Racial disparities, inequities

Some of Oregon Action's recent work has been on racial disparities in health. At our candidate forum for candidates for the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners' District 2 seat, the leaders asked some questions about racial disparities in foster care, juvenile justice, health, and human services. Our members are talking about what racial inequities really look like in everyday life in communities of color. The Communities of Color Coalition, in partnership with Portland State University, has just put out a report that answers those questions and paints a dire picture of the racial and economic circumstances in Multnomah County right now. It's a powerful reminder of why we need to do the racial, economic, and social justice work that we do. You can read the report, "Communities of color in Multnomah County: An unsettling profile," by clicking here.

Candidate Forum for Multnomah County Commissioner District #2!

Exciting event coming up! Oregon Action is hosting a forum on Tuesday, April 27, for citizens to hear from candidates for the Multnomah County Commissioner seat in District #2, which encompasses North Portland and much of Northeast Portland. The event is at 5:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church; leaders from Oregon Action and our community partners will pose questions to and ask for reactions of the candidates, and then there will be some question and answer opportunities for audience members. The event will run for one hour, and we'll be able to meet and mingle from 6:30 to 7pm. We hope to see YOU there!

Candidate Forum: Multnomah County Commissioner District #2
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
5:30-7pm
Redeemer Lutheran Church
5441 NE 20th Ave
Portland, OR 97211

Questions? Call 503-282-6588 or e-mail sarah@oregonaction.org.

The Human Rights Commission Doesn't Speak for Me!

Based on the press release sent out on 2/25/10 by the Human Relations Committee you would think that if we just spent more time trying to find understanding with Portland Police we can solve the problems of African American's being targeted by the police for "enhanced police actions" which leads to the death of community members.

The Human Rights Commission does not speak for me or the thousands of community members who are fed up with the lack of action taken to prevent this situation from being repeated over and over again.

Every official channel that the community has for redress is run by the city of Portland government. It is clear from the HRC that they are representing the government, not the pain that community members experience daily at the hands of police.

It is time for the community to take control of the oversight of the police. There has been little change with the Independent Police Review(IPR) , Citizen Review Committee and now the latest, the HRC's "Police & Community Relations Committee-none of these bodies have been able to do what the community demands-to hold police accountable for their violence against people of color and poor people.

The Human Rights Committee doesn't speak for me. If they don't speak for you, then join us now for true accountability.

Death In Portland

January 29, 2010 an unarmed man by the name of Aaron Campbell was shot in the back and killed by a Portland Police officer after he was shot there was no medical attention provided for at least 30 minutes, after being shot he was put in handcuffs. There were several officers on scene that day, from the reports given it appears there was a disconnect in communication among the officers this disconnect cost Aaron his life.
The officer that shot Aaron thought he was reaching for a gun and felt he needed to shoot him to protect his safety. As we review Portland's history this is not the first time an unarmed citizen has been shot by police under the same circumstance. How does a simple call, a traffic stop or something that does not appear to be life threatening ends up in death. I think of Kendra James, James Jahar Perez two other unarmed people of color stopped by police and later killed. Here we are again fighting the same battle.
Portland Police has a long history of social injustices against people of color, as we know by the statistics we have a problem of racial profiling. Oregon Action is working to make changes within the police department. During this critical time we are soliciting the community of Portland to get involved and help fight for social justice. Oregon Action is always looking for new members and/or any financial support.
The residents of Portland deserve better treatment and accountability from the police department. I offer my sincere condolences' to the family of Aaron Campbell.


Kevin Foster
Chair, Racial Profiling Task Group
Oregon Action
Portland Chapter

Celebrating Progress on Racial Profiling December 11th, 2009

Oregon Action’s Winter Fund Raising Reception!

Oregon Action members would be pleased to have you as our honored guests as we recognize the key role of Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman and Mayor Sam Adams in the recent success on our Campaign to End Racial Profiling.
Please join us as we acknowledge our elected officials and Oregon Action leaders for their courageous leadership on this issue of racial justice.
Come and meet new board members, staff and volunteers.

December 11th, 2009 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Billy Webb’s Elk Lodge
6 N. Tillamook Street, Portland, Oregon
Hors D’oeuvres No Host Bar Kirk Green Band

How Great is Mayor ADAMS?

State Headquarters 6601 NE Martin Luther King Blvd Portland, OR 97211 Phone: 503-282-6588 Fax: 503-282-7266 Rogue Valley 33 N. Central, #303 Medford, OR 97501 Phone: 541-772-4029 Fax: 541-772-0355 Staff Jo Ann Bowman Executive Director Rich Rohde Medford Organizer Ron Williams Portland Organizer Board of Directors Bev De Leonardis Gary Cobb Steve Barnes Kevin Foster Shannon Olive Smokey Donaldson

The Honorable Sam Adams

Mayor of Portland

1221 SW Fifth Avenue Rm. 340

Portland, Oregon 97204

Dear Mayor Adams,

The leadership team of the Portland Chapter of Oregon Action, wish to thank you for your courage, leadership and decisive action on the issue of Racial Profiling. We are proud and elated that our conversations with you led to an important and symbolic victory for people of color and all other residents of Portland. We are celebrating your decisive and historic act of taking direct, transparent and clear authority over the Portland Police Bureau on the issue or Racial Profiling. The historic aspect of the hearing was that never before this council hearing can any of our members recall such a direct and profound coming together of citizen advocacy and government authority. We are inspired by your leadership as evidenced by how your office made this very challenging and difficult issue a clear priority. We are also very pleased that within days of the plan coming to council for acceptance, the new policy directive from Chief Sizer was issued on business card issuance. This is a very important step toward officer accountability and we welcome the change in policy. We feel that you have shown, in very real terms that you truly value your role as a representative for all the people of the city of Portland.

Mayor Adams, September 2, 2009 was indeed a historic and transformative moment for the citizens involved, who describe your actions as “incredible” and “miraculous”. It was pure representational democracy. We are proud of your strength, courage and fidelity to the very principles that this country strong.

We extend our deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks to you for taking this issue so seriously and moving our concerns with the Portland Police Bureau to the full council examination, discernment and action.

We would also like to invite you attend our Oregon Action Celebrating Progress and be recognized among our honored guests.

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

6:00 -8:00PM

Ron Beed

Kevin Foster Maria Diaz

Jarrod Ackles Laura Camacho

Veronica Clark Shannon Olive

James Wilson Greg Benton

Erik Glass OB Hill

RD Hardesty Robert Marino

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