Portland Police Murder Again

The recent shooting of a distraught and possibly suicidal homeless man has sparked two days of spontaneous demonstrations against murderous police in Portland. The man, Jack Collins, was reported to have been holding a razor knife and was bleeding from apparent self-inflicted wounds. When told to drop the weapon by the responding officer, he did not. The officer responded by firing four shots at Collins, striking an artery in his pelvis, which proved to be a fatal wound.

The community immediately mobilized and responded with a rowdy demonstration, blockading East Burnside with dumpsters and engaging in a cat and mouse street fight with police. Eventually the demo reached Portland's East Precinct, where the police lined up to defend their base of operations. Various members of the corporate and independent media were also present to bear witness to angry and disgusted community members as they voiced their outrage to the officers before them.

Another demonstration occurred the following night. Police on motorcycles repeatedly rammed into protesters culminating in one protester throwing his bicycle at an officer.

The shooting of Jack Collins is the second police shooting in as many months. On January 29th, Aaron Campbell, an unarmed black man was shot in the back with an AR-15 while surrendering to the PPD. Campbell, who's brother had died earlier that day from medical complications, was also highly upset and suicidal. As Campbell was surrendering to negotiators, other officers who had removed their earpieces shot Aaron first with beanbag rounds, released a K-9 attack dog, and then shot him with the assault rifle, killing him.

Another non-permitted march is planned for Monday, March 29th.

For more information and videos, visit http://www.portland.indymedia.org