Occupy Portland, day 7: (with pics, dial-up warning)

[Rabblevox]

(edited for content)

So, the potential disastrous conflict with the Portland Marathon was averted, and so far Mayor, police, and Occupiers are all still being civil with each other. Right now the main conflict is whether to re-open Main Street or not.

Another morning's commute was stymied by Occupied Portland's ongoing closure of a downtown street.

For a few moments, it seemed Occupy Portland protesters had resolved to reopen Southwest Main Street this morning, seven days after the demonstration began.
The street may have briefly reopened after 8 a.m. But when a reporter arrived minutes later, vehicle traffic remained blocked by orange-and-white sawhorses. Bicycles moved freely down the sidewalks.
Lt. Robert King said this morning that Portland police have repeatedly asked the protest organizers to open the thoroughfare. He said the group's general assembly planned to meet Tuesday evening to discuss opening the street.
King said the encampment and the street closure are law violations, and that officers are using their discretion in not making arrests.

Full story:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/occupy_portland_protest_contin.html

The issue of whether or not the street should be fully re-opened to all traffic has become a tense one in recent days. Mayor Adams and Portland Police Chief Mike Reese have made it clear to the public they would like to open it back up; but that they're using "discretion" — and not the letter of the law — in making their decision.

Adams is walking a very fine line between respecting the rights of the people who are protesting, while "keeping the city moving and operating," he told KOIN TV. Adams is also feeling continued pressure from the media and from some constituents urging him to re-open it.

Occupy Portland does not have the required city permit usually necessary to close a street.

At the General Assembly meeting of Occupy Portland last night, the issue was discussed at length. As of this morning, people have not been able to come to consensus on what should be done. Some feel that the street should be reopened, while others want to keep it closed.

The people occupying the parks on both sides of the street will discuss the issue again at a meeting tonight.

According to a camper I talked with this morning, a group of people took down the barricades early this morning. Then someone else put them back up. When I went out this morning at around 8:30, the barricades remained and a sign on them read; "We love buses and bikes" and "Bus and bikes are methods of transportation.

It's clearly a situation that's changing by the minute.

Full story:
http://bikeportland.org/2011/10/12/sw-main-closure-near-occupy-portland-camps-remains-tense-issue-for-all-sides-60463








(You can't really see it in these pics, but the Occupiers still have several hundred tents in both parks. I'd guess the ongoing occupation at at least 500 people.)

The Occupation in Portland continues to go strong, with a shocking degree of cooperation from the Mayor and police (for now).

Still urgently needed, wet-weather gear, waterproof storage tubs, batteries, extension cords, and hot coffee!

www.occupypdx.com

ps. I'm in the camp that believes the Occupation will be best-served by re-opening the street right now, but I fully get the arguments on the other side.

[renate]

1. I agree 100%, especially since they don't have the permits required to close the street

It's important, and in the peaceful spirit of the occupation, to be law-abiding.

[Rabblevox]

2. Further update:

The big debate in for Portland's Occupiers today is whether they should accede to the requests of the city, police, and TriMet (that ol' oppressor) and open up the SW Main street. The block that runs between Chapman and Lownsdale Parks has been blocked off since the protest settled in seven days ago and meetings often occur at the big elk statue in the middle of the street.
As a major route for the 14 bus and commuters getting to work, the public agencies have been asking Occupy to kindly clear the way of barricades and cardboard signs. The protesters have been encouraging bike traffic to cut through the street, but this morning they also began moving aside for buses.

It's becoming a bit of a principled standoff: Some of the Occupiers want to keep the street closed both for safety and visibility reasons—people are crossing the street all the time between the two parks and the blockade a very present sign of Occupation to passing traffic. On the other hand, the blocked street has inconvenienced bus riders who, it goes without saying, are not exactly the "one percenters" the occupation is protesting.

Just minutes ago, the activists agreed to open up one lane of the two lane street to through traffic, but police want both lanes cleared. Mayor Sam Adams is down there negotiating right now.

Poll time!
No! It's a great symbol of protest! It's awesome and must remain!
Yes! Stop blocking my fucking bus already!
No! It's not that big of an inconvenience, the city has been blocking roads with streetcar construction forever.
Yes! And if they don't, the police should start arresting people!

Please vote in the poll, you do not have to register or give info.

Full story here:

http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2011/10/12/occupy-portland-day-seven-update-cars-are-for-oppressors



www.occupypdx.com

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. "You catch more flies with honey , than vinegar."