Foie Gras Portland Arts & Economy Committee Hearing

🔥 Let’s Pack City Hall for the Force-Fed Foie Gras Ban Hearing 🔥 Portland’s Arts & Economy Committee has a tentative hearing date for the proposed foie gras ban, and this is our moment to show up for animals. This is the most important time to show up. If you can be there, we need all hands on deck. You don’t need to live in Portland to attend. Everyone is welcome, and it doesn’t matter where you live or where you’re registered to vote. 📅 Tuesday, January 27, 2026 📍 Portland City Hall and Youtube (Livestream) In person meet up: 9:00 AM outside City Hall at the SW 4th Ave entrance. Youtube Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGrnQlnxmc For those attending virtually but not giving testimony, there is no Zoom link, you will view on the Youtube Livestream. Refreshments: For those able to attend in person, there will be bagels and cream cheese (vegan, of course), courtesy of our friends at Ben & Esther’s. We’ll also have a little morning fuel at the hearing. Coffee will be available (generously donated by Orange & Blossom Patisserie) to go with those Ben and Esther’s bagels. We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m. and head through security together, then grab bagels and coffee in the City Hall courtyard before the 9:30 a.m. meeting starts. Timing: Foie gras is slotted as the opening agenda item, so please be ready to go at 9:30 a.m. sharp if you're giving testimony (in person and on Zoom). You are free to leave at any point. Testimony will be given at some point between 10:00am and 11:00am. This will be the first time Portland elected officials formally discuss foie gras. What they see in the chamber and online will help shape what happens next. Let’s bring a respectful, energized, united presence. What to expect: A presentation and public testimony, followed by committee discussion and a vote. How you can help: ✅ Attend in person or on Zoom, even briefly ✅ Testify (both verbal and written) Verbal Testimony: If you’re able to and comfortable giving testimony, it’s really important that we get a lot of people to show support. Zoom or in-person both work. Sign up for testimony here: https://www.portland.gov/council-clerk/testimony-registration?doc_id=54216 Because we're limited to 15 minutes for public comment and aim to have ~30 people testify, testimony will just be one sentence: "I'm a Portland district X resident (or local who regularly shops and dines in Portland), and I support the ban". Written testimony: Anyone can submit written testimony. Written testimony is encouraged even if you’re giving verbal testimony. It’s really important that we get a lot of written testimony as it helps ensure your support is on the record. Here you can be more verbose. Indicate you want to submit written testimony on the same form. You have to submit it once for verbal and then re-open to submit again for written: https://www.portland.gov/council-clerk/testimony-registration?doc_id=54216 Find examples of written testimony here: https://www.portland.gov/council/documents/ordinance/foie-gras-sale-ban/testimony What to wear: If you have a Pro-Animal Oregon shirt, please wear it. If not, everyday casual is perfect. It helps us look like concerned Portland voters showing up for our community. Animal-friendly/public health/environmental shirts are welcome too. Polite request: please avoid shirts that mention veganism or could be interpreted as vegan messaging so we keep the focus on the ordinance and make it easy for everyone to feel included. We’ll also bring a few Pro-Animal Oregon shirts to wear and a few laminated signs to supplement what we make at the sign-making social, so you can show up ready to help us look strong and unified. Parking and Transportation: Parking near City Hall can be limited, so please plan extra time and consider carpooling, biking, or transit if you can. Have extra seats in your car, need a ride or transit support to attend in person? Please fill out this short transportation form and