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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 2015)
Page 14 The Portland Observer Black History Month February 4, 2015 A video clip provided by the Seattle NAACP shows a police officer using pepper spray against a Garfield High School teacher during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally in Seattle. Police Action Brings Lawsuit (AP) - A high school teacher says Seattle police unlawfully pep- per sprayed him as he left a peaceful rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Garfield High School teacher Jesse Hagopian told reporters that he had just finished speaking at the Jan. 19 rally and was talking on his phone, walking away, when he was hit by the spray. The Seattle Times says Hagopian has filed a $500,000 claim against the city, alleging police lacked cause to spray him. In a statement issued last week, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said that “the uses of force that occurred during the MLK protests are cur- rently under review and being in- vestigated.” KING-TV reports that a short video clip of the scene was pro- vided by the local NAACP. It shows Hagopian walking into the frame and getting hit with the spray, along with a couple of other people nearby. The organization says the 15-sec- ond clip is the extent of the video in its possession. It was not clear who took the video. Darrius Willrich Errick Lewis Devin Phillips Gents N’ Jazz at Alberta Rose Hosted by the jazz enthusiast, educator, Port- land Jazz board member, and New York native Mrs. Marcia Hocker, the Gents n’ Jazz show at the Alberta Rose Theater is set to bring together some of Portland and Seattle’s most talented musicians and vocalists. In honor of Black History Month, this Harlem Re- naissance themed showcase will include five popular and outstanding jazz ensembles. Featured artists will include Darrius Willrich, Farnell Newton, Andy Stokes, Errick Lewis, and Devin Phillips. The show is set to hit the stage Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m., doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more informa- tion, visit albertarosetheatre.com or call 971-207- 3573. Push for Equal Access to Contracting Jobs The Oregon Department of Transportation is con- ducting a study that will analyze whether minority- and women-owned businesses have equal access to con- tracting opportunities within Oregon’s transportation contracting industry and with the department’s own contracts. The findings will help the department operate the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. “It’s important that we listen for all voices and learn as much as possible about the needs and concerns of Oregon’s minority- and women-owned businesses,” said Matthew Garrett, the department’s director. “This is an opportunity to work with our business commu- nity to create a level playing field when contracting with the Oregon Department of Transportation.” Garrett invited highway construction and engineer- ing-related businesses, as well as others interested, to attend public meetings to help inform the study. One of the sessions will be held Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. at the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs,731 N. Hayden Meadows Dr. Comments will also be accepted online at ODOTDBEstudy.org or by calling 503 660-8865.