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Alex Zielinski

Alex Zielinski is a former News Editor for the Portland Mercury. She's here to tell stories about economic inequities, cops, civil rights, and weird city politics that you should probably be paying attention to.
Posted inNews

Police Shoot at Armed Man During Attempted Arrest in Lents Neighborhood

Tuesday’s shooting marks the sixth by PPB in 2022.
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Update, December 9:  The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has released the names of the Focused Intervention Team officers responsible for the Lents shooting, four months after it took place.  According to a PPB press release, Charles Elam, Amy Li, and Christopher Baten were involved in the shooting. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the […]

Posted inNews

Q & A: An Expert on Right-Wing Extremism on the Outcome of Patriot Prayer Criminal Cases

“When punishment doesn’t happen it sends a green light to these groups that it’s permissible.”
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An expert on right-wing extremist in the Pacific Northwest reflects on the potential impacts of the recent criminal trial against members of Patriot Prayer in Portland. “When punishment doesn’t happen it sends a green light to these groups that it’s permissible.”

Posted inNews

Judge Hears Arguments Against Legality of Proposed City Charter Amendments

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A Multnomah County judge heard arguments Thursday on why a proposed ballot measure to amend Portland’s city charter may be unconstitutional.  “Political expediency does not override voting rights,” said attorney Steve Elzinga, representing the Portland Business Alliance (PBA), one of the groups challenging the ballot measure.  The decision addresses a ballot measure proposed by Portland’s […]

Posted inNews

Portland Has Paid Little For Its Officers’ Treatment of Protesters in 2020 in Comparison to Other Cities. Why Is That?

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The fallout of police use of force against members of the public during 2020 racial justice protests has cost more than just negative headlines for the city of Portland. As of early August, the city has paid out just over $325,000 in legal compensation to Portlanders who sued the city after they were injured by […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: A Peek Back at Pickathon, Portland Parks Welcome Cancerous Weedkiller, and Senators Pass Significant Climate Bill

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The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Good morning, Portland! You made it through another scorching weekend to be […]

Posted inNews

Man Arrested for 2019 Murder of Sean Kealiher

The arrest comes after a long, at times contentious investigation into Kealiher’s murder.
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After years of investigation, Portland officers have arrested a man for the murder of Sean Kealiher, a local anti-fascist activist who was 23 at the time of his death.  Kealiher, known by friends as “Armeanio,” was fatally hit by someone in a black SUV in Northeast Portland in the early morning hours of October 12, […]

Posted inOpinion

Hall Monitor: Soft on Crime

What happens when a police accountability group inherently trusts law enforcement?
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Hall Monitor is semi-regular column on issues related to Portland City Hall and its influence on the community it serves.  ———   What is volunteer-led police oversight expected to look like? What happens when a police accountability group inherently trusts law enforcement? These are the questions at the center of a discussion headed to City […]

Posted inNews

Patriot Prayer Brawler Sentenced to Three Days in Jail

A judge has allowed Lewis to serve the three days in jail non-consecutively and at his convenience.
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Mackenzie Lewis, a member of the far-right activist group Patriot Prayer, has been sentenced to three days in jail—and three years probation—for participating in a riot in May 2019. “It is clear to me you are capable of making good productive choices that help those who love you and that you love,” said Circuit Court […]

Posted inGood Morning, News!

Good Morning, News: A Historiclly Hot Week, Oregon’s First Gubenatorial Debate, and Fatal Kentucky Floods

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The Mercury provides news and fun every single day—but your help is essential. If you believe Portland benefits from smart, local journalism and arts coverage, please consider making a small monthly contribution, because without you, there is no us. Thanks for your support! Goooood morning, Portland! You made it through another unbearably hot weekend and […]

Posted inNews

Portland Officer Fatally Shoots Armed Person in East Portland

This is the third time Portland police have fired at a member of the public this week..
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Update, December 9:  The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has released the name of the officer responsible for this shooting, five months later. According to PPB, an officer named Joshua Dyk pulled the trigger. Dyk remains on administrative leave, as the shooting remains under investigation by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office. Original story, July 28: […]

Posted inNews

Burgerville Workers of Color Call for Resignation of Manager for Racist Actions

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People of color working at the Oregon Convention Center Burgerville location are lobbying to have their store manager removed for his allegedly racist actions.  On July 15, Burgerville Workers United—the union representing the chain’s staff—filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) signed by almost all workers of color at the Convention Center […]

Posted inCops

City Selects Controversial Vendor for Body Camera Pilot Program

The decision was made without any public input, which community groups had requested.
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The city of Portland has quietly selected a vendor to run its $2.6 million body worn camera pilot program within the Portland Police Bureau (PPB). According to city documents, officials have selected the company Axon to run the pilot, which is set to begin in September. The decision comes after community groups with concerns about […]

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