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Well, sort of…

A crowd of well-over 1000 filled Pioneer Courthouse Square this afternoon to protest budget cuts to Oregon schools. But unlike other recent protests, this one was composed almost entirely of teenagers. There were also some educators, a few Portland mayoral candidates, and some (notably excited) parents, who beamed with pride as they passed the protest torch to the next generation.

“I wish people would get the idea that schools are actually important,” said Kai Russell, a 17-year old at Franklin High School. Russell was joined by his friend Remi Darr, also from Franklin, who said he was marching because he feared the constitutional law class he was taking might be cut next year. “It won’t affect me because I am a senior, but I don’t want to see it go way for others either.”

The “UPSET March to Stop Budget Cuts” was organized primarily by Portland-area high schoolers, and it was pretty impressive. Starting at Grant High School, the protesters moved on to the Rose Quarter, then over the Broadway Bridge. As they marched, and as schools got out, their numbers grew from a crowd of about 200 to at least 1000 people that filled Pioneer Courthouse Square. “I mean look at these kids, this is no bullshit,” said Ellen Fortin, a mother of two in Portland schools. “This is grassroots. These kids did this themselves.”

At the square, several mayoral candidates showed up. Jefferson Smith, Eileen Brady, and Cameron Whitten were all in attendance (Charlie Hales was not spotted). None of the candidates spoke at the event. All called for dedicated education funding in the future. And all the candidates seemed impressed with the kids’ organizing effort. Of the mayoral hopefuls Whitten said it the best. “I really believe in these kids. There are over 1000 kids out here on a Friday afternoon.”

And now some more pictures:

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27 replies on “Teenagers Occupy Pioneer Courthouse Square”

  1. I read or heard this was the brainchild of a Portland School Teacher, not the kids themselves. Which could be viewed as self-serving.
    Nathan?

  3. The spin machine is getting us ready for the $1B (yes, as in Billion) bond measure to rebuild schools that PPS is planning to roll out.

  4. The media machine preparing us for the $1B (as in Billion) capital bond measure to rebuild schools that PPS is getting ready to roll out.

  5. Self-serving?! Stupid teachers wanting to teach kids. Stupid kids for getting off their bottoms and have better schools. This is impressive. We need more. Like occupy, these students are tired of our society degrading itself for no good purpose.

  6. They should be protesting the city hall for turning Lincoln high school, and tax dollars, into giveaways for developers. Get rid of the PDC and PPS would have the money they need.

  7. It is clear that budget cuts already cut out teaching hygiene, physical education and basic economics (capitalism).

  8. Liberals don’t like schools. That’s why Portland is so underfunded. Liberals are about as selfish of a group as it gets.

  10. Wow. that really showed them… em, somebody… er, who the fuck has some money?

    It would be great to get better funding for Portland schools, I have a vested interest, but who?

    Personally I feel that the federal government needs to pony the fuck up. How much are we spending on “national defense” again?

  13. Andy defense numbers are laughably off, If you actually believe those figures, you are an idiot. Also, the US has one of the lower ranked school systems in relation to other developed nations. Also, I love how you crack on the perceived less worthy status of others and you’re from fucking bum fuck Beaverton, That’s irony, people,lol

  17. You are very naive if you believe those numbers, and they don’t reflect what we really spend or include funding for “black” or secret projects and operations. My cousin works at the pentagon in procurement. I was in the military 8 years and can tell you the White House numbers are a joke. It’s common knowledge. But you are an idiot, as most of your postings prove. Nice childish name calling. That really proved your point, right?

  18. Buttstopper, my original numbers are over 30% more than the White House numbers. Just how high do you expect that number to be? My cousin worked in accounting at the Pentagon and said your cousin regularly sucked my cousin’s dick.
    I love how you crack on the perceived less worthy status of others and you’re from fucking bum fuck nowhere, That’s irony, people,lol. BTW, nice childish name calling.

  20. Andy from Beaverton and his numbers point out the most glaring issue and solution. Cut the defense budget in half and we could better afford necessities like education. Thanks for pointing out how insane it is to spend so much on military, Andy.

  22. Andy, I am guessing you are either 15 years old or suffer from some developmental issues as relates to brain function. Let me simplify that for you….YOU ARE A FUCKING MORON

  23. Turdstomper, you can’t answer the question that you claim to know the answer to? You’re more of a pussy than I even thought. My cousin says that your cousin thinks you’re a pussy too. Who the fucking moron now? What’s the current military budget? A simple question you can’t answer.

  26. Thank you tk, I have little patience for that imbecile. Brilliant writer though. I can picture Andy having a stroke in the future

  27. The ButtPlunger, TK and purplesox, three douche-bags all in a row. What is so difficult about this?

    The original question was “How much are we spending on “national defense” again?” Then I compared that to TOTAL spending on education. The numbers TK pulled are only from the federal governmnet and does not include what the state or local governments pay. Chalk and cheese.

    Once again ButtStopper, show me some real total spending numbers on defense.

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