Tomorrow morning there will be a protest in front of the Multnomah County Courthouse. A community group, made up of families who have lost loved ones to police violence, will be calling attention to the role that district attorneys play in the lack of justice for these killings. Pacific Northwest Family Circle came together over the past year as families of victim of police shootings reached out to one another and found an outlet for their anger and grief. Now, among other initiatives and events, they are part of a movement to hold distrcit attorneys accountable for their role in the lack of justice around police shootings.
Donna Hayes’ grandson, Quanice Hayes, known as Moose to his family, was shot by a Portland police officer last February. Today, she works with other families and groups like PNW Family Circle and the Billboard Project to call attention to her grandson’s killing, and keep pressure on public officials. Maria Cahill is an organizer with Pacific Northwest Family Circle.
KBOO reporter Sam Bouman spoke with both of them at length this afternoon, about their stories, the genesis of PNW Family Circle, the group's wide-ranging plans, and what must and can be done to improve policing, police accountability, and justice in Portland.
A shorter version of this interview was broadcast on the KBOO Evening News for 1/23/2018.
Relevant links:
ACLU of Oregon They Report to You Project
Stolen Angels PDX Billboard Project--Portland Equity in Action
Protect Our Stolen Treasures--P.O.S.T. (Detroit)
- KBOO