On the Front Lines for Change

Black Pioneers No More Hire Expert Library Fines Professional is New policy first to lead group clears debts; in 27 years restores access See Local News, page 3 See Local News, page 3 Established in 1970 PO QR code ‘City of www.portlandobserver.com Volume XLVIV • Number 16 Roses’ Wednesday • Junly 8, 2020 Committed to Cultural Diversity Windows were smashed at a Bank of America branch on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for the second time last week after a protest march on police brutality and racial justice descended into violence and vandalism. Damages Assailed as Setback Joe “Bean” Keller is leading a delegation of Portland families like his own who have lost loved ones to police violence to attend the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington this coming Aug. 28. He is pictured with Voices raised against artist Emma Berger, creator of a mural calling attention to the death of black men at the hands of police in front the Apple store on Southwest Yamhill, downtown. protest violence, vandalism BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON PORTLAND OBSERVER EDITOR On the Front Lines for Change Advocates for Portland’s African American community joined black leaders in law enforcement this week Fund Me account through Monday, he and two mem- to speak out against the violence, vandalism and arson Bereaved father organizes bers of his family and members from at least 12 other fires that have marred many of the daily protests over families in Portland will attend the anniversary event. unjust police shootings and racial bias in the criminal March on Washington All of the planned participants have lost a family mem- justice system. BY MICHAEL LEIGHTON ber at the hands of police. “We have to be smart,” said Joe “Bean” Keller, a PORTLAND OBSERVER EDITOR The aim now is to attract even more donations to black father who lost his son to a police shooting in Support is growing for a bereaved father from Port- make it possible for another 10 Portland family mem- 1996 and has led a sustained campaign for justice for land’s Black community who is leading a group of in- bers impacted by police violence to travel to Washing- his son ever since. dividuals from families like his to Washington, D.C. for ton, D.C. to raise their voices for racial justice. Keller said the violence and vandalism that has the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington to The upcoming march commemorates the 1963 March erupted after several recent protests damages the cause promote racial justice and demand action to stop unjust on Washington in which Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King of prosecuting bad cops and adopting better policing police shootings. Jr. delivered his “I have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln practices because it turns people who would be sup- Joe “Bean” Keller, who lost his son in a Portland po- Memorial, but it comes with additional significance this porters against a growing justice movement to address lice shooting back in 1996, is leading the delegation of year because of the Memorial Day police custody death of bias in policing. at least a dozen other Portlanders to the Aug. 28 march George Floyd, an unarmed black man whose “knee-choke Even though he still seeks justice in his own son’s organized by Al Sharpton’s National Action Network hold” death in Minneapolis sparked continued protests in CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Keller told the Portland Observer that thanks to CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 $10,000 in donations that had been generated by a Go Page 2 Junly 8, 2020 Advocate Named to Prosper Portland Board Newest board member promotes equal access The Portland City Council Wednesday approved the ap- pointment of long time education advocate and Portland na- tive Serene Stoudamire Wesley to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners. A five member panel, the volunteer board over- sees the city’s economic and development agency. Wesley is youth development director for the Oregon Depart- ment of Education and has more A woman wearing a mask walks past a sign on the door of a church in Pullman, Wash. Both than 20 years of experience in Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown have announced new requirements for program management, com- Serena Stoudamire Wesley masks to be worn in public spaces to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. (Photo courtesy AP) munity relations and education policy. She previously served as all members of the community Gov. Kate Brown’s policy direc- have equal access to the op- New Urgency to Mask Up as Virus Spreads tor for diversity, equity and in- portunities that will come with underpinning for the executive orders Brown has is- clusion. Portland’s development and Coronavirus spreads in sued throughout the pandemic, including her orders In a statement released by growth. on reopening Oregon, as well as orders related to Prosper Portland, Wesley said “I have lived through the urban and rural areas childcare, schools, and higher education operations. she wants to ensure that the changes that have directly and (AP) — People throughout Oregon are now re- Extending the state of emergency declaration allows agency’s mission of advanc- indirectly impacted my fam- quired to wear face coverings in public spaces to those orders to stay in effect. ing economic and social equi- ily and community through slow the spread of the coronavirus. Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth ty, along with creating jobs and the years,” she said. “I am The guidance issued June 29 from Oregon Gov. play a critical role in reducing the spread of the closing gaps of disparity, align very passionate and motivat- Kate Brown applies to businesses and members of disease because droplets from people’s breath can with her interest in ensuring that ed about this place I call home the public using indoor public spaces. Face covering carry the virus to others without people realizing it, and want to contribute to the requirements had already been mandated in Portland she said. revitalization and transforma- and eight adjacent counties one week earlier. Brown said she did not want to close businesses tion of Portland.” Over the last month, Brown said the disease has again as has happened in other states that are see- Prosper Portland is defined spread at an alarming rate in both urban and rural ing a spike in cases. She said Oregon Occupational by a commitment to grow qual- counties. Safety and Health (OSHA) will take the lead in en- ity jobs, advance opportunities “Modeling from the Oregon Health Authority forcing face covering requirements for all covered for prosperity, create vibrant shows that if we don’t take further action to reduce Oregon businesses. neighborhoods and communi- the spread of the disease, our hospitals could be For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild ties, and collaborate with part- overwhelmed by new COVID-19 cases and hospi- or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that ners to create an equitable city, talizations within weeks,” Brown said. clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially with prosperity shared by Port- The governor has also extended the COVID-19 older adults and people with existing health prob- landers of all colors, incomes state of emergency for 60 days. lems, it can cause more severe illness, including and neighborhoods. Ms. K’s Incense The state of emergency declaration is the legal pneumonia and death. & More (503) 358-0753 ACLU files Police Lawsuit The in tree. Arborists determined that the [email protected] The American Civil Liberties cambium layer of the tree, which Union of Oregon filed a class-ac- Week Review serves as the arteries that transport Incense • Body Oils • Lotion Sets by the police with tear gas and cating for rebuilding a displaced tion lawsuit against Portland Police water and nutrients to the canopy, Dudu Soap • Shea Butter • Etc. rubber bullets while documenting Black community in the area. and the city last week on behalf of had failed due to a natural shifting Black Lives Matter protests. Blessings To You journalists and legal observers who Charged with Sex Trafficking of the tree. they say were targeted and attacked Eviction Ban Extended A Portland man, Tracy No More Oregon Civil War Oregon lawmakers passed an ex- Steven Rasberry, 55, To advance equal opportunity tension last month to an eviction was indicted last week and justice for all and in recogni- ban during the coronavirus pan- on 24 counts of pro- tion that Black Lives Matter, the demic that extends the moratori- moting prostitution. University of Oregon and Oregon um on both commercial and resi- The district attorney’s office, cit- State last week agreed to drop the dential no-cause evictions through ing court documents, said the al- name “Civil War” for their rivalry Sept 30 and creates a six-month leged crimes occurred in January games. OSU President Ed Ray said repayment grace period after the and February of 2019. the name was divisive because it moratorium ends for tenants to re- Old Apple Tree Dies represented a connection to a war pay their back rent. fought to perpetuate slavery. It survived the For your light bulbs Support Collapses for I-5 Build most severe floods, Confederate Emblem Removed & parts to repair or Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler an- winds, drought, ice Mississippi lawmakers voted last nounced last week he was with- and snow, but not week to surrender the Confed- make fixtures drawing his support for the I-5 2020. For all prac- erate battle emblem from their 503.281.0453 Rose Quarter Project which would tical purposes, Van- state flag; more than a century Fax 503.281.3408 add lanes to a congested part of couver’s venerable after white supremacist legisla- the freeway, citing a lack of rep- Old Apple Tree has tors adopted the design a genera- 3901 N.

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