Legislative BIPOC Caucus Statement on the Normandale Park Shooting

SALEM, OR --  The Legislative Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus released the following statement in response to this weekend’s mass shooting that killed 60 year-old, unarmed and disabled woman June Knightly and left five others injured in Normandale Park in NE Portland:

“We cannot normalize violence towards our neighbors exercising their First Amendment right to peacefully gather. This weekend, we saw the fatal result of irresponsible rhetoric that villainizes those exercising the right to peaceful protest for racial justice.

“We are still waiting for more details on this tragic event, but what we do know is that unarmed community members who were providing traffic safety for a peaceful march led by local activists were shot at close range. The activists had planned on marching for justice for Amir Locke, a young Black man who was killed by police during a no-knock warrant in Minneapolis, and Patrick Kimmons, a Black man killed by Portland Police in 2018.

“We mourn the loss of June Knightly whose wife, loved ones, and friends describe as a ‘kind and generous woman’ who consistently showed up to take care of her community. We share our sincerest condolences with her family. Our thoughts of healing and recovery are with them and the survivors who are critically injured as a result of this act of violence. Many are hurting and grieving, and our communities are shaken from this traumatic unfolding of events. From organizing vigils to fundraising to support victims of violence, we are also seeing the ways in which our communities are supporting each other through these difficult times. 

“In the remaining days of the short session, we will vote on policy interventions that center a trauma-informed approach to address the root causes of gun violence and improve community safety. Investing in resources for the communities who continue to be most directly and disproportionately impacted by gun violence is essential to building a society where community members can live to see their potential realized. The BIPOC Caucus is committed to continuing the work with local leaders and community members to mitigate gun violence and all forms of violence across Oregon.” 

Caucus Members

Senators: Kayse Jama (Chair), Akasha Lawrence Spence (Co-Vice Chair), Lew Frederick

Representatives: Andrea Valderrama (Co-Vice Chair), Teresa Alonso Leon, Janelle Bynum, Wlnsvey Campos, Mark Meek, Travis Nelson, Khanh Pham, Ricki Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Tawna Sanchez, Nathan Sosa