News & Resources
Oregon’s Governor Issues First Pardon on the Basis of Innocence
Nationally, the Innocence Project has been responsible for hundreds of people being exonerated and/or removed from Death Row on the grounds of actual innocence. For the first time in memory, Oregon’s Governor, Kate Brown, recently granted a Pardon to a person who had been incarcerated, based on the person’s innocence. This accomplishment is due… Read More »
Controversy in Oregon Regarding the Crime of Interfering With a Peace Officer
In 1997, the Oregon Legislature created the crime of INERFERING WITH A PEACE OFFICER, which is codified in ORS 162.247. The statute makes it a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $6250, for a person to intentionally act in a manner that prevents, or attempts… Read More »
Without Victims, Online Sting Operations Are Leading to Convictions
Throughout the United States, law enforcement officials have created online task forces devoted to targeting alleged sexual predators under the guise of getting potentially dangerous individuals off the streets. The State of Oregon is no exception. Officers are posing as minors online who seek conversations-turned physical with adults during sting operations to catch child… Read More »
Mississippi Finally Ceases Prosecution of Black Man After 6 Failed Attempts at Conviction
After 6 failed attempts at conviction, Mississippi has finally dismissed murder charges against 50-year-old Curtis Flowers. The failed prosecution of Mr Flowers was repeatedly marred by racial prejudice and bias. The District Attorney repeatedly demonstrated a determination to exclude Black jurors, and was finally rebuffed in a 7-2 decision written by Trump appointee Brett… Read More »
Police Violence in Portland has Taken 40 Lives Since 2003
Police brutality has been a consistent part of American history for many years. In a society where law enforcement often holds the upper hand amongst civilians, many officers have resorted to using extreme acts of violence that have claimed the lives of many citizens, disproportionately impacting Black people, other minorities and those who suffer… Read More »
Portland State University Finally Disarms Campus Police
Bowing to community pressure, Portland State University police have finally been disarmed. It has been two years since Jason Washington, a 45-year old Black man was shot and killed by Portland State campus police officers. Due to the tragic circumstances of Mr Washington’s death, PSU students have since combatted the use of patrol officers’… Read More »
Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott is Seeking to Spare the Life of Oklahoma Death Row Inmate Julius Jones
Dallas Cowboy quarterback Dak Prescott has written to Oklahoma’s Governor and Board of Parole in petitioning to overturn the execution of Julius Jones, a Black man who has been sitting on Death Row since 2002. Prescott, who is a part of the massive cultural movement seeking to counteract racism in this country, speaks for… Read More »
The Black Resilience Fund Deserves Our Support
Black Lives Matter has emerged as a strong movement seeking to redress the wrongs that have been perpetrated against our Black brothers and sisters. Here in Portland, a new organization, the Black Resilience Fund, or “BRF,” is an emergency fund that is helping ensure that Black Portlanders can receive needed financial and emotional support…. Read More »
Tennessee May Soon Execute an Innocent Man
On December 3, 2020, 53-year old Pervis Payne is set to be executed in a Tennessee penitentiary. Mr Payne is a black man who had no prior criminal convictions, and who suffers from intellectual disability. Mr Payne has been held on Death Row for over 30 years of a crime he claims to not… Read More »
After 15 Years in Prison, A Mother Gets to Know Her Daughter Again
When we hear phrases such as “mass incarceration”, we are tempted to think of the prison population in terms of large numbers. However, it is important to reflect on the real human beings whose lives are disrupted, and even destroyed, as a result of our country’s all too quick resort to sending defendants to… Read More »
