Protesting Portland’s brutal cops

PORTLAND, Ore.--More than 100 people turned out to protest police brutality on September 25, after several incidents of cops shooting or beating to death mentally ill men.

The protest in Pioneer Square was organized by the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform. Some protesters carried tombstone-shaped pickets bearing the names of men killed by police--all were enduring some kind of mental illness: Jack Dale Collins, Keaton Otis James Chasse and Aaron Campbell.

Tyrone Waters described how he nearly shared the same fate when he was shot by Portland police in September 2001 during a psychotic episode. Now he sits on the board of directors for Disability Rights Oregon and is trying to make sure that officers are better equipped to de-escalate conflicts with mentally ill people.

"Police believe that every 30 seconds, someone is breaking the law," explained Jason Gibson, a friend of Waters. "If you don't have a job, home or money, you're a criminal, and they're looking to skirt you into engagement."

Rally MC Joann Bowman said, "Nothing ever gets done in this country without grassroots movements pushing for change." By joining together, the most disenfranchised members of the Portland community were able to stand up and show the police that they are not alone, they have a voice and they will be heard.