A little while ago, a group of organizers and liaisons laid out the conditions, as laid out by the Portland Marathon, for how the Occupy Portland camp could stay at Chapman Square once the tens of thousands of runners, volunteers, and spectators for the race start packing the nine-block area around the park come this weekend.
Basically, because the park is inside the marathon’s usual “red zone”—a massive swath of downtown cordoned off by fences and black curtains and requiring security clearance to enter—campers would have to agree to pretty much stay inside the zone for 24 hours during the height of the race. One entrance, with an escort, would be provided. And there also would be a bathroom. Which one organizer said was “exciting.”
Beyond that, Occupy Portland would have to put up with heavy machinery assembling and dismantling the security apparatus before and after the race. The finish line is right outside the park, on Third, across from the Justice Center.
The terms were laid out in meetings with the mayor’s staff, marathon officials, and police officers. The marathon’s strong preference was “that we leave this square,” organizers said, but if the campers continue to stay put, the marathon says it also “supports the movement.” Those meetings were sparked after organizers called the mayor’s office—a HUGE advocate for the movement—and obtained phone numbers for marathon officials this morning.
Police also said they would protect the campers no matter where they wound up, offering to help find new locations but also agreeing to allow them in Chapman Square. So long as, organizers say, no “major laws” are broken. And, yes, I still smell pot. The concern was some vandalism last night—two arrests out of a couple hundred campers. “This type of behavior changes the equation,” police liaison Alaina Melville said.
Two other points? Main Street—dubbed Elk Road—is going to reopen imminently. And the arts council has asked folks to stop climbing atop it.
Will campers stay? Most seem committed to remaining. “If we move, I think we lose something,” one man said by the electric car charger where I’m typing this. But a decision won’t come until 7 tonight, after the next general assembly.
Update: Another release by the police is after the cut.
After the conclusion of yesterday’s successful march, numerous people asked for permission to camp in the parks overnight. Those camping were told that the Portland Marathon has had a long-standing permit that began on October 7 at 9 a.m., to allow for preparations before Sunday’s Portland Marathon. This morning, Occupy Portland’s General Assembly held a press conference and stated that they were in support of the Portland Marathon and wanted to work collaboratively on an agreement that would suit the needs of both organizations.
The communication between all the parties has been marked by a desire to be collaborative. At this time, discussions are productive, but have not reached a final conclusion. We will release further updates as discussions progress.
The mood in the parks is relaxed, and people who are camping are otherwise following park rules. The Police Bureau will continuously monitor the camping situation, but are not expecting any large-scale issues.
Last night, one man and one juvenile were arrested by Central Precinct night shift officers after they were observed by a citizen “tagging” several locations in Downtown Portland, including a marked Portland Police Bureau patrol car. The Portland Police Bureau will make arrests as necessary, as we are committed to public safety. However, we believe there is a spirit of cooperation with Occupy Portland, and that participants are educating each other in an effort to deter further criminal activity.