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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2021)
Floyd’s Family Takes Seat at Trial Vaccines to All by April 19 Governor’s order to get more shots in arms Emotional testimony brings tears See story, page 2 See Local News, page 3 PO QR code Volume XLVV • Number 7 ‘City of Roses’ www.portlandobserver.com Wednesday • April 7, 2021 Committed to Cultural Diversity Journeys to Justice Taking on the experiences of being Black The experiences of being Black comes to life as part of a presentation by Portland Opera called Journeys to Justice, an evening of art, song, opera and short pieces about love, justice and the experiences of being African American. Two members of Portland black community are the lead- ing players in the production. The collection of compositions was curated by Portland Opera Artistic Advisor Damien Geter and the production is directed by Chip Miller, the associate artistic director for Portland Center Stage. “Journeys to Justice is an evening that invites the listen- er to take a trip through the eyes and experiences of Black Americans, not only from the point of view of trauma, but Portland Opera Artistic Advisor Damien Geter curated the compositions for a new musical production about love, C ontinued on P age 5 justice and the experiences of being African American. Chip Miller, the associate director for Portland Center Stage, directs “Journey to Justice,” a virtual production of art, song, opera and short pieces taken through the eyes and experiences of Black Americans. Police Reforms Gain Traction George Floyd death moves states to action Rep. Janelle Bynum (AP) — When a police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd in Minne- apolis, other officers at the scene didn’t intervene, even while Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and stopped moving. That lack of action is leading a grow- ing number of states to compel police to stop misconduct by a fellow officer. Since Floyd’s death, Colorado, Con- necticut, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey have passed laws requir- ing police to intervene when they see a fellow officer engaged in misconduct, said Katie Ryan of Campaign Zero, a group which encourages reforms to re- duce police violence. Previously, many laws were aimed at compelling police to only report misconduct. But activists say Floyd’s death makes clear that alone is not enough. “The one essential component is that, in real time, a fellow officer has to intervene when witnessing anoth- er officer of any rank using excessive force,” Ryan said. Oregon’s Legislature also passed a bill in a special session last year requir- C ontinued on P age 4
