In the News
All Out to End Police Violence and Impunity!
Assailant Opens Fire on U.S. Demonstrators
Against State-Organized Violence and Racism
A demonstration in Portland Oregon was violently attacked on Saturday evening February 19. The demonstration was called to oppose police brutality and demand justice for Amir Locke, a young Black man killed by Minneapolis police on February 2.[1]
In Portland, a man approached the demonstration shouting anti-communist and racist obscenities and suddenly opened fire on women marshals directing traffic around the assembled crowd. Sixty year old June Knightly was struck in the head and died at the scene. Three other women and one man were hit by gunfire before someone subdued the assassin. One of the injured women was wearing a GoPro, which captured the attack and is said to show the assailant approaching the demonstrators screaming obscenities and opening fire without provocation but the police have confiscated the camera.
Those felled by bullets were assisted by volunteer medics and subsequently taken to hospital where all are expected to survive their injuries. Volunteer medics attend all Portland demonstrations as police frequently attack and injure demonstrators.
Activists denouncing police violence and racism accuse the Portland Mayor of inciting violence against demonstrators leading to unthinkable acts. In a widely condemned comment last year the Mayor said, “Those who are engaged in it [demonstrating against state-organized violence and racism – Ed], let’s make it hurt them a little bit.”
Through their actions to oppose state-organized violence and brutality, people are coming to understand that not only is defunding of the police and military necessary but crucially a massive increase in public spending on social programs is needed to deal directly with the deteriorating social conditions. The modern economy of industrial mass production can meet the needs of all but requires a new pro-social direction that serves the people and not the rich.
Note
1. To see previously published item in TMLD on February 7 on the Amir Locke killing click here.
(Renewal Update, posted February 28, 2022)
