In this image from the summer of 2020, protesters gathered in East Portland and clashed with police for hours, marking the 100th consecutive night of mass protests against systemic racism and police brutality. Dustin Ferreira claimed that, during an encounter with police at a Sept. 28, 2020 protest, his arm was wrenched hard enough to lift part of his wheelchair.
Jonathan Levinson / OPB
Another protester who participated in Portland’s widespread demonstrations in 2020 has won a large settlement against the city’s police bureau.
Portland City Council on Wednesday agreed to pay $400,000 to Dustin Ferreira, a man born with a disease that causes brittle bones. Ferreira claimed that, during an encounter with police at a Sept. 28, 2020 protest, his arm was wrenched hard enough to lift part of his wheelchair. He suffered soft tissue damage to his shoulder as well as an exacerbation of his disease.
Portland officials made no statements when they unanimously agreed to pay. Several departments – the city attorney’s office, risk management services and the Portland Police Bureau – recommended reaching a settlement.
After the hearing, the 40-year-old Ferreira told OPB he posed the police almost no threat. His disease – osteogenesis imperfecta – has caused more than 900 bone breaks and fractures in his life, he said.
“If these cops or federal agents are willing to knock me out of my wheelchair, and beat my ass night after night, and do it while being recorded for millions and millions of people around the world to see, then they’re going to have to deal with the accountability for that,” Ferreira said.
The Portland Police Bureau declined to comment.
Video from that incident shows Sgt. Justin Damerville speaking with Ferreira outside a 7-11 convenience store before the officer suddenly grabbing his arm. Damerville’s grip then lifted Ferreira’s wheelchair slightly off the ground as a crowd nearby began shouting in protest. Damerville then pulled Ferreira away by his arm several feet before handcuffing him.
Jason Kafoury, Ferreira’s attorney, accused Portland police of targeting Ferreira both because of his comments during protests and because he was disabled. Kafoury said, “That’s what makes this such an outrageous police abuse case.”
Damerville resigned from Portland police on May 18, 2022, agency spokespeople confirmed Wednesday.
With Ferreira’s settlement, the city of Portland has now paid out more than $3 million in settlement dollars related to police activity during the 2020 protests, the city attorney’s office confirmed.