The Portland Liberation Organizing Council (PLOC) announced their group’s intention to hold a May 1 demonstration today at a press conference held outside of a North Portland foreclosed home. The May Day rally aims to speak out against corporate banks’ power over local foreclosed homes.
Starting with a 9 AM march, the event will end up at a currently undisclosed area where they plan on some kind of “land liberation action” to reclaim the land—speakers hinted towards turning a empty home into a community center, a family house or a community garden—and come to a close with a community block party. “This is going to be a festive, celebrating action,” said PLOC’s Isobel Charle at today’s meeting.
While PLOC has not requested any permits from the city—or spoken to the city at all on this rally—its organizer, Taran Connelly said that the community where they plan on marching to is in full solidarity with their effort.
Despite the members’ clear background with Occupy Portland, nothing in their press release or statements alluded to the connection. However, Occupy also has May Day plans of its own in store. PLOC speakers hinted that the May 1 movement may turn into an occupation.
Charle framed this demonstration as the second wave of Occupy, quoting Mayor Sam Adams’ November comments in response to the movement: “It is my sincere hope that the movement, with its focus on widespread economic inequity, will flourish in its next phase.”
“That phase is here, Sam, we call on you to support the movement by restraining your police force as we take positive action to remedy social injustice,” said Charle.
“On May Day,” she said, “it begins.”
I live in North Portland and I’m certainly not “in solidarity” with this event, though NoPo is certainly a large swath.
It’s one thing to “occupy” a park. Occupying actual property that doesn’t belong to you is breaking and entering. I hope these folks realize they’re looking at real jail time.
Chuck, you’ve missed the point entirely. You might want to review the name of the group organizing the action.
Also, it might be a nice opportunity to recall that so far, AFAIK, none of the criminals responsible for the greatest act of fraud in the history of the planet have faced the real jail time that those taking part in the action might. How is that for justice?
“”land liberation action” to reclaim the land—speakers hinted towards turning a empty home into a community center, a family house or a community garden—and come to a close with a community block party.”
That’s different than what Occupy did, how?
“Charle framed this demonstration as the second wave of Occupy”
Again. Whatever they’re calling themselves is of little consequence. It’s Occupy rebranded.
I’m all for those responsible for the housing bubble to pay, both financially and with their freedom, but posting up in an abandoned house, which will result in arrests, isn’t going to accomplish that. It’s not going to “bring awareness” to it. It’s going to cost Portland dollars. That’s when the impact ends.
Whatever action was taken for the ALEC protests seemed to work. Do that again.
NAME THAT BAND CAPTION CONTEST! I’ll start:
Squatters Rights
Eddy Sideburns & The Landlords
Liberation Gentrification
Crowded (Foreclosed) House
Red House Squatters
The All Girl Summer Occupy Band
Protest by doing the thing they are accusing the target of doing
Detroit Squat City
Sits McGee
Sitty Planners
May Day Real Estate
Rank Amateurs
McLords of McMansions
Strangely Committed to Underwater Borrowers’ Assets
Reverend Ploc and the Spread Boobs
watch the whole press conference: http://vimeo.com/alexmilantracy/ploc-may-d…
That blondie with the glasses never misses a photo op.
Pathetic white-guilt “progressives” are so stereotypical, either wimpy weak beta males or shrill obese harpy women.