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Rose City Copwatch |
PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release
Rose City Copwatch Clarifies McCollister Contest, Responds to MayorPortland -- After two days of media controversy, Rose City Copwatch is offering a press conference to defend their "Scott McCollister Photo Contest." The press conference will be at 8:00am, February 19, 2003, in front of the Justice Center: 1120 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland. The group announced the contest on Monday, as volunteers distributed over 300 posters throughout East Precinct. Rose City Copwatch is offering one bag of groceries ($40 value) to the first person who can provide a verifiable photograph of Portland Police Officer Scott McCollister. McCollister first came to public attention last year when he shot and killed Kendra James, an unarmed African-American woman. He was suspended for five months for showing poor judgment, but has not been disciplined for the shooting itself. He recently returned to work at the East Precinct. Since announcing the contest, the group has received a lot of popular support from business owners, bus riders and other civilians. It has also come under criticism from Mayor Vera Katz, Police Chief Derrick Foxworth, and talk-radio bigmouth Lars Larson. "The mayor and police chief seem to be taking their cues from the far right," said Rose City Copwatch member Kristian Williams. "They're pretty quick to get mad about our poster and pretty slow to do anything about police brutality. Luckily, both truth and public opinion are on our side." At the press conference, Rose City Copwatch will again restate the aims of the contest, respond to some of the outlandish allegations made by the mayor, and answer questions. -- END -- |
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