December 27, 2017 The Skanner Page 5
PHOTO BY MELVIN HERNANDEZ
A Look Back at 2017
Resistance Talks
PHOTO BY CHRISTEN MCCURDY
In March, Portland’s Resistance — an activist group that formed in November 2016 and led numerous
large protests immediately after the election and again after the inauguration — partnered with art
and activism group, Know Your City, to ignite a new program called Resistance Talks in an effort
to make sense of a nation divided. Co-organizers Gregory McKelvey and Cameron Whitten invited
speakers from a broad range of groups to talk about social justice topics including maintaining a
local economy, addressing renters’ rights, divestment on a city level and using independent media
as a conduit for local voices.
On Feb. 9, Quanice Hayes, a 17-year-old African American in Portland, was shot and killed by
Portland police officer Andrew Hearst, prompting activists to rally the following week. Officers
had responded to a report of a nearby car prowl and then established a perimeter in the area to
search for the robbery suspect. They discovered indications of a break-in at a house on the 8300
block of Northeast Hancock Street and sent dogs in to search the house. Sometime after, officers
encountered Hayes outside. Hearst fired three times, and according to police, when officers
attempted to render aid, they discovered the teenager was dead. In this Feb. 10 photo, Portland
Police Bureau chief Mike Marshman, left, and Mayor Ted Wheeled talked to reporters at the press
conference where Hayes’ name was released. In March a Multnomah County grand jury cleared
Hearst of any wrongdoing.
Hayes was one of two people killed by Portland police in 2017, and one of six people total who
were shot by officers on duty this year. Terrell Kyreem Johnson, 24, was shot and killed May 10 at
a southeast Portland transit station by Office Samson Ajir. A grand jury ruled that use of force was
also justified.
AP PHOTO/JULIE JACOBSON
Quanice Hayes Killed by
Portland Police
Study: Portland’s African
American Population Decreasing
A study released in March by PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs found that Portland’s
newest migrants are more diverse than the overall population, yet the Rose City continues to lose
its African American population.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MULTNOMAH CO.
Before the recession, between 2005 and 2007, the annual flow of Black migrants was essentially
zero. But after the recession, during 2012 and 2014, Portland lost a net of 800 African American
residents. Researchers said the study did not detail the reasons, but made a link between the
decreased population and the gentrification of North and Northeast Portland, as well as increases
in rents throughout the metro area.
Commissioner Smith Files Tort
Claim Against County
Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith filed a tort claim notice against the county in April,
calling for a cease and desist of Multnomah County’s investigation into complaints against Smith
made by two of her former employees. The investigation related to claims Smith misused county
resources, funds and staff for her personal campaign events, and used unprofessional conduct —
including discriminatory behavior and harassment — towards her staff. The investigation report,
which was released publicly in June, said many individual claims could not be substantiated but
that there was evidence to support some of the allegations.
Smith maintained the investigation was racially charged and politically motivated, saying in
her tort claim and in comments to The Skanner that county chair Deborah Kafoury saw her as a
potential rival in a future election. Tension between the two commissioners continued to simmer
throughout the year, closing with an allegation that Kafoury addressed Smith with an expletive
after abruptly gaveling out of a Dec. 21 commission meeting. (Video of the meeting closes with the
gavel pounding and does not feature any profanity, though Kafoury released a statement later that
day saying she had behaved in a way that was “unprofessional and unbecoming.”)
The state fined Smith $250 in November after investigating a complaint that county staffers were
made to work on campaign events. The state fined Smith again Dec. 21 in relation to complaints
she is engaging in fundraising for a city council campaign. According to the county charter Smith
cannot run for office in another jurisdiction without forfeiting her county commissioner post, and
she has yet to formally file for candidacy, but she declared her intention to run for city council
position three in a Sept. 12 press release.
As the holiday season approaches,
We’re taking time to reflect on the year
And prepare for the challenges we
face in 2018.
We value our readers
And thank you for your continued
support and engagement.
We look forward to serving you
in the year to come.
We hope this holiday offers you
the opportunity to relax
and enjoy time with your
family and friends.
The Skanner staff wishes you
a Happy Holiday Season
and a New Year filled
with Peace and Prosperity!