People keep insisting Occupy Portland is running out of gas. Occupy Portland—and others will disagree whether this a good or a bad thing—keeps proving those people wrong.
Saturday, December 3, is looking like another Big Day for the movement. Occupiers on Monday night voted to hold a massive rally that afternoon at the Salmon Springs Fountain, and then march to a new campsite at a still-secret location. The plan has been weeks in the works, but organizers are closely guarding the details lest police get word of what’s coming.
Bring your tents, your sleeping bags, and prepare yourself for a night of non-violent protest while we celebrate the reoccupation of another park with live music and a showing of the film Meltdown: The Secret History of the Global Financial Collapse. Bring your own musical instruments, hula hoops, food for the potluck and positive attitudes! We will be having a Reoccupation Open Forum starting at 2PM at Salmon Springs Fountain at the south end of Waterfront Park. THEN WE MARCH, starting at 3PM, to occupy another park! We have our committees, our working groups, and our experience from the previous occupation. We have a plan, we have sustainability, and we have security culture.
But while there was consensus at the meeting where this idea was approved, it should be noted there’s hardly consensus among the broader movement. Comics journalist Matt Bors, a Mercury pal, was live-tweeting last night’s Occupy spokes council meeting and reported that some occupiers, especially the group’s women’s caucus, aren’t so sure the new “security culture” will do enough to solve some of the safety concerns that emerged in the previous camp.
The reoccupation rally comes hours before a town hall on the future of Occupy Portland at the First Unitarian Church downtown. The church has been a staunch Occupy ally, helping occupiers find housing after the eviction and hosting meetings before and after. The town hall, which needs RSVPs by Thursday, is planned for 5:30 PM.
Beyond that, Occupy Portland has joined a call issued by Occupy groups up and down the West Coast to shut down Pacific Ocean ports on December 12. And there is also a tentative proposal to storm Chapman and Lownsdale squares on December 6, tear down the fences that remain in place some two weeks after the eviction, and start raking all the leaves and cleaning the place.
Update 2:45PM: Mayor Sam Adams’ office says “all parks rules will be enforced at all parks,” and that no structures will be allowed. However,”demonstrating is allowed during the hours parks are open, as long as all park rules are followed.”
While I understand what they’re trying to do, “security culture” could go a little “Animal Farm” in a worst-case scenario. (Yeah, I know, I’m always handy with the worst-case scenarios.)
Portland = NAIVE white libtards
Todd… please familiarize yourself with this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Gathering#Shanti_Sena
Also instituting “Plug in or GTFO”.
Close down the ports? WTF?
That is a prime example of this becoming completely stupid.
And, $1.8 million in OT (sticking it to the 99%) wasn’t enough obviously.
Get over yourselves already.
jesus christ. camping is not occupying. they can change their name to camping portland if they want, but this was supposed to be about the 99%. this is a massive distraction from that.
Any of you folks bitching participating, or are you just bitching? This is a revolution, not a picnic. Expect some disturbances.
Don’t forget about the SE NHood Assemby at the SEIU on SE 64th & Foster at 3pm.
I think the city is putting way too much energy and money into this. I don’t believe that the last park had over $80K in damages, and I don’t believe there is a reason for the number of police to be present. It is a peaceful protest. Just have a few cops on lookout and if something happens call others just like any other event. To put such large monetary blame on these protests is ridiculous. I hope these protests end up setting precedents for saving our constitutional rights , disturbances are expected and welcomed!