Earlier this week, a message thread among the six members of the progressive caucus on the Portland City Council was revealed, showcasing a tightly coordinated effort during the budget sessions in May and June.
This group, known as “Peacock,” managed to secure significant victories, including reallocating $2 million in funding from the Portland Police Bureau to the Portland Parks & Recreation department.
The communication took place on the council dais, allowing other councilors and onlookers to witness the public proceedings while simultaneously engaging in an unofficial, yet strategic, conversation not accessible to those in attendance.
The revelation comes two months after these discussions, obtained through a public records request.
While there is no indication that their actions violated any rules, the Oregon public meetings law stipulates that public hearings are only required when a quorum of councilors is present.
With the six members of Peacock not reaching a quorum, their real-time strategy discussions conducted via text were kept from public scrutiny.
This tactic allowed Peacock members to unify their votes during moments of council division, demonstrating a level of coordination not seen previously by Councilor Steve Novick, who served from 2013 to 2017.
Not only do the messages reflect how Peacock functioned as a cohesive unit, but they also reveal how its members perceive themselves as disruptors of established power dynamics in city governance.
This sentiment is echoed in their comments regarding the more centrist members of the council and the management of the Portland Police Bureau.
In their texts, Peacock members often made candid and acerbic remarks about fellow councilors, showcasing a level of honesty rarely displayed in written communication among elected officials.
Such forthrightness is particularly telling as the new 12-member City Council still seeks to harmonize their relationships, often facing challenges in collaboration.
The skepticism toward the Police Bureau displayed by Peacock members aligns with their advocacy for greater accountability and oversight.
Recent events have intensified these sentiments following a $3.75 million settlement approved for the family of Immanueal Clark, an unarmed Black man killed by police in 2022, with the involved officer receiving no disciplinary action.
The six councilors making up Peacock include Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, Mitch Green, Sameer Kanal, Tiffany Koyama Lane, and Angelita Morillo.
Four members stood in support of the messaging thread and its implications.
Councilor Avalos remarked that the content in their chat was a response to significant concerns, asserting, “Holding the police bureau to a high standard isn’t personal—it’s our responsibility.”
Kanal voiced the need for the council to “challenge traditional power structures,” including the police and fossil fuel industries.
Koyama Lane echoed similar thoughts, highlighting their role as newly elected women and people of color striving to create a divergent governance model.
Morillo added that if a group chat was necessary to fulfill their priorities, it was justifiable.
Avalos also addressed the more disparaging exchanges about their colleagues, stating, “None of the comments should come as a surprise to our colleagues.”
She emphasized that much of their discussion had already made it into the public record.
However, the willingness to document their often cutting critiques and their unease toward the police leadership indicates either significant confidence in their positions or a possible unawareness of the public nature of their communications.
One notable interaction occurred on March 7, when Councilor Morillo shared her experience with police attending her town hall, expressing discomfort over their presence.
Avalos responded by noting similar experiences among other councilors, highlighting a pattern of behavior from the police that they found troubling.
They collectively acknowledged how these occurrences could undermine community trust in the police.
As the council approached its first budget session on May 21, debates became heated over the balancing of amendments proposed by centrist Council President Pirtle-Guiney, which Peacock found disproportionately favored more moderate proposals.
During the discussions, comments about the centrist councilor Eric Zimmerman’s proposed amendments exemplified their frustration, with Koyama Lane remarking on his apparent denial of reality regarding the council’s preferences.
The dialogue became increasingly candid, with Morillo branding Zimmerman’s proposals as a deliberate waste of time, reinforcing their collective strategy of emphasizing unity against centrist tactics.
Another exchange observed their reactions as Pirtle-Guiney defended her package of amendments; the responses in the chat reflected skepticism toward her leadership and decision-making.
Peacock members engaged in an array of shaded comments that mixed humor and criticism, suggesting they would expose what they perceived as ineffective leadership.
As discussions unfolded, notable references to popular culture, like a nod to “Mean Girls,” highlighted their approach to undermining opponents with cleverly timed remarks.
As debates insulated around budgetary amendments progressed, Councilor Ryan’s comments about the Peacock group’s agenda provoked further discussion within the caucus.
In a pointed exchange, Avalos remarked on the contradictions in Ryan’s actions, specifically how he voted on various budget matters including the police.
This interaction illustrated how tensions between Peacock and the rest of the council could amplify during stressful budget negotiations.
As the culmination of the budget session approached, Koyama Lane expressed her urgency for addressing one of her amendments, accentuating the intensity within the caucus to make their priorities known despite leadership’s hesitance.
Avalos rallied her colleagues, emphasizing a unified front, while Kanal suggested employing parliamentary tactics to propel through until their proposals were fully considered.
The increased dynamics among Peacock members and their opponents were further illustrated during the budget meetings where every interaction was loaded with strategizing and underlying tension.
As they prepared for closing remarks, underlying dissent erupted, exposing the divisions prominent within the council as they attempted to navigate complex political landscapes.
Meanwhile, Councilor Smith’s remarks during the final discussions sparked internal reflections and highlighted the overarching narratives where alliances were frequently tested.
In summation, the revelations about the text exchanges among Peacock members bring forth both the inner workings of a newly formed political coalition and the intricate dynamics of power within the Portland City Council.
As they advocate to reshape the governance model of Portland, the ramifications of their coordinated approach echo the need for continuous scrutiny and accountability across all levels of city leadership.
image source from：wweek
