Seven months into the city’s new form of government, it’s increasingly clear that six of the Portland City Council’s 12 members—a progressive bloc that calls itself “Peacock”—are setting the agenda at City Hall.

A message thread shared among those six councilors shows them in close coordination on policies, votes and messaging that comes before the City Council. Four of those councilors are members of the Democratic Socialists of America: Mitch Green, Sameer Kanal, Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angelita Morillo. Two allies, Councilors Candace Avalos and Jamie Dunphy, round out the group thread.

The 300 pages of text messages obtained by WW through a public records request show that Peacock (short for “progressive caucus”) has organized tightly and effectively. The messages also show members

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