A recap of Move Oregon Forward’s Advocacy Day
Move Oregon Forward advocates and community members at a rally outside of the Oregon State Capitol.
On April 17, Move Oregon Forward brought a powerful wave of grassroots advocacy to the Oregon State Capitol. 117 advocates from across the state came together for 45 meetings with legislators, representing 53 districts throughout Oregon. This collective action sent a clear message: Oregonians want a safe, clean, and affordable transportation system, and we are ready to fight for it.
Our advocates included organizers, youth, elders, and neighbors with disabilities. These are people who know firsthand how Oregon’s transportation system often fails our communities. They came to Salem to speak directly to lawmakers about what real transportation justice looks like: safer streets, cleaner air, more affordable and accessible options, and a climate future that puts people before polluters.
We made sure our values were present in every part of the day. We coordinated carpools so people without cars and people with disabilities could participate. We provided live interpretation so Spanish-speaking community members could engage fully and be heard. Together, we showed what it means to lead with community care, solidarity, and inclusion.
Oregon’s transportation system is in crisis. Hundreds of lives are lost every year to traffic violence. Transportation is the state’s largest and fastest-growing source of climate pollution. The Oregon Department of Transportation is running out of money as gas tax revenue drops. And for the one in four Oregonians who do not drive, the system often fails to meet even our basic needs.
The 2025 state transportation package is a major opportunity to solve these problems. That is why Move Oregon Forward is pushing for a package that:
Put safety first to protect our communities
Make sure every dollar advances our climate goals
Hold ODOT accountable for the way it spends on megaprojects
Advocacy Day is not just one day of action. It is part of a larger movement to shift power to the people, build lasting leadership, and reimagine transportation in Oregon. It is about making sure our voices are heard and our needs are met, no matter where we live, how we get around, or how much money we have. The fight for transportation justice belongs to all of us.
Read more in the press coverage of our event:
The Oregonian: Transit advocates rally at Oregon’s Capitol to support climate-friendly transportation initiatives
KATU: Public transit advocates push for more funding at a rally near the Oregon Capitol
Portland Mercury: Advocates, Transit Agencies Say Oregon Legislators' Transportation Package Proposal Falls Short
