Thank you to all of the people who came to last month’s Keaton Otis Memorial Art Unveiling to celebrate and honor Keaton with us. It was even more beautiful than we envisioned! 

Since 2019, Lloyd EcoDistrict has been working with the Black-led Justice for Keaton Otis collective to memorialize the life of Keaton Otis, who was fatally shot by police in Lloyd in 2010. We’ve been working with the Justice for Keaton Otis collective to create a permanent memorial at NE 6th and NE Halsey. Over 2020 and 2021, we partnered with the collective to organize visioning sessions that gathered Keaton’s loved ones, several Portland-based Black artists, and community members impacted by police violence to develop a plan for a memorial and gathering space in Lloyd. In September, Justice for Keaton Otis debuted the first phase of the memorial with components inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery by filling the cracks with gold.

If you were unable to make the art unveiling a couple of weeks ago, you can watch a recorded  livestream of it here to hear the powerful performances and speeches brought together to honor and demand justice for Keaton. More photos from the event and of the memorial are available here. 

The monthly vigil for Keaton Otis is held on the 12th of every month, 6-7 pm PT.

We are continuing a hybrid online and in-person model, for everyone’s safety. You can attend in person at NE 6th and Halsey (please wear a mask). For the online link visit the Justice for Keaton Otis facebook page.

Special thank you to K. Kendall for the images from this event.

Tags: art, justice for keaton otis