Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s Office has set a new policy regarding protest related cases. “We recognize that we will undermine public safety, not promote it, if we leverage the force of our criminal justice system against peaceful protesters who are demanding to be heard... A prosecutor choosing to decline to prosecute a case is not condoning or endorsing the conduct that led to the arrest and/or citation.”

Demetria Hester, a Black Lives Matter leader was arrested during Monday’s declared riot for disorderly conduct in the second degree and interfering with a peace officer. The Multnomah County District Attorney declined to prosecute and charges were dismissed.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s policy goes on to state, “We will presumptively decline to charge cases where the most serious offenses are city ordinance violations and crimes that do not involve deliberate property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person. Crimes in this category include:

• Interference with a police officer, ORS 162.247
• Disorderly conduct, ORS 166.025

On the face, the charges deserved an investigation according to the policy.

The policy strives, “to advance the safety of our community and its members. We recognize the need to broaden our vision of what a safe community means and our role in promoting that vision. To advance public safety we must not only prevent crime, but must also promote economic and housing stability, educational opportunities, strong family and community relationships, and the mental and physical health of all those who live in our county.”

Upon release, Hester said, “This is a revolution and we’re getting reparations. If you’re here, do your part.” She ended her remarks by inciting the crowd that had gathered in chants of “stay woke” and “reparations.” She told reporters she is a survivor of a hate crime on the light-rail train in Portland, “we will never stop because we want to be treated equal as people.”

Her idea of equality is her right to loot, destroy businesses and public buildings endangering public safety – it isn’t reparation to steel from others. Perhaps the attorneys need to consider motive and degree of inciting damage when dismissing a leader that publicly promotes destruction. How interested are Portland leaders in stopping the looting and rioting and protecting their community?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-08-12 18:54:18

Last Update: 2020-08-12 22:05:35