Episode 9: The Multnomah County commissioner and ER doctor talks about bearing witness and the health hazards of police tactics
On this episode of the Street Roots Podcast, Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran discusses the importance of standing in solidarity with Portlanders at Black Lives Matter protests.
“I cannot emphasize enough how important that was to go down and bear witness and be there myself to just see with my own eyes what was happening, and not just take whoever media accounts of what was happening,” she said.
As an emergency doctor, Meieran also spoke to some of the health hazards of police tactics against protesters.
“The irony that we are sitting here with a respiratory viral pandemic affecting people's breathing systems, and this federal occupying force comes in and is indiscriminately throwing out these tear gas canisters, which so impact breathing, and particularly the most vulnerable. … The choking, coughing and damage we are trying to prevent this with peaceful protests. We have our masks, we have our respite, we have all of this stuff, then this goes out and injures people.”
Meieran also gave a play-by-play of her own tear gas experience, denounced federal troops occupying Portland, gave an update on where the county stands on the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
COVID-19: An ER doctor and elected official, Sharon Meiran balances two roles during coronavirus crisis
Listen to the full episode below.
The Street Roots Podcast reflects the opinions of host DeVon Pouncey and his guests.
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