They say they’ll discuss policy changes after Black Lives Matter protests, but strongly reject protesters’ demands that Jon Jennings to resign.
Portland Mayor Kate Snyder and members of the City Council on Saturday defended City Manager Jon Jennings amid demands from protesters that he resign over his handling of racial and economic equality.
The city’s leaders also announced several meetings through the month of June at which they plan to discuss policy changes – including to the city budget and police policy – in response to the protests.
The death of George Floyd, a black man who died at the hands of Minneapolis police, has sparked large demonstrations across the country. On Friday, Portland saw its largest – and, at eight hours, longest – protest yet.
Some organizers on Friday called for Jennings to resign, saying he had supported policies that disadvantaged people of color, and had backed a “law enforcement approach to poverty, homelessness, and mental and behavioral health struggles.” A flier distributed around town and online listed several such grievances against Jennings, who has served since 2015.
Snyder and council members defended Jennings at a news conference outside City Hall on Saturday afternoon, arguing that the manager has proved his competence and commitment to racial and economic justice. The council sets city policy and the manager carries it out, so any responsibility for unpopular policy lies with council members, not Jennings, they said.
“We are outraged at the fact of yet another unarmed black man” dying at the hands of police, said Snyder, who called for “accountability and justice.”
Snyder, who was elected in November, said she has been grateful for Jennings’ “constant, all day, every day” assistance. “The city manager has my full support.”
Jennings did not respond to a request for an interview on Saturday, and was not present at the news conference. Snyder said the council hadn’t brought him along because it wanted to take responsibility for its policy-setting role, and refocus the conversation on how the council can better serve constituents concerned about racial justice.
