25 arrested Peacefully at Occupy Portland. Our police deserve a hug!

[Rabblevox]

edit for clarification. We are still occupying the original two parks 24/7, just the new third site was shut down last night)

Twenty-five Occupy Portland demonstrators were arrested early this morning after refusing to leave Jamison Square.
The arrests capped an intense hours-long standoff between police and dozens of protesters who refused to leave the Pearl District park after it was declared closed at midnight. Officers, some in riot gear and others on horses, faced off with protesters who remained in the square, despite being ordered to leave.

After the park's closure at midnight, a group of demonstrators remained, facing off with police. Officers used night sticks and horses, shoving people to the south end of the park. A circle of protesters remained seated in the center of the square wearing bandannas over their mouths and making peace signs with their hands. The crowd on the edges of the park, meanwhile, grew increasingly agitated, yelling at police: "Whose park? Our park," and "You guys are bullies!"

Demonstrators were arrested on accusations of trespassing, interfering with a police officer and disorderly conduct for the noise complaints from neighbors. Their names will be released later this morning.

Portland Police Chief Mike Reese said more people would have been arrested but many chose to walk away minutes before officers handcuffed them. Reese said police waited to make arrests, hoping people would leave instead of being arrested.
"At the end of the night, there were people who did want to be arrested, so we did that in the nicest way possible," Reese said.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/portland_police_arrest_25_occu.html


Check out the quote from our Police Chief: "At the end of the night, there were people who did want to be arrested, so we did that in the nicest way possible," Reese said.

I actually want to give our Chief of Police a hug right now. THAT'S how you do your job as a cop, without losing your soul in the process. (Hey Chief, why don't you drop by the hugs tent today? You earned one last night.)

Also, MAJOR up-twinkles to everyone involved with Occupy Portland for doing such an incredible job keeping things sane and safe and responsible.

That's how we roll here folks!

[gateley]

1. And the other day someone posted that the Raleigh PD were behaving

peaceably, too.

I noted on that post and will suggest here, that you drop a line to your local paper and news shows commending them on their actions with lack of force. They are to be commended and it will inspire them to continue being good cops. IMO, anyway. :hi:

[Rabblevox]

4. That's an excellent idea. I've already emailed thanks to the Mayor, I'll get one off to the chief..

today. They DO need to be appreciated when they are doing their job right. The ODD thing to me is, that Portland Police have a really bloody history with protests, but they have been absolute pussycats so far.

[Better Believe It]

2. Cops should be hugged for violating our democratic right to assemble and the Constitution ....

because they didn't kick the shit out of protesters .... this time around?

I'll pass on the hugs and kisses.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Better Believe It]

16. You're right. I'm real tough on supporting our democratic rights and freedoms. Sorry about that.

Presidents Bush and Obama certainly aren't.

I'll try to be more like them.

[Supply Side Jesus]

29. Stay tough behind that monitor, tough guy

plus, tough guys always cry to the moderators.

[fascisthunter]

51. what does your post even mean..?

[dionysus]

39. ROFL.. you're the wind beneath our wings... a true american hero...

:rofl:

[Rabblevox]

6. THESE cops violated nobody's rights. You might think/wish that the constitution gives...

people the right to assemble anytime, anywhere. I wish that too. But it does not. That's been upheld by approx a gazzillion case laws. And most certainly the right to assemble past midnight in a residential neighborhood would not survive even the most liberal judge.

They did their job, enforced the law (they kinda have to, you know)

No rights violated this time, move along.

[HuckleB]

7. Exactly.

The truth is, in the matter, that this park is in a residential neighborhood, and noise complaints were being made. Unless, as a society, we're going to give up on health altogether and let noise be the rule of the day, so no can get good sleep, then the police had to do their job.

[Better Believe It]

9. So we are only permitted free speech and assembly when and where granted by the government. OK

You right.

I didn't understand that.

[jberryhill]

15. A rights violation confers standing to sue

If you don't grasp that, then I suggest you start with Thoreau and catch up on how protest works.

[Better Believe It]

27. Not if the courts in the United States and other nations don't recognize such rights.

We're the democratic and civil rights of Black Americans violated before slavery was overthrown or before the Supreme Court reversed it earlier position which defended Jim Crow laws prior to 1954? Using your logic, if a lawsuit could not overcome those human, civil and democratic rights violations one would have to take the position that no rights were violated. And that of course would be absolute nonsense that has nothing to do with the real world.

And how about the numerous and clear violations of our free speech rights in our history that have been upheld by reactionary Supreme Courts? While, if lawsuits in defense of the Bill of Rights were not successfully defended before the courts would that also mean that free speech rights were not in fact violated? That too would be nonsense.

The fact that one couldn't win civil liberty and civil rights lawsuits during those difficult times did not lesson the violations of our Constitutional rights.

From an ivory "intellectual" tower one might fail to notice that.

And what does your reference to Thoreau have to do with defending government actions violating our Constitutional rights?

I don't recall Thoreau condoning police violations of our civil liberties simply because they didn't club the shit out of us!

And Thoreau didn't advocate pacifism for everyone one under all conditions.

Thoreau advocated non-violence as an effective tactic but he did not make it a principal since he defended John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry and supported the overthrow of the slavocracy during the Civil War.

Now, I'm not advocating violence, however, I'm also not about to hug and kiss cops who violate our Constitution and democratic rights simply because they didn't beat the living crap out of protesters.

I do favor mass demonstrations demanding an end to such violations of our rights.

[Rabblevox]

17. Yup. Might not like it, but it's ben upheld all the way to the Supremes....

edited for happy fingers

And you might want to learn just a touch about constitutional case law before you begin insulting others for stating the real-world facts, not the "Democracy Rock" version of same.

[hack89]

25. Just like you can only exercise 2nd amendment rights when and where granted by the government.

every one of your constitutional rights is bounded by laws - every one.

on edit: now there are bad laws out there but eventually it works it way through the system and the Supreme Court rules on the constitutional aspects of the law. The case law is extensive - what happened in Portland is legal.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

32. Okay, let's assume you have a job.

Is it okay for me to stand in my living room shouting "I am the 99%" into a bull horn at all hours of the day and night? After all, I'd be exercising my right to free speech.

Don't you just hate it when life wanders into those grey areas?

[Better Believe It]

13. The cops tried to "enforce" the law in Cairo by banning protests.

I take it you also supported the Egyptian cops in their efforts to enforce law and order in "residential" areas.
I think it was part of their "peaceful neighborhoods" campaign.

So it's OK for cops to break up any protests and violate our rights after a time specified by the government.

Every hear of the ACLU .... or for that matter the Bill of Rights in our Constitution?

I don't recall reading the part about such rights not being valid in certain neighborhoods or in the evening.

I'll have to read the Constitution again. Missed that.

[Rabblevox]

20. Your one post from my ignore list. I don't mind anyone being wrong, but aggressivel and ...

repetitively wrong? Not so much. So yes, challenge me on facts again, I'll add you to ignore, and we can both get on with worthier pursuits.

[Better Believe It]

31. So I'm "repetitively wrong" "aggressive" and dare to challenge your views on a discussion board!

How thoughtless of me .... challenging your opinions on a democratic discussion board.

I'm so sorry!

Well, if you don't like anyone to challenge your views or alleged "facts" perhaps this is the wrong discussion board for you to use.
I suppose you could start your own board in which everyone who posts is required to agree with you or just put everyone on DU who disagrees with you on ignore. That's the ticket!

[UnrepentantLiberal]

33. You're one of the few who doesn't know that you just lost the argument.

So the cops in Ciaro, Egypt are of the same mentality as the cops in Shelton, Washington, Oakland, California, Birmingham, Alabama in the 60s, Portland, Oregon, and Soweto, South Africa in the 70s? And all the cops in all of those divisions are of the same mindset? Do tell.

[Better Believe It]

35. I don't like police forces. They don't represent us. They work on behalf of the 1%

You'll learn that someday when some smiling cop clubs you on the side of your head for excercising your constitutional rights.

You'll just have to learn it like many of us did, the hard way.

Police forces in American can be and have been just as viscious and right-wing as those in Cairo, Egypt or South Africa in the 60's and 70's.

How about those cops in Oakland. Do you really think they just were a few bad apples in a wonderful and progressive police department?

Did you go over to Oakland to hug one of them?

[dionysus]

40. nice set of straw men you just put up there.

:rofl:

[JVS]

48. +1

[geek tragedy]

55. There is no right to demonstrate after midnight in a residential

neighborhood and preventing the residents from sleeping.

Sorry, but reasonable rules have always been constitutional.

[classof56]

3. Way to roll, Portland Occupiers, and hugs to PPD!

I was at the Occupy Bend march, about 400 in number. Very orderly, well organized and never did see any Bend police. A security guard was posted in front of the Bank of America branch adjacent to where we gathered. Think she was not armed, but she did smile when we walked by and waved. Lots of honking cars showing support downtown, and the march ended at the campsite where the occupiers have been staying with permission. They will vacate today, after cleaning up the area, leaving it the way they found it.

Any Occupy Bend folks reading this--way to go! Look forward to next time!

[Danse]

8. Stockholm Syndrome

Yes, let's hug the criminals who violate our constitutional rights because they don't attempt to kill us in the process.

I'm sorry, but I find this post EXTREMELY creepy. Have we really reached this point? We're supposed to THANK police for not trying to kill us when we exercise free speech?

Someone should put this thread in a time capsule.

[Rabblevox]

11. You are SOO wrong. I'll thank anyone who does their job well, and treats me with respect...

and if you knew me at all, you'd know that one of my passions is taking on the police every damn time they are out of line.

Stockholm?

Sorry, please try again.

[JVS]

52. +1

[coalition_unwilling]

10. My question would be why they brought the cop in on a horse, like

some Cossack out of Pasternak's 'Dr. Zhivago.' Grew up on a farm and horses can do a lot of damage to people on the ground and to their riders if they get spooked. Someone needs to alert the Chief that horse-mounted police are not a good idea in any type of crowd-control situation.

[Danse]

12. ...

Overseer
Overseer
Overseer
Overseer
Officer, Officer, Officer, Officer!
Yeah, officer from overseer
You need a little clarity?
Check the similarity!
The overseer rode around the plantation
The officer is off patroling all the nation
The overseer could stop you what you're doing
The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuing
The overseer had the right to get ill
And if you fought back, the overseer had the right to kill
The officer has the right to arrest
And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest!

(Woop!) They both ride horses

After 400 years, I've _got_ no choices!

- KRS-One, "Sound of da Police"

[Rabblevox]

14. Actually, that is their PRIMARY use these days...

I hate mounted police with a passion, but they are at every single protest here that might get out of control.

These horses are extremely well trained, I've never seen one spook in a crowd, even when it was chaotic and violent. And three mountes working in tandem can push back a huge number of protesters.

And I don't think they worry too much about hurting us once they wade in.

[Danse]

18. Horses

"These horses are extremely well trained, I've never seen one spook in a crowd"

Go watch the vids from NY, just a few days ago. Horse got spooked, fell over and nearly killed half a dozen people.

"And three mountes working in tandem can push back a huge number of protesters."

Well isn't that special. Perhaps we need more of these horses to push back more protesters.

[Rabblevox]

21. Did you bother with my 1st sentence? "I hate horse police with a passion"...

I was merely stating that I have never seen one spook here in a major confrontation. (and I've been in a few)

[coalition_unwilling]

22. I've seen horses spook in non-crowd-control settings, and

it scared the shit out of me. Which is why I question their use in these civil disobedience mass arrests.

[TBF]

19. "MAJOR up-twinkles"? Seriously?

The goal with the 99% movement is to demand economic equality. Hugging the police and writing flowery speech about them does not have much to do with resistance. Did you do yoga with them too?

Good lord ...

[grasswire]

23. Gotta protect those commercial interests in the Pearl!

All those 1% enterprises!

[Arugula Latte]

24. self delete

[Arkansas Granny]

26. There was a good resolution in Little Rock this week also.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9QJCCKG2.htm

A discussion was held, an alternative site was offered and taken, waste bins and portable toilets were provided.

[kestrel91316]

28. Wow, you mean they DIDN'T have to shoot them in the head to arrest them??

[idiotgardener]

30. Why stop there?

Let's hug everyone who managed to do the job they were trained for without cracking heads or using unwilling animals weighing about a thousand pounds to intimidate and crowd others.

[Marazinia]

34. Bail and Lawyer fund

Is there a bail and lawyer fund somewhere for those arrested?

[in_cog_ni_to]

36. Hugged? I think not. Those people are being illegally arrested. The police are

violating the Constitution!

[HuckleB]

41. How were they illegally arrested?

:shrug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

46. First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[geek tragedy]

54. Um, the legal system says you're wrong.

We do not live in a state of anarchy.

[Defectata]

37. should we hug them for posting arrest pics on facebook too?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150325893010904.337000.65391820903&type=1

[A-Schwarzenegger]

47. What the hell??? FACEBOOK?

Is that a first? Do they post shots of everybody they arrest?

[blindpig]

38. They would deserve a hug if they refused to arrest.

Do we go around congratulating people for not acting like rabid beasts?

[HuckleB]

42. If I lived in the neighborhood, and my kids couldn't sleep because...

... the protesters were choosing the night time to chant, well, are we really thinking that that's ok?

This is a residential area we are talking about.

[blindpig]

43. Where's the solidarity? n/t

[HuckleB]

44. Solidarity goes both ways.

Portland has supported the Occupy movement big time. This move to a residential area caused a rift that did not need to be caused.

[blindpig]

45. Well, that was a mistake.

Wouldn't doubt that the cops forsaw the repercussions, did OWS?

In truth these demos should be held in front of the offending institutions, banks, chambers of commerce, government buildings.

[Lizzie Poppet]

53. Agree completely.

The #occupiers (well, the hardliners...there was considerable disagreement over this move) made a poor decision. The park in question is indeed in a residential neighborhood,* not in our financial district, and that kind of disrespect for fellow citizens is foolish and contemptible. I can understand wanting to move from the parks the city has waived the no-camping ordnance for: they've become a mess, and that's in large part due to the fact that damned near 50% of the overnight "occupiers" at this point are in fact hobos and gutterpunks with only the barest awareness of what the protests are even about. But wiser heads should have prevailed.

*Yes, that residential area is pretty upscale. 1%? Well, in some cases, perhaps...but most of P-Town's true 1%'ers live a bit to the west, in King's Heights, etc., or upriver on the Willamette, in Dunthorpe. Top floor in the (very urban) Pearl is 1% territory, but the rest isn't. Top quintile, but not top 1%.

[AsahinaKimi]

49. Did you notice that in the second photo...

The people there in the group, are the very same posted on that FACE BOOK page, that the Portland police posted? I recognise all those faces, from the FB page. (That had been posted some where on DU a few hours back.)

Here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2215861

[A-Schwarzenegger]

50. Here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=2215861

[AsahinaKimi]

56. yep..thanks!

^^"