Make Some Noise 

Make Some Noise Deb Mayer / Parents Across America Oregon Parents Across America Oregon is proud to have been a Portland Parent Union (PPU) ally over the years When Portland Public Schools (PPS) canceled its contract with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) soon after Minneapolis made a similar announcement, we were elated, but shocked. It appeared that the announcement by PPS Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero and Mayor Ted Wheeler had made mutally exclusive decisions to remove School Resource Officers from PPS. Immediately groups from across the country, many associated with Dignity in Schools Campaign, were asking how Portland had accomplished such a feat. The truth is that for over a decade, Portland Parent Union has been advocating for less policing of PPS. Countless organized marches, protests, pleas, and appeals to the Portland Public School Board had fallen on deaf ears. It is outrageous to know that the catalyst for change would come in the form of citywide riots and protests sparked by the public murder of George Floyd. It was the straw that ignited thousands to join the Black Lives Matter movement in demanding an end to police brutality and a beginning to defunding the police.

 

Defunding the police is a step in the right direction. PPU’s demand for “Counselors Not Cops” in PPS is a small ask in the wake of current racial injustice. Funding physical and mental health agencies with reallocated monies from the police department will help restore some equality. We must keep the momentum going. Much has been made over the destruction of property and looting by protesters. In contrast, few if any words were uttered in defense of the poor black communities when the government looted HUD and SNAP programs by awarding huge tax cuts to the wealthy. Along with defunding the police, we must ask for full funding of housing, food, and jobs programs. While looting stores and businesses by the poor is messy and yields little compensation, the looting government programs by the wealthy and powerful is neatly done with the stroke of a pen and is much more lucrative. We must fight for the transfer of that wealth back to the people. We must make sure that everyone’s most basic needs are met. Also, we must demand that Congress pass the next COVID-19 relief bill. The recent damage to personal economies alongside unconscionable racial injustice cannot be underestimated and must be addressed. Make your voice heard! Make some noise!