Safety and Justice Oregon

Freedom Rider Talks Voting Rights and Being Jailed for Testing Segregation Laws in 1961 The Voting Rights Act, a crowning achievement of the civil rights movement, turns 60 this week. It’s not in good shape.

Today marks the 60th year of Voting Rights Act. Freedom Rider Joan Browning reminds us: “People actually died. People pay a price for this, but it’s a price well worth paying... I think things are bad enough now, we just got to start over and fix it again.”
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

Freedom Rider Talks Voting Rights and Being Jailed for Testing Segregation Laws in 1961 The Voting Rights Act, a crowning achievement of the civil rights movement, turns 60 this week. It’s not in good shape.

Freedom Rider Joan Browning reminds us: “People actually died. People pay a price for this, but it’s a price well worth paying... I think things are bad enough now, we just got to start over and fix it again.”
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

"Since June 2023, a Portland State University study shows the street team handled more than 7,000 calls, with no injuries, only 1 arrest with Portland police and over 40% of people helped on-site with no hospital needed." - Anthony Kustura, KOIN.

www.koin.com/news/portlan...

Advocates help Oregon’s incarcerated youth see the ‘bigger picture’ The youth advocate program is a source of pride in a juvenile system beset by turmoil.

Advocates like Eddie Bynum and Jeremy Ahrendt are redefining what it means to support youth at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility by fostering mentorship and a sense of belonging.
www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/0...

Progressive Prosecutors Were Not Responsible for Increases in Violent or Property Crime Before, During, or After the COVID-19 Pandemic A newly released report finds no evidence that prosecutors of any type are responsible for increases in crimes in their jurisdictions, concluding instead that hyperlocal social, environmental, and eco...

The data is clear: progressive prosecutors are not responsible for increases in violent crime. Real safety comes from investing in solutions that address the root causes of harm and crime. It’s time for long-term solutions that empower us all.
www.americanprogress.org/article/prog...

Photo, narrative and poetry book created by incarcerated Portland State students ‘Memory and Place in Black Portland’ uses photos as a vehicle for storytelling about home, gentrification and incarceration

“Where we are doesn’t define us. In a disadvantaged position, we still try to take the necessary steps to transcend our obstacles and adversity.” - Wallace Simpson, Uhuru Sasa's secretary.

This Pennsylvania County Wiped Out Millions in Jail Debt - Bolts After Dauphin County ended the practice of charging people while they’re detained in jail, first-term Commissioner Justin Douglas pushed it to also forgive more than $65 million in lodging fees.

In September 2024, Dauphin County’s commissioners forgave nearly $66M in pay-to-stay debt owed by formerly incarcerated people and their families. At least 43 states have pay-to-stay laws that keep a person incarcerated long after their prison term ends.

Top Judge Favors a Second Chance for Those Languishing in Prison Rowan Wilson, the chief judge of New York State’s highest court, used his State of the Judiciary address to push back against prolonged incarceration.

“Put simply, our criminal justice system isn’t working. Maybe it hasn’t really ever worked. Prolonged incarceration is very expensive, and it does not make us safer." - Chief Judge Rowan Wilson.

www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/n...

This Valentine’s Day, Let’s Choose Love Over Borders We need movements rooted in vulnerability, healing and revolutionary love.

"We need movements rooted in love right now, movements powered not by difference and exclusion and punishment, but by common ground, compassion, humility, healthy boundaries, patience and healing." - adrienne maree brown, @truthout.org.

truthout.org/articles/thi...

Oregon courts purge 47,000 past evictions from people’s records  • Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon judicial officials have removed about 47,000 residential evictions from court records to comply with a 2023 state law.

Public safety is built on stability. Thanks to House Bill 2001, Oregon has sealed 47,000 eviction records, removing lifelong barriers to housing and helping families gain stability and security. Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/orego...

Texans with mental illnesses are dying in Houston-area jails. They didn’t need to be there. A Houston Landing investigation found that about 46 percent of jail inmates who died of unnatural causes had a record of mental illness.

Communities deserve access to treatment and services, not jails. “We believe more resources should be directed toward addressing the mental health crisis outside of a jail setting.” - Chief of staff for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. houstonlanding.org/texans-with-....

How to engage with Portland’s new city government More than two years after Portlanders voted to overhaul their local form of government, the new system is up and running.

Big changes at Portland City Hall! With a new council structure, district representation, and meeting schedules, there are many opportunities to make your voice heard. Learn how to connect with your councilor and engage in the decisions that shape PDX. ⬇️
www.opb.org/article/2025....

Black History Month Events 2025 You can find Oregon Black Pioneers at events all over Oregon for Black History Month. Join us! Monday, Feb 3 Bridging The Past: A Conversation...

Attend these Oregon events to learn about the powerful history of Black communities and engage in the conversations shaping the future of justice and reform in our state.

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of nonviolence sparked the 13-month Montgomery bus boycott, which ended with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling segregation on public buses unconstitutional.

Ride free on TriMet to celebrate Rosa Parks Day - TriMet News To commemorate the birthday of the civil rights icon, TriMet will not collect fares on Tuesday, Feb. 4 TriMet will not collect fares on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 — on what would have been the 112th birthd...

Celebrate Rosa Parks' 112th birthday tomorrow by riding TriMet for free. news.trimet.org/2025/01/ride...

Taking Trauma Seriously: How Trauma-Informed Practices Can Help People Heal Trauma is pervasive throughout the criminal legal system. Courts have the power to break the cycle of harm.

"By recognizing that trauma and actively accommodating people who have experienced it, our courts have the potential to break cycles of harm in people’s lives and in our communities." Read this article on how courts can adopt trauma-informed practices to help people heal in the process.

"For many Oregonians, even 24 hours in jail can mean losing their job, their home, even their kids. System failures don’t just harm individuals, they undermine public safety and waste taxpayer money on unnecessary court hearings and space in our overcrowded jails."

Opinion: Move past rhetoric to find real solutions to public defender crisis Contrary to accusations of a work slowdown, public defenders are desperately trying to meet a demand that their numbers simply cannot support, writes Caitlin Plummer, executive director of Public Defe...

The so-called Truth Project claims that "public defenders are willfully taking less work than they should.. but 90% of people facing charges in Oregon cannot afford an attorney." - Caitlin Plummer, executive director of Public Defender Services of Lane County.

The City Club of Portland for hosting, "How Deflection is Working in East County," this Wednesday, January 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub on 112 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204. RSVP at crm.nonprofiteasy.com//6452/Pages/....

Biden shortens sentences for nearly 2,500 people, setting a record Democratic lawmakers had urged President Biden to use his clemency powers to address disparities in sentences for offenses involving crack cocaine.

He said, "This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities." www.npr.org/2025/01/17/g...

This morning, President Joe Biden announced that he's commuting the sentences of almost 2500 people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, many of whom face harsher prison sentences than they would have today.

Biden commutes sentences for nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders convicted on crack cocaine-related charges | CNN Politics President Joe Biden is granting clemency for nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders in the final days in office, placing a focus on sentencing disparities for crack cocaine-related crimes.

JUST IN: Biden is granting clemency for nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders, focusing on sentencing disparities related for crack cocaine-related crimes.

Multnomah County commissioners lay out varied priorities for Portland-area Economic conditions, public safety and homelessness are top of mind for the new county Board of Commissioners.

Multnomah County Commissioner Shannon Singleton said the county should look into partnering with Portland Street Response, the city of Portland’s non-police intervention team, or develop their own emergency mental health response team.
www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Last week, Mike Schmidt concluded his inspiring tenure at the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office after four and a half years of spearheading responses to crime that value meaningful accountability, racial equity, and crime victims’ healing. Read more:
sjoregon.org/resource/tha...

Thank you, Arthur Towers! ❤️ After nearly 8 years of service at Safety and Justice Oregon, we are saying farewell to one of our most inspiring and impactful board members.

Congratulations on your retirement! ❤️

Camping bans, penalties rise after Supreme Court ruling worsening homelessness, experts say • Oregon Capital Chronicle Bans against homeless camping are on the rise following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in favor of anti-camping rules in Grants Pass.

"But with homelessness rising, driven by the lack of affordable housing, low wages and limited access to social services among other factors, advocates say the court decision stands to worsen an issue that has become more politicized in recent years."
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/17/c...

No one should be separated from their parents or loved ones simply because they cannot afford a phone call. Fortunately, national and statewide advocacy efforts are working to ensure that communication remains accessible and free for all families. Read: theappeal.org/prison-commu...

Oregon nonprofits are critical to the state’s social service network — and going broke Leaders say they have had to lay off paid staff and move out of buildings.

"Portland, like many American cities, relies heavily on nonprofits, which contract with local governments to address some of the city’s biggest challenges, such as homelessness, addiction and mental illness." -Bryce Dole (OPB).

Article written by @jmshumway.bsky.social.

From refugee to Oregon Senate majority leader, Kayse Jama focuses on finding common ground • Oregon Capital Chronicle Kayse Jama is the Oregon Senate's new majority leader 26 years after arriving in Portland as a refugee from Somalia.

“Relationship building is really the foundation of everything in the work that I do, and collaboration is the foundation of everything that I do in my life,” said Sen. Kayse Jama. We are thrilled by his leadership and can't wait to advance our work!
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/04/f...
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