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The revolution, or at least the debate, will go on!
Portland mayoral candidate Ted Wheeler says he's showing up at Revolution Hall tonight, the venue of The Oregonian's planned mayoral debate that the daily newspaper canceled Sunday, following threats by activists and shut-out candidates to disrupt it.
Jim Brunberg, co-owner of Revolution Hall, says the venue is prepared to host any candidates or audience who show up. "We are carrying on as if the debate is still happening," Brunberg says. "Anybody can come."
The abrupt turn of events follows The Oregonian's initial decision to limit its debate to just Wheeler and opponent Jules Bailey. Activists and supporters of the other 10 candidates organized to protest this decision and said they planned to disrupt the debate.
On Thursday, an activist jumped onstage at another mayoral forum (this one hosted by Restore Oregon to talk about historic preservation) to demand additional candidates be invited to participate. Wheeler, Bailey and Sarah Iannarone then invited Sean Davis and David Schor to join them onstage.
Last night, The Oregonian canceled the live debate between Wheeler and Bailey. This morning, the newspaper's editorial board explained that it had decided to hold the event without opening it to an audience—but Wheeler and Bailey refused.
The editorial board explained the negotiations over the audience in a piece this morning headlined: "Jules Bailey, Ted Wheeler fail leadership test."
Minutes later, Wheeler announced the show would go on—without The Oregonian.
Willamette Week