For three decades, Dan Handelman dedicated his Friday nights to advocating for peace and justice in Portland, Oregon.
On the southwest corner of Pioneer Courthouse Square, Handelman led small rallies that addressed critiques of military actions and called for local police reform.
His gatherings often concluded with a march, with Handelman shouting ‘no war’ and carrying a sign that read ‘Justice.’
That routine was disrupted earlier this month by Handelman’s sudden death due to a stroke; he was 60 years old.
In his absence, friends and supporters came together last Friday at the same location to honor Handelman’s legacy and continue the tradition he started.
Matt LaVine, a racial justice advocate, addressed the crowd of about 40 people, stating, ‘We can never replace Dan, but we will do all that we possibly can to continue to honor Dan.’
Attendees showed their respect by carrying photos of Handelman and his cat, Butters, alongside signs that read ‘Dan = Good Trouble,’ ‘War is Terrorism,’ and ‘Stop Bombing Yemen.’
Though some had known Handelman for decades and others had just recently met him, all shared a profound concern over the void created by his passing, particularly in the realm of police accountability in the region.
Charlie Michelle-Westley, a long-time participant in Handelman’s weekly rallies, expressed the feeling of ’emptiness’ and acknowledged the longer journey toward police accountability that might ensue without Handelman’s insightful influence.
Handelman’s commitment to activism was deeply rooted in his upbringing.
Born and raised in Scarsdale, New York, in a family that prioritized civic engagement, he was the middle child of three brothers.
His father, an attorney, served as the town’s mayor, while his mother was a journalist.
From a young age, Handelman displayed qualities that would later define his activism: sensitivity, compassion, and an unwavering focus on justice.
He pursued a degree in theater and set design, which eventually led him to Portland in the early 1990s.
As he made a living through odd jobs in theater production, he immersed himself in issues of national politics and military actions that deeply troubled him.
His brother, Matt, recounted how Handelman was moved to tears over the George H.W. Bush administration’s decision to bomb Baghdad in 1991, anxious about the innocent lives being impacted by such actions.
This emotional connection to global affairs ignited Handelman’s involvement with the peace movement, leading him to protest against U.S. military actions and support advocacy for disarmament.
In a 1991 rally in Portland, Handelman articulated a viewpoint that combined support for troops with an anti-war sentiment: ‘This is a pro-troop and anti-war rally.
We want the troops safe, but we want them safe by bringing them back home.’
Over the years, Handelman expanded his focus to draw parallels between military violence and police violence, observing how power can be misused in both instances.
Barb Greene, Handelman’s partner for three decades, commented on his ability to see the connection between the two forms of violence, highlighting his commitment to broader social justice issues.
In 1992, Handelman founded Peace and Justice Works, a nonprofit organization through which he engaged the community in discussions about U.S. military actions and local policing practices.
It was through this organization that he met Greene when she became involved in documenting anti-war protests.
Greene was initially drawn to Handelman’s intelligence, humor, and passion for pacifism, as well as his willingness to embrace feminist ideals—attributes that were not common among men of his generation.
Together, they produced documentaries, coordinated film events, and published newsletters through Portland Copwatch, another organization that originated from Peace and Justice Works.
Handelman became particularly recognized for his relentless efforts in advocating for police accountability through Portland Copwatch.
He meticulously tracked cases of police misconduct, wrongful death lawsuits against officers, and modifications to city police bylaws—a commitment that predated the online accessibility of such information.
Handelman was an outspoken critic of police oversight and policy decisions at multiple city council meetings, frequently citing long-forgotten rulings and city codes, showcasing an encyclopedic knowledge of Portland’s policing history.
Debbie Aiona, a member of the League of Women Voters of Portland, recognized Handelman’s expertise, saying, ‘He was at the table in nearly every city conversation on policing in the past three decades.’
His advocacy included vocal opposition to the involvement of prosecutors on police accountability boards and the city’s ‘sit-lie’ proposal, which permitted officers to ticket people for sitting on public sidewalks.
In a notable moment in 2010, Handelman successfully lobbied for the firing of a police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man, Aaron Campbell.
In 2016, he pressed for changes in metropolitan rules that allowed police two days to provide testimony after deadly force was used.
He remained active in opposition to the city’s collaboration with the FBI’s joint terrorism task force.
Former City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who occasionally engaged with Handelman, acknowledged the respect Handelman earned, stating, ‘There were times I would agree with what he was saying, other times I wouldn’t.
But I always had the respect to listen closely to what Dan had to say, because I knew that whatever he had to say was based upon some careful analysis.’
Handelman’s civil rights work earned him a respectful voice within the confines of city government and among police leadership, despite his critiques.
Police Chief Bob Day described him as a ‘tireless advocate’ with a wealth of knowledge surrounding police operations.
Former City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty reflected on her collaboration with Handelman, noting that their shared experience researching police oversight structures in the early 2000s influenced a later successful ballot measure to establish an independent police oversight board in 2020.
Hardesty emphasized that Handelman’s legacy will persist through the new board designed for police accountability.
She stated, ‘I believe part of his legacy will be who gets appointed to this new board to ensure its fully implemented in a way he envisioned.’
Handelman’s activism was characterized by a modest lifestyle choice centered around his dedication to social causes.
Matt Handelman shared that his brother lived on a simple budget, working as a handyman alongside theatre work while choosing to forego personal luxuries.
By the time of his hospitalization, Matt expressed that Dan had finally started to rest, as he often devoted himself entirely to his activist work, taking only one or two days off a year.
In his public persona, Handelman may have seemed composed and fact-driven, yet his activism was deeply personal.
LaVine remarked on how Handelman often felt the emotional weight of his efforts before and after city council meetings, recognizing the challenges he faced through every painful issue he addressed.
In recent years, this burden seemed to intensify as Handelman expressed frustration over what he perceived as stagnant progress in police accountability.
Greene recounted how Handelman often pushed himself, attending up to seven meetings a day, all grappling with tough subject matter and contentious dialogues.
Supporters at the recent gathering acknowledged the incremental changes Handelman influenced over time, culminating in policies and oversight tools that shaped the contemporary framework of Portland policing.
However, several initiatives remained unfinished, including the establishment of the new police oversight board that Handelman had tirelessly advocated for before his death.
The board’s operational status is still uncertain, facing delays in member selection and internal city council disagreements.
Hardesty poignantly remarked that Portland has lost a ‘community icon’ whose continuous support for justice and accountability would be felt for many years to come.
The work of Portland Copwatch will not halt with Handelman’s passing, as a group of passionate volunteers, including Michelle-Westley, intends to carry on his legacy.
Despite acknowledging that their efforts may lack the intensity that characterized Handelman’s approach, they remain committed to pursuing the core values he championed.
Matt Handelman firmly believes that his brother would have wanted this activism to continue, reiterating that ‘the world needs more Dans.’
LaVine underscored that Handelman’s groundwork laid the path for future advocates, reminding the community of the possibility for a better future despite systemic injustice.
In the face of Handelman’s absence, many wonder who will now inspire hope and action toward a more equitable society, marking a profound loss not only for his community but for the continual fight for justice.
image source from：https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/24/portland-lost-its-top-police-accountability-advocate-who-will-fill-dan-handelmans-shoes/
