Surveillance Targets Oregon Racial Justice Activists

by Joseph Santos-Lyons
Executive Director

Today, APANO joined civil rights and labor leaders in calling for an investigation into alleged secret surveillance of Oregonians who use social media including the twitter hashtag #BlackLivesMatter for “threat assessments”. We stand in solidarity with African-American, African and Black communities including the Urban League of Portland in expressing deep alarm at unwarranted racially motivated investigations. We appreciate Attorney General Ellen Rosenbaum’s swift response expressing outrage at these revelations and commitment to a full and transparent audit.

These activities damage trust in our public officials and have broad implications for all Oregonians. We expect to learn from historic transgressions and abuse of power by government and political officials. Our Asian and Pacific Islander, immigrant, social change and many other communities seeking justice have experienced a long legacy of disenfranchisement and the misuse of state power. APANO strives to ensure our society is free from discriminatory profiling and all people have the rights and dignity afforded them by the Constitution.

We urge our members and allies to read our joint letter.

Media:

Urban League Accuses Oregon DOJ Of Profiling 'Black Lives Matters' Tweeters, Willamette Week

Head of the Urban League Accuses Oregon Department of Justice of Racially Profiling Black Lives Matter Supporters: Updated, Willamette Weekly

STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT & CEO NKENGE HARMON JOHNSON TO MEMBERS OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF PORTLAND, Urban League of Portland

BLACK LIVES MATTER SUPPORTERS IN OREGON TARGETED BY STATE SURVEILLANCE, ACLU of Oregon