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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2009)
O REGO N S GAY/LESBIAN/BI/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE JULY 3 2009 i3 n NORTHWEST NEWS according to Smith’s statement, “noticed er rors of fact and miscommunications in those postings with regard to the events of that evening.” “The PPB and the SMRT have also been working together to address the concerns of the GLBTQ_community with regard to the factual information and the nonfactual infor mation about what occurred,” the statement reads. Heatherette’s reaction to an escalating sit uation, she concedes, was a regrettable one. “I don’t know why I was violent or what made me do that,” she says. “I wish people were having more of a conversation about how to not have the reaction that I had.” Heatherette’s attacker (his name was also unavailable as of press time) was arrested, taken to the Central Precinct, questioned and released. Neither he nor Heatherette had yet filed charges. The case has been referred to the District Attorney’s office. While news of Heatherette’s assault spread through the remainder of Blow Pony partygoers, Jose Cruz (who admittedly “had been drinking”) approached the site to find out what was happening. Cruz became involved in a verbal argument with a pass erby who was yelling homophobic remarks, then was punched in the face and briefly knocked unconscious. Cruz’s assaulter was not arrested. According to Smith’s statement, “individuals involved and witnesses inter viewed gave conflicting statements about the events that occurred.” Details of both cases cannot be released by the Portland Police Bureau, as they are still in the “legal discovery process.” Cruz has brought further accusations that he was not treated appropriately by the Portland Police who were already on-hand to assist with Heatherette’s assault. He has also accused both the Portland Fire Department and Police of neglectful medical assistance. “I don’t remember [the Fire Department] even actually looking at my injuries,” Cruz says. “I just remembered talking with them and them just kind of walking away.” A video posted on YouTube from the scene in question shows an unidentified Portland fireman attending to Cruz, while four or five others create a perimeter around B r ia n R a m sa y , Cruz to keep onlookers away. Still, it was not immediately clear from the video whether or not Cruz was being mistreated or denied medical treatment. During this time, again, the upstairs ten ants continued to escalate matters by yelling homophobic remarks at the persons involved in the assaults. Airick then claims that three drag queens walking across the street from Casey’s to Embers Avenue were doused with a cup full of an unknown liquid. Assistant Chief Smith confirms that the item in ques tion was a water balloon. When the police were informed of the persistent attacks by the upstairs tenants, the officers again told those involved to leave the area. “When police told us again to leave, [a] drag queen (also unidentified) said, ‘No, if you don’t want another Stonewall here, you should deal with it,’ [and] I tried to calm her down,” Airick says. “I was sober through all of it. She was having a yelling fit with other police that were showing up at that point.” Eventually, through Airick’s pleas, and witnesses’ and victims’ continued outrage at a perceived police negligence - fueled further by instances of inebriation - an officer (again, unidentified as of press time) finally broached P r in c ip a l B r o k e r R e a lty T r u s t G r o u p , I n c Condos, Lofts, Townhomes, Commercial & Foreclosures Pearl D istrict, D ow n tow n , South W aterfront 5 0 3 .4 1 6 .3 3 8 0 R ea IE sta tein th eP ea rl.co m printing services R e a l t y T rust m ■ I é+ â • digital excellence • delivery included the meeting. “While I recognize the Portland police de partment being concerned,” says Cruz, “I feel there are other avenues that those who wish to work directly with the police can become involved [through], like the SMRT meetings, for example. For the safety and comfort of the majority that will be in attendance, we’ve asked that members of the police department not be present.” Assistant Chief Smith has expressed con cern over the Town Hall organizers’ request that the Portland Police not attend the July 7 forum, and notes that they were also declined an offer to meet and discuss the events the week prior to the meeting. “[Portland Police Bureau] and the SMRT’ have worked very hard to open doors of com munication and trust between the PPB and members of the GLBTQ_ community,” the statement reads. “We at the Portland Police Bureau and the Sexual Minority Round Table saw this as an opportunity to continue the situation with the upstairs tenants. With building trust and communication and to it came the end of an evening full of pend learn from one another. We are still willing ing hate/bias crimes investigations and poor to participate in public forums and various senses of judgment on a night that should other forms of outreach to reassure commu have been more about liberation. nity members and discuss any concerns they “I don’t want to point fingers at the po have about police response in general or these lice,” says Airick. “I love Portland, I think specific investigations.” Portland’s a very progressive city. It’s a shame Additionally, the people involved in the this happened; I would never have thought assaults at Casey’s will be attending the July this would happen to the degree that it did. 14 Sexual Minorities Round Table Meeting, But it did, and it needs to be addressed.” held the second Tuesday of the month at the The incident is the focus of a planned Justice Center in the Chief’s Office Con July 7 Queer Town Hall Meeting at the Q_ ference Room, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The Center from 7 to 9 p.m., organized by the event is open to the public and is a forum people involved in the incidents of June 14. to address the citizens of Portland-at-large The meeting will be held to discuss how to of any homophobic, or otherwise bias crime- make the streets safer for everyone - not just related incidences taking place around the the queer community - as well as for those city. involved to vent frustrations with the way the “The point of that one is to make the police handled the situation, and to send a entire community, not just the queer commu message to local authorities. nity, aware that in Portland — a progressive, The event’s coordinators, which include loving city — that these things are taking Cruz, have asked that a police presence not place,” says Airick. “The general community be included in this meeting, despite an open is knowing what’s going on. I think that they letter of communication and apparent soli should know what’s going on.” darity between those in the city - including Smith, and Michele Michaels, detective with For local resources on hate or bias crimes , the Portland Police Bureau Bias Crimes Unit, please v is it w w w .portlandonline.com /police/in- and SMRT member - and those organizing dex.cfm ?c= 41864 ,ar * srtar* yo-yr Tier v.n snarre . aur ftr * Do you dream of opening a B&B in Key West? Adopting a child? Writing the great American gay novel? I want to hear your dreams. Then working together we ll define your dream, develop your plan and track your progress To get started, call (503) 595-0070 today. ► 4 j t Kristen Salt, CFP". ChFC Financial Advisor 600 NW Naito Pkwy.. Unit D Portland. 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