Last week, I wrote a story that looked at Occupy Portland’s growing tactical awareness that the Portland Police Bureau has been—and will continue to be—keeping close tabs on the movement, either by openly attending or watching meetings, but also by relying on information passed along by sources among Occupy.
One question was whether the bureau was also sending plainclothes officers to Occupy events and meetings. Police spokesman Sergeant Pete Simpson told me “there was no need” because so much of what Occupy does is out in the open. Turns out that may not have been exactly gospel.
In the comments of my story, someone posted the following video, which clearly shows to plainclothes officers attending an Occupy general assembly days at Tom McCall Waterfront Park before the big launch march on October 6.
I sent Simpson a link last week and reminded him about what he said in the paper. His response came Tuesday. In an earlier conversation before he viewed the link, he also told me that if there really was an effort to send plainclothes officers into Occupy he “could neither confirm nor deny” that kind of operation.
On the YouTube video, at the time the officers were in Waterfront Park, there was no information about the size, scope or nature of the march that was being planned. If you recall, there was no permit obtained or route shared about the original October 6 march. Officers in uniform, and plainclothes walked through the public park where the meeting was held to learn more about the planned event; specifically, potential size, route, stopping points, etc.; logistical information that would assist the Police Bureau in developing an appropriate response and securing resources for the march as well address the concerns that marchers would be marching in the streets without a permit and blocking traffic (potential criminal activity). They were not there to gather information on anyone’s political views or anything like that as our officers are well aware of the state law prohibiting such activities.
The officers featured in the video regularly work a plainclothes assignment.
Interestingly, an officer outed after hanging out in plainclothes at Occupy Oakland filmed a video saying he supported the movement. Reports out of Los Angeles also indicate infiltration there, too.
Thank you for making this information public.
That female undercover cop is pretty smokin. I’d let her brutalize me!
“Interestingly, an officer outed after hanging out in plainclothes at Occupy Oakland filmed a video saying he supported the movement.”
Interestingly — wasn’t support for the movement the reason the city (and police) tried to work with the original Occupy camp for nearly six weeks?
I wonder if the blonde cop with the ponytail is the same one that was on the Justin Bridges video (?) with the blonde ponytail hanging out from her black helmet?
(which would seem like something the cops wouldn’t allow, as she could have been grabbed by her hair)
But if you are acting above the law, who cares anyway?
Wait, scratch that last thought.
I thought the whole Occupy Portland was supposed to be transparent. Maybe the undercover cops were just representing their part of the 99%. Their pay scale isn’t so hot, and if you look at the risks they go through on a daily basis, it’s a pretty messed-up field.
Overall, it seems like the best thing for all the firm believers, organizers, strategists, supporters, advocates, and anyone else involved with bringing the message to their audience would be to really take time to come up with a focused mission statement.
I’m very supportive of the movement, but not convinced that it really has legs. It seems like a generation of people growing up on various media that encourages stupidity and making sure every special snowflake has their 15 minutes of fame.
If all of the Occupy Portland people realize that this might be breaking down to a reality show (check out MTV’s shit) they might make a better effort to turn this into a reality as opposed to reality TV.
I want to see the smart people in this movement really make some changes, and have a strong voice.
Keep up the good work!
Not even the Gospels are exactly gospel, as far as I’m concerned. Don’t believe what anyone tells you. I don’t even believe myself half the time.
@kimmy47 We at OP don’t care too much about the Police being there vis-a-vis transparency.
HOWEVER, it is against the law for the Police to spy on activists. (See: Moose vs. Squirrel)
When your retirement is missing $337 million you might want to join the 99% of Occupy.