Photos by Dana Schot
We are immensely grateful to the speakers and attendees of our February Action Night: The Dangers of Tear Gas.
Portland City Councilor Sameer Kanal
The night began with a screening of “Gas Me, Teddy” a short film that examines the deployment of tear gas during the 2020 Portland protests for black lives, and draws connections to the current situation at the Portland ICE facility. After the screening, City Councilor Sameer Kanal shared about legislation he’s working on to ban tear gas in the City of Portland. Following the councilor’s talk, 5 panelists brought distinctly unique and important perspectives to the discussion of tear gas: from impacts of tear gas on the human body to working within the legal system to stop the use of tear gas.
Sandy Chung, Oregon ACLU
We are at a critical moment to take action: the mayor is rolling out implementation of a Detention Facility Impact Fee Ordinance *AND* Portland City Councilor Sameer Kanal is developing an ordinance to ban the use of tear gas in Portland. To send an email to the mayor and city council click here and to watch “Gas Me, Teddy”, which is now online, click here.
Much thanks to City Councilor Sameer Kanal, filmmaker Irene Tejaratchi Hess, and panelists:
Taishona Carpenter, board president Don’t Shoot PDX
Chris Wise, protest medic
Erika Maria Mosesón, MD, MA, Air Health Our Health
Sandy Chung, Oregon ACLU
Brenna Bell, environmental attorney
_________________________
Irene Tejaratchi Hess