Community Letter Calling for Clackamas County Commissioner Mark Shull’s Resignation
January 27, 2021
We, the undersigned organizations, unequivocally condemn Clackamas County Commissioner Mark Shull’s statements concerning Muslims, Black people, immigrants and refugees, transgender individuals, and others, and demand his immediate resignation. Since these comments have come to light, Shull has reinforced his previous hateful and degrading statements, undermined his purported attempts at apology toward the Muslim community, and remained silent on his hateful statements targeting trans individuals.
Shull’s previous statements were so deeply problematic that they alone rendered Shull unfit to serve as a commissioner. And since these statements have come to light, Shull has repeatedly demonstrated that he maintains these views through public statements and to his constituents, and at his core remains unapologetic.
At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Shull continued his tirade against Muslims and unabashedly repeated hateful and Islamophobic lies. He has been silent on the hateful comments toward the trans community that denied their basic dignity. He has failed to account for his degrading comments toward other marginalized groups. And at the very press conference where he claimed to apologize, he stated that “All lives matter,” a fundamental refutation that Black lives do indeed matter.
Dozens of organizations, community leaders, and elected officials from across the political spectrum—including all of his fellow County Commissioners—have done the right thing and rejected hate by calling for his resignation, as have thousands of community members.
For the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of thousands of Clackamas County residents, there is no time to go through any further attempts at reconciliation or apologies. Shull is a sitting commissioner who will regularly vote on ordinances and policies that impact the communities he has repeatedly dehumanized. Shull is not entitled to this seat and is completely unfit to serve, and if his wishes are for genuine reconciliation, he must resign to prevent additional harm.
Shull is absolutely unfit to serve in office and must resign immediately. We call upon all members of our community to be in solidarity and join us in this demand.
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Futures Lab
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
Oregon Working Families Party
Our Oregon
PCUN
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon
Portland Business Alliance
Peace & Social Concerns Committee of the Multnomah Friends Meeting (Quaker)
Self Enhancement, Inc.
SEIU Local 49
Stand.earth
UFCW Local 555
Unite Oregon
Urban League of Portland
Verde
List of Signatories:
Africa House
APANO
Asian Family Center
Basic Rights Oregon
Coalition of Communities of Color
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Forward Together
Hacienda CDC
Human Access Project
Imagine Black
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
KairosPDX
Latino Network
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
Native American Youth and Family Center
New Oregon Movement
Next Up & Next Up Action Fund
Oregon Education Association
If you would like to add your organization to this letter, please complete this form.
