At the ComicsPRO meeting this morning, it was just announced that the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is moving it’s offices from New York to Portland this year. The CBLDF, which is run by executive director Charles Brownstein, has been located in NYC for a decade, after moving from Northhampton, Mass. As with many people and business leaving New York, it will be much cheaper in Portland and will free up resources for more outreach.

CBLDF President Larry Marder says, “The Fund thrives when we are near to our industry partners and can engage with a dedicated and diverse pool of volunteers, thriving talent scenes, and, above all else, a community that will benefit from and support our work. Portland abounds in all of those areas. We look forward to being of service to the city’s community and to working with them to continue developing our ongoing program work in support of the freedom to read comics.”

CBLDF’s Portland-based Corporate Members Dark Horse, TFAW.com, Oni Press, and Image Comics partner studio Shadowline Comics welcomed the Fund to town.

Mike Richardson, President of Dark Horse and TFAW.com and CBLDF Advisory Board member, says,“Considering the amazing comics community that exists here in Portland, it seems only natural that the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund would establish its new home in our fair city. Comics are an important part of the cultural landscape here, and the CBLDF will be a welcome addition. We at Dark Horse enthusiastically support the organization’s goals in its fight to protect the First Amendment rights of everyone involved in the comics industry.”

Joe Nozemack, Publisher of Oni Press says, “Portland is well known for its amazing community of comics professionals and, in equal measure, for its history of activism and politically aware citizens. The CBLDF and their mission will fit right in and prove a wonderful addition to the city.”

Jim Valentino, Image Comics co-founder and Vice-President and Shadowline President and Publisher, says, “The CBLDF’s move to Portland helps to solidify our city’s prominence as a creative mecca for comics. We trust that this will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship for both the Fund and the city’s creative and business communities. Welcome to Stumptown!”

CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein says, “It’s important to all of us at CBLDF that our work will add value to Portland’s extraordinary culture. We want to hear from people in the community about how they would like to become involved and how our work protecting the freedom to read comics can serve the needs of Portland’s readers, creators, students, and educators as part of the community at large. If you’d like to volunteer or if you have suggestions for what you’d like to see from us, please email portland@cbldf.org. Your feedback is important to us as we develop programming to serve our new local community!”

CBLDF will continue to operate out of its NYC office during the transition. Donations and inquiries can still be directed to CBLDF, 255 W. 36th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10018 and www.cbldf.org. In the event of a First Amendment Emergency, call 1-800-99-CBLDF and email info@cbldf.org for assistance.