Council Sameer Kanal's Statement on the Grand Jury Decision Not to File Criminal Charges in the Death of Damon Lamarr Johnson

If the Portland Police had never entered Damon Lamarr Johnson's apartment, he would still be alive today. Another unarmed Black man whose life was needlessly taken, and yet another grand jury has declined to file charges against the officers involved.

Our city and country have a history of over-policing Black and brown people, and of using excessive force on people experiencing mental illness. The system failed Damon Lamarr Johnson as it has failed so many others, and until there is accountability for the harm caused, we will not see true trust.

My thoughts are with Mr. Johnson's family and friends today as they process this failure of our criminal justice system. I will continue to do all that I can as a City Councilor to keep this from happening to another Portlander again.

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