Page 2 The Skanner Portland & Seattle April 21, 2021
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he conviction of Der- ek Chauvin on all three counts in the death of George Floyd represents a much-needed breeze of change, but it is neither the storm or whirlwind need- ed to correct the malignant, cancerous attitude of law en- forcement against not only Black men and women and people of color, but a society which says it's alright to be judge, jury and executioner of those having contact with police in particular. The pros- ecution and its witnesses in the trial made it clear that the issue is not police training, nor is it about anything other than treating people with the respect and dignity the police would expect if they were in the shoes of those who have become their victims. We know that crime does exist, that there are people who must be apprehended and not all can be done without use of force; but those select- ed to wear a badge and gun must know the di erence and must no longer be able to hide behind such legal myths as "qualified immunity" which has excused so much of what so many police o cers should be held accountable for. The verdict is a good start, but let's not think it solves our problems. In the midst of celebrating, let us keep our eyes on the national war before us which finds Republican legislators at the Congressional and State legislative levels mounting a relentless battle for "voter suppression." They are at- tempting to do to people of color what Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd. Their knee is being placed on our neck of democracy and we can- not breathe without fighting back. Let's identify not only those Republican legislators in each state pushing such legislation, but mount people to run against them. At the same time, let us withhold our dollars from those corpo- rations that refuse to stand up and speak out with their dol- lars against those very elect- ed o cials they have funded for so long. There are still more trials to come. Let's stay vigilant, for the struggle continues.
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Minnesota jury has im- posed justice in finding Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. This is the first step in our Nation's healing as we continue to rebuild trust with the communities we serve. Nearly a year ago, we wrote that: "What happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a police o cer is revolting, incomprehensible, and unacceptable. What we saw in that video-Mr. Floyd pleading for his life-should send chills down the spine of every law enforcement o - cer and citizen in this coun- try. This tragedy is inconsis- tent with our oath to protect and serve, it is inconsistent with the job entrusted to us by our communities, and it is in complete opposition to every- thing we are trained to do." Those words are still true today. We have more work to do. As we have done for the past year, we will be steadfast in our commitment to actively participate in the evolution of policing locally, regionally, and nationally. We have the finest police o cers here in Portland, and I am confident in their train- ing, experience, and commit- ment to public safety. In the coming days, our of- ficers will work hard to pre- serve our community's right to peacefully protest. Our o cers will also work to preserve public safety if those individuals, intent on violence and mayhem, seek to hijack this historical moment for their own self-serving, po- litical purposes. To our communities, we are committed to healing with you. To our members, we are proud of your tireless service.
Portland Police Union Response to Chauvin Trial Verdict The Skanner News Responds to Police Union
Opinion
In the coming days, our o cers will work hard to preserve our community's right to peacefully protest. In the midst of celebrat- ing, let us keep our eyes on the nation- al war before us.
Dr. John E. Warren Publisher, San Diego Voice and Viewpoint
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e welcome this letter from Daryl Turner of the Portland Po- lice Association. It is the first response we have had from the police union and we hope it means that of- ficers have seen the light and are ready to make the root and branch changes that must come. In a free country policing must be by consent. O cers must be accountable for their actions. The lives of Black and Brown citizens must be valued as much as the lives of white citizens...and police o cers. So the police contract and our laws must hold o - cers accountable to their oath to protect and serve: We must be able to fire po- lice o cers who act badly and where they are fired they must stay fired. No arbitrator should be able to overrule the mayor. For far too long qualified immunity has allowed reck- less and dangerous behavior to go unchecked. That must change. The Brady bill must be a part of these negotiations. Now as Portland negotiates a new contract with its police association we have a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity to change our city for the better and our city commissioners know just what to do. Port- land City Council do your job!
Bernie Foster Publisher, The Skanner News Daryl Turner Executive Director, Portland Police Association
Our laws must hold o cers ac- countable to their oath to protect and serve
People cheer after a guilty verdict was announced at the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin for the 2020 death of George Floyd, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minn. Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of Floyd.
The Verdict, The Nation, and Us
AP PHOTO/MORRY GASH
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