Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, February 12, 2020, Page 5, Image 5

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    February 12, 2020
The
Page 5
Week Review
in
Max Attack Defense Begins
Defense lawyers for Jeremy Christian, the man accused of stabbing
three people, killing two of them, during a racist tirade on a MAX
train in May 2017, began laying out their case Monday. They called
an expert in de-escalation and use of force who testified how he be-
lieves Micah Fletcher, who survived the attack, was being confronta-
tional and escalated the conflict, not Christian.
Principal Out for Kobe Post
Camas High School Principal Dr. Liza Sejkora resigned on Friday
after controversy over a social media post she made about Kobe Bry-
ant’s death, referencing a 2003 arrest for a rape accusation that was
eventually dropped. She issued an apology to what she called a “per-
sonal, visceral reaction” that was “inappropriate and tasteless.”
Legion Post Leader Resigns
Gregory Isaacson, a conservative protester and city of Portland em-
ployee, resigned Feb. 3 as commander of American Legion Post 134
after a unanimous no-confidence vote held at the post’s Northeast
Alberta Street headquarters. Isaacson’s election as post commander
drew scrutiny in January from military veterans who said his atten-
dance at Patriot Prayer protests ran counter to the post’s mission of
being a welcoming space.
Vigil for Teen Killed by Police
Loved ones and social justice advocates gathered Sunday to remem-
ber the life of 17-year-old Quanice Hayes, who was shot and killed in
a confrontation with Portland Police three years ago. Positive stories
and laughter were shared amongst those who gathered for a potluck
dedicated to the black teenager. . Family members said he would have
turned 21 this August.
Trump Acquitted; Fires Officials
President Donald Trump started firing key government officials Fri-
day who cooperated with Congress after the Senate acquitted him of
impeachment charges. Army Lt. Col. Alex Vindman was removed
Friday from the White House and reassigned, as was his twin brother,
Lt. Col. Yevgeny Vindman. Also out was Gordon Sondland, a Portland
hotelier who had been Trump’s ambassador to the European Union
Foreign Film Wins Best Picture
“Parasite” was the first non-English
language film to win best picture in
the 92-year history of the Academy
Awards Sunday. Bong Joon Ho’s
masterfully devious class satire took
Hollywood’s top prize, along with
awards for best director, best inter-
national film and best screenplay.
Black Church Arsonist Guilty
A white man charged with torching three historically African-Ameri-
can churches in a 10-day span to raise his profile in the “Black Metal”
music community pleaded guilty on Monday to federal hate crime
charges. Golden James Matthews, the 21-year-old son of a sheriff’s
deputy, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty during a federal
court hearing in Lafayette, La. officials said.
Facial Recognition Bias Extensive
Federal researchers have found widespread evidence of racial bias in
nearly 200 facial recognition algorithms in an extensive government
study, highlighting the technology’s shortcomings and potential for
misuse. Racial minorities were far more likely than whites to be mis-
identified in the US government’s testing, in some cases up to 100
times more likely, the study found.
Breast Cancer
Survivor Celebration
C onTinued from P age 3
to address the startling breast can-
cer disparities for African Ameri-
cans.
“We’re enthusiastic to take
action with the African Ameri-
can community to change statis-
tics that negatively impact their
health,” said Andrew Asato,
Komen chapter chief executive
officer. Reservations to the cele-
bration are required, as space is
limited. RSVP at komenoregon.
org/african-american-initiative
or call at 503-552-9160
Double All Star Duty for Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers guard Da-
mian Lillard is set to participate in
the NBA All Star game on Sunday,
Feb. 16 and the All-Star weekend’s
3-Point Contest the night before
on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the United
Center in Chicago. Both will be car-
ried live on TNT starting at 5 p.m.
This will be Lillard’s fifth All-
Star game and the third time to
compete in the 3-Point Contest.
Through 48 games this season, he
is averaging career highs of 29.8
points and 7.9 assists to go with
4.4 rebounds and 1 steal. Among
league leaders, he ranks third in
scoring, sixth in assists, second in
three-pointers made (192) and third
in free throws made (340).
Lillard also is having the most
accurate season from the field and
from the three-point line, mak-
ing at least five three-pointers in
17 games this season, tied for the
second-most in the league. He has
made 49 three-pointers over the last
six games (Jan. 20 – Feb. 1), mark-
ing the most three-pointers in a six-
game span in NBA history.
Lillard will be joined in the
3-point contest by Davis Bertans
(Wizards), Devonte’ Graham (Hor-
nets), Joe Harris (Nets), Buddy
Hield (Kings), Zach LaVine (Bulls),
Duncan Robinson (Heat) and Trae
Young (Hawks).
aP P hoTo /T ony g uTierrez
Sensational guard Damian Lillard will represent the
Portland Trail Blazers this weekend as he suits up for
the NBA All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 16 and the
3-point contest on Saturday, Feb. 15