In the 911 call that led to George Floyd being killed by police, he was described as “awfully drunk and not in control of himself.” This is obviously not justification for his death — being impaired is not a capital offense. Calling attention to his impairment highlights a key factor in many incidents of police overuse of force: drug use or mental health problems by victims.
I’ve been documenting violent and militarized police responses to protests in Portland for more than four years, but nothing prepared me for the unrestrained brutality I’ve witnessed and experienced in recent days.
It is no secret that airlines were clobbered by the coronavirus pandemic. What started as a promising year quickly went south. The COVID-19 outbreak has all but shut down travel.
Camas City Councilman Steve Hogan stated in a recent Letter to the Editor (“Senator transparent about Camas Slough Bridge funding,” published in the June 25, 2020 Camas-Washougal Post-Record’s Opinion section) that he and the former mayor were “transparent” about moving the $25 million funding for the Camas Slough Bridge replacement to Vancouver. Were they?
By Susan Mizner, ACLU Guest Columnist COVID-19 has ripped through nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals, and other congregate settings for people with disabilities. People living in these settings make up…
Over the last week, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) staff across the country have worked as legal observers; educated protesters about their rights; been arrested, tear-gassed and hit with rubber bullets; challenged curfews; organized town halls; talked to victims of police abuse; donated money to Black Lives Matter, local bail funds and other groups; and strategized about transformational change.
A police officer with his hand casually in his pocket knelt on George Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while several colleagues watched or knelt on other parts of Mr. Floyd’s body. The officers knew people were filming, but they were confident no one would stop them. They were right, and they killed Mr. Floyd without interference from anyone, apart from the cries of horrified bystanders. After all, they had badges and guns. On that day, Minneapolis police conducted a racial terror lynching of George Floyd in broad daylight that was filmed by onlookers and then sent across America. President Trump’s reaction tells you all you need to know about his commitment to seriously address racism in America.
George Floyd was just a guy. He was a guy at the margins, allegedly writing a forged check to pay for some groceries. He was a guy who should still be alive.
Typically, in large cities and small communities across America, humane societies provide a “safety net” for animals … providing food, shelter and veterinary care to lost animals, and…
Growing up, my family owned a small business — John’s Fresh Produce. When I was in seventh grade and my father became ill, I dropped out of school to help my mom open the store. When he got better, I returned to school, and our family worked hard to keep the store running. That produce stand was our livelihood and our connection to the community. It’s where I learned the value of hard work and the joys and difficulties of operating a small business.
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