Oregon DA for the People

Oregon DA for the People began as a partnership between Pacific Northwest Family Circle and Showing Up for Racial Justice PDX Black Lives Matter Action Group in 2017. This was a few months before the near-election of DA candidate Max Wall).

It evolved and grew into the Oregon DA for the People Coalition, educating voters about the power of the district attorney. The long-term work of this coalition will advance the People’s Platform in every one of 36 counties in Oregon to:

  1. Give real choice in DA elections.
    These often go uncontested with only a single candidate who is never forced to state what they will and won’t do if elected. (e.g. YouTube video of Community-Led DA Candidates Forum in Multnomah County)
  2. Give the public better choices when they vote for a DA.
    Helpful candidates will commit to the Oregon DA for the People platform. The platform was created with groups and individuals most impacted by the 6 demand areas. (e.g. Report Card/Voters Guide)
  3. Support helpful DAs.
    After they’re elected, we support them to use their discretionary power in ways that can start to meet community needs for safety. (e.g. Open Letter to U.S. Billy J Williams condeming federal power grab of county DA power)

These documents are the Oregon DA for the People outreach materials and INVITE PEOPLE TO SIGN THE PLATFORM to show their support, no matter where they live! If there’s an organization you know of that would like to endorse, please contact us at oregondaforthepeople at gmail dot com. Please read and share widely.

PNWFC Family Members thank you! We love you!

Powers of the DA
One-pager including bulleted information on police, plea deals, evidence, prosecutors, immunity, youth justice, sentencing, bail + jail, charging, and grand jury. Created by and shared with permission of SURJ PDX Black Lives Matter Action Group.

Roles of the Oregon Criminal Justice System

One-pager includes brief descriptions of Influencers (State/Governor, local law enforcement, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)), Prosecutors (District Attorneys and their staff and professional association), Court (judges, juries, grand jury), and Defense (defendant, defense team). Created by and shared with permission of SURJ PDX Black Lives Matter Action Group.

Policing and Resistance: An Incomplete Timeline

A brief history from “Colonialization and the Atlantic Slave-Trade” starting in the 1100s to the current “Backlash Against Immigrants, Birth of New Movements” in 6 pages using some local Oregon examples and historical events. Created by and shared with permission of SURJ PDX Black Lives Matter Action Group.