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January 16. 2013
L aw
M a r t in L u t h e r K i n g J r .
Albina Ministerial Alliance says
lawsuit leaves out issues of race
C ari H achmann
The Albina Ministerial Alliance
Coalition for Justice and Police Re­
form has filed a motion to intervene
the U.S. Department of Justice’s
lawsuit against the city for the Port­
land Police Bureau’s pattern and
practice of excessive force.
Filed on Tuesday, Jan. 8, the com­
plaint argues that the agreement
between the city and the DOJ “fails
to address the concerns raised by
the AMA coalition regarding com­
munity involvement and officer use
of force, among other issues.”
Since its inception in 2003, the
AM A’s justice and reform coalition
has been at the forefront of public
advocacy for police reform, over­
sight and accountability.-
The group has offered multiple
reviews and recommendations to
the city and the DOJ pointing to the
police bureau’s excessive use of
force against people of color and
mentally ill individuals.
An analysis provided by the
AMA group, found that 30 percent
of the 61 people shot or killed were
people of color, in a city that is
almost 79 percent white. O f those 61
people shot or killed, 23 percent
were African American, compared
to 6.4 percent of the city population,
and 36 percent were unarmed.
The complaint argues that de­
spite both AMA and Mayor Sam
Adams’ request that the DOJ look at
racially biased policing in their in­
vestigation, the DOJ’s failed to do
so, limiting the lawsuit and agree­
ment to police issues related to the
mentally ill.
The AMA coalition also states
that they, among other community
groups “were not privy to the nego­
tiations between the DOJ and the
city that led to the draft agreement.”
“One of the AM A’s coalitions
repeated concerns was that the DOJ
and the City Council for the most
part ignored its recommendations
for unexplained reasons,” said the
complaint.
The agreement also fails to ad
dress concerns raised by the AMA
coalition regarding community in­
volvement and officer use of force,
among other issues, the court mo­
tion says.
? Cowardice asks the
question-is it safe?
Expediency asks the
question-is it politic?
Vanity asks the
question-is it popular?
But conscience asks the
question- is it right?
- Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.
Page 21
sp e c ia l edition
J ustice
Excessive Force
Appeal Filed
by
2 2013
When eVll men shout ugly words of
hatred, good men must commit themselves to
the glories of love. Where evil men would seek
to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men
must seek to bring into being a real order of
justice.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Gregory P. Oliveros
Attorney At Law
O l iv e r o s & O ’B r ie n , P C
9200 SE S u n n y b ro o k Blvd., S u ite #150
C lackam as, O R 97015
503-786-3800
The ultimate measure o f a man is
not where he stands in moments
o f comfort, but where he stands at
times o f challenge and controversy?
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.