ABOUT THIS PROJECT
On November 24, 2009, an estimated 500 police and their supporters marched in downtown Portland bearing T-shirts with the message “I am Chris Humphreys.” The Portland Police Union held the rally in opposition to the suspension of Officer Humphreys, who a month prior had shot a 12-year-old girl with a beanbag gun at close proximity. The girl had not paid her light rail fare.
The incident raised many questions about police training and excessive force, and carried added weight, considering Humphreys was also involved in the controversial death of James Chasse. On September 17, 2006, Chasse, a schizophrenic man, was seen acting oddly and suspected of urinating in public. A police chase ensued, followed by an altercation in which Chasse suffered 16 broken ribs, a broken shoulder and sternum and massive internal injuries. He was shot with a taser gun multiple times by Officer Humphreys and Sergeant Kyle Nice, before dying in police custody. The widely publicized case still awaits a public trial.
When I saw the images of the police rally, I was overwhelmed with grief. I felt anger; I felt helpless; I wanted to do something about it. I quickly designed a T-shirt and posted the image on Facebook. Having no real intention of actually making the shirt, I was surprised when I began receiving inquiries.
I approached the Mental Health Association of Portland, a volunteer-run organization dedicated to impartial mental health advocacy, and the publicizing of Chasse’s case. They agreed to provide the seed money to print the shirts, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Brian Lindstrom’s Alien Boy, a documentary on James Chasse, currently in production.
I want to thank Roy Silberstein of the Mental Health Association of Portland for their work. I want to thank Chris Strickland of Printed Matter, who generously afforded discounted printing services. And I want to thank you for helping bring awareness to this important case. I trust you will wear this shirt with pride, discuss this issue with your friends and colleagues, and work to create greater understanding of police accountability and mental health issues facing our community.
RESOURCES & FURTHER READING
A, Icky and Yanke, Erin (ed.). Alien Boy: A Zine About the Life of James Chasse. Reading Frenzy, 2008.
Lindstrom, Brain. “Alien Boy Teaser.” 16 April 2009.
Mental Health Association of Portland
http://www.mentalhealthportland.org/
What Happened to James Chasse?
http://jameschasse.blogspot.com
The Wipers. “Alien Boy.” Is This Real? Park Ave Records, 1979.
