The Mental Health Alliance amplifies the voices of people with mental illness, trauma, addiction, and alcoholism in legal and legislative public policy discussions.
The Mental Health Alliance was formed in 2018 to join the continuing Federal lawsuit, United States v. City of Portland as an amicus curie – or “friend of the court.”
Organizations which represent the interests of people with mental illness and have long participated in efforts to reduce police use of force used against people with mental illness – Disability Rights Oregon, the Oregon Justice Resource Center, the Portland Interfaith Clergy Resistance, and the Mental Health Association of Portland, joined together to form the Alliance. Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare was an initial member of the Alliance. The Urban League of Portland and the Pacific NW Family Circle joined in 2026.
RECENT EVENTS
Portland police ex-deputy chief, captain to challenge findings they violated policies during 2020 protests – September 1, 2026
Portland blamed systemic failures, not bureau leaders, for police mistakes during 2020 protests – August 27, 2026
On August 19 and in response to a public records request from the Mental Health Alliance the City of Portland released the first of eight “findings” in response to command level mismanagement of demonstrations during 2020. On August 25 members of the Alliance joined the AMA Coalition in a press conference to ask for records of the investigations.
Full press conference – speakers are Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes of the AMA Coalition, Rabbi Ariel Stone of the Mental Health Alliance, Mike Schmidt of The Urban League of Portland, Pastor Robin Wisner, Rev. Dr. Mark Knutsen, Philip Chacka of Portland Copwatch, and Cameron Whitten. Click here for the full text of Rabbi Stone’s comments.
News coverage from KOIN.com.
Advocates say they’re still waiting for Portland police accountability board to launch years later – from KGW.com
Response from Portland Police Bureau.
Portland police chief says 2020 protest-response shortcomings in past: ‘Judge us … where we’re at now today’ – Oregonian, August 26
Faith Leaders, Mental Health Alliance Call For Release of Full Investigation Into Cops’ Response to 2020 Protests – Portland Mercury August 27
After city leaders decline to uphold findings from independent review of Portland Police Bureau’s protest response, community leaders push for accountability
On August 7 the US DOJ filed a motion to compel the court monitor to review Item 245 of the Settlement Agreement. The court monitor has declined to review the Item, commenting in court the language of the Item is unspecific and therefore not measurable.
Here is Item 245 in its entirety: PPB shall apply policies uniformly and hold officers accountable for complying with PPB policy and procedure.
June 18, 2026 – US DOJ – Letter of reprimand to the Court Monitor
August 7, 2026 – US DOJ – Motion to compel Item 245 assessment
August 11, 2026 – Court Monitor – Response to motion to compel
August 24, 2026 – City of Portland – Response to motion to compel
August 24, 2026 – Mental Health Alliance & AMA Coalition for Justice & Police Reform – Response to motion to compel
On August 4 defendant city filed a motion to terminate Settlement Agreement paragraphs 66 – 67, 78 – 79, 81, 84, 115, 124 – 127, and 190. These items were deemed in “substantial compliance” by the court monitor. Without public comment or discussion, the court approved this motion on same day.
A Status Conference hearing on United States v. City of Portland was July 28, 2026 at the Hatfield Courthouse in Portland.
- Status Report by United States of America Department of Justice
- Status Report Update by City of Portland
- Status Report by Mental Health Alliance
- Public Comment from the League of Women Voters of Portland
On July 14, members of the Mental Health Alliance OPPOSED City Councilor Olivia Clark’s budget ordinance to move funds from the Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA) to general fund. That ordinance was amended to not include the OCPA as the recommended source of funds. Read our letter to all councilors, sent July 14, 2026.
The Mental Health Alliance sent a letter to members of the Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA) on May 29, 2026 urging them to retain independent legal counsel. Read our letter to the CBPA. The City hired Jenny Marston as independent counsel soon thereafter. The Mental Health Alliance wrote a letter to Motus Recruiting, hired by the City to find candidates for the position of Executive Director of the Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA) with skill and experience recommendations.
Members of the Mental Health Alliance OPPOSED City Councilor Olivia Clark offered “Clark 1”, a budget amendment proposal to siphon funds from the incubating police accountability program to replace funds cut from the police bureau. That budget amendment failed. Read our letter to all councilors, sent May 18, 2026.
In February 2026 the parties filed a joint motion to terminate sections of the agreement, items 88-90, 94-96, 141-144, 151-152, and 191. Both the Mental Health Alliance and the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Justice and Police Reform opposed the joint motion. On March 13, Judge Michael Simon signed the order severing the eleven items.
- February 4, 2026 – Joint motion from the parties to terminate sections of the agreement
- February 26, 2026 – Joint amicus brief in opposition to the dismissals
- March 3, 2026 – Joint motion from the parties to terminate sections of the agreement pertaining to the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing from the settlement agreement
- March 12, 2026 – Parties reply to the joint amicus brief in opposition to the dismissal
- March 13, 2026 – Judicial Order from Judge Michael Simon
- April 1, 2026 – Amended Settlement Agreement
In response to demonstrations opposing unlawful detentions by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Portland, the US Department of Justice sought in late 2025 to weaponize the Settlement Agreement. As of July 14, 2026 Judge Simon has not ruled on the Nov. 24 motion.
- October 3 2025 – Letter from Harmeet Dhillon to Robert Taylor & Bob Day – Potential viewpoint discrimination expansion of amended Settlement Agreement
- October 6, 2025 – Response to Jonas Geissler from Taylor – City response to US DOJ October 3 letter
- October 29, 2025 – Letter from Dhillon to Taylor & Day – Request for additional documents pursuant to paragraph 241 of the Settlement Agreement
- October 29, 2025 – Letter from Dhillon to Taylor & Day – Notice of failure to comply with paragraph 241 of the Settlement Agreement
- November 8, 2025 – Letter from Heidi Brown to Dhillon, Geissler, Patrick McCarthy, Scott Bradford – City response to U.S. DOJ October 29 letter
- November 24, 2025 – US DOJ – Motion to enforce the Settlement Agreement
- December 8, 2025 – City of Portland – Response to Plaintiff’s motion to enforce the Settlement Agreement
- December 8, 2025 – City of Portland – Declaration of Heidi Brown, in support of the City of Portland’s Response to Plaintiff’s motion to enforce the Settlement Agreement
- December 9, 2025 – Mental Health Alliance & Albina Ministerial Alliance, Combined opposition to the US DOJ Motion to enforce the Settlement Agreement
- December 22, 2025 – US DOJ – Reply to City of Portland (and Amici) Response to Motion to Enforce
- July 24, 2026 – Opinion & Order denying the motion to enforce
A Status Conference hearing on United States v. City of Portland was July 29, 2025 at the Hatfield Courthouse in Portland.
With its appointment becoming effective on July 1, 2024, the Independent Monitor will assess the City’s compliance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement. The Independent Court Monitor’s first report is due at the end of May 2025.
On May 15, 2024 the Court appointed MPS & Associates, LLC as the Independent Monitor.
About United States v. City of Portland
In 2014 the US Department of Justice issued a finding statement saying the Portland Police Bureau had a “pattern and practice” of using too much force with people with mental illness. In response to United States v. City of Portland, the defendant city offered a lengthy settlement agreement to the DOJ. Judge Michael Simon convened a hearing to ask about the fairness of the settlement. Is it reasonable? Is it adequate? Is it fair? Finding the agreement reasonable, adequate and fair, he continues to hold regular semi-annual status hearings where the parties, amicus curie, and the public can speak to whether the settlement remains reasonable, adequate and fair.
Meaning of amicus curie
Amicus curie is a latin term used in American and English law to identify an impartial adviser, often both voluntary and selected by the judge, to a court of law in a particular case.
Organizational Members of the Mental Health Alliance
The goal of Oregon Justice Resource Center is to promote civil rights and improve legal representation for communities that have often been underserved in the past: people living in poverty and people of color among them. They work in collaboration with other, like-minded, organizations to maximize our reach to serve underrepresented populations, to train future public interest lawyers, and to educate our community on issues related to civil rights and civil liberties.
Disability Rights Oregon is a nonprofit that works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential. DRO serves as Oregon’s federally-mandated Protection & Advocacy service, and their attorneys have represented people with mental illness as individuals in court, in class action suits, and in investigative advocacy.
Mental Health Association of Portland provides impartial and independent advocacy for persons with mental illness and addiction. This peer-driven organization maintains advisory councils and committees for individual educational and service projects.
Urban League of Portland is one of Oregon’s oldest civil rights and social service organizations, empowering African-Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life.
Pacific Northwest Family Circle is an all-volunteer community group that supports Oregon and Washington Families whose Loved Ones were killed or injured by police officers.
Members of the Mental Health Alliance Work Group include –
Michael Bigham is the former Chair of Portland Citizen Review Commission
Dave Boyer, JD is the Managing Attorney for Disability Rights Oregon
Jonathan Brown PhD, MPP is a retired epidemiologist and world health researcher
Juan C. Chavez, JD is Director of the Civil Rights Project at Oregon Justice Resource Center
KC LeDell, JD is with the office of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
Amanda J. Marshall JD is a juvenile law & civil commitment attorney
Mauri Matsuda, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Criminology & Criminal Justice Department at Portland State University
Patrick Nolen is a homelessness activist and advocate
Jason Renaud is a nonprofit consultant
Adam Renon, JD was Senior Policy Advisor to Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury
Mike Schmidt, JD is General Counsel for the Urban League of Portland
Rochelle Silver PhD spent her career treating patients at Oregon’s State Hospitals
Rabbi Ariel Stone led the Congregation Shir Tikvah
Amanda Trujillo is a volunteer with the Pacific NW Family Circle
Nat West is the Executive Director of the Vancouver Farmer’s Market
Mary-Margaret Wheeler-Weber is Chair of the Mental Health Association of Portland
Rory Hays is an Intake Advocate for Disability Rights Oregon
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare was a founding member of the MHA 2017-2019.
For general information about the Alliance, message info@mentalhealthportland.org.
Other amicus curie for United States v. City of Portland
One other organization joined United States v. City of Portland as an “enhanced” amicus curie in 2015. They are the Albina Ministerial Alliance Coalition for Peace and Justice Reform. The Portland Police Association joined in 2015 as a defendant-intervenor.