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. OR 97209
(503) 595-0070
Kristen A.Salt@ampf.com
ameripriseadvisofS.com/knslen. a. salt
Focusing on:
• Tax management strategies
• Investment planning
• Retirement planning
Financial planning services and investments available through Ameriprise Financial Services. Inc..
Member FINRA and SIPC. Consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific tax or legal issues.
te l 5 0 3 . 2 8 1 . 8 6 6 6
w w w .im p re ss-u sa .c o m
© 2008 Ameriprise Financial. Inc. All rights reserved.