The Tribune has the first of a series of pieces on James Chasse’s death 2 years ago, this morning. Two things you can do to mark it. First, come and be part of the political action on September 16:
To remember James, and others with mental illness and addiction who died in past years during police action, supporters of the Mental Health Association of Portland will join on September 16 for a political action at the Portland Police Bureau Central Precinct and the Multnomah County Jail.
The action will begin at Noon September 16 and end before dusk. The action will consist of supporters drawing chalk outlines of persons who died during police actions on the sidewalks circling the block. Names, dates of death and perhaps remembrances of those who died will be written on the sidewalks in chalk. As per agreement with the City, all chalk drawings will be removed by the end of the day.
You’re invited to participate with this political action. Come at anytime between 10 AM and 6 PM. Bring friends and help remember those who have died.
Second, come to the benefit concert on the 17th, to support the making of our documentary about Chasse’s death:
Or, if Calvin Johnson and Tender Forever aren’t your cup of tea, you can just donate to the film online. Thanks.
James Chasse – already lost to HIS rightful world for two years now. Denied his freedom. His right to life. Two years of all of the rest of us remembering the day his life was horrificly and wrongfully ended as if it were yesterday – the image of him lying on the ground of a street IN OUR TOWN – not the police’s – where he was simply legally and law abidingly walking down, but ended up pummeled, demeaned, hog tied and face down pushed into the pavement. And remained either there or in the back of a patrol car – or anywhere but at the hospital where he could have been treated and saved (perhaps) from his police inflicted wounds – until he died two short hours later. All alone.
His life and death mattered and continue matter not to the Portland Police, to Rosie Sizer who continues on fighting the open release of information and/or the completion of her own review of this incident – TWO LONG YEARS OUT FROM HIS DEATH AT THE HANDS OF OUR “PEACE OFFICERS”. Who somehow could not fire these two officers but surely could just recently fire a policewoman for lying about her surgery. Go figure. Try explaining that, Ms. Sizer – but then I do not think you care about it – you believe it all cleaned up and “taken care of”, don’t you?….
Convenient “Memory losses” of Officers Humphrey and Nice preclude them being held accountable by a muddied down DA in our town who has never EVER secured a true bill against Portland Police Officers for excessive use of force – ever – if you can believe that – but we cannot know the level of evidence DA Shrunk actually introduced in his case against Officer’s Humphrey and Shrunk – that all being conveniently sealed for now, too.
And as such how can any of us have any peace as to JUSTICE FOR JIM? There is no – JUSTICE FOR HIM. Jim who did nothing wrong. Whose last words heard uttered by him by an incredulous “witnessing the show” public who saw the police standing around a hog tied, pummeled James Chasse while they (the police) talked on their cell phones, and drank their coffee – while a man died in front of them – well the last words of a totally innocent man were “what did I do wrong?” Not a thing, Jim. Not a thing.
If that does not continue to break your heart and beg each of us to champion for more than just 40 hours of “crisis management” for Officer’s Humphrey and Nice I do not know what will…