News & Commentary

SHERIDAN, Ore. – The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and Innovation Law Lab said today that pro bono legal teams were again denied access to the federal prison in Sheridan where 121 asylum seekers are currently being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The groups wrote a letter to ICE earlier this week demanding access to the detainees.

Amazon, which got its start selling books and still bills itself as “Earth’s most customer-centric company,” has officially entered the surveillance business.

North Bend School District has tried to sweep years of discrimination under the rug. They must be held accountable.

High school student Hailey Smith goes public about the headline-making violence and discrimination LGBT youth endure at North Bend High School.

High school student Liv Funk goes public about the headline-making violence and discrimination LGBT youth endure at North Bend High School.

Although thinking about budgets might make you feel sleepy, wake up if you are interested in criminal justice reform. Because changing the budget helps change the goals and expected outcomes for the DA office. This is a powerful way to help leverage real change within the system.

Washington County civil rights advocates flocked to the Hillsboro Civic Center auditorum Saturday morning for the Washington County district attorney candidate forum, hosted by the ACLU of Oregon, Unite Oregon, and the Coalition of Communities of Color.

For the first time in 46 years, Washington County has a contested district attorney race. Kevin Barton and Max Wall are running to replace retiring DA Bob Hermann. The new DA will become the most important criminal justice figure in Oregon’s second largest county.

I was arrested, handcuffed, and jailed, because officers said I lied about who I was. Prosecutors, who could have closed the book on this traumatizing incident weeks ago, are continuing to go after me in criminal court because I told the police the only name I’ve gone by my entire life.