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