March 16, 2021

Intro: (Cue intro music) 

Hey everyone, welcome back to What a week!, I’m your host, Olivia Lee, here to deliver your weekly dose of the news. Let’s get started!

In Local News: 

Last Friday night, police arrested 13 protesters after detaining a group of more than 100 in the Pearl District. Officers kettled the protesters, employing a controversial police tactic used to contain people within a perimeter. The practice has been at the center of multiple lawsuits and criticized by  numerous civil rights advocates. The protest was billed as a direct action march with no specified target. Shortly after the march began, police told the protesters they were detaining everyone within the kettle boundary. The police did not immediately provide details about the alleged criminal conduct, but Sergeant Kevin Allen, a police spokesperson, later said there was a quote “reasonable suspicion” that everyone inside the kettle perimeter had  quoted “committed at least one criminal violation.” Police also said demonstrators had smashed windows and blocked traffic by marching in the street.

In-state news:

Last Sunday marked one year since Oregon’s first COVID-19 death. There were no new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon on the anniversary and the state’s death toll remains at 2,322 as reported by the Oregon Health Authority. OHA also reported on Sunday, 234 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 159,617.

In National News:

Last Thursday, president Joe Biden announced that he’s directing all states, tribes, and territories to allow every adult in the U.S. to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination by May 1st. This is considered to be a key part of moving the country into the next phase of battling the pandemic. In Biden’s national address on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic being declared, he said quote "All adult Americans will be eligible to get a vaccine no later than May 1. That's much earlier than expected. Let me be clear: That doesn't mean everyone's going to have that shot immediately, but it means you'll be able to get in line beginning May 1." The announcement marks a sharp shift toward federal control over the pandemic response. As of recent, individual states have primarily been the ones tasked with leading vaccine rollout and setting eligibility requirements.

Last week, President Joe Biden also signed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package bill into law, which includes a third stimulus check, for up to $1,400, and an expanded child tax credit. The bill signing was just one day after the amended bill passed in the House by a vote of 220-211. The House initially passed the bill on Feb. 26th, and the Senate approved it two weeks ago, after making some changes. The IRS stated last Friday that more rounds of stimulus checks will be deposited into bank accounts over the next few weeks. For this third stimulus check, eligible adults will each qualify for a $1,400 check and their dependents will  add to the family's overall total -- even those left out of the first two rounds of payments. 

In International News: 

Last Friday the search for Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old woman who went missing in London officially ended, after remains found earlier in the week were confirmed to be hers. Sarah was last seen on March 3rd according to police. She had been at a friend's house and was walking back to her home in Brixton, a trip that should have taken about 50 minutes.

Sarah’s kidnapping and death— allegedly at the hands of a police officer, has sparked a national conversation around women’s safety. Women from all over the world have spoken out about the all-too-common reality of walking alone in fear. This past Saturday, organizers in London held a peaceful vigil for Sarah. Thousands of people gathered at the memorial for Sarah in London to pay their tributes and raise their voices to end violence against women, before being swarmed by police. Footage shared on social media shows police in London using force against peaceful women protesters and making multiple arrests. The Metropolitan Police have been widely criticized for their part in shutting down the vigil shortly after nightfall and pulling demonstrators away from the scene.

Lastly here is the wildcard news for the week: