Portland Marks 100 Years Since Repeal of Exclusion Laws

A Century of Change: Portland Marks 100 Years Since Oregon Repealed Its Black Exclusion Laws

On Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, a packed room at the North Portland Library filled with the sounds of reflection and celebration. The Oregon Black Pioneers (OBP), a statewide African American historical society, had gathered to mark a centennial that reshaped the state’s identity: 100 years since Oregon voters chose to repeal the constitutional language that had long excluded Black people.

The story of this repeal is a story of power turned back on itself. A century earlier, Black community organizers, working alongside the NAACP and the League of Women Voters, launched a concerted effort to change the minds and hearts of Oregon voters. Their target was Article I, Section 35 of the state’s Bill of Rights, a clause that, since statehood in 1859, had banned Black people from living, working, and owning property in Oregon. This made the Beaver State unique—and infamous—as the only state admitted to the Union with such an exclusion law embedded in its constitution.

Watch

“In every iteration of Oregon as a governmental body, there was some form of a Black exclusion law, the final being article one, section 35 of the Bill of Rights in Oregon’s Constitution,” said Mariah Rocker, the Public Programs and Exhibits Manager for Oregon Black Pioneers.

The power to create the exclusion law, it turned out, was the same power needed to dismantle it. The vote to remove the clause was a victory for organized civic action. The anniversary event itself showed that enduring power, attracting city leaders from across Oregon.

A Proclamation of Recognition

The significance of the moment was formally acknowledged by a wave of city leaders. Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff was one of five mayors who signed a proclamation recognizing the anniversary. The recognition was first issued by Mayor Lacey Beaty of Beaverton and was quickly joined by the mayors of Portland, Wilsonville, Ashland, Gold Beach, and Tualatin.

Q a with local legislators mayor beaty insta

For McGriff, the gathering was about more than just commemorating a past event. It was a necessary step toward building a more informed future.

“This celebration is important because I recognize being a long term resident of Oregon, that there are so many people in this state that do not understand or even know about their history, let alone the contributions of African Americans whose contributions in this state have been significant,” McGriff stated.

Her sentiment points to a complex truth about Oregon’s history. While the repeal of the exclusion laws was a monumental achievement, the legacy of racial discrimination did not vanish overnight. The day’s events, which included a presentation on the history of these laws, were framed as a time to learn and connect—a crucial step in confronting a past that continues to shape the present.

Oregon marks 100 years since repeal of Black exclusion law

The Human Cost and the Power of Voting

To understand the stakes of the vote is to understand the human cost of the laws it erased. For nearly 70 years, Black pioneers who made their way to the Oregon Territory faced a legal system designed to push them out. The anniversary celebration included a poignant moment as Oregon City Mayor McGriff stood alongside Charlotte Rutherford, whose ancestors arrived in Oregon in the 1890s, a reminder of the families who persevered despite the legal barriers.

The repeal was, at its core, an act of political reclamation. As Zachary Stocks, the Executive Director of Oregon Black Pioneers, powerfully stated, the mechanism of oppression was also the tool for liberation.

Oregon’s Black exclusion law repealed 100 years ago

“It was voting which created the Black exclusion laws, and it was voting which got rid of the Black exclusion laws. Everybody’s vote matters,” Stocks said.

This focus on civic participation is particularly resonant today. The fight for Black inclusion in Oregon is a continuous one, and the 100th anniversary served as both a celebration of past progress and a call to action for current and future generations. The message was clear: the rights secured through one vote can be safeguarded and expanded by the next.

From History to Hope

While the history of racial exclusion is somber, the gathering on Nov. 2 was an exercise in resilience and joy. The afternoon wasn’t just a lecture on a painful past; it was a vibrant community gathering. A pizza party fueled conversation, and rollicking performances by Arietta Ward & Friends filled the room with energy, turning a historical reflection into a lively celebration of culture and life.

Oregon Black Pioneers celebrate Black inclusion

The day culminated in a powerful, unifying moment. As the crowd rose to its feet, they joined in singing Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day,” their voices mingling with laughter and a palpable sense of collective hope.

“Even though a hundred is a large number, it still seems like it’s brand new because of what we are experiencing now. Whatever has been learned can be unlearned. So we’re here to plant some new seeds today,” Callier reflected.

The repeal of Oregon’s Black exclusion laws was not an endpoint, but a beginning. It was a moment that proved that a state’s darkest laws could be overturned by the will of its people. A century later, that legacy of activism and hope continues to resonate, a reminder that the work of building a more just and inclusive society is as relevant today as it was in 1926.

Keep reading