Vancouver listening sessions to explore issues of race

As protests against racial injustice and police brutality continue across the country, Vancouver will host a series of remote community listening sessions.

The first two sessions will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Residents interested in speaking at one of these sessions can register online at beheardvancouver.org/racialjustice.

The number of speakers at each session will be capped at 30.

Both listening panels will include Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, City Manager Eric Holmes, Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain and Assistant Chief Jeff Mori. The Wednesday panel will also include city councilors Erik Paulsen and Ty Stober, and the Thursday panel will also include city councilors Bart Hansen and Laurie Lebowsky.

Registration is not required to listen to the sessions, and both will be broadcast live on CVTV.org and the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/vancouverus.

“We are committed to fighting against racism and working toward an equitable and inclusive city for all,” City Manager Eric Holmes said in a media release. “These listening sessions will serve as a long overdue step toward identifying tangible actions our city government can take to end racism and systemic inequities in our community.”