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Columns

August 13, 2020

Green New Deal is incomplete

Our environmental quality strategy must be encompassing and not just focus on climate change.

August 6, 2020

When not to call police

In the 911 call that led to George Floyd being killed by police, he was described as “awfully drunk and not in control of himself.” This is obviously not justification for his death — being impaired is not a capital offense. Calling attention to his impairment highlights a key factor in many incidents of police overuse of force: drug use or mental health problems by victims.

July 30, 2020
On May 31, Portland Police officers indiscriminately fired into crowds of protesters in front of the Justice Center. (Photos by Doug Brown, courtesy of the ACLU of Oregon)

Constitutional crisis in Portland

I’ve been documenting violent and militarized police responses to protests in Portland for more than four years, but nothing prepared me for the unrestrained brutality I’ve witnessed and experienced in recent days.

July 23, 2020

Alaska Airlines poised for post-COVID comeback

It is no secret that airlines were clobbered by the coronavirus pandemic. What started as a promising year quickly went south. The COVID-19 outbreak has all but shut down travel.

July 9, 2020

Ley responds to councilman’s letter regarding Camas Slough Bridge

Camas City Councilman Steve Hogan stated in a recent Letter to the Editor (“Senator transparent about Camas Slough Bridge funding,” published in the June 25, 2020 Camas-Washougal Post-Record’s Opinion section) that he and the former mayor were “transparent” about moving the $25 million funding for the Camas Slough Bridge replacement to Vancouver. Were they?

June 18, 2020

Reimagining role of police

Over the last week, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) staff across the country have worked as legal observers; educated protesters about their rights; been arrested, tear-gassed and hit with rubber bullets; challenged curfews; organized town halls; talked to victims of police abuse; donated money to Black Lives Matter, local bail funds and other groups; and strategized about transformational change.

June 11, 2020

The time for thoughts and prayers is over

A police officer with his hand casually in his pocket knelt on George Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while several colleagues watched or knelt on other parts of Mr. Floyd’s body. The officers knew people were filming, but they were confident no one would stop them. They were right, and they killed Mr. Floyd without interference from anyone, apart from the cries of horrified bystanders. After all, they had badges and guns. On that day, Minneapolis police conducted a racial terror lynching of George Floyd in broad daylight that was filmed by onlookers and then sent across America. President Trump’s reaction tells you all you need to know about his commitment to seriously address racism in America.