AIA Oregon’s statement on fatal shootings and state-sanctioned Violence in our cities
In response to the recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis and the continued loss of life in cities confronting systemic injustice, AIA Oregon believes silence is not an option.
As architects, we are entrusted with shaping the physical spaces that hold civic life. Our profession is rooted in the belief that communities should be safe, equitable, and just. When violence, particularly state-sanctioned violence, undermines those principles, it is incumbent upon us to speak and to act.
We affirm the fundamental rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, and we stand in solidarity with those in Minnesota and across Oregon who are demanding accountability and meaningful change. Many are exercising these rights at great personal risk, and they deserve our support.
We call on our members to:
• Educate themselves and others on constitutional and civil rights, including accessing “Know Your Rights” resources related to protest, police encounters, and civic engagement.
• Engage locally, whether through community dialogue, pro bono service, or partnerships with organizations working toward equity and justice
• Reflect on the role of the built environment in reinforcing or dismantling systems of exclusion, and to bring that awareness into practice, advocacy, and design
AIA Oregon is strengthened by the diversity of its membership and the global perspectives they bring. As we support our members in practice, we understand that architecture is a political act. Decisions made by our designers are never neutral. We seek to improve the quality of life and protect the health, safety, and welfare of all who experience the built environment. We reject forces that seek to divide our communities or erode civil liberties meant to protect us all.
In this moment, we recommit to identifying the work that is ours to do: listening, advocating, and helping to build more just and resilient communities.