TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2010 • PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY • VOLUME 64, ISSUE 82
Event of the day Candidates in the 2010 gubernatorial race are attending a debate tonight regarding environmental policy, including Bill Bradbury, John Kitzhaber and Allen Alley. When: 6 p.m. Where: SMSU Ballroom
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INSIDE OPINION Guest Opinion Don’t be colorblind, be aware PAGE 2 Misplaced justice Gresham bar pays the price for drunken driving death PAGE 3
NEWS Students combating the prison industrial complex PASO stands in solidarity with immigrants and rights organizations PAGE 4 Proposed veterans memorial PSU Student Veterans Association looks into prospective memorial sites PAGE 4
ARTS
A check on law enforcement
Anti-police brutality protest passed through PSU Virginia Vickery Vanguard Staff
A protest against police brutality made its way onto the Park Blocks of Portland State’s campus yesterday at about 6:30 p.m. According to local TV news outlets, the protesters did not have a permit for the march, which started on the North Park Blocks at 5 p.m. and included unnamed anarchist groups. Dozens of police in riot gear and officers on bicycles, motorcycles and horses lined the park in front of Smith Memorial Student Union. Several dozen protesters gathered near the officers while others yelled at police using megaphones. Scores of other protesters ran up Park Avenue, and
past Science Building 2 to Southwest Twelfth Avenue. After about 20 minutes at PSU, the police moved to a location about one block west of Safeway on Southwest Columbia Street where approximately 200 people had amassed. While there, one group of protestors carrying a black flag tried to roll a dumpster into the street. Many wore all black and bandanas covered their faces. The crowd yelled and chanted at police and one man continually spit at officers. At least two people were arrested at that location. Police used bicycles to fend off the crowd and the horses were used to slam into people. Several officers carried non-lethal firearms. As of press time, a crowd of about 150 protesters had led police on a chase through downtown to the Justice Center, where it remained.
Go to the Vanguard’s Web site at www.dailyvanguard.com for more information, photos and videos. Surviving a nightmare One woman’s struggle to survive the Holocaust PAGE 6
In remembrance Vigils held for Portland policerelated deaths Tamara K. Kennedy Vanguard staff
Rainy day beach party Orca Team’s rock/ surf sound brings sun to the drab winter PAGE 6
SPORTS
On Sunday, public gatherings were held at six Portland locations where citizens died during or shortly after encounters with the Portland police over the last 14 years. A small memorial was left at each site as well as palm branches in observance of the Christian holiday Palm Sunday, which was held the same day.
All those remembered were unarmed when they were killed, according to Reverend Renee Ward, associate pastor of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church and co-founder of Everyday People, the group that organized the vigil. The event came days after another fatal shooting of a civilian by Portland police. The incident involved Jack Dale Collins, a homeless man, who was shot to death on March 22 by a Portland police officer in the Hoyt Arboretum. Collins came at an officer with a blade. He was not among those remembered at the event.
Spring-break skid Portland State drops six in a row to topranked teams PAGE 9
Michael Pascual/Portland State Vanguard
Chants for Chasse: Sunday gathering called for justice in 2006 police shooting.
All photos by Marni Cohen/Portland State Vanguard
Wet and bothered: Despite the rain, up to 200 protesters clashed with police on the city streets.
Those remembered include: -Aaron Campbell was shot in the back Jan. 29 after a confrontation at 12800 N.E. Sandy Blvd. This incident prompted protests and marches, one of which took place on the Park Blocks at PSU on Feb. 19. -James P. Chasse Jr., a 42-yearold man with schizophrenia, died in police custody in September 2006. The Student Veterans Association and the Citizens Review Committee held a forum on March 14 at PSU to hear concerns about police accountability, particularly in the Chasse case. -James Jahar Perez was shot to death by police in March 2004 at the 7200 block of North Fessenden. -Kendra James was killed by police in May 2003 at N. Skidmore and Michigan Ave. -Richard “Dickie” Dow, a paranoid schizophrenic, died in police custody in October 1998 at N. Lombard and Fenwick. -Deontae Keller was fatally shot in February 1996 at N. Interstate and Shaver St. “We know there are some good cops but there are some bad cops too. Let’s cut out the cancer,” Ward said. On the corner of Northwest Thirteenth and Everett Streets, people stood holding signs calling for justice for Chasse, who may have urinated in the street in the Pearl District before police tried to stop him, according to Oregonlive.com.
He was chased and wrestled to the ground by police. He died in their custody on the way to the hospital. An autopsy found he died of blunt force trauma to the chest, and he suffered 26 breaks to 16 ribs and a punctured lung, according to Oregonlive.com. The group sang, prayed and cried out, “We remember you.” Ward reminded the crowd that they could be home eating dinner with their families on Palm Sunday but instead they are out in the cold, and thanked them for their commitment to life. Derry Jackson, co-founder of Everyday People, said “I hope this spark will set a flame of fire that will bring about change to save a life,” Jackson said. Felix Bordaux, 29, was on the scene with his camera and said he is making a movie about the Portland police shootings that he will title, “The Aaron Campbell Story,” though the film will include other police-related deaths. “I want to hold the police accountable,” Bordaux said.
Everyday people everydaypeople2008@live.com For more information contact Jackson at: (503) 962-9607