UPDATED: Don’t Shoot PDX Says Meeting with Portland Mayor Was ‘Big Win’

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Kyle Curtis, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Demonstrator outside City Hall Tuesday. Photo Credit: Kyle Curtis

The day after a raucous rally at City Hall on Tuesday, in which dozens of Don’t Shoot Portland supporters demanded to meet with Mayor Charlie Hales, the group’s leadership refers to the meeting as a “big win.”

"The mayor expected 5-6 members from Don't Shoot Portland- 53 was the final count," said Dana Haynes, spokesman for the Mayor, of Tuesday's meeting. "Mayor Hales spent a lot of time listening, but he also spent time talking--particularly about the Department of Justice settlement, which a lot of protestors were not aware of the details."

One of Don’t Shoot Portland’s key demands was an extended six-month community dialog to address the findings of report commissioned by the City of Portland on police shootings and in-custody deaths.

“A six month commitment to continued community dialog on our terms is a big win,” said Teressa Raiford, spokesperson for Don’t Shoot Portland. “We have children who are fearing for the lives of their dads and brothers, uncles and friends. We believe that marching towards judicial reform is going to be the best strategy.”

Haynes said that Tuesday's meeting with demonstrators was productive, despite some initial choas.

"We've had examples of a bad protest. There have been times when we sat down with people and at the end, we had no idea what they wanted," Haynes said. "This was a good protest as Don't Shoot Portland had very clear objectives and goals. The Mayor was very happy to have spoken with them."

Don’t Shoot Portland participated in a “day of action” at the state capitol Wednesday to coincide with World Human Rights Day. Along with demonstrating and lobbying for human rights, members of Don’t Shoot Portland will meet with lawmakers to assess their stance on the role of government in regards to prosecution of police.

“Asking the legislature to give Gov. Kitzhaber the power to appoint a special prosecutor or give the attorney general power to prosecute officers in Oregon is the best start for changing laws,” Raiford said.

As Wednesday was the final day of the legislative session, Raiford acknowledged that it may be difficult to meet with lawmakers.

However, a meeting between Don’t Shoot Portland and Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is on Raiford’s immediate radar. “We will request her support and that of the Senate Judiciary Committee as well.”

Public testimony will be heard next Wednesday, December 17^th at 6 pm in the Rose Room at City Hall, from people who want to share stories and ideas about how to address officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths.

Haynes said the Mayor's office was also lobbying Salem on efforts of their own.

"Going to Salem is a very smart move on Don't Shoot's part. The 2015 session is only days away. Thirty of the ninety state legislators are from the Portland area, so its a really smart move to get on their radar now. The City will also be going down to Salem to speak with lawmakers. President Obama is making funds available for police body cameras, and we want clarity from the legislature how these body cameras will be paid for and the authority in which the city can use them.

"There will also be legislation regarding the sensible use of guns in the next session. More guns operated in a safe and sensible manner will make everyone safer, regardless of race. If there were fewer guns on the streets, there would be fewer instances in which police would need to use theirs for protection purposes."