Portland has nixed plans to bring gunshot detection technology to the city.
The technology – designed by a company formerly known as ShotSpotter, and now called SoundThinking – raised concerns among some Portlanders that it might be used to more heavily police low income communities and communities of color.
In his announcement, Mayor Ted Wheeler said the city would not move forward with the project because of resource constraints.
Jake Dockter is a community advocate who has organized against the technology and said the mayor’s statement evoked mixed emotions.
“A thankful sigh of relief that it won’t be happening,” said Dockter, “and then also a continued frustration with the mayor and law enforcement to say even in your ‘We’re not doing it right now’ is them admitting that they’re not listening to the community, and that it seems to be a foregone conclusion that we’ll have to swallow this pill at some point.”
Critics say other cities have dropped their contracts with SoundThinking because the technology is not effective.
It was also revealed that the company fostered close ties with members of the police bureau to help bring the technology to Portland.
Wheeler said the city will look at other ways to tackle gun violence, including a program called Portland Ceasefire. But Dockter said local groups have not been included in this new initiative.
“It’s just another example of looking for a solution, while local groups and local people are saying ‘we’re here and we need support and we need activity,'” said Dockter. “They’re being left out.”
The city is pursuing new initiatives modeled on programs from cities around the country. While gun violence increased in Portland and nationally at the start of the pandemic, it has since declined.
get more stories like this via email
Hoosiers could play a pivotal role in pushing back against a surge of hate and violence against Jews in America.
Nearly two-thirds of all religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. last year were against Jews.
The plan to push back is called the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
Sarah Van Loon, Midwest regional director for the American Jewish Committee, said sadly, the behavior has become more normalized.
“The hatred will come from the far left, from the far right and from religious extremists,” Van Loon pointed out. “It’s incumbent upon all of us to take up that stand. And by starting with antisemitism, I personally believe we’re going to start to see the disillusion, if you will, of some of the polarization that’s been plaguing America over the last several years.”
Van Loon said the strategy to fight back includes four goals: increasing awareness and understanding, improving safety and security for Jewish communities, reversing the normalization of antisemitism and building “cross-community” solidarity to counter hate.
The Anti-Defamation League reports nearly 300 incidents against Jews in the Midwest, a staggering 114% increase from just a few years ago. Van Loon noted tech companies and social media have been asked to establish “zero tolerance” policies against hate directed at Jews.
“Following their own terms and community standards for one but also ensuring that their algorithms are not promoting content that suggests violence and hate,” Van Loon explained. “That is one huge way that we can take a major stance against antisemitism and see real meaningful progress.”
Van Loon hopes regardless of who is in the White House, combating antisemitism does not become a partisan issue. She added it is incumbent upon all voters to ensure their voices are heard.
get more stories like this via email
A Muslim rights group is taking the Kent County Sheriff’s Office to court for forcing a Michigan woman to remove her hijab for a booking photo.
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a claim this week alleging the sheriff’s office violated the religious rights of Jannah Hague, 21, of Grand Rapids.
Amy Doukoure, staff attorney for the council, said the sheriff’s office insisted on taking one of her two booking photos without her hijab, and posting it on a public website.
“We believe that Kent County’s dual hijab policy or dual photograph policy is unnecessary,” Doukoure asserted. “And that’s sort of what we have worked through with the city of Detroit, the city of Ferndale, and the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the lawsuits that we settled last year.”
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office said Hague was detained on April 8 following an altercation at her home but declined to make any further comment.
Dockoure pointed out Muslim women wear the hijab as part of a sincerely-held belief they must cover their hair, neck and ears in the presence of men who are not related to them. She added removing a hijab in front of non-related men is highly offensive to practicing Muslim women.
“Policies are set by the jail or the institution and not necessarily through state law,” Dockoure explained. “I don’t believe laws in any state protect women’s right to wear the hijab explicitly.”
She says it’s also important for Muslims to fully understand their rights when dealing with American law enforcement officials.
“Even if you are detained or you’re arrested by law enforcement, it does not — first of all — indicate you’re a criminal because you’re innocent till proven guilty in the United States,” Dockoure said. “And it also doesn’t mean that you have to be stripped of all your religious rights or even all your constitutional rights.”
get more stories like this via email
The Michigan Senate has passed legislation to confirm wearing natural hair should not prevent anyone from rising in the workplace, in education or in society in general.
Renee McCauley, a great-grand niece of civil-rights icon Rosa Parks, said the CROWN Act finally allows Michigan as a state to embrace her family and heritage fully.
She described how her great grand aunt relocated from Alabama to Detroit because of racism and was welcomed by the city to live and be herself.
“With the passing of Senate Bill 90 and the CROWN Act, I think that’s a step in saying OK to some more of the ideals of embracing how people are as their natural selves,” McCauley stated. “I think she would agree with that. I’m happy, I just think it’s a great day for Michigan.”
The CROWN Act is law in 20 U.S. states, 44 cities and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the CROWN Act’s website. Five states have not filed legislation for the act. The bill now moves to the House.
At a news conference following passage of the act, Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, recalled stories of discrimination including a young girl in Mount Pleasant whose hair was cut by school personnel, an elementary school child in Jackson who was told she could not pose for school pictures because of her braids, and a man in mid-Michigan who was denied health care coverage.
Chris White, Michigan state director for Restaurant Opportunity Centers United, expanded on the limitations specifically in the restaurant industry.
“If you’re a waitress, will you get scheduled for shifts where the big tips come where the restaurant is the busiest? Will you get a promotion if there’s a general-manager position or district-manager position open?” White asked. “We have to take into account hair discrimination and promotional opportunities.”
The CROWN Act will protect against discrimination on hair texture and race-based hairstyles, including but not limited to braids, dreadlocks, twists and Afros.
Disclosure: Restaurant Opportunities Center United contributes to our fund for reporting on Civil Rights, Human Rights/Racial Justice, Livable Wages/Working Families, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
get more stories like this via email
