The big debate in for Portland's Occupiers today is whether they should accede to the requests of the city, police, and TriMet (that ol' oppressor) and open up the SW Main street. The block that runs between Chapman and Lownsdale Parks has been barricaded since the protest settled in seven days ago and meetings often occur at the big elk statue in the middle of the street.

As a major route for the 14 bus and commuters getting to work, the public agencies have been asking Occupy to kindly clear the way of barricades and cardboard signs. The protesters have been encouraging bike traffic to cut through the street, but this morning they also began moving aside for buses (though not all have been sure they can use the route).

It's becoming a bit of a principled standoff: Some of the Occupiers want to keep the street closed both for safety and visibility reasons—people are crossing the street all the time between the two parks and the blockade a very present sign of Occupation to passing traffic. On the other hand, the blocked street has inconvenienced bus riders who, it goes without saying, are not exactly the "one percenters" the occupation is protesting.

Just minutes ago, the activists agreed to open up one lane of the two lane street to through traffic, but police want both lanes cleared. Mayor Sam Adams is down there negotiating right now.

Poll time!