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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 1977)
I Portland Observer Thursday. April 22. 1977 Page 3 From behind the wall readers as well as the Black and white communities in the State of Oregon that the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press is definately one of the strong est rights that the United State's Conati tution has to protect. E by Lorry O.8.P. Iamatoa Looe a Friend Dennis Lee Kniss, 32, who's step brother. a Grant High youth was fatally stabbed only two days prior, was found dead in his prison cell last week. The death, claims a Salem pathologist, was due to an overdose of drugs. Kniss, who had spent the lairt nine years in prison for armed robbery, was well liked by many of the prisoners throughout the whole prison's population. Kniss volunteered many of his prison leisure hours to helping inmates in psychiatric security unit who were hav ing trouble adjusting to life behind bars. When informed of Dennis’ tragic death, inmates quickly began to raise a fund out of their nickles, dimes and dollars to send to his family, who live in NE. Portland. The contributions are to help pay for a decent funeral for a man respected. It is with the deepest sympathy to the mother, father and family, the men at O.SP. sends to them. This Reporter, whose cell was but a few cells away from Dennis can give nothing but praise to a man who treated him as a friend. It would be almost unbearable for any mother to lose two sons in s period of a couple of days. May God bless her. Yes, Dennis Kniss will be remembered by many people around here. First-This Reporter would like to acknowledge the tremendous amount of mail received and appreciate the many comments made of approval throughout the prior five weeks from you, the Public, of the publication articles, “From Behind The Walls'*. It is with this support that “From Behind The Walls", can become a column of valuable information being collected each week. A special thanks goes to the many prisoners here at the Oregon State Penitentary. who volun teered their efforts in contributing their suggestions on what topics to be* consid ered, who's doing what, where? and when? Another thanks goes to the administra tion of the Department of Corrections for net in te r fe r in g , apprehending, or reprimanding this Reporter in any manner for publication of “From Behind the Walls”, which expresses openly many subject's and events of interest to the men and women who are behind the walls, bars and gun towers. It is with great hope that this form of communication may enlighten all Portland Observer’s Let this Reporter 'make this perfectly clear* that the opinions expressed of this writer on “Behind the Walls' are strictly his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Portland Observer. This Reporter can only write it as he sees it happen, but the main interest of “Behind the Walls” is to open a communicational avenue that has been closed for years, so that our taxpayers in Oregon can grasp a better understanding of what prison life is all about right from the prisoners themselves. Plus, that the individuals accomplishments and needs may be known before their return to their respective communities, and they will come to know the many services, sug gestions and advice our Portland Observ er readers have, to help getting that individual off on the right foot as he or she pays their debt to society, so that they may not have to be recycled back through the teeth of the Criminal Justice system and that the population of our prisons and institutions can start decreas ing again. It is clearly recognized that the public expects a miracle on rehabilita tion to be produced by our Oregon courts, prisons, and parole board, with a mere drop in the bucket in state funding, making it virtually impossible for many of the individuals behind the walls to receive certain needed services with the overcrowding of this prison. Naturally the ‘protection of society' is the first course on the menu, but also our state prisons and institutions are not to become a human warehouse of flesh, nor a breeding ground for future production of angry animals ready to spring out in revenge upon release. If the President of the United States can call out for humanity throughout the world, then his own house must be in perfect order to set the example. Last week a state representative took his first step at the Oregon State Penitentary. Surrounded by 16 Black prisoners, a white, middle aged, contro versial man, who's office is only a few blocks away from the main gates of O.S.P., in the State Office Building here in Salem, sat listening to constructive grievances and problems which drove them behind these walls. State Representative Wally Priestley met with the 16 Blacks who represented over 300 other Black inmates of the population at O.S.P. The main topics were as follows: 1. How to decrease the Black population in Oregon's prisons, it being a noted fact that a large percentage of the Black population was out of his district in Portland. 2. Searching lor avenues of social services that will better serve the inmate, than just a prison ceil...such as good drug and alcoholic as well as counselling programs that relate to Black people. 3. A committee of business individuals in the Albina community to serve on a panel to meet here at O.S.P. once a month, to work with a committee of Black inmates on short and long term goals that would decrease the recent exploitation of Blacks passing through our courts. 4. More legal service and help in courts, Blacks are getting to no longer trust the attorneys who represent them in the Public Defenders office in Portland. 5. Black representation as far as counsel ors and liason people. 6. No discrimination in medical care at O.S.P. 7. The strip-searching, without a warrant to search, of families and friends who visit Black inmates must be discontinued. This Reporter is in full agreement with a committee, made up of inmates and business representatives, which can meet once a month. These people are to be from Albina. They can attempt to iron out the problems of prison increases of Black inmates and increases in crime in the Black community. I am sure that the Department of Corrections would be very interested in the work that these mem bers can do in a search to alleviate these problems as they pertain to Black in mates and their return to the community. Perhaps if the program and planning is successful, it may set a precedent for others to follow. We must try something. Respect is earned by hard work and leadership in the community of not only the free world, but the prison community. It is time that we ourselves commanded this respect. Representative Priestley promised the Black committee representatives that he would definately look into their requests, grievences, and suggestions and report on his findings to this Black committee. Book explores King murder, FBI involvement Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., the greatest civil rights protagonist in modern American history, was murdered on April 4, 1968. James Earl Ray was arrested, charged and pleaded guilty to the crime. In the nine years since the brutal assassination, new and profoundly disturbing evidence has come to light - evidence that poses frightening questions about the murder, and subsequent inves tigation. In Cede Name “Zorre": The Murder of Martin Luther King. Jr., Mark Lane and Dick Gregory supply you - perhaps the only jury that will ever consider the evidence - with the same explosive information that prompted Congress in September of 1976 to form a special committee to investigate the murder of Dr. King. few eyewitnesses in the case, illegally Mark Lane and Dick Gregory recon taken from her home by Memphis author struct the events proceeding the murder ities and placed in a mental institution? of Dr. King and offer a step-by-step The official investigation into the analysis of the crime and its chilling murder of Dr. King was far from satis aftermath. Their findings raise many factory. Why has no one pursued the unanswered questions: What unusual mysterious Raoul, perhaps the key to circumstances led Dr. King to Memphis many of the unanswered questions and the Lorraine Motel? Why was the surrounding the assassination? And why ten man security force assigned to Dr. did the Justice Department assign the King by the Memphis Police Department same FBI squad to investigate the suddenly stripped to two? Why was Ed murder of Dr. King (whom they code Redditt, one of the remaining two Mem named “Zorro“) that J. Edgar Hoover had phis Police Officers, mysteriously re previoiusly selected to “destroy” Dr. moved from the murder scene shortly King? Veteran FBI agent Arthur before the fatal shot? Why were two Murtaugh recalled that during a brief potential eyewitnesses. Black firemen conversation he had with an FBI agent in Newsum and Wallace, detailed to other Atlanta the day King was shot, “We fire stations on the day of the murder? heard the announcement that King was And, why was Grace Stephens, one of the shot...this agent jumped for joy, literally leaped in the air, yelling, They got Zorro! They got the son of a bitch. I hope he dies.*" This agent was a member of that squad! Did James Earl Ray really murder Martin Luther King, Jr.? Was the assassination part of a far-reaching conspiracy? From an extraordinary assemblage of evidence, documents and exclusive taped interviews (including hours of in-depth interviews with James Earl Ray) Lane and Gregory move inexorably towards a singular and grim conclusion. SHOP lENOW'S FOR BRANDS you kno w V A R IE T IE S y o u lik e S IZ E S v o u w a n t Ttw Friendliest Stores In Tewn| Since 1 9 0 8 • ' A. ...» A N » • N t o x I..« <1 . • A l V* AN» >«4 A, S » (>.. A. W r s » b MEMBêR OF UNITED GROCERS Plumbing Repairs This week’s special DRAINS UNBLOCKED WITH ELECTRIC ROOTER »12.95 PER HOUR, Sinks, lavs, bathtubs, showers, toilets, laundry facilities, floor drains, rain drains, and sewer lines. ALSO AVAILABLE • PLUMBING REPAIRS »16.95 AN HOUR. Toilet & faucet repairs. Hot water heater sales & service. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling. Mark Lane is director of the Washing ton, DC. based Citizens Committee o' Inquiry, an organization committed to urging Congress to investigate the murders of both Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and John F. Kennedy. Lane is a member of the bar of the State of New York, a former member of the New York State Legislature a.id the author of six books, including the »1 Bestseller, Rush to Judgment. Lane was founder of the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee and he was the only critic of the Warren Commission who conducted an independent investigation of the murder of John Kennedy and who testi fied before the Warren Commission. Dick Gregory is a Black comedian, civil rights worker, and political activiat. He has run for the presidency of the USA to dramatize the issues of the day. He was Dr. King's friend and co-worker in the civil rights crusade of the 1960’s. Mr. Gregory lectures throughout the country, and he is the author of such bestselling books as A Voice From the Back of the Bus; Nigger; and Up From Nigger. “LET THE CONGRESS ACT. LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN? SERVING ALL OF PORTLAND 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY Jiffy Drain Service e f Oregon AmeriCard sr Charge 286-2890 In 1866 the U.S. Post Office guaranteed free mail delivery to ell cities with a minimum population of 60,000! extended The Portland Board of Education has extended the deadline for submitting Area Advisory Committee petitions by two weeks. The original deadline of April 15 has been extended to April 29. Thirteen adult positions become vacant June 30, 1977, Area Advisory Committees advise the Area Superintendents on the educational program, building needs, educational goals, citizen involvement in school activ ities, preparation of the Area's proposed budget and other matters relating to the operation of the Area schools. Citizens interested in applying for Area Advisory Committee positions may still obtain applications through the Public Information Office, Portland Public Schools, 631 N.E. Clackamas St., Portland, 97232, the three Area Offices of the School District, local schools and Neighborhood Association offices. Petitions are to be filed in the Public Information Office by 5:00 p.m„ Friday, April 29, 1977. Grandparents welcome Wednesday, April 27th has been pro claimed “Grandparents Day" by Portland Public Schools. Sabin Elementary School at 4013 N.E. 18th Avenue, will welcome Senior Citizens and all retired people to be guests at a special program which will start with morning coffee at 10 a.m. and include entertainment, free lunch and a tour of the building. Please call Sabin School at 288-6538 for lunch reservations. DR. JEFFREY BRADY Soys: Do Not Pot O ff Needed Dental Care” Enjoy Dental Health Now and Improve Your Appearance Come In At Your Convenience Open Saturday Morning No Appointment Needed Complete Cooperation On All Dental Insurance Plans • Complete Dental Services Union or Company Dental Insurance Coverage Accepted On Your Needed Dentistry Park Free - Any Park 'n "hop Lot HOURS: W eekdays8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. I. JEFFREY BRADY, DENTIST SEMLER BUILDING S W. 3rd & Morrison St. Portland, Oregon Take Elevator to 2nd Floor 3rd St. Entrance Phone: 228-7545 75th Anniversary savings. These sportshirts were looking good at $7 and $10. At 20% off they’re lookiag great, and so w ill yoo.