Call out made for Saturday rally, march
A broad cross section of Portland groups is calling for public involvement in police union talks and other police reforms.
The Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform is calling on the community to show their support for their agenda items during a rally and march in at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25.
In less than a year, Portland police have been involved in several high profile cases involving the use of excessive force. These include the shooting deaths of three men: Aaron Campbell, Jack Collins, and Keaton Otis and the police arrest of a 12 old girl who was Tasered and shot with a bean bag gun at a MAX station.
The AMA Coalition has taken a strong stand for scrutiny of the police bureau’s use of excessive force policy, the need for more public involvement in the Independent Police Review Committee, and opening police union contract talks to the public.
“The main goal of the rally on September 25th is to continue mobilizing the community for justice and police reform,” said Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes, of the AMA Coalition. “Our work is not done. We need to restore a respectful relationship between Portland’s police force and the community.”
Also joining Haynes as guest speakers for the rally, are Kasey Jama, executive director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing; Chris O’Connor of the Mental Health Association; Israel Beyer, editor “Street Roots” newspaper; Rev. Bill Sinkford, new Senior Minister of First Unitarian Church; Marco Mejia, Board Director of VOZ Workers Rights Education Project; and representatives from Sisters of the Road, Basic Rights Oregon and Portland Copwatch and more.
