education.[34]

In 2017, Whitten took part in protests against Donald Trump's executive order banning travelers from specific countries to the US. During one protest he filmed a violent incident and his footage was used in news reports.[35][36] Whitten was later interviewed about the ban by Fox News; interviewer Tucker Carlson questioned Whitten's knowledge of the text of the order.[37]

In 2018, Whitten founded a racial justice nonprofit named Brown Hope. Later that May, he launched Brown Hope's first event, called Reparations Happy Hour, which garnered significant attention in international news outlets.[38][39][40] Whitten was later interviewed about the event by Fox News; interviewer Tucker Carlson questioned Whitten about whether the event was offensive.[41]

LGBT rights activism

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In July 2018, Whitten became the Interim Executive Director of Q Center, a community center serving Portland's LGBTQ+ community, and was hired to help with an unexpected leadership transition. Shortly after, he accepted a Light a Fire award from Portland Monthly Magazine on behalf of the organization for its years of advocacy for Portland's LGBTQ+ community.[42] In February 2019, Whitten led the organization of an emergency LGBTQ2SIA+ town hall after a series of reports of physical attacks against LGBT individuals in Portland.[43] In June 2019, Whitten launched a capital campaign that raised of $100,000 to renovate Q Center.[44]

2020 Metro Council campaign

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On January 21, 2020, Whitten announced his campaign for Metro Council, with endorsements from US Representative Elizabeth Furse and several Portland city councilors.[45][46] He resigned his position with Q Center in order to focus full-time on the campaign.

Personal life

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Whitten identifies as queer.[47]

Controversy

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On December 8, 2022, Whitten was placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation of what the president of Whitten’s non-profit Brown Hope called “multiple serious allegations.”[48]

On 14 December 2022, at a meeting of the Brown Hope board of directors, attended by Whitten and the two other directors, Whitten was reinstated. The board was extended from three members (including Whitten) to five members, and a decision was taken to have an independent external party investigate the allegations made against Whitten by the anonymous whistleblower.[49] According to the board chairman this investigation concluded that the allegations were “legally unfounded”.

On 17 July 2023 the ex-Chief Operating Officer of Brown Hope, Brondalyn Coleman, filed a lawsuit against Brown Hope and Whitten in Multnomah County Circuit Court seeking $5 million in damages. The lawsuit is based on a similar but expanded set of allegations as those submitted to the organization in 2022. Coleman joined Brown Hope in September 2021, and was fired by Whitton in January 2023 due to a breakdown of their relationship. The suit is ongoing as at 2 November 2023.

In addition an investigation begun by the Oregon Department of Justice in December 2022 is also ongoing.[50]

Electoral history

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2012 Oregon State Treasurer election [51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ted Wheeler 955,213 57.8
Republican Tom Cox 609,989 36.9
Progressive Cameron Whitten 38,762 2.3
Libertarian John F Mahler 30,002 1.8
Constitution Michael Paul Marsh 15,415 0.9
Write-in 2,181 0.1
Total votes 1,651,562 100%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Casey, Parks (July 1, 2015). "The evolution of Cameron Whitten: Portland's most famous young radical wonders what's next". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  2. ^ McDonald, Bill (March 16, 2012). "Armchair Mayor: Cameron Whitten". neighborhoodnotes.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Renee Guarriello Heath; Courtney Vail Fletcher; Ricardo Munoz (August 29, 2013). Understanding Occupy from Wall Street to Portland: Applied Studies in Communication Theory. Lexington Books. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-7391-8322-9.
  4. ^ "Cameron Whitten: 15 People Who Made a Difference in 2015". golocalpdx.com. December 23, 2015. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  5. ^ Saker, Anne (February 2, 2012). "Faces of Occupy Portland: Cameron Whitten, from the camp aiming at City Hall". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  6. ^ Saker, Anne (February 2, 2012). "Cameron Whitten, from the camp aiming at City Hall". Faces of Occupy Portland. The Oregonian. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  7. ^ Theriault, Denis C. "Occupy Portland Activist Formally Launches Mayoral Bid". Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  8. ^ Esteve, Harry (April 11, 2014). "'Most intriguing' politico results: Three move forward, re-vote needed on one matchup". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  9. ^ Mapes, Jeff (August 15, 2012). "Oregon Progressives nominate Cameron Whitten and marijuana petitioner Bob Wolfe for statewide office". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  10. ^ "Cameron Whitten keeps stirring the pot on housing justice". Street Roots. July 11, 2012. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  11. ^ "Cameron Whitten Enters Day 29 of Hunger Strike for Housing Justice". Daily Kos. June 29, 2012. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Hall, Chase (June 11, 2012). "Cameron Whitten camps, stages hunger strike at Portland City Hall". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  13. ^ Mattos, Nick (June 8, 2012). "Hunger Striker Cameron Whitten's Video Interview with PQ Monthly". pqmonthly.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ Hall, Chase (July 26, 2012). "Cameron Whitten ends hunger strike, Portland City Council announces housing summit". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  15. ^ Hall, Chase (July 19, 2012). "Portland activist Cameron Whitten's hunger strike goes on; can anyone stop him?". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  16. ^ "Nick Fish Issues Statement on Cameron Whitten's Hunger Strike". blueoregon.com. July 19, 2012. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Fish, Nick (July 19, 2012). "Statement from Commissioner Fish regarding Cameron Whitten's hunger strike". portlandoregon.gov. City of Portland. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Theriault, Denis (July 26, 2012). "The End of a Hunger Strike". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  19. ^ Dubois, Steven (July 26, 2012). "Housing activist ending Portland hunger strike". The Spokesman-Review. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  20. ^ Cannon, Kelly (March 26, 2013). "Social activist visits InTech High after students send letters". The Herald Journal. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  21. ^ Schindler, Paul (February 5, 2014). "Why Oregon Is 2014's Marriage Crucible". Gay City News. Archived from the original on March 20, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "Food cart leaves Portland city hall". KOIN. Portland, OR. August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  23. ^ Ellison, Annie (March 13, 2015). "African American Leaders: What Portland Can Learn from Ferguson". golocalpdx.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  24. ^ "Activist Whitten named Know Your City's new exec". Portland Tribune. November 4, 2015. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Parks, Casey (November 7, 2015). "Cameron Whitten named executive director of nonprofit Know Your City". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Korn, Peter (March 31, 2016). "Know your city's hidden histories". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  27. ^ Anderson, Jennifer (February 16, 2017). "Get out of your bubble with walking tour". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "Where Does the Community Have Oversight Over the Police? A Chat with Cameron Whitten". pqmonthly.com. December 18, 2014. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ Parks, Casey (November 24, 2014). "Ferguson shooting: Why does it matter to Portlanders?". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  30. ^ Young, Arashi (November 30, 2015). "Cameron Whitten Steps Into New Role". The Skanner. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  31. ^ Maus, Jonathan (February 26, 2014). "Jury decision expected today in Kathryn Rickson wrongful death lawsuit". bikeportland.org. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  32. ^ Harbarger, Molly (May 2, 2015). "Activist Cameron Whitten refuses to leave Portland Streetcar, cited after complaining about leaky vent". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  33. ^ "Portlanders come to the support of cited civil leader". Portland Sun Times, By DeMario Phipps-Smith 05/05/2015
  34. ^ Young, Arashi (February 4, 2016). "Advocates Push for Culturally Relevant Education". The Skanner. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  35. ^ Ryan, Jim (November 12, 2016). "Man shot on Morrison Bridge during Portland anti-Trump protest". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  36. ^ Matsumoto, Samantha (November 30, 2016). "Mayor Charlie Hales calls for investigation into police use of force in activists' arrest". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  37. ^ "'Have You Read the Orders?': Tucker Takes on Anti-Trump Protest Organizer". Fox News. January 30, 2017. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  38. ^ Victor, Daniel (May 26, 2018). "'Reparations Happy Hour' Invites White People to Pay for Drinks". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  39. ^ Nonko, Emily (October 31, 2018). "This Nonprofit Is Calling out Racism in Unexpected Places". Next City. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  40. ^ Morrison, Erica (October 18, 2018). "Portland Racial Nonprofit Seeks To Heal Communities With Reparations Power Hour". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  41. ^ 'Reparations Happy Hour' invites whites to pay for drinks, youtube.com: Fox News, 2018, retrieved October 30, 2023
  42. ^ Dawn, Eden (October 17, 2018). "At Portland's Q Center, the Fight for Queer Rights Is Far from Over". pdxmonthly.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  43. ^ Stenvick, Blair (February 25, 2019). "Amid Anti-LGBTQ Violence, Many Queer Portlanders Don't Trust the Police for Protection". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  44. ^ Peterson, Danny (July 17, 2019). "On Stronger Footing". Portland Observer. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  45. ^ Redden, Jim (January 21, 2020). "Cameron Whitten announces for Metro Council". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  46. ^ Zielinski, Alex (January 21, 2020). "Cameron Whitten Joins Race for Metro Council". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  47. ^ Staff, KATU.com. "Portland Mayoral Candidate Cameron Whitten". KATU. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  48. ^ "Founder of nonprofit Brown Hope forced to step down during investigation". kgw.com. December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  49. ^ "Anonymous Memo to Brown Hope Board Lays Out Allegations Against CEO". wweek.com. December 15, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  50. ^ "Former Chief Operating Officer Files Lawsuit Against Brown Hope and CEO Cameron Whitten". wweek.com. August 8, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  51. ^ "Official Results | November 6, 2012". Oregon Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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