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Columns

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.

May 21, 2020

Our communities and small businesses are being left behind

Growing up, my family owned a small business — John’s Fresh Produce. When I was in seventh grade and my father became ill, I dropped out of school to help my mom open the store. When he got better, I returned to school, and our family worked hard to keep the store running. That produce stand was our livelihood and our connection to the community. It’s where I learned the value of hard work and the joys and difficulties of operating a small business.

May 14, 2020

Covid, work must coexist

By Don C. Brunell Guest Columnist By now it is apparent that, barring a miracle, a cure for COVID-19 will not happen soon; however, to make it a…