"Owendoff has had a sizable sway over the city's decision-making for the past 15 years. Through his role as a commercial real estate broker, he's involved in several political and business groups. During Sam Adams's tenure as mayor, Adams appointed Owendoff to a panel focused on planning the future of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Owendoff was forced out of a real estate job in 2011 for posting hundreds of caustic comments on the Oregonian website."
"The progressive coalition known as the p-caucus, or colloquially as "Peacock," is made up of six councilors, four of color, who argue that entrenched power dynamics leave them fighting uphill to change a status quo rooted in race and gender inequities."
""And now burrito playing race card," Owendoff wrote in one message."
Group messages exchanged on January 7 show racist, sexist, and homophobic language targeting progressive Portland city councilors of color. The messages used derogatory tropes, including "And now burrito playing race card," while the council debated its next president and Councilor Angelita Morillo spoke about long exclusion of people of color. Brian Owendoff, a commercial real estate broker involved with downtown projects like Block 216 Ritz-Carlton and Darcelle XV Plaza, participated in the messages and attended the council meeting. Owendoff has exercised political influence for years, served on public planning panels, lost a real estate job in 2011 over caustic online comments, and has messaged at least one councilor during meetings. The progressive p-caucus includes six councilors, four people of color, who cite entrenched racial and gendered power dynamics.
Read at Portland Mercury
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