Brothers Lavon (left) and Popkins Zakarian were part of Portland's large Armenian community. Popkins Zakarian was a community activist, and fought against Portland’s 1954 so-called “slum removal” associated with the Bayside Park renewal, which displaced 64 families and 27 businesses—many owned by people of Italian, Russian-Jewish, and Armenian heritage.

Zakarian became so involved in opposing Portland’s municipal politics that he ran for city council and was elected in 1966, serving two stormy terms.