*DEEP BREATH* I'm on my way back down to the Occupation, ready to be arrested

[Rabblevox]

So far, I've supported the Occupation from the fringes. Days, marches, camping a few nights, small donations, bringing a little awareness.

Tonight I am going ready to be arrested. It's not my dream, honest. I'm getting old, and my health is not great. I've got a small comfy apartment, a stack of DVD's to watch, keyboard warrioring to be done, and next week's job search to plan. It's cold and wet outside, and I do not relish the thought of going to jail. And maybe I won't. I'll have to see how the night plays out. Either a night in the cold and wet, or a night or two in jail sounds completely unappealing. Oh well.

I've got my sturdy boots and jeans and coat and gloves. I've got two water bottles. I've got the local National Lawyers Guild number written in indelible ink on my arm. That's it. Even my wallet, phone, lighter stays at home. I will remain nonviolent, but I will nonviolently resist if I feel it necessary.

Tonight, on a filthy wet cold night, a few thousand people in Portland are gathering. I'll be one of them. (good luck spotting the middle-aged white guy in a black hooded jacket) ;)

(Live stream)
http://occupyportland.org/livestreammedia/

Wish me well, please.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. take care!!!

[Dr. Smith]

60. What you are doing is important!

[pitchforksandtorches]

93. and may Bob be with you

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. Wave the secret DU wave and we'll recognize you...

:hug::hi: (salute)

[Rabblevox]

7. so, that would be a left-handed wave? kinda like the queen? I'll do it.

[Fire Walk With Me]

16. We'd definitely see that

:rofl:

[MedleyMisty]

3. Wishing you well

Solidarity!

(((((hugs)))) Try to stay safe.

[Fire Walk With Me]

4. Remember to refuse any attempted searches citing the Fourth Amendment, and demand a warrant.

[Rabblevox]

12. absolutely. there are key things to say, like "I DO NOT CONSENT TO A SEARCH!"...

and I'm stalling getting down there because I'm warm and dry right now, the second I step out the door and go back to the Occupation, all bets are off.

OK, get, git! (I'm gone)

http://occupyportland.org/livestreammedia/

[MADem]

14. Uhhh, I'd be careful about that. If he's arrested, they can search him.

They do the usual pat-down, looking for weapons to "ensure the safety of the officers." Doesn't have to be a gun--they could be looking for a knife.

He could end up getting a beat down for resisting.

[Sirveri]

44. Stating it is enough. The point is to go on record for legal purposes.

Never actually resist, then they'll hurt you. But if you say you don't consent you can challenge anything they find (which you shouldn't have anyways if you're planning to get arrested) and potentially have it tossed out of court on grounds of it being an illegal search (flimsy, but possible).

[MADem]

64. I don't argue that, BUT the second they say they are arresting you, they usually follow it

with "I am going to search you for weapons for my safety and the safety of the other officers--hands on the top of the car." They don't ask--they tell! And they're within their rights to do a very limited search for those purposes. As we know, though, they sometimes find drugs which will result in an additional charge.


And you'd best not delay getting those hands on the car, either--all you have to do is watch a few episodes of "Cops" and you can see how that plays out!

[Luminous Animal]

5. Good luck to you and thanks for taking the leap.

[sabrina 1]

6. You are a hero. Thank you. Please keep us posted.

What they are doing is wrong, and thank you so much for standing up to them.

:applause:

[Downwinder]

8. Might be warm and dry in the jail. I found the food there

better than the Senior Center and the company was interesting.

[oldtime dfl_er]

9. You're doing good work

I thank you! Stay warm, if you can, and dry if you can, and safe above all!!!

[Fire Walk With Me]

10. Please tell the media people they need a windscreen for the microphone (foam shaped cover).

Trivial stuff...you are being a hero, a fighter for the Bill of Rights.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

11. You have my best wishes.

It matters what we do.

Best to you, Rabblevox

[Dragonbreathp9d]

13. Solidarity from OccupyAustin

Be smart, be safe, stay strong

[SnohoDem]

15. Best of luck

to you. Take care, be absolutely non-violent, and stand for your rights. My respect for you is immense.

[Downwinder]

17. Whatever you do, don't call the officer "Sonny."

That seems to be worse than swearing at them.

[Enthusiast]

38. I guess "dumb fuck" is out of the question.

[sabrina 1]

41. Lol!

[MADem]

65. If you're old enough, you can sometimes shame them with "Young man." nt

[gateley]

18. Be safe and know you are fighting the good fight! I'm humbled. nt

[Arctic Dave]

19. My utmost respect to you.

[grasswire]

20. Be a witness.

Not just to the police actions, but to the jail and its occupants -- both staff and "guests".

The motto: "There are no bad experiences, only useful ones."

Return with honor.

[EFerrari]

21. Thank you, Rabblevox.

[amyrose2712]

22. Solidarity!

[pacalo]

23. Thanks for being there & the best of luck to you!

[silverweb]

24. Godspeed.

We'll be with you in spirit. Keep safe, and we look forward to hearing all about your experiences when you're able.

[Capitalocracy]

25. Thank you for your service.

I hope the police officers treat you with the respect you and everyone else getting involved in the political process deserve.

[Zorra]

26. Thanks, Rabblevox.

Hope you stay safe, warm, and dry - and not in a jail cell.

[Smarmie Doofus]

27. You fuckin' rule. K and R N/T

[Tsiyu]

28. You go, Baby

:headbang:

:yourock:

K&R


:kick:

[bananas]

29. I wish you well! Good luck!

When luck works, it's pretty damn awsome,
when it doesn't work, it sucks but it's still worth it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. KNOW your rights

[tcaudilllg]

31. Well looks like Order 66 has indeed been carried out.

I heard in San Fran a cop got knifed. I don't think I blame the knifer... ya'll have no right telling us what we can and cannot do, or what sacrifices we have to endure or whatever. You can play the meek sheep all you want... but there are always two sides to every successful cultural transformation, a hammer... and an anvil.

[nadinbrzezinski]

33. Interesting reference there

http://thumb18.shutterstock.com/thumb_small/98191/98191,1297415551,2/stock-vector-vector-illustration-of-a-male-worker-or-blacksmith-striking-hammer-and-anvil-with-sunburst-in-70929862.jpg

[aquart]

34. WTF carries a knife to a peaceful protest?

Someone who doesn't get it.

[aquart]

32. You are a hero to me.

Allowing people you can't trust to take control of you so that we can eventually regain control of our nation and economy is courage.

And I am very glad you have a few thousand to stand with you. BLESS YOU ALL.

[daleanime]

35. Stay strong!

:grouphug:

[emsimon33]

36. I accessed the live stream

and I plan to keep it running all night so that the Portland police know that the eyes of the world are on them!

Thank you for what you are doing. If I were in Portland, I would be down there with you with a large cup of Stumptown in my hand!

[Enthusiast]

37. Thank you for your service to the nation.

I mean that with all sincerity.

[Rabblevox]

39. UPDATE: 1:30 am...

Crowd is huge. Night is cold and wet. At least 5,000, maybe a lot more than that. Lots of families with kids, lots of older folks, lots of media. A strong contingent of clergy, ACLU and NLG lawyers out acting as observers. Atmosphere is positive, dare I say exuberant. Entirely peaceful so far from what I saw. Cops are gathered in force, maybe 1/3 in riot gear, but they are hanging back for now.

It's obvious that they are going to wait for the wee hours, so I'm going to nap and rest my creaky bones for a few hours, and head back down around 5 am.

Thanks to all for the good wishes and nice thoughts. Portland feels the love right now.

[Hissyspit]

40. PHOTO Thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2296892

Report of officer injured, hit by projectile. (unconfirmed)

[Hissyspit]

42. Someone reporting directional sound trucks.

[sabrina 1]

43. Great photo! Stay warm.

Keep us informed if you can. We are watching the livestream.

If you read this, and can get to speak, ask the people to stay. Just saw a report that the police will wait until the crowd diminishes. At Berkeley they were going to do that also, but one of the protesters did a mic check, asking everyone to stay 'please do not leave' and they didn't. So, the cops had to cancel their plans.

[Hissyspit]

45. Live coverage on CNN

[Melissa G]

57. Warm wishes.

Hope you are safe and dry. Thanks for helping maintain the peaceful space.

[tavalon]

46. I hope you don't get arrested but thank you for being willing to

It shows a great love and commitment to the cause.

[October]

47. I wish you well! And then some! /nt

[coalition_unwilling]

48. You, sir, are an American patriot in the best traditions of

Patrick Henry and Henry David Thoreau.

[Paka]

49. I grew up in Portland.

Thanks for what you are doing. :hi:

[femrap]

50. Hope all went well....

Thank you for standing up for all of those, including me, who can't be there.

[greytdemocrat]

51. Ahhh...

If you're looking for a job it probably isn't the brightest idea to get yourself thrown in jail.

Stay safe.

[datadiva]

52. I wish you well

and wish I was well enough to go with you.

[Earth_First]

53. WOOT!

:fistbump:

THANK YOU!

[socialist_n_TN]

54. Solidarity and good luck. And remember ANY resistance

in this dictatorship of capital that attempts to benefit the working class at the expense of the exploiters WILL BE ILLEGAL. When we ALL understand that, the threat of arrest loses it sting and becomes instead a badge of honor.

Thanks rabblevox!

[lunatica]

55. kick'd and rec'd

[Auntie Bush]

56. My son and DIL are at Occupy Wall street right now.

They'll be home tonight and maybe I can share some details.

[davidthegnome]

58. Good luck

Thank you for going out there from one of those of us who can't. If I lived anywhere near where a protest was being held, I'd go. Unfortunately, I'd have to drive six hours and I can't afford the gas. Barely able to pay for anything right now... good luck and thank you, you are one of many heroes who will ultimately help make some of our dreams a reality. Wish I could stand with you.

[Rabblevox]

59. Well I'll be damned. We held the parks. WE! HELD! THE! PARKS!!!...

I got back down just before 6 am. Crowd was much smaller than it was last night, but still close to 500 people at 6 am, when the police successfully got people off the streets and back into the two parks.

The mood down here is exhausted, defiant, exuberant. Final tally: 1 arrest, 1 minor injury, 1 police force completely stymied by the will of the people, (and 1 very tired, sore, cold and un-arrested Rabblevox)

I am so fucking proud of my city right now. It was one of the most beautiful demonstrations of people power I have ever seen in my life. Whatever happens next, that's something they can never take away from us. This genie will NOT go back into the bottle.

Thanks again for all the good wishes and support. I felt I was standing for many of you last night. Now this old man is going back to bed for a few hours.

(and if you live in/near PDX, the emergency GA at noon will be in Terry Shrunk Plaza, not Pioneer Square as announced last night.)

So. Eviction notice served, but the Occupation remains in downtown Portland.
Here's what we didn't see last night: Mass arrests, violence, naked people covered in Crisco, anarchists hiding in trees with makeshift weapons.

Here's what actually happened: Curfew broken, dance party, street closure attempt, police officer injured, rough arrest, hours-long street standoff, COOL HEADS PREVAILED.

Thousands of protesters went toe-to-toe with riot gear-clad police in the middle of the night and peace, for the most part, prevailed. I feel like giving the whole city a high five.

Now the long version.

More:
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2011/11/13/occupy-portland-morning-mop-up-wtf-happened-last-night

[classof56]

62. Thanks and blessings to you and all who occupied.

Portland is an awesome place--worthy of all the praise and honor we can heap upon ya!

Watched the live stream on KGW for awhile, now it's not there, but will check back. And thanks for the link to the Mercury blog.

Solidarity!

[Downwinder]

67. That was beautiful when they ran the police out of the street.

[Veracious]

61. VIGILANCE!!!!

Gods Speed

[Rabblevox]

63. Some great pics from last night, courtesy of the Portland Occupier...

I'm still having trouble believing that this ended well, but it did!

















More photos (and live blog reports) here:

http://www.portlandoccupier.org/2011/11/12/n12-13-live-blog/

[nadinbrzezinski]

66. It did. And that is good

[dana_b]

68. the people united will never be defeated

simple but true. Great job rabblevox & Portland!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=s-j31YoEeRU#t=80s

[Atypical Liberal]

69. Solidarity from Occupy Huntsville! n/t

[Rabblevox]

70. Heading back down. Things are red-hot tense. God Damn I'm tired....

But I have to go back down, I just can't do otherwise.

Best info sources are the live stream, and the twitter feeds from Occupy Portland and Denis Theriault (news editor for the Mercury, been tweeting constantly)

Livestream:
http://www.livestream.com/occupyptown

Occupy Portland Twitter feed
https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23occupyportland

Denis Teriault Twitter feed:
https://twitter.com/#!/theriaultpdx

Once again, wish me well.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

71. You got it, my dear Rabblevox!

I am so proud of you!

Please take care...

:hug:

[Fire Walk With Me]

73. You, and everyone there, are heroes!

Be safe!!!

[Ohio Joe]

72. Be safe! - nt

[defendandprotect]

74. Thanks for letting us know -- and good luck to you all tonight -- !!

:hug:

[On the Road]

75. Good Luck, Rabblevox!

.

[karnac]

76. considering lindsay Lohan only served 4 hours out of a 30 day sentence..

Don't think you have much to worry about. So rejoice in your MASSIVE sacrifice for humanity!

Unless you you get housed alone with 300 pound ugly Bruno who even crack hookers won't touch.(unlikely)
Then you have done your bit! ;-)

[red dog 1]

77. I Wish You Well, Too....But You Should Be Wearing a Football Helmet!

[Remember Me]

78. Absolutely breathtaking --

"We held the parks!"

What an incredible bit of news. (I feel like I'm getting news from the American Revolution. shiver)

[bertman]

79. Thank you for what you are doing. REC. nt

[PatrynXX]

80. visited my therapist the other day

social worker whtever because I've got depression. and get SSD. supposedly the moment your arrested at one of these protests (and it isn't fair) they revoke the SSD. only naomi wolf probably could tell me otherwise. thats my only income right now...

[Rabblevox]

81. UPDATE: 6pm Sunday...wins and losses (and pics)...

The afternoon was incredibly tense at times, but still 99.9% peaceful. About 1500 people completely Occupying main street until about 5 pm. I was on the front lines for awhile, some cops looked scared, some looked like they wanted to be anywhere else, and some looked very eager to bust heads.

Best single moment was when a woman carried a box of Voodoo Donuts to the police, while the crowd chanted "we love you!" to the cops, most of the police turned their eyes away, hopefully in shame.



One in the front lines was a neighborhood beat cop that I've worked on committee with before. I looked him in the eye and said "please don't do this, you know me, we've worked together". He didn't respond, but looked a little ashamed.



About 5pm, during an emergency GA, 90% consensus was reached that the current situation was not supportable. A second emergency GA now going on in Pioneer Square, still at least 1000-1500 people, most look serious and dedicated and intent on remaining peaceful.

When I had to leave, no decision about next steps had been reached, but I've hit the wall. Except for a few brief naps, I've been out there and on my feet for 2 days. My feet, knees, and back are toast right now

There are still plenty of families and grandparents and middle-class workers supporting the Occupation, and except for one very minor incident, the Occupation has remained peaceful.

I tried to get to the mike to give a shout-out to DU, but it just didn't work. But know I was out there for you too.

Portland, you are beautiful, and I love you. :grouphug:

(and I'll be back down tomorrow)

[unkachuck]

82. Gods' speed, peaceful warrior....saving the Republic is no small task....n/t

[madmax]

83. Godspeed dear heart. Nt

[NYC_SKP]

84. Welcome to the top of the greatest, Rabblevox!

:toast:

[Rabblevox]

95. TY, feels weird. I always thought of the "greatest" posters to be the big kids on the block...

and I don't at all feel like that. But it IS strangely cool and gratifying. (does this mean I no longer need to worry about getting pantsed or stuffed into a locker for a thread?)

[NYC_SKP]

96. You are now even more likely to get pansed and thrown into lockers!

:rofl:

[rhett o rick]

85. Thank you and be safe. nm

[Kablooie]

86. A brave fellow. Wish you all the best.

[DiehardLiberal]

87. Heard your shout-out!! Thanks and great job! nt

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

88. Solidarity bump!

[OKDem08]

89. I just saw you on Occupy Portland's livestream!

Keep it up!

[Rabblevox]

91. w00t! I was hoping someone from DU was tuned in then! (about 8:10 PST )...

I wish I knew if there was a way to retrieve livestream footage.

[midnight]

90. K&R... Wishing you well.... Thank you..

[Rabblevox]

92. BREAKING: Unitarian-Universalist Church opens to the Occupation tonight!...

The UU church here has long been on the front lines of social and political justice, but tonight they are offering to open to shelter up to 750 Occupiers overnight. That is above and beyond. I thank them.

[Rabblevox]

94. One more BREAKING, and goodnight...

Tomorrow night's GA will be (tentatively) in Pioneer Square at 7 pm. Right now there is no plan for the next action, but this is not going away. They evicted the camps, but WE proved that we can literally shut down the city at will. The final crowd tonight was exhausted and dead on it's feet, but still positive and peaceful. We cleaned up Pioneer Square before we left.

Right now there is no indication of what the next phase will be, but we have obviously moved into a new phase of the Occupation.

We will be back and back and back. We will prove to you that the people own the government. The government does not own the people. We know that you have the guns and the hi-tech toys and the money. You will soon learn that that means nothing in the face of determined opposition, solidarity, and love.

For every one of your soldiers, there are at least 100 of us ready and willing to risk and defy and stop you.

We WILL win. We WILL prove that love is stronger than greed, control, and fear. We WILL be on the right side of history.

If you treat us like criminals, we win. If you gas us, hit us, bean-bag us, we win.

I'm tired, I'm sick, I hurt. I haven't been on my feet this much in years. I could not be prouder, either of myself or my fellow citizens.

ps. I got one of the biggest cheers of the night when I gave a shout-out to and from DU!

Livestream scheduled to go back up about 4pm Monday (PST)
http://occupyportland.org/2011/11/12/check-live-video-feed/

[Tsiyu]

97. FirstLight started a thread about your Shoutout!!

Thanks for "taking us with you."

Get some rest and keep up the very important work.

:applause:



FirstLight's thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2301706