Concerning Democracy

Stay tuned, the end of this email includes the new campaign video.....

Author

Lisa Freeman
July 23, 2024

Good morning friends,

At recent campaign events I’ve been hearing from people who are worried about democracy in America. I’ve spent my career addressing authoritarianism, conflict, and instability and I’m worried too. But I also have hope.

I have hope because I have experience working in some of the toughest environments in the world. I spent a year and a half in southern Afghanistan supporting community cohesion and building trust in local government in the face of the Taliban threat. Then, I spent two years working on a program in Syria to support communities under attack from both ISIS and their own government. From there, I moved to Nigeria, where I led a countering violent extremism program in the North East where Boko Haram had ravaged neighborhoods and families.

Lisa in Adamawa,
North East Nigeria 2015

I worked to address political violence in Pakistan, Bosnia, Chad, and Burkina Faso, and became one of my office’s leading experts on countering violent extremism (CVE).

Lisa in Kandahar
Afghanistan 2011

I drew upon my experience to write our office’s CVE Toolkit, and traveled around the world to train people on these lessons and best practices. There are no silver bullets to addressing political violence, but I have first-hand experience with the approaches that work and the ones that don’t. Toolkit spoiler: the battle is not best fought with traditional weapons, at least not in the long term. Our swords and shields in this fight are justice, relationships, investments in our youth, government effectiveness, inspiring stories, and economic opportunity.

Syria 2013

Maybe more importantly, I have hope because what Portland residents did when they voted for charter reform is a huge leap for democracy in our city. We collectively stood up and said we want to be led by a government that is more accountable, responsive and participatory, and you have real choices for who to vote for in November – this is good for Portland! Who you choose for City Council will determine whether our new form of government will be successful, move Portland forward into our new future, and set an example for the rest of our nation. Whatever the outcome or fallout from the Presidential election we will need people on City Council with the experience to lead us through uncertain and unprecedented times.

I need 250 small donors to be certified in the Portland Small Donor Program, which will unlock matching funds I need to win a chance to represent the 4th DIstrict on the new Portland City Council. It’s tough to break through a busy news cycle, and donation fatigue in such an important election year is very real. Rest assured, my team and I are working hard on a plan to make the most of those funds, and reach as many voters in my district as possible!

If you have believe in this campaign, please send this email to 5 friends and ask them to donate $5-$20 to my campaign. Feel free to forward this video, it explains why I am running for city council. - Lisa Freeman