AMA Coalition for Justice and Police Reform Actions
c/o Maranatha Church
Media contact: Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr, AMA Coalition 503-288-7242
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2020
AMA COALITION HOSTS
The Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform
will host a gathering on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 5:00 PM at
Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th at Skidmore titled "Remembering Aaron
Campbell: Stop the Violence." Campbell was killed by a shot to the back
from a police sniper on January 29, 2010, ten years ago. Members of his
family are expected to be in attendance at the event.
Campbell was distraught over the death of his brother and feeling
suicidal. The police arrived upon getting a call worrying about what
he might do. One officer talked him out of an apartment and he
came out unarmed. Unfortunately, the "custody team" was unaware this had
been negotiated and yelled at Campbell to put his hands over his head.
But his hands were on his head; to make him comply Officer Ryan Lewton
shot him with a less lethal round. When Campbell moved his hands toward
his lower back, reacting to the "bean bag," Officer Frashour shot him in
the back with an AR-15 sniper rifle. At the same time, another officer
released a police dog on him. While Frashour was fired for failing to
follow his training, an arbitrator ruled he should be reinstated after
members of the Training Division contradicted their Captain about
whether Frashour followed training. So far as the community knows
Frashour remains on desk duty today. The City settled with Cambell's
family for $1.2 million.
In addition to police violence, the January 25 event will also focus on
various other forms of violence such as Domestic Violence, Gang
Violence, Mass Shootings and War Violence.
Cosponsors of this event include Albina Ministerial Alliance, Portland Copwatch, Portland Standing Up
for Racial Justice/Black Lives Matter Action Group, Mental Health Association of Portland, Lift Every Voice Oregon, Ceasefire Oregon,
Portland Jobs with Justice, Portland Democratic Socialists of America, and Sisters Of The Road.
For questions about the event, contact the AMA Coalition c/or Maranatha
Church at 503-288-7241.
Download a flyer for this event.
See the facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1070735676600308
We will begin with a short presentation on background on the current
The Portland Police Association (PPA) contract-- a Collective Bargaining
We want to see a more inclusive process this time. Questions to consider
The Portland Police Association represents the rank-and-file officers as
This forum is hosted by the AMAC and is being cosponsored by Portland
A flyer for this action can be found here.
For more information or if your group would like to be listed as a
The spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is calling all people who love
democracy, freedom, justice, equality, peace, elimination of poverty and
who desire to build the Beloved Community to respond to the "Urgent Now" calling us to take a stand and recommit ourselves
to the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The March will take place
Wednesday, April 04, 2018 at 5:00 P.M.
This
March & Rally is sponsored by the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition
For Justice and Police Reform. Co-Sponsored by the Ecumenical Ministries
of Oregon, The Beloved Community.
Download an action announcement to post or distribute.
Check back here for more details and links to the official event page.
Public Forum to take feedback on
The AMA Coalition for Justice and Police Reform will hold a public forum to
update the community on the status of the Settlement Agreement with the US
Department of Justice, and specifically to take input on the latest draft
Compliance Report on the City's progress in implementing reforms. The forum
will be held Tuesday, April 25 at Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th in Portland.
The Compliance Officer/Community Liaison (COCL) released the semi-annual draft
report on April 3, and comments are due by May 2nd.
A copy of the report, which covers progress on Use of Force, Training,
Accountability, and other aspects of the Agreement in Quarters 3&4 2016 can be
found here:
http://www.cocl-coab.org/news/q3-q4-2016-draft-cocl-compliance-report-released
Two members of the COCL team from Chicago have committed to attending the
forum.
The AMAC wishes to hold this forum to continue its commitment to community
engagement regarding the Settlement Agreement and police reform more generally.
For more information contact Chair Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr, or co-chair Dr. T.
Allen Bethel at 503-288-7242.
Download a flyer for the forum.
Last updated April 12, 2017
On Saturday, January 28, 2017 the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition
for Justice and Police Reform will hold a March for Justice and Equality to bring
together people from North, Northeast and Southeast Portland and elsewhere. Gather at 10:00 AM at the Martin Luther King Jr statue
at to 1000 block of NE MLK Blvd (at Holladay St), followed by a march to Maranatha Church. At 11:45 AM join a rally at the church (4222 NE 12th). The theme for the family-friendly event is "Advancing Justice and Equality for All Through the Strength to Love."
The date
coincides with the 7th anniversary of the death of Aaron Campbell, an
unarmed African American man shot by Portland Police in 2010, as well as
the transition to a new federal government that potentially threatens the
civil liberties of many communities.
March for Justice and Equality
Program:
10:30 AM SHARP: March begins (permitted march)
11:45 AM: Rally at Maranatha Church
Sponsors: March sponsored by Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and
Police Reform.
Endorsers: Endorsers include NAACP Portland Branch, Urban League of Portland, Unite Oregon, Muslim Educational Trust, Japanese American Citizens League, Asians4BlackLives PDX, Portland's Resistance, Voz Workers' Rights Education Project, Right 2 Survive, Black Cultural Affairs Board at PSU, Portland
Copwatch, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Sisters Of The Road, 350PDX, Showing Up for Racial Justice - Portland, Portland National Lawyers Guild, Oregon Green Energy Coalition, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Jewish Voice for Peace-Portland and others.
Guidelines: Guidelines for AMA Coalition Actions and Demonstrations:
1. All AMA Coalition actions are guided by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
non-violent direct action principles.
2. Language use in rallies, marches and civil disobedience or other
actions must be family and children friendly.
3. All organizations and individuals participating in AMA Coalition
demonstrations and actions must show respect for one another.
4. All demonstrations and actions of the AMA Coalition are under the
leadership of the AMA Coalition Steering Committee.
The Coalition held a similar march on the 50th anniversary of the March on
Washington in 2013: http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/actions.html#marchonWADC>
Flyer: For a flyer promoting this event go to
http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/ama_march012817.pdf
Transportation: Participants are encouraged to take public
transportation. There are a number of options to consider. If you park near
the rally site at Holladay and MLK Blvd you may run into people parking for
the Auto Show, which is the same day. If you instead want to park near
Maranatha Church at NE 12th and Skidmore, you can either take the #8 bus
down 15th and the Max over to the Convention Center, or walk over to MLK and
take the #6 down. The MAX Blue, Green and Red lines all stop at the Convention Center.
Signs: Please bring family-friendly signs appropriate to the day's themes of
justice, equality for all, and the strength to love.
Keep checking back to http://albinaministerialcoalition.org and the
Coalition's Facebook page
<
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AMA-Coalition-for-Justice-Police-Reform/328861034751>
for more details and information, or call Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr, Chair or Dr. T. Allen Bethel, co-chair, at 503-288-7242. There
is a facebook page for the event at
Last updated January 29, 2017
The City of Portland is appealing U.S. District Judge Michael Simon's court order, which requires the City to appear at annual hearings
assessing implementation of the Settlement Agreement between the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the City of
Portland. The Settlement Agreement seeks to address allegations that the Portland Police Bureau has engaged in a pattern and
practice of excessive force against community members with mental health issues or perceived to be in mental health crisis. While
the City claims the appeal seeks "clarification" on the "frequency, scope, procedure, and evidentiary burdens" that the Court can apply
in those hearings -- including what evidence can be brought forward by the parties, including the Portland Police Association and the
Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA) Coalition for Justice and Reform -- the paperwork filed clearly shows the City intends to challenge the
Judge's authority to hold those hearings at all and to ask questions about implementation of the Agreement.
Sign our petition calling on the Portland City Council to Rescind The Appeal!
* If the Council is truly committed to reform and accountability, an annual hearing with Judge Simon is essential to rebuilding trust with the
citizens of Portland.
Thanks to Basic Rights Oregon for creating these petitions.
For more information see http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/AMA_Rescind_Campaignv2.pdf
The City of Portland has decided to appeal Judge Michael Simon's court order
to appear annually for a hearing assessing its implementation of the US
Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement. While the City claims
the appeal is to "clarify" what kind of evidence can be brought forward by
the parties, which also include the Portland Police Association and the Albina
Ministerial Alliance (AMA) Coalition for Justice and Police Reform, the
paperwork they filed clearly shows they intend to challenge the Judge's
authority to convene hearings assessing the progress (or non-progress) of implementation. Join the AMA Coalition in its kickoff action for a
campaign to rescind the appeal with a news conference and picket line on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 12:00
Noon in front of City Hall at 1221 SW 4th Av.
Note: The City will be discussing the DOJ Agreement at 2 PM on Wednesday, transferring more money and approving the contract for the Compliance Officer/Community Liaison, who is by the judge's order expected to appear for the annual hearings.
For more information see http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/AMA_Rescind_Campaignv2.pdf
The Prayer Vigil and March will bring together clergy and members of the community to build momentum for the movement for police reform, nationally and in Portland. An inter-faith coalition of clergy will lead prayers and a March, ending at the overpass where Kendra James was killed by police in 2003. All participants are asked to wear black as a symbol of mourning and respect. Participants are encouraged to bring
flashlights or electric candles for the march.
The AMA Coalition will highlight its five goals for justice and police reform. It will also update the community on the US Department of Justice lawsuit against the City of Portland for its use of excessive force. Recent events have made this an important time for local involvement and the AMA Coalition will provide information and ways to support change.
The Prayer Vigil will be preceded by a children's event starting at 2 PM at
Allen Temple, including sign-making, an indoor rally, and a short march
ending back at the church for the 4 PM event. This event is organized by
concerned parents and children.
People wishing to volunteer for the event should contact AMA Coalition Chair Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr. at 503-287-0261.
Flyers are available at http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/amac_prayer_vigil122014.pdf.
The day after the Grand Jury decision in the Michael Brown case (Tuesday, November 25, 2014), the AMA
Coalition for Justice and Police Reform will hold an emergency action at
4:00 PM in front of the Justice Center at SW 3rd and Madison Streets in
downtown Portland, focusing on police accountability and justice for Michael
Brown.
In keeping with the AMA Coalition's organizing principles, this will be a
non-violent action. All Portlanders wishing to see justice and peace are
encouraged to attend.
The rally will be held regardless of the verdict, and may take place on a
weekend or holiday depending when the announcement is made.
For more information contact Dr LeRoy Haynes, Chair of the AMA Coalition, at
503-287-0261.
The emergency rally is cosponsored by Portland Copwatch, Portland Jobs with
Justice, Jewish Voice for Peace-Portland, All African People's Revolutionary
Party, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Killjoy Prophets.
On Saturday, November 1 at 3 PM, Rev. Robert White will speak in Portland as
part of a Race and Police Accountability Forum, speaking on "The
Ferguson, Missouri Story: What Really Happened." The Forum will take place at the
Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th, and is sponsored by the Albina Ministerial
Alliance (AMA) Coalition for Justice and Police Reform. Rev. White is the president of Clergy
United for Peace and has been a major leader in the struggle for justice for
Michael Brown, the unarmed African American teenager killed by Ferguson police
on August 9.
The AMA Coalition will also use the event to update the community on the US
Department of Justice lawsuit against the City of Portland for its use of
excessive force.
People wishing to volunteer for the event should contact AMA Coalition Chair
Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr. at 503-287-0261. Organizations wishing to co-sponsor
the event are asked to contribute between $50-200 on a sliding scale, payable
to the AMA Coalition, and mailed to Allen Temple, 4236 NE 8th, Portland, OR
97211.
Current cosponsors include First Unitarian Church of Portland, Augustana Lutheran Church, Maranatha Church, Allen Temple, Portland Copwatch, Urban League of Portland, Portland National Lawyers Guild, Consult Hardesty, Christ Church: Portland, Portland Jobs with Justice, Ainsworth United Church of Christ and others.
A facebook page for this event can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/events/374382292717216/.
Flyers are available at
http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/Race_Police_Ferguson1.pdf ("Love is Our Weapon"-color),
http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/Race_Police_Ferguson1bw.pdf ("Love is Our Weapon"-B&W) and
http://albinaministerialcoalition.org/Race_Police_Ferguson2.pdf ("Stolen Lives").
NEW! April 2015 Watch video of "Ferguson to Portland: Race and Police Accountability" from Flying Focus Video, sponsored by the AMA Coalition:
Information updated October 2, 2014 to reflect changes to date, time and title, plus addition of location; also updated October 16, 23, 28 &30, 2014 and April 28, 2015
Calendar item
For immediate release April 24, 2013
KENDRA JAMES 10 YEARS LATER MEMORIAL VIGIL TO REMEMBER
On Sunday, May 5, the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and
Police Reform will lead a memorial vigil for Kendra James, the young woman
killed by Officer Scott McCollister exactly 10 years ago on the Skidmore
overpass in Portland. The memorial will be held outside the Greater Faith
Baptist Church at 931 N Skidmore, just yards away from the spot where
McCollister discharged his pistol at James, who was behind the wheel of a
car. The vigil will begin at 5 PM. Members of James' family will be in
attendance.
Despite McCollister's claims that he "feared for his life," the AMA
Coalition presented a detailed analysis that McCollister was not in any
danger, knew who the unarmed Kendra James was and could have found her even
if she had driven away, and raised serious questions about whether he had
collaborated with the other officers on the scene by meeting at a restaurant
to get their stories straight before they talked to investigators.
McCollister was given 180 days' suspension, but that discipline was
overturned by an arbitrator after the Portland Police Association grieved
the action.
James' death was a touchstone for many in Portland who saw the shooting of
an unarmed African American woman as a symptom of a Police Bureau needing
major reforms. In many ways her death led the accountability efforts down
the path to the changes now being sought as a remedy by the Department of
Justice in their lawsuit against the City.
The event is endorsed by Portland Copwatch and other community
organizations. For more information or if your group wishes to endorse call
Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr at 503-287-0261.
"REMEMBERING AARON CAMPBELL: STOP THE VIOLENCE"
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 5:00 PM
Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th at Skidmore
c/o Maranatha Church
503-288-7242
Media contact: Dr. T. Allen Bethel, AMA Coalition 503-288-7242
Dr. LeRoy Haynes, Jr, AMA Coalition 503-288-7242
Calendar Listing / News Item
For immediate Release August 9, 2019
ALBINA MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE COALITION
The Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform
FOR JUSTICE AND POLICE REFORM
TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM ON
POLICE ASSOCIATION CONTRACT
Monday, August 26, 2019
6:00-8:00 PM
Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th at Skidmore.
(AMAC) will host a forum on the City's new contract with the Portland
Police Association to be held *Monday, August 26 from 6-8:00 PM* at
Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th at Skidmore.
contract between the City of Portland and the Portland Police
Association. Following this we will open the floor to the community for
input. Our goal is to hear the community's concerns so they can be
forwarded to members of City Council before the new contract
negotiations.
Agreement between the PPA and the City-- expires on June 30, 2020. It is
meant to cover wages, benefits and working conditions for the
Association's members. The City is expected to begin negotiations early
this fall. In 2016, the community was shut out of the process to the
point where City Council left Council Chambers before voting, and people
who were still in City Hall were pushed out violently by police.
include: Why is it so difficult to fire officers? Why aren't officers
drug tested after deadly force incidents? Why does Portland's civilian
oversight body not have the ability to investigate use of deadly force
or to compel officer testimony?
well as Sergeants, Detectives, the newly hired Public Safety Support
Specialists, and, as of 2019, Emergency Communications (911) employees.
The current contract can be found at:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bhr/article/10857 .
Jobs with Justice, Portland Copwatch, Portland Forward, Portland Metro
People's Coalition, As the Spirit Moves Us and NAACP Portland Branch.
cosponsor contact the AMA Coalition at 503-288-7242.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018, 5:00 PM
At 5:00 P.M. we will gather at the Japanese American Historical Plaza
(NW Naito Parkway at Davis St.
At 5:30
P.M. we will march across the Steel Bridge to MLK Statue (At MLK Blvd. &
Holladay St.)
At 6:30 P.M. we will Rally at MLK Blvd & Holladay.
City's
progress with DOJ Agreement Tues 4/25 6 PM
"Advancing Justice and Equality for All Through the Strength to Love"
Saturday, January 28, 2017
10:00 AM
10:00 AM Assembly at Martin Luther King Jr Statue
1000 block, NE MLK Blvd (at Holladay St, by the Convention Center)
(tabling and refreshments)
<
https://www.facebook.com/events/1298123663579678/>
ACTION ALERT!
Contact City Council and tell them to drop their appeal of Judge Simon's order, and to extend Community Oversight Advisory Board members' terms until a new COAB is seated! Click here for details.
When: March 2015->July 2015 NOTE: A new order changing hearings to status conferences ended this issue in July 2015
* Keep U.S. District Judge's Independent Review of Portland Police Reforms.
Sign the petition online or download a hard copy you can sign and get others to sign.
Return petitions to National Lawyers Guild, PO Box 40723, Portland, OR 97240-0723.
You may also pick up hard copies of the petition at Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th (office on NE 13th), or call (503) 288-7241, leave a name, address and number of petitions you'd like mailed to you (26 signatures per 2-sided sheet).
When: Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 12:00 Noon
Where: Portland City Hall, 1221 SW 4th
When: Saturday, December 20, 4 PM
Where: Allen Temple Church 4236 NE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
On Saturday, December 20 at 4 PM, the Albina Ministerial Alliance for Justice and Reform will lead a Prayer Vigil and March through Northeast Portland in memory of Michael Brown, killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner, killed by a police chokehold in Staten Island, New York. In both cases, grand juries failed to bring indictment for their deaths. The Prayer Vigil and Rally will also honor Trayvon Martin and Tamir Rice, a 12 year old shot by police in Cleveland, as well as Portland victims of police shootings and deadly force, including Kendra James, James Jahar Prez, James Chasse, Aaron Campbell, Keaton Otis, Jose Mejia Poot and others. The theme of the Vigil and March is a Cry for Justice.
https://www.facebook.com/events/619536944819413/
(October 2014-January 2015?) Tuesday November 25, 2014
Rev. Robert White on "What Really Happened": Saturday, Nov. 1, 3 PM
Maranatha Church, 4222 NE 12th
http://www.flyingfocus.org/FergusonForumstreamingpage.html
Historic 1963 March on Washington will be commemorated in Portland on August 24th.
August 5th, 2013, Portland, OR-- The Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA) Coalition for Justice and Police Reform, along with community partners including the Oregon Commission on Black Affairs, the Urban League of Portland, McKenzie River Gathering Foundation, First Unitarian Church, AFSME, Central City Concern, the AFL-CIO, the NAACP of Portland, the ACLU of Portland, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Metanoia Peace House and others are planning a march and rally to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march will be held on Saturday, August 24th at South Waterfront Park. The commemorative march will begin at 10am on August 24th, at Chapman Square (next to Terry Schrunk Plaza) located across from Portland City Hall at SW Third Avenue and Madison St. Participants will then march to South Waterfront Park, where the rally, speakers, and music will begin at 1pm.Timed to coincide with the national event in Washington DC, people from all walks of life in the region will gather in recognition of this historic day and in support of the ongoing civil rights movement. In Portland, many of the issues that compelled the 1963 March of Washington for Jobs and Freedom are still the pressing issues of today.
The rally will commemorate the historical significance of the day and will also focus on critical issues of civil rights, including the U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, a cornerstone of modern civil rights law. Attorney General Eric Holder, speaking recently at the National Urban League Conference, found the ruling "disappointing and deeply flawed" but stressed that the decision is not a defeat, but "a historic opportunity" to strengthen civil rights law. Marchers will use this opportunity to voice their support of stronger protections under the law. Other events, including the recent verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman, highlight a failure on the part of our legal system to address systematic injustices and unequal protections under the law.
The AMA Coalition is an umbrella group of community organizations and individuals at the forefront of community organizing for police accountability and oversight in Portland.
The Urban League is one of the oldest African American service, civil rights and advocacy organizations in the nation. The Urban League of Portland is a part of a network of over 95 National Urban League Affiliates across the country and is recognized as one of the leading voices for African Americans and other people of color in Oregon.
##Contact: Michael Alexander, President & CEO of the Urban League of Portland 503-280-2600, ext 625
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/557729150950973
Information at First Unitarian Church website: http://www.firstunitarianportland.org/our-programs/social-justice/news/784-qmarch-on-washingtonq-50th-anniversary
(Note: Start point moved from Terry Schrunk to Chapman Square on August 20)
Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform
c/o Allen Temple
4236 NE 8th Ave
Portland, OR 97211
WOMAN SLAIN BY POLICE IN 2003
Sunday, May 5, 2013, 5:00 PM 931 N Skidmore
CALL TO ACTION!
NEWS CONFERENCE AND PICKET LINE FOR AARON CAMPBELL AND KEATON OTIS
11:30 AM on the Days After News Breaks
Supporters of the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform:
The AMA Coalition is calling for the community to come together for two emergency actions that
may be protests or celebrations. In the next few weeks, we should be getting news about:
--Whether the Police Bureau will find the officers who shot and killed Keaton Otis in May, 2010
violated any policies when they shot him 23 times, after punching him in the face and Tasering
him, and before shooting his mortally wounded body with "beanbags" and leaving him lying on the
ground;
--Whether a state arbitrator will uphold the City's firing of Officer Ron Frashour, who killed
Aaron Campbell with an assault rifle shot to the back in January, 2010.
The day after the announcement,* people should meet at 11:30 AM on the 4th Ave side of City
Hall for a news conference and picket line--- though the message may be different if either
incident ends with positive news for those of us who beleive in accountability. Clearly, if the
officers who shot Otis and Campbell are found out of policy and are disciplined, the picket
line will be more of a celebration than a protest.
*NOTE: If the announcement comes out on the day before a holiday or a weekend, the news
conference and picket line will be held on the next regular weekday; that is, if the
announcement is on a Friday, the AMA action will be on the next Monday.
For more information contact the AMA Coalition via Chair Pastor LeRoy Haynes, 503-287-0261 or
email chair@albinaministerialcoalition.org