On Saturday, June 25th, demonstrators marched near Clackamas Town Center, remembering Derrick Clark, a 24 year-old Black man killed by Clackamas police the week before.
Derrick Clark was a community advocate and teacher-in-training with Insight Alliance, a non-profit that offers support and counseling for inmates.
According to police reports, officers tried to stop Clark on June 18th around 1 a.m., suspecting he was driving under the influence. Police say he drove off and when they caught up to him, he was told to get out of the car, with his hands up.
Clark allegedly had a handgun on him - but police didn't say if he was pointing, or even holding the gun. Oregon State Police and Clackamas County Sheriffs shot him twice, The officers involved are on leave.
The actions of the officers appear to violate recent policy changes in Clackamas County - that cops shouldn't chase vehicles for a misdemeanor offense, like driving under the influence, unless the driver is willfully disregarding the safety of others and puts them in immediate danger.
Clark's family want answers. Hear excerpts from their rally on June 25th.
Our thanks to Cat Petru of We Rise Production for use of this audio.
- KBOO