Joint Terrorism Task Force Review

(Phone call) Hey: I’m a constituent and I just saw the article on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to Mayor Adams for trying to protect our civil liberties and to just put in my two cents, which is, I don’t even think we should be on that thing. It gives me the creeps. So, I hope you’ll make note of that and have a great day. Thanks. Bye.

Juliet W.

(Phone call) Hello, Mayor Sam and all of the everybody there: Listen, this is so very important; you’ve got to vote ‘no’ for JTTF. I’m a mother, a grandmother, and great-grandmother, and I will be in serious trouble if it comes to town because I have friends who are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, agnostic, and maybe even some atheists! I have a dangerous weapon, which is commonly known as a keyboard, which I use daily to sign petitions to protest so-called wars, to advocate for the environment. I’m an animal rights activist. My god, I’m guilty of every single thing that is listed; and I’m just a 77-year-old woman crippled up with polio. It’s absurd! It’s absurd! We will be, WE, the citizens of this city, will be the victims of this. PLEASE, let’s keep Portland weird! We are a progressive community, we are an art community, we are a free-thinking community. Let’s keep it everything the way that it is that makes it the wonderful, wonderful city it is. I’ve lived and travelled over a lot of the world, and in the end, I have selected Portland, Oregon as my home because of the values I’ve already mentioned. Anyway, please, please, PLEASE protect us, okay?! Thank you so very much. Goodbye.

Constance F.

I am unable to attend the hearing and demonstration today regarding Portland's affiliation with JTTF but I would like to state my support for not joining or cooperating with JTTF. The FBI has a long history in the NW of pursuing its own political agenda at the peril of our citizens. I am proud to live among people who know and remember the instances and do not blindly assume that the FBI always shares and acts in the bests interests of the people and the laws and Constitution.

Bill R.

Dear Mayor Adams and City Council Commissioners,

We write you with serious concerns about the possibility that Portland City Council may vote to expand the presence of the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in our community. Fundamental questions have not been answered, and legitimate concerns have not been adequately addressed.

How will assigning Portland Police officers to the JTTF benefit the Portland community?

Portland already suffers from lack of funds for social services. We see schools (and police stations) closing and fewer facilities providing social services for larger areas with less resources at their disposal. Rather than assign these officers to the JTTF and open up our city agencies and offices to the FBI, we should be investing our tax dollars and community resources into expanding and strengthening social services for the benefit of our community.

It is clear that the FBI will benefit from the proposed resolution, should they choose to accept it, but the benefit to Portland is hard to detect. The FBI and the JTTF have a history of religious, racial and political profiling that violate both civil liberties and the law. The FBI's standard procedure of investigating based on profiling, where there has been no evidence of illegal activity, is in violation of Oregon law (ORS 181.575).

The JTTF and FBI actively target anti-war protesters, Palestinian rights activists, Muslims, environmental activists, animal rights activists, the house-less and ethnic minorities. This is not acceptable, and we urge the City Council not to let Portland’s officers become involved.

Having Portland Police officers work with the FBI, which has thousands of documented abuses of civil liberties, is a financial liability and risks the integrity of a city known for its progressive stance on civil liberties and human rights. In 2006, the federal government paid $2 million to settle the case with Brandon Mayfield as a result of the FBI's unwarranted invasion of his property and destruction of his reputation. Do we really want to expose the City of Portland to this kind of moral and financial liability?

The answer is no.

We want to see a resolution that installs effective oversight, transparency and accountability for any FBI or federal presence in Portland, not a resolution that creates an open door for the FBI to use local resources for its benefit, without regard for local law and democratic principles.

Mayor Adams released a draft resolution on Wednesday, April 20, and then a revised version on Friday, April 22. The Oregonian’s Brad Schmidt reported on Saturday that the Mayor's office plans to release a final draft resolution on April 27, just one day before the public hearing and possible vote. This is not enough time for public comment and critical analysis. Much of the public comment is against rejoining the JTTF, yet numerous delays and missed deadlines have made it difficult for the public to voice their opposition. City Council has inhibited community involvement in this process by repeatedly changing meeting times and canceling meetings, thus limiting public opportunity to share concerns and be a part of creating an acceptable resolution.

The way that this process has been handled by City Council does not instill confidence that any future relationship with the FBI will be carried out with regard for the needs of our community and with respect for the principles of democracy.

A vote Thursday, April 28, on any resolution would be an insult to the concerned citizens and community groups and the legitimate issues that they raise.

We urge City Council to use the Public Hearing as an opportunity to hear public feedback on the resolutions presented and to not call a vote prematurely. If you choose to vote then we call on you to honor your office and the constituents that you represent and vote NO on the JTTF.

Sincerely,

Oregon Progressive Party

Mayor Adams,

I write today an ask you to please say no to JTTF. I am currently undergoing my own problems here with neglect from our police Department. If monitoring the police force from the public is taken from we who are citizens of this loving city is taken away. My fear is that the things that have happened to me will happen to others. Our civil rights are violated today enough in our city by many, if we don’t have a choice of what is to befall us then explain to me please where do we go.?

Debbi W.

I view the JTTF as another way to label political activists as terrorists and to further pressure them to give up civil rights.

I Oppose your proposal; I appreciate that you have tried to find a decent compromise.

We need further discussion with in the community about that proposal. Do not call for a vote this week.

Please reply to this message.

Sincerely,

Kaye E.

Dear Mayor Adams:

The Alliance would like to thank you for your work in crafting a draft agreement with the FBI and U.S. Attorney that would allow the city to more fully participate in efforts to protect the city from terrorist attack.

We believe the bulk of the agreement spells out provisions that provide an unprecedented commitment to civil rights and city oversight while meeting the community’s need for public safety. We understand that the portions of the agreement that the FBI and U.S. Attorney have agreed upon represent a dramatic departure from the operations of the Joint Terrorism Task Force elsewhere in the country, indicating that these agencies have made a special effort to work with you and the rest of City Council.

Given these unprecedented protections and oversight, we believe the city should remove the single provision that has proved unworkable to our federal law enforcement partners and allow the agreement to become effective. We believe Portland Police Officers should have the latitude to participate in the early stages of terrorism investigations just as they do in non-terrorism related investigations.

It is our view that the security of Portland’s citizens is best served when our law enforcement personnel can participate in the early stages of investigations, share information and coordinate activities. We share the U.S. Attorney’s concern that the limitation as proposed is not workable from a practical standpoint, unnecessarily complicates the agreement and provides no additional benefit with respect to civil rights.

For these reasons, we urge the council to remove the provision that precludes our participation in the JTTF and approve the amended agreement.

Sincerely,
Sandra McDonough
President & CEO
Portland Business Alliance

Unless the FBI accepts the additional conditions added to the agreement to rejoin, I urge the the council to vote against rejoinng the JTTF.

Thank you,

Charles B.

Your draft is truly a case of the tail wagging the dog. To insert your ideology into a document that has the public’s best interest at heart is uncalled for and potentially dangerous. Stop playing politics with our security.

Jim B.

Since, homeland security moved into the old precinct in St. Johns the place has become a ghost, As if this once accessible building no longer exists. as powerful as HLSec is, it is not user friendly, nor us the innersaction with local areas.

I would love to have our local North Precinct again have mixed use. Our local officers, an office for harbour patrol and someone from the mayors group on dealing with the homeless, drug and INS.

Since, river access co exists with both large ships, foreign enities and homeless vets, mentally challenged and felons. Terrorism comes in many forms. Asian and Russian, Mexican street gangs are equally as dangerous as a unstable individual with a bomb.

St. Johns is the gateway to nature, it is also the gateway to a strong united police grid and homeland security.

Practing drills at cathedral park on emergency evacuations, in the event of total bridge failure should be come practice for the local community. if we suffured the same fate as Japan has in infrastructure failure, this end of town would be cut off. guarding the port is only one aspect of HLS, guarding all our resources both physical and organic should be a combined effort between local munical leaders, like Booster, Main Street, Neighboehood Associations and businesses. Strong connection with local schools and churches on evac. scenerios so that the first two weeks after a disaster can be managed.

we should look to our local neighborhoods as a resource to support any emergency, rather than being a victim. We as a sustainable city can recover under any circumstance as well as assist in any terrorist attack.

whether from outside or within if we work together with all entities, police, foot patrols, river patrols, fire, local food banks, utility companies, church, schools and citizens working with and around HLS.

thank you

Annie A.

Sam –

For the most part it looks pretty good. But your goals are not in the order that your Resolution supports. The resolution implies that Portland will participate with the FBI and other investigators as long as Oregon laws take precedence. So that puts civil liberties in front of the safety of the nation. Whether you can sell that or not influences how effective the partnership to keep Portland safe will be. If the FBI agrees to this resolution, you can plan on them not approving the clearances at the SCI level to come through or if they do, the phrase “need to know” will be the prevalent tag on most of the information Portland gets, especially when the Portland person with that clearance has to run a smell test through the City Attorney before the decision can be make as to whether to participate.

So the whole issue depends on the importance Portland puts on the priorities of the partnership. If the safety of the nation comes up on top, the resolution needs a redo. I am sure glad that in our town of 510 we don’t have the issues that you do, Sam. We don’t have the luxury of dealing any more effectively with terrorists and their various activities than you do, since Oregon’s laws, though important in a benign environment, sometimes don’t lend themselves to keeping us safe. But here, there are no targets that would make a terrorist priorities list.

Our solution to a suspected terrorist would be much simpler without the myriad of laws that protect their civil liberties, an anomaly in the case of terrorists who don’t have much use for liberties on any kind. We would probably lean toward a new pair of Adidas and a five minute head start from a point on Criterion. But then, I used to have a TS/SCI and didn’t have to worry about civil liberties in the game I was playing.

Good luck, Sam

Dennis D. Ross, Mayor of Maupin

mr mayor, yes definatly rejoin jttf. the city should have not left in the first place.

Geoff C.

I believe the current draft is a reasonable accommodation with the Federal Government. No further changes should be made, however, because the FBI has not shown that this would be an undue burden. Furthermore, other cities should follow out example. I regret I do not have more time to discuss this issue. Please stay strong on the JTTF.

Sincerely,

Joseph W.

Sam,

I urge you to let PPB become full members of the JTTF, deleting from the draft Resolution, those restrictions which prevents PPB officers from participating in "pre-investigative activities or assessments" and limits their involvement to "full investigations."

1) The Resolution defines "preliminary investigations and assessments," as those involved with the "checking of leads." They are distinguished from "full investigations" where a criminal nexus already has been established. Your objection to having officers involved in the "checking of leads" appears to be based on the erroneous assumption that such activities are precluded by Oregon Law. Fact is, officers routinely "check leads" without the benefit of any criminal nexus. Officers on patrol "checkout" activity throughout their shifts on the basis of mere "suspicion" that something is amiss. There is no need for and, I am certain, Oregon Law does not require a more "substantial factual predication."

2) The Resolution seems to recognize the very real threat to public safety that occurs when an "imminent terrorist threat...exists." Indeed, the Resolution allows an exception to the prohibition on PPB officer involvement "only with regard to full investigations" when such a threat exists. The Resolution further requires the Police Commissioner to be briefed in the event of a "terrorist-related threat." It should be noted that information regarding "imminent terrorist threats" are very frequently derived from "preliminary investigations" or the "checking of leads," the very kinds of activities which the Resolution specifically prohibits PPB officers from being involved. This can only lead the community to assume that the Mayor and Council believes it's OK to check leads regarding terrorist activity in Portland just so long as PPB officers are not involved and "don't get their hands dirty." This seems a bit illogical if not, down right hypocritical.

The Mayor's Office should be commended for including in the Resolution, a number of worthwhile checks against potential or imagined abuses of the civil rights of Portland's citizens. However, to continue to prevent the Portland Police Bureau from becoming a full member and participating partner in the JTTF is extremely shortsighted and dangerous. I would think that if the Mayor and Council suspect that civil rights abuses are taking place in this community, at the hands of the JTTF, they would want their representatives (city employees) to have unrestricted access to JTTF activities in order to work to prevent such abuses and, to "whistle blow" if necessary.

Charlie M.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. While I appreciate efforts to protect civil rights and the necessity of that, I think it is essential to join the JTTF for the protection of citizens. Public safety must be a priority with the constant threat of terrorism.

Ron B.

The League of Women Voters of Portland would like to thank Mayor Adams for drafting a resolution that appears to strike a balance between protecting the rights guaranteed by Oregon law and allowing our officers to work with the FBI when needed. Annual reports to the Council and public, City Attorney-provided training for bureau members, regularly scheduled meetings among key leaders and when personnel changes take place, and a requirement that any changes to the resolution or the standard operating procedure take place in an open pubic hearing will add transparency and accountability to this relationship. We do have some concerns and suggestions for improvement to share with you.

The 2008 Attorney General’s Guidelines give the FBI the authority to conduct “assessments” without any factual predicate and “preliminary investigations” based solely on the possibility of criminal activity. In a 2010 report, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General stated that this “possibility of criminal activity standard” is “easily attainable and speculative.” For these reasons, the League supports limiting our officers to participation in investigations in which there is a reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct, as required by Oregon law.

The 2008 guidelines also loosened the limitations on the retention of information related to attendance at public events, clearly a first amendment activity. The Inspector General raised concerns about this change and recommended reinstatement of the prohibition on the retention of files. Limiting our officers to participation in investigations with a criminal predicate will provide a degree of assurance that bureau members are not violating Oregon law by assisting in the collection and unlimited retention of police files on individuals engaged in political or other non-criminal first amendment activities.

The League encourages Council to consider providing additional oversight of our officers’ JTTF activities. The current draft relies on bureau members to report potential violations of Oregon law to the Chief and City Attorney. Asking our officers to monitor their own actions lacks accountability. Accordingly, the League recommends requiring the City Attorney and Independent Police Review Division (IPR) Director to regularly review all critical incident and intelligence related files created by Portland police officers working with the FBI.

Some have asked why Portland has engaged in repeated public debate about the city’s participation in the JTTF. In our view, it is due to the fact that the Portland City Council is responsible for both legislative and administrative functions and city contracts appear on the weekly council agendas. This provides a level of transparency not available in other communities, but highly valued by Portlanders.

The League “promotes an open governmental system that is representative, accountable, and responsive … and that protects individual liberties established by the Constitution.” With a limitation on officer involvement to cases with a criminal predicate and the addition of oversight from the City Attorney and the IPR Director, we believe the draft agreement will reflect these values.

League of Women Voters of Portland

We are not interested in anyones civil liberties being protected. What we are interested in stopping any terrorist attack here in this city. This is top priority and not whether someone feelings get hurt in the process. As long as said parties are still alive is all that should be counted in this day and age. You will not please all the ppl all the time Sam. If you think you can then your only fooling yourself.

We want this city as safe as possible and nothing is perfect, so those that think you can actually have perfection here need to get a grip on reality.

My husband works at PDX for Homeland Security and the safety is first above all else. Thats the way it should be here.

Those are our thoughts on terrorist issues.

Sincerely,

Pati H.

I’m certainly in favor of fuller Portland cooperation and involvement with the federal government on terrorist issues. Your plan looks fine, though I wonder if acceptable to the FBI. I think we need more than what we have now.

Nancy S.

Please add my name to the list of possible insurgents against the use of military type forces on my states soil. I promise to attack any sort of use against the citizens of this state or neighbor states.

should you and the powers you have raised, buy into this crass use of power, I will counter it in the same use of power you use. tit for tat.

this is a very dangerous game you play for the fed's buck.

But, you know that.

your choice will predict the future.

And where you live.

GARY K.

Mr. Mayor!

I found myself locked off in ‘Free Speech Zones’ too often in Bush days. And read too many stories of police raids to confiscate innocent demonstration materials. And watched the Posse Comitatus law get trashed. And read about the composition of ‘citizen participants’ on JTTF boards. And above all, noted the wall between our elected officials and JTTF operations. In sum, I regard JTTF as a threat to our basic citizen rights.

What the Republicans Fascists did before, they can and will at first opportunity do again.

Let Portland stay strong in opposing JTTF operation in our city. Actually, not just our city. Demand safeguards for all American communities.

Until that day comes, give the JTTF people a resounding ‘No!’

Jim S.

Dear Sir;

I wish to express deep concern at the prospect of our portland police force joining forces with the FBI. I am sure you are aware of the Christmass tree bombing incident which would not have happened without the efforts and collusion to say the least of the FBI. This is not the first time they have worked against the best interest of the general public and obviously have a verry dark and verry secret ajenda. If a private party, not as well connected had cooked up and exicuted a plot such as the aformentioned Holiday surprize they would be in jail , visited by the press reporting their insanity to the public as a reminder of how fortunate they are of his/her capture. BUT in this case we are instead debating not only letting them run amok ( why arent they locked up?) but allowing them acess to our police department as professionals. Please ,lets stay far away from this unpredicable and dangerous orginization. Thank you for your attention.

Rose O.

I'm a PSU student and a peaceful activist. I do not agree with the JTTF's illegal and politically-motivated tactics. Please keep Portland's current level of involvement with the JTTF in place.

Andrew

A compromise has been proposed to legitimize the participation of Portland Police in the JTTF. Please vote NO to any cooperation with the JTTF.

The JTTF is the local franchise for the whole federal extra-judicial secret police system that has been illegally created since 9/11. Their culture is the bully culture of Guantanamo torture and the false imprisonment of Brandon Mayfield. The reassurance they give is that these shameful, unprincipled, un-Constitutional tactics are only used on "bad people". This a ridiculous logical claim to omniscience! If pressed, they will defend it with a toxic stew of junk science and bully ideology pretending to be psychology that has been well exposed as toxic bunk. The whole purpose of the Bill of Rights is to end this kind of rule by fiat, persecution for political ends, etc.

Nothing good can come of this kind of unprincipled activity. All it will do is compound the baseless persecution of the politically unfavored and legitimize and propagate the bully culture. The US, Oregon and Portland should be better than this. We should stand for the rule of law, for the Bill of Rights, and for sticking to the high road.

Just as with the rounding up of our Japanese-American fellow citizens into concentration camps in WWII, we should be ashamed of even considering compromising the principles that make our country worth defending.

Please say "No!" to the JTTF.

Katie B.

We are for working with the federal government.

Richard C.

San Francisco cops assigned to the FBI's terrorism task force can ignore local police orders and California privacy laws to spy on people without any evidence of a crime.

That's what a recently released memo appears to say — and it has sent shockwaves through the civil liberties community.

http://www.sfbg.com/2011/04/26/spies-blue

For Justice,Peace and *Laughter,

Joe Walsh-Lone Vet

Individuals for Justice

Veterans Against Torture

Proud member of Oregon Progressive Party, http://progparty.org/

War is failure, occupation a disgrace!

“Funding these wars is killing our troops”

http://www.mfso.org/

* Why laughter?? Because without it I would have gone insane years ago.

Sen. ** harry reid must be replaced as Majority Leader, call me when you agree or just go away!

An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.

Mohandas Gandhi

Thoreau may have also brooded over the reaction of Emerson, who criticized the imprisonment as pointless. According to some accounts, Emerson visited Thoreau in jail and asked, “Henry, what are you doing in there?” Thoreau replied, “Waldo, the question is what are you doing out there?”

Joe W.

Mayor Adams,

Based upon the newspaper articles I have read, I support your position on this issue. The key is to try to prevent the police department from participating in illegal fishing expeditions. If the Feds can get judicial approval for what would ordinarily be unconstitutional acts, that is one thing, but getting our local law enforcement involved is quite another. They have plenty of work to do already that is not constitutionally questionable.

Chuck J.

I am for joining but NOT with the restrictions you would like to have.

Gerry B.

I concur with the precautions for protection of the citizens of Portland, as well as the principles of cooperation, as outlined in the City of Portland proposed JTTF resolution. I would, however, add one condition: in the event that the mayor's direct duties are exclusive of charge for the Portland Police Bureau, the mayor must be briefed at, at least, the same Secret clearance level as the Commissioner-in-Charge.

David K.

As in my letter a while back, I hope that you and the entire Council will work together to find the common ground with FBI to make this happen. Sometimes it is necessary to stand on an issue of importance to a personal viewpoint, but one also has to look at the greater good, without sacrificing the entire purpose, in this case the safety of an entire city and its people. I appreciate your concerns in parts of the process of participation and I also hope the FBI can bend a bit too, so this vital mission can be enhanced and brought to completion. Too much is at stake in this new world we all live in, so let Portland and Portlanders as a whole be the focal point of all this effort for the protection of all concerned.

Thank you.

Ron C. and Janet C.

Sam,

I have long favored maintaining an arms length relationship with the JTTF. Any relationship with JTTF should be on terms that leave Portland informed and independent. Although it is not my area of expertise, my impression of your proposal is favorable in terms of tone and direction.

PS I would like to have the detection equipment in the first floor of City Hall and the Portland Building removed except in times of truly heighted alert. They are a reminder of the excesses in security apparatus that we have been bullied into purchasing and accepting in support of the illusion of freedom and security.

Rod M.

Portland should not participate in the JTTF. I am concerned that the federal government will bully Portland into compromises that erode the freedom and rights of its citizens. The U.S. is losing idealogically liberal, rational and intellectual competence. The U.S. rapidly becoming a reactive and paranoid police state. The Patriot Act is an example of our folly. Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Portland Police Bureau do not have the trust of the citizens these institutions were created to serve.

Thank you for considering my thoughts.

Bob E.

There is no way that I want the Portland police to shake hands with a devil -

Let us go for taking care of our own backyard.

Katy M.

Mayor Adams

Thank you so much for asking for input on this issue. Overall I am impressed with the work product developed by your team.

I hope the final version does not include the language limiting PPB involvement only to "full investigations" - even with the caveat "unless a critical incident ...." Please keep focused on the importance of protecting our citizens from harm and have faith in Chief Reese - an excellent choice by the way.

Take care and keep up the good work

Andy O.

I appreciate you putting in your thought and time to this. I haven't followed the issue closely, but do want the city to approach this thoughtfully rather than being a passively doing whatever the feds want.

Thanks, Carl

I disagree the people or the city of Portland are any safer by joining the JTTF. Please keep the current non-participation in place.

Kim B.

this seems to be the best of a bad deal. we are caving in to federal pressure in doing this, but i guess the fbi has proved that if we don't work with them they will put together bomb plots against us. we need to be very careful with this.

I disagree with your position. You are making us look like fools. Just

sign the damned thing and go on to better and more productive pursuits.

Bob D.

After reading the documents and knowing the history of the PPB, my question is one that was already asked as a key question.

What was the relationship between PPB, state and federal law enforcement agencies prior to the creation of a JTTF and Portland’s participation in it?

This is the question that keeps coming back?? How is anyone reassured the PPB has learned they cant just continually say talk to the hand. If you interview local law enforcement agencies they continually mention a common denominator, PPB is arrogant and reckless with power. From history I have been able to gather they are not good listeners unless it is their idea.

Will the JTTF final be taken seriously after you are finished with your term or will they go back to their old ways when no one is looking? It is a known fact that most Chiefs are the last to know what really goes on in their department. Ideally make sure the Mayors Office, or anyone in City Council has the ultimate power to get detailed correct information and not filtered through PPB first.

As they say , the best predictor of future behavior.... is past behavior..

Anonymous

Dear Sam,

I appreciate that you have taken the time to solicit opinions from your constituency. I also appreciate that you ask for continued training for the PP.

I don't think we need a PJTTF in Portland.

I believe the police should be focusing on protecting our youth--preventing human sex trafficking by setting up checkpoints.

Too many people are in jail labeled as "terrorists" from this area when all they did was property damage.

Thanks,

Anna S.

I found out that as a result of my organizing protests against the immoral war in Vietnam, I was placed on a FBI watch list. The FBI continues to infiltrate and spy upon legal protests of the illegal wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Why would my elected city government enter into an agreement with such bad actors ? Steve Earle said it best: F#*k the FBI, F#*k the C#*IA and F#*k the IRS.

William S.

HOW MANY MORE BANS MUST A FREE CITY DEAL WITH? I AM WAITING FOR THE BOX CARS THAT WILL REMOVE THOSE THAT ARE NOT TO THE PLAN THAT YOU HAVE FOR YOUR NEW CITY.

I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU OR YOUR OFFICE.

JEFFEREY W.

Sam,

I had sent in my comments last week, but you sent me another email saying there was still time to comment. Well, I can't sit quietly. YOU need to quit dicking around with this proposal, throw it out and let Portland Oregon join the task force, no strings attached. Another black eye for Portland, the (too) weird city that doesn't want to play ball in the big leagues. The wish the Feds would tell you and Randy to take a leap and handle terrorist issues yourselves.

Paul W.

Portland needs to stop thinking it is above the other Metro cities and joint the talk force under the same rules as other Metro cities. The Mayors idea smells of ”let’s sit back until something happens then Portland will be the White Knight to the rescue”. I would rather that Portland be a part of stopping things before they happen and join in the upfront law enforcement to prevent terrorism.

Stuart C.

Dear Mayor,

I’m not an expert on national security, but I’m sure that your resolution for re-joining the JTTF is much, much better for the safety of our city and its people then the city not being part of the JTTF. It has been very disconcerting to me that we have not been part of ongoing anti-terrorism, intelligence and surveillance operations in our city and region. I appreciate that you see that not being part of the JTTF is not the best way for our city officials and the PPB to serve our city. So I’m in full support of going forward with this resolution.

Steve T.

The City of Portland should join the task force. It makes absolutely no sense to continue to pretend we are not part of a larger network of law enforcement agencies. Most major cities in the US are partners and we should be also.

Bob W.

Hi Sam,

Absolutely you move ahead. This is a very well balanced proposal that serves our need to protect our children and families, while protecting our fundamental rights. I would much rather that we engage with federal authorities in their efforts to combat terrorism rather than sit idly by on the sidelines, subject only to the outcome of those efforts. Very well done and thank you.

Elizabeth H.

Dear Mayor Adams,

I am totally against this resolution and urge you to withdraw it immediately. JTTF is bad for Portland!

The FBI has a history of civil rights violations, and the costs of working with such an agency far outweigh any possible benefits. We can find effective ways to protect our city without working with a federal agency that operates outside of the law and destroys whole communities.

I am an active Portland resident and a voter, and I look forward to your response.

Amy V.

We should be all the way in on the JTTF. The threats are going to continue and we should be fully engaged with the Federal task force. This should not be a watered down relationship that worries about civil rights issues. I vote we go all in.

Craig D.

Mayor,

I doubt if there's anything new I can say about the JTTF question, especially since I'm coming to the issue late. But, here goes:

1) Police agencies routinely cooperate with the FBI without a need for a resolution by the city's legislative body. Why do we even need this? Why not just let the PPB and FBI deal with each other through normal channels?

2) If there are added costs triggered by this resolution, who pays? Portland or the Feds? Fighting terrorism is in the Fed's bailiwick, and I would hate to see the city put in a position of having to pay for things triggered by the FBI rather than by our own police agency and governing boards. It's a question of who controls our money. We should.

3) I frankly don't see the need for anything special in counter-terrorism work in Portland. Much of what the FBI is doing in this area seems to be along the lines of entrapment for the sake of public relations (a long-standing FBI practice) rather than disruption of serious threats. I mean, the Pioneer Courthouse Square kid got as far as he did because the FBI was a willing partner, for god's sake. If our guys uncover a threat, of course they'll tell the FBI, JTTF or no JTTF.

That's it. I'll add in passing that I think you're doing a hell of a job as mayor. I'm looking forward to seeing you run for a second term.

Best,

Tim B.

I want a proposal like the rest of the United States -- I want it to fully support the Federal Government. I don't give a damn about keeping Portland weird or being "different." What makes you think Portland is so different from any other city in the US? Use the KISS principle and do what every other city is doing.

Pat L.

Dear Commissioner Fish,

We have read the press reports stating your concern about the draft JTTF resolution's prohibition on police bureau participation in "assessments" and "preliminary investigations."

The League supports the prohibition because the 2008 Attorney General's Guidelines give the FBI the authority to conduct "assessments" without any factual predicate and "preliminary investigations" based on a mere allegation of wrongdoing or the possibility of criminal activity. In a 2010 report, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Inspector General stated that this "possibility of criminal activity standard" is "easily attainable and speculative." Furthermore, the 2008 Attorney General's Guidelines loosened the limitations on the retention of information related to attendance at public events, clearly a first amendment activity. The Inspector General raised concerns about this change in the guidelines and recommended reinstatement of the prohibition on the retention of files related to people attending public events.

There is no doubt Oregon law offers considerably stronger protections to its residents than federal law. ORS 181.575 prohibits collection or maintenance of information related to first amendment activity unless it "directly relates to an investigation of criminal activities, and there are reasonable grounds to suspect the subject of the information is or may be involved in criminal conduct."

At the Council work session, Department of Justice representatives offered assurances that the FBI does not engage in activities that would violate Oregon law, but provided no vehicle for the city to monitor the actions of its police officers if they are assigned to the JTTF. The FBI conducts regular audits of its files, but those audits are not available to the public and one must assume that they would check for compliance with federal law, not Oregon law. In addition, the City Attorney's office will not be allowed to review files.

We encourage you to reconsider your position. The draft JTTF resolution strikes a balance between allowing our officers to assist with FBI investigations when needed and providing a degree of assurance Oregon law is not violated.

Sincerely,

League of Women Voters of Portland

Debbie Aiona, action chair

@ Posted by: Patrick - April 20, 2011 12:14 PM "At a national level there seems to be some resistance to this from liberal and progressive communities."

Actually, at both the national and local levels the movement is nonpartisan -- or more accurately, 'transpartisan'. The issues at stake are so fundamental to our American values that people have put aside other differences and come together to raise their voice across the entire ideological spectrum -- far left progressives, middle-of-the-roaders, and far right conservatives all working together. I've seen it with my own eyes over the course of the last decade, and it's inspiring.

Glenn D.

All --

So, according to the FBI and the US Attorney, the price of admission for the Portland Police Bureau to the Joint Terrorism Task Force is the ability to ignore Oregon law. There is a simple solution to this conundrum...just say no to JTTF participation.

The City Council should reject the Mayor's compromise and keep the PPB out of the JTTF. It seems the FBI and the US Attorney don't like the Mayor's proposal anyway so why bother with it. Just vote it down and move on...

Steve W.

Dear Mr. Mayor:

Your proposal does not include the critical requirement that persuaded you to vote to withdraw the city from the JTTF: The DOJ's refusal to grant top secrer clearence to the Police Commissioner--the accountable elected official for the PPB. It restricts that oversight authority to the unelected Chief of Police--the same person the FBI required to kept its sting operation secret from you.

But I hope you will insist that CIU officers cannot participate in the FBI's "preliminary investigation" activities of the FBI, such as the illegal searches of Brandon Mayfield's home and office.

Sincerely,

Michael M.

The draft JTTF resolution does a very good job trying to balance the interests of FBI with local interests in the abstract given that proposal choses to entangle the PPB with the JTTF once again. It is a really tremendous first effort and shows its roots in the diversity, creativity and populism of Portland and the Mayor’s office. Certainly, a proposal not to coordinate with the JTTF except to receive information would be the more wise choice for safety and privacy of our citizens (though politically dangerous). Notwithstanding the poor choice to engage with the JTTF at all, there are several fatal flaws in the proposal as it stands which will ultimately fail again to protect the civil rights and liberties of Portland and Oregon citizens. Unfortunately, the proposal in its current form amounts to a return to business as usual for the PPB and JTTF. This draft is just the a kinder, gentler Old Emperor in new clothes that are not so transparent.

First, while the proposal and S.O.P for the PPB have many reporting and notification requirements, neither the proposal or SOP has concrete methods for deterring police conduct. In short, the proposal and SOP have no teeth and will not be effective to limit the abuses it seeks to address. Rather than flimsy notification and reporting requirements, the resolution should put in place mechanisms that will shut down the PPB’s entanglement with the JTTF given certain triggering events without the need for political intervention. That is, there must be concrete consequences for failures, not just reportage of the failures which can be addressed at the discretion of the Police Chief or Commissioner.

For example, a provision in the resolution which temporarily, and later permanently, halts all PPB involvement with the JTTF in the event of increasing bad conduct by the PPB or FBI, which the PPB knows or has reason to know, violates any Oregon statute, local, or common law. Under the current proposal, when there is a failure to conform to applicable law, it is, if one is so naive to belief, merely reported within the PPB hierarchy. Infinite numbers of such violations can occur, yet there is no mechanism that requires the operation to be shutdown. It should be noted that political will is generally not forthcoming when even fabricated threats to the safety of the voting public are involved. That is, leaving it to the mayor and city council to build consensus shut things down when the operation inevitably goes awry, will be to no avail. The fact that there is even this proposal now from the Mayor’s office to step back into mouth of the whale after our previous experience shows just how much political pressure there is to go off fighting terrorist windmills or be perceived as not “tough on terrorism”. The chances of the Mayor, Chief, or Commissioner shutting it down even with glowing violations (entrapment of a young minority boy, for example) is slim to nil.

Further, while *maybe* the current city administration would make the right call, this resolution continues into future administrations which may not be so open, inclusive, or concerned with privacy and civil rights. Without real enforcement of consequences for violations of the resolution which internally stop the operation, citizens can expect the same violations of their civil rights as before. Many options which will be effective at deterring and stopping violations could be added to the proposal; now it is toothless.

Second, even if one were to believe in effective notification, reporting, or the tooth fairy, the proposal lacks effective citizen/civilian oversight. A key provision missing from the proposal is the office of the Mayor having the clearance necessary to monitor the operation. Perhaps if the Mayor was the police commissioner, this would not be as big an issue. However, when the Mayor is not the Commissioner, the secret information can not likely be shared without an NDA.

Beyond this, there is no citizen oversight. Citizen oversight of the PPB has, at times, been effective (when it has teeth) to curb abuses. Likely, the only effective oversight of the process will require a citizen review board which will be composed of at least one member who also receives the secret clearances. Lastly, the Police Chief’s non-classified summary report to the City Council is most likely to be pro-forma and contain no useful guidance to the public. To remedy this, the resolution should include, with particularity, what data will be required so that it is not left to the discretion of either the Chief or the city administration. For instance, this data should include, at least, the number of times PPB officers asked the City Attorney for clarifications or reported suspect or actual violations of applicable laws. it should also include the current number of ongoing investigations, race of the targets, and the operations rough locations. A citizen oversight commission should, at least, be empowered to approve or reject the Chief’s report and ask for additional non-classified information. Without detailed and *enforceable* reporting requirements, the JTTF / PPB operation will again be a black box with little black fingers inside which stretch out into the personal, political and social lives of citizens. Especially those that have views or associations unpopular with current federal administration.

Lastly, it is arguable that the restriction that “PPB officers assigned to the JTTF must at all times comply with all Oregon laws, including but not limited to ORS 181.575 and 181.850, and City policies and SOPs.” is no restriction at all. The PPB, and state officials generally, are not in the business of enforcing federal law, but work with JTTF entangles them with federal law. While ORS 181.575 and applicable case law may be more restrictive when applied to the types of crimes as defined by Oregon and local statutes, these restrictions may do little or nothing to curb civil rights violations when applied to enforcing federal laws like the incredibly vague anti-terrorism laws like 18 USC 2331 and its ilk.

The very law cited by the proposal, 18 USC 2331, sounds remarkably like the Espionage and Sedition acts, not only in their vagueness, but in their spirt. ORS 181.575 prevents law enforcement from “collect[ing]t or maintain information about the political, religious or social views, associations or activities of any individual, group, association, organization, corporation, business or partnership unless such information directly relates to an investigation of criminal activities, and there are reasonable grounds to suspect the subject of the information is or may be involved in criminal conduct.” But, this restriction applies to criminal activities and conduct as defined by Oregon *state* law most of the time. So, it is one thing to keep PPB from collecting information about the social/political views of citizens when it is related to everyday murder, rape, or theft, but what limit is there really when the investigation relates to criminal activity that “appear[s] to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion ...”? (18 USC 2331). The PPB acting under the direction of the JTTF to do “full investigations” involving federal crimes will have to figure out how to decide whether it is violation of Oregon law to collect information on someone that, for instance, might *appear* to be *intending* to *intimidate* a civilian population. It is a good thing that the City Attorney *might* be asked clarifications, because a Oregon Supreme Court Justice would probably lose a night’s rest trying to figure out how privacy law developed in the context of state criminal conduct applies to vague federal statutes.

In short, there is not enough guidance for PPB officers working with JTTF as to how to apply Oregon’s privacy laws and this can not likely be overcome in the context of the current proposal. For example, a real limit would be to authorize the PPB to participate in “full investigations” with the FBI only with respect to conduct with is crime under Oregon or local state law. PPB resources and officers could go after targets doing criminal conduct as defined under state law, and the G-Men could handle the more alchemic stuff. In this way, citizens would be guaranteed that PPB would be operating within the sphere of state law and the officers would be in familiar policing territory, rather than having to turn in their badges for the black robes of a high court judge.

With respect to ORS 181.850, the proposal does little to ensure the rights of the diverse immigrant population in Portland. Sure, the PPB won’t be able to help pursue immigration violations, but in the JTTF context they would never be asked to do that. The proposal’s cite to 181.850 as a protection is a red herring. Regardless of whether the allegation is true that the JTFF entrapped the Somalian boy in Pioneer square this last year, the JTTF was not interested in deporting him, they were interested in stopping him from (or encouraging him to) set off a bomb. If they singled him out because of his nationality or skin color, it was not to put him on boat back to Somalia, but to pick the right type of character to tell the story. To protect the diverse citizens of Portland, the proposal needs to itself impose a strict anti-discrimination protocol with explicit reporting guidelines and enforcement mechanisms which deter abuse.

Salaud

My own view is that your-- and, by representation, Portland's-- approach and position to non-participation in the JTTF is the height of arrogance and typical of our growing and unfortunate Portlandia image nationwide. The notion that 'we know better than you' in this field is nonsense, and deserves to be rejected (as it has been). The real losers are the citizens to whom you are responsible who remain less-protected due to the city's stance to date. I simply do not believe civil liberties are materially at risk, but lives are.

Thanks. Vic S.

Mayor Sam Adams,

I am a certified 911 operator BPSST 30697 then later a Computer User Analyst 3 for the Department of Public Safety at OHSU. My duties were Administration of the Access control and CCTV systems at all OHSU facilities as well as developing the Computer Aided Dispatch system for Y2K with Taylored Solutions as the Vendor. After that I became specialized in Data Base Mining for anything that has to due with theft and basically patterns of people where it pertains to Industrial Security. One other of my later duties was to plant covert cameras in the hospital through the direct order of Dr. Peter Kohler. My ability to be anywhere in the hospital without question made these tasks very easy. Although my talents in CCTV and video were noticed when we video taped Animal Rights protests for Public Safety as I had installed CCTV at the West Campus and by videotaping the protest it also gave valuable information if anyone later decided to break in to any sensitive areas.

As you know after Sept. 11 Animal Rights Activists became terrorists. It was after that point working in conjunction with Washington Co. SO, Beaverton PD, Portland PD and heading all these people up was the JTTF. At that point I went places and filmed from a distance and at protests right out in open. I also did some valuable video manipulation for if you may remember in PDX we had some communication towers vandalized around 2004. I was not only shooting video of the protestors I was filming everything from there stride to there faces down to there shoes and vehicles. At the same time The thing is OHSU Public Safety spent over 40,000 on digital video hardware and training for me. Are these the activities you refer to when you speak about rights being violated?

Sam if you would like to meet I would invite you to my home to talk in more detail.

Michael F.

Hello: I would like to leave a message for Mayor Adams. The message is that I am opposed to Portland joining the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I think it’s a bad thing. I want Mayor Adams to have a lovely day today, any you too. And, thank you for listening.

Louise

Hello: I’m calling regarding the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Have you no memory, sir? Can you say, Brandon Mayfield? His civil liberties were violated so badly it cost us almost $30 million. The taxpayers paid it. Not you, Mayor Adams, so it won’t keep you from going out and chasing young guys and cheating on your husband, but it will keep us from being able to pay property taxes, buy food, and do anything that we need to do. We don’t want to be on the Joint Terrorism Task Force. It doesn’t do anything except suck money out of our economy. It doesn’t add to anything except lawsuits against the city, the state, and the county. Maybe the JTTF will come and raid your house because you’re not Muslim, but before you’re gay. Then they could come and haul YOU away to some dark prison for several years. Now, go ahead and rejoin the JTTF and see how far YOU get – you IGNORANT person.

Anonymous

Mayor Sam,

I have absolutely zero confidence in the Federal law enforcement agencies having any respect for our civil liberties. One needs only to recollect Brandon Mayfield, who was, I'm sure you know, held for 14 days in connection with the Madrid bombing. That turned out to be one horrendous mistake on behalf of our federal law enforcement agencies. It is my opinion that giving those creeps any latitude in their operations within Portland is a huge mistake. The FBI, NSA, CIA, and the rest of the "alphabet" organizations: I have far more fear of them than I do of any terrorist. You should, too.

All the Best! Henriette B.

Hi Sam, I'm glad that you are mailing out updates on the proposed JTTF process to people seeking their input. I believe our safety & our civil rights are being served by current practices.

Opting to join the JTTF would only allow the FBI access to spy on everyday citizens. The relationship between most working class citizens & people underrepresented people is allready not good, & this would further erode our trust.

April B.

@ Posted by: Patrick - April 20, 2011 12:14 PM "At a national level there seems to be some resistance to this from liberal and progressive communities."

Glenn D.

All --

Steve W.

Dear Mr. Mayor:

But I hope you will insist that CIU officers cannot participate in the FBI's "preliminary investigation" activities of the FBI, such as the illegal searches of Brandon Mayfield's home and office.

Sincerely,

Michael M.

Salaud

Thanks. Vic S.

Mayor Sam Adams,

Sam if you would like to meet I would invite you to my home to talk in more detail.

Michael F.

Louise

Anonymous

Mayor Sam,

All the Best! Henriette B.

Hi Sam, I'm glad that you are mailing out updates on the proposed JTTF process to people seeking their input. I believe our safety & our civil rights are being served by current practices.

April B.

Mayor Adams, The stand you have taken to protect the rights of citizens and ensure due process by sticking to a common sense chain of command for information sharing is both bold and the right thing to do.

Thank you,

Steve M

Your Honor ,

As I Have most recently read the updated information on the discoure between this city and the task force , and that you are setting the final hearing on this matter for next week , I have commentary which you may wish to consider at your lesiure.

1. I think your opening round of demands for your city officals was very level headed. Eguardian is not a precise Instrument and cannot enuciate adequatley the sublties and important distinctions between dissintive and in some case biligerent political activisim and actual Criminal Terrorism. This nation was founded by a very dissentive anti-government movement , and that anti-government additude is pervasive in all aspects of an American's daily life. We know it and accept it. This is a particular challenge that the current PATRIOT act operation of counter terrorism fails at quite handly.

Then the PATRIOT act and The FISA acts are exactly what they are meant to be in thier own right , emotionally charged reactive legislation. This one would expect from a country post 9-11 , if one studied thier history closely. Historical Reactionism in legal terms will often in many cases lead to generalized legislation that cannot deftly handle the problem it is written for. The Predecessors of the PATRIOT and FISA acts were the Alien and Sedition acts and the Sedition and Treason acts. Both of which after intense review the high court revoked. Thier overbreadth extended to much power to the government to little power to both lower government and the people themselves.

In your draft of 4-20-11 , I have noted that you wish to withold the services of your local officers from JTTF on a case by case basis. You are not far from realizing , what in fact is also missing from this framework , and I implore you to consider the F.D.D.C modeling for this obvious gap.

The Government , The Congress , The President , The Department of Justice are acting with great reservation and cautiousness in this matter. The Event of 9-11 has after all put this nations government in a tough spot , I am a harsh critic of thier bi-partisan indecisivness on a variety of issues , however that is me. It can be siad that the DOJ has crossed many boundaries , I have seen this in action personally , know of it from the local case of Brandon Mayfield ,and from varoius other cases and incidents of which I have knowledge.

The ACLU I should urge you does not speak for all , but is a good indicator of the idea of civil liberty. Thier reccomendation to "pick and choose" your cases with local officers , derives from a dated 20th century legal view of government . For many decades in this great nation and in the world indeed , the United States Government has been the king of the proverbal mountain , and well desreved at that. All things however , end. That bodies influence and stature is changing before our very eyes. The things we thought of them , the way we thought of them is changing. This is an uncomfortable and inconvienient truth , and facing it in this case will serve you well.

The ACLU's approach is incorrect also in the fact that it seeks to create zones of discord in certain areas without "getting it's hand's dirty" on the real issue. Which is the devlopment of legislative and judical code at state levels to deal with the new crimes of terrorism. In a point of constitutional fact it would concern our founders greatly that

you our city's commisioner must speak directly with our national leaders on a matter they would clearly define as the responsiblity of your boss in Salem. That is not to question your abilites or leadership of this city , but more to state why in fact are you the one having this conversation. More importantly why was your predecssor and your bosses predecessor not on the same page. I conceed this is a mess you inherited.

2. And as I have submitted already where is the State of Oregon. Why is the state allowing itself to be usurped on its athourity in the matter of local jurisdictions? Our executives at our respective State capitols have yet to wiegh in on the national stage on a massivley critical issue , and oddly enough the very type of issues they were created for. The conversation between the JTTF and the various States has not even occured yet which leads me to believe either the JTTF is only a pre-cursory agency to it's eventual mainstearm inception (F.D.D.C) or the people in Washington D.C. simply have no clue what they are doing and are hoping a big pile of money will make the problem go away.

The reason there is a free fall between intellegence gathering , effective enforcement and proper ajudication of cases and suspects is owed exactly to the fact that the respective 50 states are not disscusing and framing this discussion in legal terms with the Federal Authority. Eric Holder may not have asked yet , he may not even have realized he should ask. that the handling of Domestic Criminal Terrorism is in fact in the direct athourity of the State , and the many Congress of the States. It also possible that the States are scared to death of the subject , Voters won't like it so you can hardy blame them. Someone however must start this conversation sometime. We are not going to have an effective Prosecutional answer to Terrorism if we do not face it, ( F.D.D.C. will resolve this) and accordingly re-frame our entire system of codes and statues nationwide at State and Federal

levels. As of yet I see no effort from either side that is tangible.

You can add momentim in this direction by siezing the conversation and twisting it twards the State pervue.

3. I do have to say in closing that if you choose to take on the JTTF again that it is a devloping situation , and not one to be dealt with half-assed . I was astounded to see that the only thing that the U.S. Attoney objected to was your "Pick and Choose" clause. You laid on a mirad of accountablity demands to a government that many years ago declared itself accountable to nothing and no one. consider the fact that the Federal Government currently does not favor a deal with you because they are disgusted at the lack of local involvement in this federal matter. Wait lemme type that again see in my long life I so rarely hear the Federal Government say to a Lower Government "hey where you going stick around!".Especally , in matters of Law Enforcement.

There are no State Inderdiction Corps yet , the gap of athourity on this matter is mind boggling. I don't even know how you can get ground intelligence accuratley if you don't have contact with the subordanite law enforcment agencies suppling both bottom end structure and intelligence , to say nothing of the fact that there are not autonomus State officers making calls on the State's behalf regarding the balance of Individual and Governmental Rights. There is almost no framework that i can see that this has even been thought of.

Anyway I seriously want to say in closing , if you do this do it all the way in the spirit of your community and in honest reflection of thier concerns and only for thier defense and with the defense of thier rights always at forfront of your mind.

Good Luck to you Sir ,

Matthew M

IF you are going to play the game then play by the rules. Everyone else is playing by the rules.

Why should PDX be a spoiled child. Security is the metro areas concern. We don’t need to be the spoiled apple in the metro basket.

Stuart C.

How many years have we lived without turning our officers over to the FBI? If it works, don't fix it!!! The only event that didn't happen was a farce. The FBI financed everything and manipulated an easy target. I feel perfectly safe just as we are.

Randy F

Dear mayor, I couldn't have stated my case better than what is laid out here. I am totally against the City of Portland hooking up with the JTTF. This just all wreaks of government invasion of our privacy and civil liberties. Just say no!

We don't want the JTTF in Portland.

- Having officers assigned to work with the FBI will in no way serve the needs of our community.

• We need to pursue ways to have accountability, control and oversight when it comes to the FBI and the JTTF in our community that involves elected officials signing off on any cooperation without expanding the role of the JTTF, the FBI, or any domestic spying programs that threaten our civil liberties and our ability to monitor law enforcement activities.

• A vote at the public hearing on Thursday the 28th would be premature. How will public feedback be integrated into the resolution?

• If you are going to vote, VOTE NO.

• Rejoining the JTTF will cost the City of Portland.

- Not only do we pay for the police officers who will be working for the FBI and not the city, but we also will open ourselves up to serious financial liability when the FBI is negligent or abusing its power. This is not how we want our tax dollars being used!

• The FBI has thousands of documented abuses of civil liberties and often operates outside of the law.

• The FBI and the JTTF targets groups where there is no evidence of illegal activity.

- The groups being targeted include anti-war protesters, Palestinian rights activists, Muslims, environmental activists, animal rights activists, the house-less and ethnic minorities. This is not acceptable!

• We want a strong healthy democracy that does not punish individuals or groups for engaging in peaceful dissent.

Stephen Coffin

I have read this and find that it is in conflict with FBI requirements. In orderr to be successful, we all must be on the same page. Compromise is the best option. Please comply with the feds. They know what they aer doing. Thank you.

Noel N.

Dear Mayor Adams:

I am a registered voter in the City of Portland and I am writing to you to urge that the City fully rejoin the Federal Joint Terrorism Task Force without delay.

As a long-time supporter of the ACLU, I recognize the concerns many Portlanders have about the possible incursion on civil rights represented by the JTTF. Further, I appreciate Portland's proud role as a national leader in civil dissent. The regional example of Brandon Mayfield is a reminder of how badly a citizen can be misused by poorly conceived and overzealous law enforcement tactics.

However, meaningful participation in national affairs requires more of the City of Portland than simply digging in our heels for sustained disengagement from the institutions and processes we wish to see improved. At a certain point, constructive engagement is required of us, both to support national security objectives and to impact meaningfully the efforts of Federal law enforcement within the City limits.

Two indicators suggest that Portland has come to this point and it's time to make the responsible choice of rejoining the JTTF. First, the embarassing disconnect between City officials and Federal law enforcement during the recent case of the would-be bomber at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony suggests that matters cannot continue as they have--with posturing and a dearth of official channels of communication. Second, the demonstrated sensitivity of Eric Holder's office to our local concerns put the onus on us--it is now Portland's turn to move forward constructively in partnership with Federal officials, rather than continuing to stay in our own corner, complaining from a distance.

I know that you value the objectives of both local safey and national security; the most effective way for Portland to represent itself and its values in those areas is to come back to the table, sit down, and become a mature and accountable participant in the JTTF.

I hope that you will consider my words carefully before the April 28 public hearing at City Council.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel B

Vote against Portland rejoining the JTTF! I value our civil liberties.

Steven G

Good Morning Mr. Mayor,

My Name is Adam Rahmlow. I am running for Student Body President at Portland State University and look forward to working with the city next year. I, like many of the students at PSU do not support the resolution to rejoin the JTTF. Please hear our voice, and strengthen Portland's cultural identity of peace.

Sincerely,

Adam Rahmlow

“The No. 1 domestic terrorism threat,” says John Lewis, a top FBI official, “is the eco-terrorism, animal-rights movement.” - John Lewis, FBI

Please, I beg of you, do not reengage with the Joint Terrorism Task Force AT ALL. There are no terrorists in Portland. I mean absolutely zero, not one single terrorist in this whole city. What the JTTF wants to do is find ways of entraping and imprisoning more of your fellow citizens. Whether the targets should turn out to be more nonviolent activists like Eric McFadden and Tre Arrow, more ignorant Muslim teenagers like Mohamed Mohamud, or a new target like anti-war activists or inner city youth; without fail, the JTTF has targeted individuals with scant connection to anything that could be rationally described as "Terrorism".

You are in a unique position, just like Tom Potter before you, to save Portland from the machinations of the wicked men behind the War On Terror. I implore you not to let us down.

Read more about it, Sam.

http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/green-scare/

http://www.cageprisoners.com/

Noah M.

Please, please, please don't reengage with the Joint Terrorism Task Force! There are no terrorists in Portland. What the JTTF will do is entrap and imprison even more of our citizens. Whether they target people who support the rights of animals and environment, nonviolent antiwar activists, inner city youth, or members of our Muslim community, it is a general truth that the JTTF rounds up people with very little connection to anything that could rationally be described as terrorism. Please don't let us down!

Talia W.

Dear Mayor Adams,

I feel strongly that Portland should not join the JTTF. Please don't involve our fine city government in the moral slippery slope, and waste of time and resources, that the FBI uses in it's entrapment tactics. Portlanders can see through fake bomb threats engendered by the FBI's incitement of angry teenagers. If we spent our resources entrapping every teenage boy who would like to bomb public events, but lack the means to do so, we would be bankrupt and half of our young men would be behind bars, instead of growing up and getting past their anger.

Effie G.

Don't do it. Stay out of the JTTF-support a free america, not a police state.

Jack

Dear Mayor Sam:

I don't think it is a good idea for Portland to join up with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Portland is first and foremost, not the sort of city that a terrorist would be wanting to hit. Secondly, it would promote paranoia among the nice Portland folks, and why do we need that? Also, it would give the FBI the opportunity to get more involved in people's lives, and that is not the Portland way. It would be counterproductive to the culture and life of Portland to get involved in this endeavor. The FBI will not compromise with you. That is not what they do. They don't compromise. They give orders and take over. Please do not give them the opportunity to interfere unduly with our nice friendly city.

Laurel J.

The "War on Terror" is a LIE. The one attempted "terrorist" act that's happened in Portland was concocted by the FBI. Keep them OUT of Portland.

Kenric A.

Mayor Adams,

As mayor the safety of your citizens is a primary responsibility of your office. Joining the JTTF is both necessary and prudent given the constant threat of terrorism our communities and country face everyday. I highly recommend the Portland Police Bureau join the task force as a full participant.

Respectfully,

Dave W.

Dear Portland City Commissioners-

I am attaching a letter detailing the reasons why I oppose the proposal that the City of Portland join the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I look forward to addressing this issue at the upcoming City Council meeting.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Thomas N.

Portland City Hall has confirmed that City Council will be meeting Thursday April 28th at 2:00 pm to discuss and hear public comment on the resolution to rejoin the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the FBI's domestic spying program. It is also confirmed that the Council may call a vote at this meeting.

The resolution was only presented to the public this Wednesday, and the meeting on the 28th is being promoted as a public hearing to discuss the resolution. If Council votes on Thursday, then they will have only given us 8 days to consider the proposed resolution and give feedback. The Council will also not be able to integrate any of the comments or feedback from the hearing into a new draft of the resolution, and it will be apparent that the hearing is a token and not a meaningful opportunity for our community to be involved in the process.

Phillip B.

Dear Commissioner Leonard:

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to welcoming input from your constituents. As I’ve done in the past, I’m writing now to express my opinion about current discussions regarding Portland’s relationship to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

I think that the most recent drafts of Resolutions about this matter include some improvements over earlier proposals. (Example of an improvement: the assertion that “City Council expects PPB officers to work with the JTTF only with regard to full investigations” and, presumably, not with regard to pre-investigative activity [or assessments] or preliminary investigations.) Nonetheless, even the most recent drafts fall short. (Example: In the matter identified above, the Resolution describes what the Council expects, rather than stating unequivocally what the Council to considers to be a non-negotiable mandate.)

http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=346016

http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=50265&a=346469

More to the point, a central issue remains unresolved: the need for top secret security clearance for the City Attorney and PPB Commissioner-in-Charge, to permit legal guidance and civilian oversight of city employees.

In part because the Resolution is silent about the clearance that will be sought by (or granted to) PPB officers working with the JTTF, and is silent about the clearance that will be sought by (or granted to) the City Attorney, these questions call for attention:

1. What clearance will be sought by (or granted to) PPB officers working with the JTTF, in view of the fact that the draft Resolution is silent about this matter?

2. What clearance will be sought by (or granted to) the City Attorney, in view of the fact that the draft Resolution is silent about this matter?

3. If, in accordance with the draft Resolution, the Police Chief seeks clearance at the Top Secret/Secure Compartmentalized Information level, will that clearance be granted?

4. If, in accordance with the draft Resolution, the Commissioner-in-Charge of PPB seeks clearance at the Secret level, will that clearance be granted?

5. If, in accordance with the draft Resolution, the Commissioner-in-Charge of PPB is granted security only at the Secret level and the Police Chief (and, presumably, PPB officers working with the JTTF) are granted clearance at the Top Secret/Secure Compartmentalized Information level, how will the former be able to exercise responsible civilian oversight over the latter?

6. If the City Attorney does not seek (and is not granted) security clearance at the same level as the Police Chief (and, presumably, PPB officers working with the JTTF), how can the City Attorney deal responsibly with any question as to whether the work that the PPB officers are asked to do complies with Oregon law?

Attached for your consideration is a copy of the nine pages of written testimony (with documentation) that I have prepared for the public record. I was astonished and terrified when I studied the 331-page document titled, “A Review of the FBI's Handling of the Brandon Mayfield Case,” released in March 2006 by US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG). I’ve also examined other documentations of FBI violations of local safeguards and other protections. (Link to OIG review: documents.theblackvault.com/documents/terrorism/MayfieldFBIOIG.pdf.)

At my family’s Passover seder, I remembered with gratitude the August 29, 2004 dedication ceremony of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Washington Park.

Have we forgotten the words of Pastor Martin Niemoeller, German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor, imprisoned in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945?

“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”

May we remember as well the words written by James Baldwin in 1971 to Angela Davis: “If they take you in the morning, they will be coming for us that night.”

Thank you for welcoming active public participation – in this case, input and testimony – in the making of decisions that affect the lives of all of us who live, work, study, travel, and worship here.

Warmly,

Herman M. Frankel, M.D.

Mr. Mayor-

Please do your best to keep Portland from hooking up with the Jack Booted Thugs on the JTTF.

And, yes, I voted for you.

Thank you.

Bob W.

Dear Mayor,

I fully support your document as drafted.

Regards,

Michelle M.

I have an understanding of the ramifications of this issue and the JTTF resolution. If the city want its law enforcement officers to investigate criminal activity, only the officers can decide where to begin. Do not allow someone else to decide that an individual is starting to fail a litmus test. A task force only works when all "fully" participate from the beginning. Proper guidelines, management and supervision will get the best from an investigation. Big investigations always yield big problems. Does Portland want to reshape the federal guidelines to protect itself from the professional second guessers? Rick S.

Several people have spoken out against joining the JTTF. Overwhelming public opinion against this has been produced. Yet once again, the mayor ignores the opinion of the majority of Portland citizens and does his own thing. Just like when 39th Ave was renamed, he ignored 90% of the city that was polled who were against the name change and voted in favor of the name change. Why keep putting on the charade of pretending to care what Portlanders think? It is clear that the Mayor will continue to do as be pleases.

Jason

Greetings Sam,

It was the FBI, that give the young man the makings for the bomb.

It was the FBI that encouraged him to "strike out" at others.

It was the FBI that chose the target for him.

It was the FBI that gave him the expertise to build the bomb.

Finally, it was the FBI that offered to provide him with a "real" bomb.

Who are the real terriorists here????

The people of Portland are not well served by joining the Terrorist Task Force.

Other cities are looking to us to see if we continue to refuse to participate in TTF.

Let's continue to refuse.

Leah G.

Get us into the JTTF now! A few folks, and it is only a few regardless of the people that you speak to as MOST folks can not get to the meetings to voice their opinions and have mostly given up trying to convince the city council of ANYTHING as the deal is done behind closed doors before the public is heard (LO streetcar anyone?), do not speak for the majority of Portlanders. We want to have the full protection of any agency that will protect us from the nuts running around. You know, the nuts protected by the crowd preaching tolerance (see:Rajneesh).

If we not re-join the JTTF, now, I for one would laugh my butt off if we are attacked, again, under YOUR watch. It would show the world just how stupid this city has become when it ALLOWS a few to dictate how others must live.

Peter R.

I oppose offering more resources to federal agencies with terrible challenges protecting the lives of U.S. people, as opposed to using resources to take video of peace groups, drawing down our resources for nothing and violating rights we were supposed to have from our former Bill of Rights, may it some day be resurrected.

BP was on probation for criminal negligence when the Gulf incident occurred, for loss of U.S. lives, on-shore, where the FBI is supposed to be taking care of us.

Meanwhile, a dangerous incident offshore by BP was going undetected, except for a wikileaks document that outed it. Paying attention to risks of negligence in corporate behavior is something federal agencies could do, but largely are not. I do not trust them with the resources they already have.

We need our resources for our own purposes, not to learn how to bait unstable young men into bad behavior rather than connecting them to resources here that could have helped them.

Having observed the city council agree to waste city resources on LT2 compliance from a clearly flawed industry-influenced process, many of us now working to get accountability on our water issues are quite unhappy with the city's present situation where the feds appear to be the constituents, and not us.

I realize I'm probably writing to the wind, but I can't help it. I'm sure you will hear from lots of other people with ideas like mine. Oh well.

Mary S.

I do not agree, I do believe the JTTF operates on a police state mentality, unless it is much more open to you and the police chief, I say NO to joining. We got through the last one, sure, but if they really want States to join, set the rules to something we can all agree on.

peace and smiles

Roger G.

Good Morning Mayor Sam:

I do not trust the FBI, or the Black Guard hired to protect business interest on foreign soil.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE -- review the rationale set forth by former Policy Chief, and Mayor Tom Potter. Please stand-firm by his decision to say

NO THANK YOU. To my knowledge none of you were raised in Europe during through WW11; therefore, none of you have a clue how Portlander's fragile freedom can be at-risk when a "wild card" steps into office. Today, we voter's know those will deep pockets can have a negative effect of society, i.e., their influence of the selection of the United States Supreme Court Judges.

What part of NO THANK YOU is not understood BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS on this issue?

Blessings,

mas

I really disagree with the emphasis placed on Portland being "Open and inclusive", which is liberal speak for a safe harbor for criminal and terrorist elements. This document and city policy are at odds with the US Constitution, laws of the land, and the best interest of the citizens. Under the current US administration, which ignores the threat from our Southern borders and ignores its duties, like our city and State does, the JTTF is a toothless waste of tax dollars, since they have no intention of upholding the laws and arresting the Mexican Gang bangers and drug sellers who threaten our lawful citizens.

Sir, with all due respect, all of my future donations and support are going to the Border Sheriffs Legal Defense Fund, since there is apparently only one State in this country with the correct public policies. All of my efforts go toward reducing the effects of liberal Socialists who are now out of control in Oregon.

Richard H.

Hello Mr Mayor,

My thoughts are these...First of all...The situation Portland recently experienced with that young boy being indited on terroist charges was a setup by the FBI--The whole thing was wrong legally in my opinion. I do not trust the federal gov't any more than the local PPB to do the job decently of protecting our citizens. Decently is the operative word. Too many arrest end in death to people that could have been handled differently. The PPB cannot find Kyron or this other teenage girl that went missing. The incident on the coast with the shooting of the Police officer was a swat team nightmare. Too much for too little.. The man is still on the loose or dead in the hills and forests near Waldport. We are over-reacting too everything these days too extremely. Your draft is clear b ut allowing the FBI to do anything here is going to cause problems. Or Homeland Security etc will cause more abuses. The PPB needs to clean up its act.. Stop killing poor people that are ill or over medicated...Get these police educated about mental illness. Stop being so provocative they cause an episode.

take care Ann

Mayor Adams:

My major concern is that the Portland Police Bureau not participate in

operations such as last Thanksgiving's non-"bombing." Whether or not

that case is legally entrapment, it is clear the FBI set up a mixed-up

young man who needed psychiatric counseling, not FBI-planted

co-conspirators. The FBI has a local history of this sort of operation:

the Brandon Mayfield case (who was totally innocent), and the case of

the Washougal target-practice shooters early in the decade (more

potentially dangerous people who hadn't come close to doing anything or

even having a cogent plan).

If the JTTF can stop terrorists like the man who shot Arizona

Congresswoman Giffords, I support Portland cooperation with it. If it

only targets the type of people mentioned in the previous paragraph, our

participation would be a detriment to the people of Portland.

Sincerely,

David S.

Sam,

Anytime you craft a proposal based on significant input from the ACLU, we're screwed. Law abiding citizens have nothiing to fear by participating with the FBI. I want Portland to join the task force right now, any delay is a failure of city hall to protect the citizens of Portland.

Paul W.

Dear Sam,
I am a Portland citizen who has long been extremely concerned about America's evolution as a police state. Our constitutional rights, enshrined by the Bill of Rights, have gradually been nullified by the actions of all three branches of government. This process is effectively the "nuclear option" in the class war, because it leaves defenseless anyone who protests or acts against our ruthless oligarchy. As far as I am concerned, the city should listen to one voice, and one voice, only: the American Civil Liberties Union. They are best equipped to advise the city on how it can uphold its sacred responsibilities under local, state, and federal law. This could be the most important fight of our lives: failure is not an option.

Ciao
Mitchell G.

Hi Sam,
Thanks for your thoughtful response on this issue. I'd like to offer a small consideration for you to consider on this issue. In your further negotiations with the federal government, perhaps you could emphasize the need for clarifying exactly what their definition of "terrorism" is- and might become. For example, the actions creating property damage and human casualties by religious or cultural idealogues -foreigners, Islamists, etc., are deemed terrorism. The actions creating property damage by young environmentalist idealogues are called eco-terrorism. The actions by white American radical conservative idealogues are not being called terrorism. Cases in point are the recent bank bombing in Woodburn and the Oklahoma federal building (April19,1995). Both examples of "domestic terrorism" that seem to be treated more as conventional crimes than terrorist acts. They seem to be downplayed in their significance compared to say, the Mohamed Mohamud /Pioneer Courthouse Square bombing "plot". Please emphasize proper clarification, clear designation, and semantics as you craft the JTTF resolution with the Feds.

Thanks,
Brian B.

Mr. Adams,

Your police department is almost entirely incompetent. The management, from what I've seen, IS entirely incompetent. Bacigulupi, Famous, And Reece have done nothing for me. Bacigulupi takes more vacations than george w. bush.

Your police department is full of corrupt, self serving, marginal thugs with personal agendas. Guys like Krueger, Sery, and Fraschauer.

Your police department is so mismanaged and so skewed in it's priorities that you have a stronger commitment to maintaining your 19th century horse patrol than you have to rendering any assistance to

burglary victims such as myself who bought their stolen stuff back via craigslist and found Portland Police completely unwilling and unable to provide the sort of forensic analysis that could be done in any Portland High School.

You think your keystone kops will be improved by association with JTTF agenda?

I don't.

The only thing that's going to stop the deterioration of Portland's already indefensible police force would be cleaning house by showing all of kroker's policies and people the door.

The dysfunction of the Portland police bureau is so pervasive that nobody in the police bureau (I've encountered) except for Robert Hawkins, who is an honest cop, should be promoted.

Police managers should be replaced with personnel from the Fire Bureau, which is much less dysfunctional. All of them. We could also use a new Police commissioner, too. How about Amanda Fritz?

The only terrorists active in the region are the FBI. Wanting to partner with the FBI suggest severe mental debility on your part.

You are not a very popular mayor. Are you sure you want to run again? I voted for you last time around, but your inefficacy as police commissioner and useless police bureau have ensured that won't happen again.

David G.

I appreciate this well thought out approach

Steve T.

Dear Mayor Adams,

My first thought is the expense of devoting three to five Portland Police Officers to the JTTF. Would the federal government, (through our tax dollars), fund these three to five officers?

Sincerely,

Paul L.

Hi Sam,

Great to hear from you. This draft looks good; it is quite comprehensive and makes sense when I read through it completely.

I like the point about the preliminary investigation and how it differs from a full investigation. This must have to do with resources. However, as with the last Somali youth terror-plot, I am so glad that this was followed up as a lead and that plot was prevented from being carried out by this callous young man. I still don't know what the point would have been to bombing Portland during the Xmas Lighting Ceremony.

The other thing I liked was that you are requesting that a formal Report be submitted to you and the Chief of Police each January, every year. This is good to keep and compare with years past, as well as to check on current hunches where there still may be terror plots simmering under the surface. This is a bold step and I commend you for requesting a Report, in writing, from the investigative teams each year.

Finally, please move up the signature line's date and title of "Deputy" from the top of page 4, onto page 3 where it belongs. Then Exhibit "A" will start directly at the top of page 4.

Thank you for your thoughtful proposal, and I appreciate the opportunity to add my input before you submit it.

Best regards, -Nana Nash

The only protection we will receive by joining the JTTF is protection from the FBI, etc. This may in fact be necessary. It has been rumored for years that Portland will be the site of the next false-flag "terrorist" (NOT) attack. The person in December who was arrested for having a "bomb" was in fact set up BY the FBI. I would not doubt for a second that the attempted political assassination of Mayor Sam Adams was also engineered by them. They must be seething that neither worked, and looking for a way to come down even harder on this extraordinary city.

If the police officers were allowed to stay within their own chain of command that might help but then, the ends of the FBI et al would not be met -obviously all they want is extended control - so I wouldn't count on the effectiveness of that. They'll just find some way to replace the chief of police with one of their puppets.

Ann P.

Mayor Adams, I have been a strong supporter of yours. But this proposal is unnecessary, terribly misguided, and in conflict with the values that we Portlanders cherish and so often express.

Given more time I will submit a more detailed opinion, but for the moment I must call attention to the fact that the basic premise of this entire effort is nonsensical :

"Neither our safety nor our civil rights are best served by current practices. We can do better."

This echoes the false dichotomy employed so often by those who have abridged, and continue to erode, our civil rights and liberties. Safety and civil rights are not opposed; preserving rights need not diminish security.

This proposal is a reactionary response to the "Christmas tree lighting bomb plot" and is patently unnecessary. Many have pointed out that the lone-wolf conspiracy by one dopey kid was in fact fostered by law enforcement officials. But whether or not one holds that view, the outcome remains the same : The plot was foiled, *without* JTTF participation. What more would PPB engagement have accomplished ? Why attempt to "fix" a policy that is not broken, with further sacrifice of our rights ?

I encourage my mayor and my fellow Portland residents to educate themselves about the vital grassroots movement in our country to oppose overreaching counter-terrorism policies by reading about the People's Campaign for the Constitution at http://www.constitutioncampaign.org

Thank you for your consideration.

Glenn D.

I also don't believe the FBI will allow any information to be reported to a local chain of command. The enabling by the FBI of would be terrorists as in the Mohamed Mohamud Pioneer Square bombing case is a betrayal of our safety and civil rights. The JTTF will not work in Portland where we value transparency. Portland needs to update it's policy, but let us keep the Federal government out of it. No to the JTTF!

Jason P.

Sam,

although I believe in the need for police to interact, and have good lines of communications with each other, I feel there are a few serious flaws with this idea, at this time.

A) There seems to be some question about whether this feels right to the citizens of your city, I believe that sending it to the city, in a referendum might get a better feel of the city's wants. There are times when the Mayor has to recognize that the group, or city's thoughts may be more important than a select few, those with easy access to the city's inner workings. Not every citizen reads the city's website, but every citizen's life will be effected by this.

B) In recent history, our Portland Police Bureau has embarrassed and shamed us as a city through their actions. I am not sure we should be involved in something where we are passing on partial control of our police force till we ourselves can exert more control over them. This is the same Police Bureau that has the "shooting problem", and in my memory has twice had issues with keeping records when they should have been destroyed. (including a rather funny incident where the mayor at the time, your former boss, had a "file" on her that had "been destroyed long ago" rise up out of the ashes of a former officer's basement...) As the keeping of illegal records is one burning fault that most find with the JTTF, one wonders if this is a wise course.

C) At a national level there seems to be some resistance to this from liberal and progressive communities. As Portland has always prided itself on being a progressive city, I would think we would want to step back and decide if we were indeed meant to be in this task force, or if we were ignoring our core values.

Last, I will note, that being as there is so far no beacon call of support for joining, I wonder how you will create the "good will" to join, or will we, as a city, be highjacked by our mayor?

Patrick

This looks to be an excellent job of maintaining Portland and Oregon's authority while offering full assistance to the federal government - so long as our laws are upheld first and foremost.

If they refuse these generous offers, then the natural conclusion is that they have other motives and wish to operate without oversight.

Good work to all who put this together.

Patrick

The FBI is never going to agree to allow Portland Police officers to participate in JTTF while still following a local chain of command. If you are a local officer on a JTTF team then you play by their rules and have to sign paperwork as to such.

Benjamin K.

For years the FBI has used dubious tactics to achieve questionable ends. I am against Portland joining the JTTF. Having read FBI file released under the Freedom of Information Act about the Black Panther Party and witnessed the recent entrapment of a confused teen a fabricated terrorism attempt, I do not believe it is in the interest of our community to support the opaque manipulations that the FBI routinely practice.

Abigail S.

Here are a few things that cross my mind.

1. the origonal reason your city terminated it's agreement was the non acess to critical information by your public saftey agencys and officers. In reality this is a blanket additude the federal agenceys in this task force display to smaller locals nationwide. The Government at the national level by it's very behavior is displaying that it has not yet realized that terrorism is an intelliegnce war and that the most critical componet is community contact.

In all the internal cases of terrorism to the united states I have studied most of the critical information came from the average guy or gal walking around. Yet our JTTFs are quite oblivious to this fact in application.

The complete disrespect shown to your department was a great example of this gap in effective law enforcement.

2. Training. It is clear that the federal government is keeping it's eggs in one basket here. that's great for them but what about Oregon and the cities in Oregon.Im sorry but another fundamental flaw of the national Law enforcment additude is they are the end all be all. It is true that in the majority of cases law enforcment is the agency trained and ready to responed and should be the respondenet , as our socities and laws have dictated , to crime and war.

However where was law enforcment on 9/11/01. where was the military on 9/11/01.

Both failed and for one simple reason that the law enforcement community cannot wrap its head around and can no long afford to think to the contrary. They cannot be everywhere at once.

The federal legal community is abysmally behind the times. One of the worst areas of counter terroism today.in teh sparse few trial given to actual terrorists , legalists have not yet devloped the needed new legal terminology of the era. 21st century criminals are still tried under 20th century laws.

thye have not redifined the act of terroism as a capital crime and therefore must resort to "batch" throwing at defendants of charges. this is wrong. holding defendants at getmo is wrong. Nither National Political party has made any concerted effort to prosocute terroists in the last 5 years. how can you be responsible for 2000 + deaths and not face a consequence. Khalid Shiek Mohammed knows this situation all to well.

The culture of secrecy in this national government is a problem too. Accountablity and loyalty to its constitutional obligation are also well with in the realm of questioning. The DOJ has admittedly used Americans as bait for terrorists , who do you think the guy that was planning to bomb pioneer square was going to supposedly kill , uh americans.

so we have a group of people who want to "help us" by inciting terrorism , with americans as the target bait , can I say emphatically thanks but no thanks.

3.Results. a catagory that the federal government sadly lacks in in the era of the war on terror. They have no killed Bin Laden. They Have not killed Khaild Shiek Mohameed. these men are the backbone of 9/11.

one has beeen in custody for eight years now . no trial . no tribunal . nothing . nadda . zip.

Mayor Adams if the JTTF wants to get back into Portland , I belive not only Oversight of a civilain , state and local nature is need , but as well revisied federal code , revised state OAR's , redefined statues of both civil and criminal law , as well as results oriented multi jurisidctional cooperative training are essential and no deal should be accepted w/o said stipulations.

However I doubt the Federal Governmant is wil to come off it's throne and start discussing how to really combat terrorism , after all there is a election coming.

Matthew M.

Thank you Mr. Mayor, Portland continues to be the most progressive city in the United States. Thank you for your great leadership. Jon Youngblood and Tim Royal are the former owners of Scoot on This, now defunct, thanks to the Bush recession, an electric bicycle and scooter store on Foster Rd. We remember your visit to our store.

Thanks again, Tim and Jon.

DON'T have Portland join the JTTF. The feds seem to have enough money of their own to advance the Bush/Obama terrorism agenda. The average cost of a Tomahawk missile is $1,400,000. They fired over 110 on the first day of the current Lybian fiasco. How many police officer's salaries would this have paid?

Even if the Feds paid all of the JTTF budget I would oppose it due to the lack sufficient oversight.

Paul Barthol

Dear Mayor Sam,

Keep the FBI out of Portland's police force. We have enough trouble with police transparency and do not need or want any help from the federal government.

There is a saying in the middle east "once the camel gets its nose under the tent, the rest soon follows."

The camel is back, even though Tom Potter took his courageous stand and pushed it away. Follow his example, dear Sam, and hold high the banner of liberty. This It. This is another moment in our history when You are the man of the hour. Do not betray our precious principles, Sam. You are all we've got! Square your shoulders, take a deep breath and go for the gold.

Portland is the Only city in the nation to say NO to this assault. Do not fail us.

Sincerely, Nancy C.

Dear Sam Adams,

Congratulations for your adherence to ACLU conditions on any re-affiliation with the JTTF. Please do not allow Portland to get snagged into this relationship again without being sure that all necessary safeguards are in place. I view the move to re-join as an incidental example of the effect of all the forces being brought to bear to strip us of civil liberties, and while we could likely survive one, as has been said before (Wendell Phillips, 1852), eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

Robert R.

Archived Comments

Phone Calls

Monday, November 29, 2010, 10:10 a.m.
Yes: I just want to make a comment. I heard this morning on the news that the Mayor is considering a reversal in the relationship of the City with the federal government regarding terrorism? I would highly recommend that this be done. I think it's time that Portland needs to wake up. We were just very, very, very fortunate that this young man was not able to do what he wanted to do. It's time to wake up.

Monday, November 29, 2010, 10:04 a.m., unidentified female
Yes, Mr. Adams: Please don't cave into the FBI. This was a deliberate act to make, I believe, to make Portland look bad because of some people here doing something about police brutality; but, then again maybe others things; but, don't cave into these people. This was a deliberate event on Friday evening. Blessings to you, and peace. Don't give evil energy. This was deliberate by the FBI and others to make Portland look bad. Anyway, blessings and peace, in spite of everything. Thank you. Goodbye.

Monday, November 29, 2010, 12:45 p.m., unidentified male
The question is this: Why is the Mayor defending the FBI when they supplied, funded, trained, and gave material support to the support of the terrorist? If it wasn't for the FBI, there would not have been a potential threat, which was not a potential threat? It was fake. Why is the Mayor of Portland defending the FBI when he should be accusing them for supporting this fear mongering? Thank you.

Monday, November 29, 2010, 12:46 p.m., Hershel [sp]
Hi: I just wanted to kind of cast a 'no' vote toward getting into the joining up or kind of cooperating with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I think it's the wrong thing to do and I'm afraid of what it's going to do to our civil liberties. I certainly would like to be notified of any kind of hearing regarding this. I side with the ACLU about protecting our liberties. Thanks.

Monday, November 29, 2010, 2:09 p.m., unidentified female
Hi: I'm calling regarding the way things were handled with the set-up for the 19-year-old Corvallis student terrorist. Anyway, I don't know if you had anything to do with it, or the Portland police. I just think the way they handled it was pretty bad. The thing is, if the guy was even half way intelligent and knew that the bombs weren't real or something, he might have done something even more drastic. Why didn't they nab him the minute they were loading bombs into the truck? That, to me, would have been, right then and there, that's enough to see that; because if something had gone wrong and he knew it and he was smart enough to know anything about the technology of bomb making and all that stuff – that was very irritating. It was very upsetting that it was blasted all over the news, also, which let other terrorists get heads up and warning. So, I don't know if it was just to terrorize Oregonians, or what. Anyway, that's just my opinion, and I wish the next time they would do that they wouldn't let somebody go that far. If somebody just threatens to do something like that, that should be enough. Most people on the jobs or in schools now are supposedly taken serious when they make those kinds of threats; so that should be enough to interrogate somebody. Or, if you set them up, then get them at the first part of the stage, and not all the way to the van in the city park. Anyway, thanks for listening. I hope this goes to the police. Thank you. Bye.

Monday, November 29, 2010, 3:52 p.m., Cathy
Hi, this is for the Mayor: We've had a lot of excitement in Portland over Thanksgiving weekend, and now we're reconsidering whether we should hook back up with the FBI and their terrorism program. I, myself, do not think we should. The real help to stop this comes from the communities where the terrorist springs from, and not by the FBI profiling people of Muslim faith. So, I hope that while having contact with the FBI terrorism is a good thing for talking when we want to talk, I do not think they should be just walking into a city with open arms; because I don't think that's the way it should go. I thank you; and I hope you had a good Thanksgiving – even with all the excitement. Bye, bye.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 10:58 a.m., Elizabeth
Do to the terrorist attack that almost happened on Pioneer Square, just finding out on the news that we aren't a part – in fact, Portland is the only city that doesn't cooperate with the FBI or have their protection in order for our city to be safe, I am voicing my opinion as a mother who just moved here a couple of years ago, and now with the terrorist attack and looking back at Portland's history on some of these things, I want our Portland safe for my family, I would like us to now start cooperating with the FBI and getting back onto there security. It's just going to get worse. I want to keep Portland safe for my children. We were on our way to that lighting of the Christmas tree with my family. For some reason, my husband wasn't feeling well and we decided to turn around. If that would have happened to my family, I don't know what to say. I'm just very appalled that we're not on that security with the FBI; and please, let's get our city on, so we can be safe. Thank you.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 12:14 p.m., unidentified female
Yes: I am calling because I am outraged that we're the only city in the United States that is not working with the FBI. I was down there with my grandchildren at the holiday tree lighting. This is ridiculous. I had no idea that we were not involved with the FBI. If this bomber had gotten hold of somebody that wasn't with the FBI, myself and my grandchildren might have been blown up. I am a liberal; but I do not believe in this. I'd rather give up my civil liberties, just like I do not mind being patted down at the airport if it's going to stop us from being killed. But, screw you.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 2:46 p.m., Dr. P.
Hello, Mr. Adams: Your policy of not cooperating with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is abhorrent, and the liberal policies that you and Potter put in place are destroying the City of Portland.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 10:59 a.m., unidentified male
Hello, Mayor Adams: Hey, I had some thoughts about this NEAR disaster. Well, like you said, we were really never in any danger. But, I'm just so sickened by the reaction of our media and our politicians that you're dispatching patrols around the Somali and the Muslim Communities because Americans are bad and they want to HURT foreigners, you know. Your contempt for the average citizen is just sickening. The Oregonian today had a nice article that stated, "Seventy-eight percent of U.S. Muslims believe that suicide bombing and killing civilians is never appropriate." Well, hello; that means that 22% are fine with what that schmuck tried to do in downtown Portland the other day. That means that the Mosque in Corvallis that has 100 members, 22 people there believe that it's okay. So, that's cause for alarm, okay? You people need to check yourselves and look at the problem here. Quit being so politically correct and come back to reality. I mean, I don't condone what happened with firebombing a mosque; but I DO condone calling people like you and telling you that YOU are SO off-base and that it is so unbelievable how America ends up with leadership like you - anywhere. I think it's disgraceful that you show your contempt for the American people who have taken people in in spite of what happened on September 11th. There have been no major hate crimes. I don't care if people feel uncomfortable. Muslims SHOULD feel uncomfortable until they do something to root out this scum in their midst. TWENTY-TWO PERCENT, sir! That is shocking! That is cause for alarm, and the American people are right to be concerned, right to be alarmed, and the right to call their elected officials, like you, and tell them to get on the ball! For Christ's sake, sir, you need to speak out against what is happening in the Muslim community, okay?! It's just unbelievable. And, by the way, I do not want you to get involved in the Joint Terrorism Task Force,. I'm glad they kept you and Potter out of it. Anything to keep you guys out of the loop is fine with me. The FBI, obviously, and the Patriot Act, obviously, saved our butts. Schmucks like you, just STAY out of it. That's all I've got to say, is stay out of it. Take a day off. Take a vacation as long as you want. You're only screwing stuff up. That's your job, I suppose, the way YOU see it. So, anyway, that's it. Bye.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 11:27 a.m., Lyneil [sp]
Hello: My daughter's a PSU student and my nine-year-old is going down to see the CHRISTMAS tree in Pioneer Square next week; and I think those are good enough reasons for you to get this City on the Joint Terrorism Task Force; and I am not impressed with any of your selective indignations over Muslims being now endangered by us. WE are the ones being attacked by Muslims. If it means Portland's going to get on this Terrorism Task Force, just DO it, okay? I'd also appreciate it if you'd stop talking down to Americans, saying that we shouldn't generalize about Muslims. We're not stupid; but all the terrorist attacks, so far, have been by Muslims. We're smart enough to realize that there's a real problem within that culture; and we deserve to be safe. So, stop talking down to us and just do what's right. Thank you. Bye.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 3:08 p.m., unidentified male
Yes: I'm calling in response to the Mayor's comments following the Christmas tree bombing episode that recently occurred. Ordinarily I'm a supporter of the Mayor and I would probably be happy to disagree with the Mayor on the question of a closer cooperation with the Joint Terrorism Task Force; friends can disagree. Unfortunately, the timing of this seems so, how shall we say, opportunistic? Politically, it seems like a craven capitulation to the mobs. It's sort of, 'Okay, let's all jump on this wave of excitement.' It did not seem like reasoned leadership. It did not seem like he'd arrived at his decision to actually change the policy that was established by Mayor Potter through any sort of a reasoned process. It just seemed like political opportunism; and I don't that will serve the Mayor very well in the long term. He may have won a few KXL radio listener fans. But, he's lost people that actually do care about civil liberties and do care about progressive politics in Portland. I would hope that the Mayor would have remembered the Brandon Mayfield episode and been somewhat more tempered in his response; but the fact that the Mayor just did this like literally within hours. it just seems the word is craven. I regret having to say this, but the Mayor's actions were really reprehensible on this and it was an absolute failure of leadership.

Monday, December 6, 2010, 1:03 p.m., Louise
Hi: I have a message. My comment is about the Joint Terrorism Task Force. I don't think Portland needs to join that. I think, particularly, this case of the young man who tried to bomb Pioneer Square, well, I think that was entrapment. I think if the FBI had handled this another way and guided him correctly that would have never happened. So, this incident is certainly not an example of why we should join the task force, and I am very much opposed to it. My name is Louise and I don't care to give my phone number because, well, I don't want any calls. Thank you.

Monday, December 6, 2010,, 2:20 p.m., Helen
I think you're starting to debate whether you should go into being a part of the nation for, you know, federal seeing of everybody. I think what happened with this case of the young guy was a set up. They made it happen so everybody gets scared, so Portland won't be individual. It should stay individual because it's going to turn out that they just led this young guy. I hear that the FBI has a building over in North Portland. They really want to be around. They just made this thing happen. Just beware! I mean, it's pretty bad. This is not a good case. This is not a frightening thing. It was just, you know, just a young boy who had some ideas, and they just went for it. So, be smart! Portland's always smart. Bye.

Emails

12/19/2010 2:57PM, Levi G.
I strongly disagree with the JTTF. Please do not vote in favor of them. They spy on people. They violate rights. ORS 181.575 I am deeply concerned with the doors that will open if Portland joins the JTTF again, and the erosion of Rights that could follow.

12/19/2010 2:10PM, Wray H.
In the near future, the Portland City Council will make a decision as to whether or not the city should again join the Joint-Terrorism Task Force. This decision could adversely affect the civil liberties of the People of Portland, and may lead to the unlawful surveillance of law-abiding Portlanders in violation of Oregon law and the Bill of Rights. In 2005, Portland withdrew from the JTTF at the behest of its citizens, who had no authority over the shadowy institution that federalizes Portland Police officers and removes their obligation to State law and replaces it with the Department of Justice?s Guidelines on General Crimes, Racketeering Enterprise and Terrorism Enterprise Investigations, which were released 3 year prior to the Portland withdrawal. Under these Federal guidelines, the government can spy on domestic groups with no evidence of wrongdoing whatsoever. Once such an investigation is underway, the line between surveillance and espionage is easily blurred as our civil liberties become negotiable in the name of national security. Even if such investigations turn up no evidence, they often continue for extensive periods of time. Joint-Terrorism Task Forces across the country have been caught on multiple occasions conducting intelligence campaigns against political activists, peace activist, and war protesters. Many Americans remember the story of Sheriff?s Deputy Aaron Kilner, the JTTF officer who infiltrated the group Peace Fresno under the pseudonym Aaron Stokes. For many months Kilner attended regular meetings with the group, eating snacks and drinking punch with legitimate peace activists, while actually intending to collect intelligence for anti-terrorism reports on behalf of the FBI. He was revealed as an agent when he was killed in a car crash and his picture was run in the obituary, identifying him as an officer by the last name Kilner. The FBI also used the JTTF to quell political activists and war protesters prior to the National Republican and Democratic Conventions in 2004. This is not to say that only under Federal authority can the speech and privacy rights of Portlanders be eviscerated, as the Portland Police Bureau has its own colorful history of spying on local organizations. Between 1965 and 1985 targets of PPB surveillance efforts included, but were not limited to, Rape Relief Hotline, Sisters of the Road, American Indian Movement, Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Northwest Veterans For Peace, Women?s Rights Coalition, and Oregon Peaceworks, among many others. On July 26, 1992 Portland civil activist group Peace and Justice Works (formerly Portland Peaceworks) sponsored a meeting at Colonel Summer Park. In attendance were several representatives from almost two dozen lawful organizations, exercising their 1st Amendment right to peaceably assemble, discussing common concerns and working towards a peaceful solution. They expressed a desire to change American nuclear arms policy and advocated for a Civilian Review Board for the Portland Police Bureau. Materials were shared, including leaflets of anti-war materials and various other flyers, as well as a pamphlet that made arguments in favor of more civilian control over the PPB. Several years after that meeting was held, an intelligence report from within the Portland Police Bureau surfaced and revealed that at least one Portland officer, identified as L.D. Siewart, had attended the meeting on assignment. In other words, the officer was doing their job by surveilling the activists. The report, dated four days after the meeting and classified as ?confidential?, is irrefutable evidence that the Portland Police Bureau has engaged in intelligence operations against peaceful, law-abiding Americans. Whether it is by a horrible coincidence or a calculated strategy, the blatant incongruence between organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Mahdi Army, Taliban, and al-Qaeda versus domestic social institutions like Peaceworks is obvious and should not be dismissed as a necessary evil, as such discrepancies are incompatible with the founding principles of the American Republic. Such indiscriminate transgressions quickly become dangerous, which is why laws are passed to protect us from such indiscriminate transgressions. In Oregon, we are lucky to have ORS 181.575, which explicitly prevents law enforcement from spying on individuals or groups based on religious, social, or political grounds without reasonable suspicion of criminal wrongdoing. The law, which came from a 1974 declaration by PPB regarding their collection of intelligence files on various law-abiding social and political activists/groups, only came to fruition after several years of legal battles, finally being adopted by the Oregon Legislature in 1981. Considering that the FBI, JTTF, and PPB have been found to conduct operations outside the parameters of the Rule of Law, often targeting little more than average Americans voicing opposition to government policy, and that these agencies have conducted such operations completely independently of each other, it is not unreasonable to assume that a reaffirmation of alliance between the City of Portland and the Joint-Terrorism Task Force would present a monumental setback to the general liberties that citizens of the Emerald City enjoy today. The rebellious nature of the Portland populace against the status quo is one of the cities hallmarks, earning the city an admirable reputation for taking to the streets in times of injustice and indignation. That reputation could be chilled indefinitely should the FBI and the City again join forces and secretly plot the subversion of our civil liberties, for the simple fact that people may not demonstrate for fear of winding up on a list somewhere in the depths of a JTTF filing cabinet. Yet despite the dirty track records and unauditable proceedings, there is one painfully glaring contradiction: Joining the JTTF will not make Portland any safer. It was the November 26, 2010 Pioneer Square Bomb Plot that brought this possible policy change to the public eye in recent weeks. In that case, 19-year-old Mohamed Osman Mohamud is accused of plotting a terrorist attack under the supervision of the FBI. Nothing prevented the FBI from successfully coordinating with the City of Portland in that instance, not even the absence of the JTTF. If we compare that incident with one that occurred several days later, about 2,354 miles away in Baltimore, Maryland we see a shockingly similar event with one major difference. Antonio Martinez a.k.a. Muhammad Hassain, a 21-year-old who recently converted to Islam, is alleged to have carried out the attempted bombing of a military recruiting station on December 8, 2010 while also working with the FBI. This is most astounding, as Baltimore is a participant in the JTTF. In fact, more State agencies actively participate in JTTF operations in Baltimore than Oregon agencies had ever done in Portland. It is evident that the absence or presence of a JTTF has no mitigating influence over possibility of a terrorist attack. NO JTTF!!

12/17/2010 4:53PM, Dan H., Portland Copwatch

Mayor Adams

Thank you for the opportunity to weigh in on the draft plan to re-examine Portland's relationship with the Joint Terrorism Task Force (PJTTF).

First we should be clear that we believe there is no reason to re-visit the status agreement created in the 2005 resolution. However, we do welcome the opportunity to educate the newer members of Council, the public and ourselves on the relationship between Portland Police and federal agencies including the FBI.

We do appreciate the questions your proposal has raised but have listed several more below for inclusion in the plan.

While the proposed timeline includes at least two touchpoints for the general public, we would hope that before you seek any community input that reports could be generated explaining:

--How many times Portland officers (particularly the Criminal Intelligence Unit [CIU]) have been asked to work with the FBI under the agreement since 2005. We understand there may be private information about the specifics of the cases, but it would be helpful at least to have an aggregate number, and a rough idea what kinds of cases ("terrorism", drug enforcement, etc) that were involved.

--What exactly was the Portland Police involvement in the Nov. 26 Pioneer Square "bomb plot." While it's been reported that Chief Mike Reese knew about the FBI sting operation for two months and assigned officers to aid the federal agents, the public should know more about what our officers were asked to do before weighing in on the question of rejoining the PJTTF.

This issue is particularly important and relates to the reason Portland withdrew from the PJTTF, and a question that is missing from the draft plan:

--Has there been any change to the FBI's stance that the Chief, the Police Commissioner and the City Attorney will not get the same clearance as the officers in the CIU/PJTTF, thus rendering them unable to know whether their own employees are following state law?

The question of oversight and ORS 181.575, which protects Oregonians from investigation into social, political and religious activity without any criminal suspicion, also relates to the Nov. 26 action. Since the Chief was sworn to secrecy, the Mayor and City Attorney could not weigh in on the appropriateness of the officers participating in the action. Since many in the community (including Portland Copwatch) believe the FBI acted questionably to aid the teenager's actions, we wonder whether that was an appropriate use of City employees' energies. If it is proven the FBI violated his rights, what impact will there be on Portland?

After all, the FBI involved local law enforcement in the wrongful arrest of Brandon Mayfield, who was suspected in the Madrid train bombing and spent time in jail because the FBI botched a fingerprint match, using his attendance at a mosque as one reason to investigate him. If the Portland Police were involved and had collected information on Mayfield, then sent it to the FBI, that information would have been distributed nationally and internationally and Portland would have no control over it. If properly monitored, files created by the PPB would be destroyed so as not to be maintained in the absence of criminal conduct (per 181.575).

For these reasons and more, we're concerned about the statements that have been made that the assistance given by the PPB on the Nov. 26 incident "worked the way it was supposed to" and/or was "fantastic work." We should not rush to judgment until we know all the facts.

Another subject not raised in the plan is ongoing review of CIU activities.

--For at least 10 years after the 1996 judgment in Squirrel v City of Portland (aka Squirrel v. Moose), the City Attorney and, later, the director of the Independent Police Review Division (IPR) reviewed the files at CIU to ensure compliance with state law. Is there any such review going on now? Did those reviews include the CIU's work on the PJTTF?

Finally, while we appreciate that the ACLU is specifically being asked to testify at one Council "work session" prior to the February 24 Council hearing, we hope that others will be invited to talk to Council as well.

--Since Work Sessions are open to the public but not public testimony, we think the pool should be opened up to some other folks whose testimony should be entered into the public record from the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 hearings on the PJTTF agreements.

Thank you again for your thoughtful approach to this issue.

--dan h.
--Portland Copwatch (a project of Peace and Justice Works)
PO Box 42456 Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065 (office)
(503) 321-5120 (incident report line)
copwatch@portlandcopwatch.org
http://www.portlandcopwatch.org

12/17/2010, Sisters of the Road
Sisters Of The Road was created based on the values of nonviolence and gentle personalism, which is profoundly about love. We are an organization that actively works to dismantle oppressions. We are a social justice community that understands that in order to really bring about peace, we must insist on radical, fundamental systemic change. Because of these values, our co-founder Genny Nelson mobilized Sisters to resist the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) a decade ago. Therefore,as we have all along, Sisters Of The Road strongly opposes Portland’s possible renewed participation in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Furthermore, we feel that while Portland citizens are unhoused and unemployed, this inquisition is a waste of our attention and tax dollars.

Mayor Adams’ work plan states there has been “significant public interest” in this issue over the years. Local history points to significant public resistance to the City’s role in the JTTF. The Mayor justifies this rehashing by pointing to the possibility that a new federal administration could have brought about safer restrictions to the JTTF structure. Civil rights champions at the Americans Civil Liberties Union cite guidelines recently implemented that allow the government to monitor, survey and record our private lives, political activity and spiritual traditions.

The draft work plan tries to lead us to believe that this is a task that the Council “should” do. This demand is not coming from the people. It makes us question Council’s motives for reassessing our relationship with the JTTF. The people should direct the Council which way to steer the city and how to take care of its citizens and keep them safe, not the other way around. If the Mayor implements this process, we do sincerely insist that, considering the very high risks for ordinary citizens, there is proactive communication from the city and complete transparency and citizen engagement. Here are our recommendations to keep this process honest and accountable, including questions that we need answered more clearly:

How does the city attorney’s office intend on keeping this process transparent and accountable? How wide was the outreach to get input on this draft plan? Details like this should be included in this process.
How much money will be spent on this process, including staff salaries and equipment? Where is the money coming from? Which budget? Has this process been deemed relevant and important enough to take these coveted resources?
The “Project Scope” lists three criteria to assess Portland’s membership status in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Currently the plan doesn’t prioritize these criteria. It is essential that during this process and afterwards, the City prioritize protecting the safety and rights of citizens and activists, not government agencies. History shows us the likelihood that Portland would experience a large-scale terrorist attack is minimal compared to the likelihood that federally-empowered Portland Police officers would violate people’s civil and human rights. Therefore, the three criteria laid out by the City must be prioritized this way: 1) Keeping Portland an open and inclusive community. 2) Protecting of individuals’ rights under United States and Oregon law. 3) Effectively preventing and investigating criminal acts of terrorism.
One public forum on this issue is completely inadequate. Public forums should be prioritized and widely publicized throughout the city on multiple dates and times to get the best amount of citizen input possible. The Council should make it a priority to be in attendance during all of these forums.
During the Informational Session with the ACLU, we recommend inviting other local experts to speak to the issue, Portland Copwatch, the Portland National Lawyers Guild and organizations from communities of people of color.

Sisters Of The Road has been active in the resistance of the JTTF for many years now. Again we are stating that Portland joining the Joint Terrorism Task Force puts us at increased risk of state repression and eroded civil rights. We invite the Mayor, Commissioners and any other interested people to drop into Sisters or contact us if to discuss this issue further. We believe that one of our roles in the community is to create a safer space to discuss these very hard issues in a way that is respectful of people’s feelings. Sisters Of The Road will keep our community and supporters informed of this process and continue to work towards change that reflects our values of love and justice.

12/17/2010 8:26PM, Grace M.
Dear Council, Please do not bring back the Joint Terrorism Taskforce. It should be quite clear that the FBI is bent on targeting and demonizing Muslims and will do whatever it takes to create an environment of fear and hatred toward all Muslims. If you decide to collude with these despicable policies, you will be putting our city at risk of increased anti-Muslim and racist attitudes, and personal risk to innocent Muslim citizens who have no thoughts of blowing anything up.

12/17/2010 4:17PM, Glenn K.
Dear Mayor Adams, It is appalling that using the November 2010 manufactured Pioneer Square threat, you would have the City Council consider having the Portland Police Department rejoin the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The JTTF plan was shelved five years ago over well justified concerns of civil liberty violations. The FBI led Mohamed Osman Mohamud to think of himself as a terrorist, then publicized his staged arrest. The FBI is part of the machine that keeps the working class divided through racism and keeping us xenophobic! The headlines about Antonio Martinez in Baltimore that show Mohamed was not the only target for entrapment. This publicized arrest came after and overshadowed the less publicized FBI's nationwide raids of homes, seizures, arrests, and grand jury summons of activists peacefully opposing the racist war in the Middle East for oil. We are living in a depression, with high unemployment and many homeless. We are the real losers if we allow the continuation and expansion of emergency laws and governmental powers that can be used to strip away our civil rights. To protect everyone's civil rights I urge that the City Council oppose having the Portland Police rejoin the task force. I also call on the Mayor and City Council to demand the immediate release of Mohamed Osman Mohamud and pass a resolution ending the US occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.

12/17/2010 3:52PM, Robert S.
Dear Mayor Adams, I hope you will maintain your principled stand against Portland joining the JTTF. It seems to me that the recent episode involving Mohamed Osman Mohamud's alleged plan to detonate a device at Pioneer Courthouse Square was specifically concocted by the FBI in order to pressure Portland to join the repressive task force. Please resist this pressure! Portland is a beacon to other municipalities who want to enact a progressive agenda... the task force can only serve to stifle our already dwindling civil liberties.

12/17/2010 3:43PM, Jeff R.
Dear Mayor Adams, It is my belief that the FBI's recent phony terror plot was ginned up in Portland precisely in order to motivate the city to rejoin the JTTF, though the Bureau's real goal in doing so is to more closely monitor the region's left-wing political activism, rather than radical Islamic terrorism. I was immensely proud of your stand against the JTTF five years ago, and it was a major reason I enthusiastically supported your mayoral campaign. I fear that you're being overly optimistic in believing that the FBI will be more mindful of civil liberties under President Obama; the institution itself does not change, and furthermore, the Obama Justice Department has continued -- and, indeed, defended -- many of the Bush administration's most egregious violations. Obviously, if the so-called terror plot could be foiled by the FBI (who, after all, engineered it themselves) despite Portland's non-participation in the Task Force, we needn't worry unduly that our security will be compromised by continuing to refrain from joining it. It is my fervent hope that you will adhere to your previous principled stand against repressive governmental surveillance of the citizens of Portland as we continue to carry the banner of progressivism and remain an inspiration to like-minded citizens in less activist-friendly communities around the nation.

12/17/2010 1:02PM, Jeff H.
I think that Portland should not be a part of the JFFT. I am tired of the ambiguous fear generated by this association. The only "terrorist" plots have been sponsored by the FBI! I thought this the "land of the free and home of the brave"? Why do we have to collectively wet our pants every time some manufactured plot is "revealed". We do not need a false-fear based justice system. Stop lying to the people in an effort to control them. When are we going to see some truth, Sam? best regards, Jeff

12/16/2010 10:52PM, Rachael P.
Dear Mayor Adams, I really appreciated your perspective in the Oregonian on November 27, particularly the quote below: "Bad actions by one member of any group does not and should not be generalized or applied more widely to other members of that same group," he said. "Otherwise, as the biggest racial group in Portland, we European-Americans would be in deep trouble." It's hard to follow whether it's on the table or not, but I urge you to hold your ground on Portland's pre-Nov 26th position on the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force, and not change it as a reaction to the events on Nov 26th. The apparent success of the FBI in preventing the alleged terrorist plot should serve as evidence enough that the pre-Nov 26th agreement worked well. One event, however sobering, should not define a broad policy that reaches far beyond the circumstances of that one event, just as "Bad actions by one member of any group does not and should not be generalized or applied more widely to other members of that same group." Thank you for your leadership

12/16/2010 10:02PM, Rev. Andy K.
I will support the Mayor in whatever decision he makes. I'll add to this that I applaud his action in 2005 to withdraw from the JTTF. It was a bold move then and perhaps would be even bolder now. Many other people have given many reasons on both sides of the decision, but for me it comes down to trusting Mayor Adams. He is a brilliant leader and I believe this "turn of the page" belongs to him.

12/15/2010 5:42PM, David F.
We now have a page on our ACLU of Oregon website that has background and many links on this issue (including a link to our op-ed in the Oregonian -- which is where the ACLU link now goes). You can find our page and links at: http://www.aclu-or.org/content/portland-should-stay-out-fbis-joint-terrorism-task-force Thanks.

12/15/2010 3:41PM, Cathy H.
Dear Mayor Adams, Please support the F.B.I. I am a United States American Citizen, I live in Lake Oswego, Oregon. I want the USA to support US Citizens. Please honor US and support US Citizens by exposing illegal aliens, illegal immigrants. Please take a moment and input "naturalized U.S. citizen" on the ICE website. Please support the F.B.I. for the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Merry Christmas!

12/13/2010 1:35PM, stuart c.
Rejoin the task force. When playing the game follow the rules. Don't try to make up the city's own rules.

12/10/2010 10:15PM, Kate F.
I am opposed to Portland rejoining the JTTF. I think the original questions about protecting the rights of citizens remain relevant.

12/10/2010 5:11PM, Claude M.
Here is a VERY relevant link. The 4th Amendment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

12/10/2010 5:03PM, spike f.
I have these emergency numbers for public tips and input . . . 877 TIP-LINE, 503 222-2000, 503 789-1000, 503 222-HELP, 503 24-HOURS, 855 OPERATOR, 855 TELL-ALL, 855 PROTECT