A candle light memorial service for James Chasse, Jr., who died while in the custody of the Portland Police Bureau, will be held this Friday, October 27th, at 7 pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ (1126 SW Park Avenue).
A Portlander, Mr. Chasse suffered from schizophrenia. On September 17th, he was arrested during what began as a traffic incident. Mr. Chasse suffered 26 broken bones and other injuries while in custody. The officers involved - in conflicting accounts - said they were trying to restrain him when the injuries that took his life occurred. A grand jury declined this past week to bring charges against the officers but an internal police investigation is on-going.
Mayor Tom Potter has apologized to Mr. Chasse's family and has said that this tragedy must be used as an opportunity to increase services to people in Portland suffering from mental illness.
There is terrific grief in Portland over this death and justifiable anger. No one should have to die this way and our legal system does not appear to be providing the kind of accountability required in a situation such as this.
Mr. Chasse's death raises questions about how police in every city interact with people suffering from mental illnesses and reminds us how people with mental illnesses are often abandoned by our society and government.
I have agreed to participate in the memorial service. The Chasse family has asked that this be a public event and so I invite you to join me there. It will be an important moment for the people of Portland to share their solidarity and grief with the Chasse family as the entire city mourns the loss of a son.
The service is being coordinated by members of the Chasse family, First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, the Mental Health Association of Portland, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Parkrose Community United Church of Christ, Oregon Advocacy Center, Portland Copwatch (a grassroots group promoting police accountability through citizen action), and others.
