Wheeler: Oppression-related bereavement leave for all city of Portland employees

Mayor Ted Wheeler on Monday offered all city of Portland employees 40 hours of uncontested bereavement leave to mourn 400 years of African-American oppression, including the police killings of African-Americans across the country.

Wheeler made the announcement in a June 8 email to city employees. The offer came after more than a week of large protests over police brutality, including the death of African-American George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

"We're witnessing a dramatic shift in our nation, one that is urgently charting the path forward for restorative justice, inclusion and understanding. I feel tremendous responsibility, as well as tremendous privilege, to be a part of this historic movement," Wheeler said.