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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 19, 2023)
PO QR code Volume LIII • Number 08 ‘City of Roses’ www.portlandobserver.com Wednesday • April 19,2023 Committed to Cultural Diversity Tony Hopson Sr, Governor Kate Brown and Joe McFerrin. Photo by Antonio Harris. Celebrating and Honoring Gov. Kate Brown Restorative Justice and Criminal Legal Reform Last Thursday hosts and spon- sors Tony Hopson Sr., Joe McFer- rin, Tiffani Penson, Johnell Bell & Antoinette Edwards and communi- ty members came together to honor Governor Kate Brown and celebrat- ed the important People she com- muted. Governors have always had clemency powers, such as criminal fine and debt forgiveness, sentence reductions, and pardons. This has not been taken advantage of over the past few decades. Governor Brown commuted the sentences of about 1,000 people to reduce COVID-19 related health risks in prisons and to recognize the incarcerated Oregonians who fought wildfires in 2020. Gov. Brown also commuted the sentences of all 17 individuals on the state’s death row to life in prison without the possibil- ity of parole and ordered the death chamber dismantled. She grant- ed 47,274 pardons on marijuana charges and forgave $1.8 million in unpaid court fines and fees in traf- fic violations that were preventing nearly 7,000 Oregonians from get- ting their driver’s license reinstated. According to Oregon Public Broad- casting reports. Brown has used her power of clemency more than any of the state's previous governors. Continued on Page 6
