We have a chance, here in Portland and in this nation, to begin a process of real change. The unavoidable awareness of police murders of Black citizens and the brutality of the militarized response to peaceful protest have finally pried open a possibility for change. Black Lives Matter might finally start to become more of a reality and less of a slogan.
After my sermon on May 31 (Markers and Meanings) and as the protests gathered and sustained momentum, several of you wanted to know what specific policies and practices needed to be changed. I spoke of “re-purposing” the resources that go into over-policing and over-incarcerating communities of color.
‘Defunding the Police” has become the shared language of advocates for real change.
The justice work of First Unitarian is best done in partnership and in support of the voices of marginalized communities.
As the Portland City Council makes budget decisions (today), I want to share with you my letter to Mayor Wheeler (below) supporting the demands of the Portland African American Leadership Forum and Unite Oregon. In addition to the demand for a reduction in the PPB budget, we are joining the call for an ending of harmful practices and investment in human-centered programming for our citizens. This is the beginning of what “re-purposing” looks like.
To be clear, these recommendations are not enough to make Black Lives Matter in Portland. That will require changes in education, housing, employment and both mental and physical health care. These recommendations, alone, are not enough to change the culture of policing. Help from the national level will ultimately be needed. The concept of Qualified Immunity is before the Supreme Court in several cases this term.
I can argue that the most effective stimulus for change in the real world of police behavior would be the conviction and imprisonment of the police who murdered George Floyd.
The changes before the City Council will not be enough. But they would be good first steps, an initial down payment on the 400 year old and growing debt this nation owes its citizens of color.
The City Council acts today on the budget. Pay attention. Demand accountability. Leverage your privilege to move change forward.
I often quote Dr. Cornell West: “Justice is what love looks like when it speaks in public.” Unitarian Universalists are often called the “love people.” It is time for us, once again, to earn that title.
In faith,
Bill
June 9, 2020
Dear Mayor Wheeler,
I write to you today on behalf of First Unitarian Church of Portland to urge you to align the city budget to de-fund harmful programs and practices by the Portland Police Bureau and instead invest in human-centered programming for our citizens.
Our Unitarian Universalist faith compels us to speak out for justice and against the systems and institutions that continue to criminalize, marginalize, harm, and kill African Americans and other People of Color in Portland. These principles form the moral framework for our demand. We honor:
- the inherent worth and dignity of every person,
- justice, equity and compassion in human relations, and
- the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process.
We are in solidarity with the Portland African American Leadership Forum and Unite Oregon in their efforts to de-fund the Portland Police Bureau, reinvest in Black futures, and protect our communities from violence. In particular we urge you to:
- never again vote for police budget increases and reduce the PPB budget by $50 Million for FY2021.
- Reduce the size of the police force now.
- Defund Transit Police, which is part of the militarization of our public transit system. End participation of PPB in Trimet fare enforcement or the escalation of fare violations with additional charges.
- Defund the Gun Violence Reduction Team, formerly known as the Gang Enforcement Team, which is still dedicated to over-policing Black Portlanders.
- Defund SERT, which brutally represses peaceful protesters with chemical and ballistic weapons, as we’ve seen so acutely on display in response to demonstrations over the murder of George Floyd.
- Divest City of Portland Cannabis Tax funds from the PPB budget and invest them into reparations for those harmed by the War on Drugs, which disproportionately targeted the communities of Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
We urge you to reinvest city resources into the community centered, community led programming for which Black and Brown residents of Portland have long advocated. And we ask that PPB monies currently dedicated to training in methods of repression and domination instead be allocated to police training that affirms human-centered approach to public safety centered in methods of de-escalation and relational problem-solving.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sincerely,
Reverend Bill Sinkford
Senior Minister
First Unitarian Church of Portland