"Occupy Portland" sets up in 2nd park, reinforces barricade

Images

Occupy Portland (Courtesy KGW.com)

Print Story

Published: 10/10/2011 9:20 pm

Updated: 10/10/2011 9:23 pm

PORTLAND -- "Occupy Portland" activists Monday moved back into Chapman Square, behind City Hall, where they said they would stay indefinitely.

Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said the city would allow them to stay for the time being. "As long as it's peaceful," Simpson said, "as long as we're getting cooperation from representatives, it seems as though it may continue for awhile."

Monday Morning, Police told protest organizers that Main Street, which runs between the two parks and has been barricated closed, needed to be re-opened by the end of the day. Police also told protesters that Mayor Adams had only authorized overnight camping at Chapman Park and that tents pitched in Lownsdale Park needed to be removed.

However, by early Monday evening, even more tents had been pitched in Lownsdale Park, and protesters had reinforced barricades blocking Main Street with wooden palettes.

Protesters planned a 7 p.m. summit on Monday to discuss next steps for Occupy Portland.

What started as a march last Thursday resembled an encampment in the heart of downtown by Monday.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams initially bent the rules against overnight stays in city parks, saying the protesters would be allowed to camp overnight in Chapman Square, something the city ordinance does not allow. By Monday, Occupy Portland had set up medical, food and supply tents. Some had even plugged in to an electric car charging station near the parks.

The thousands who turned out for Thursday's protest have dwindled to a few hunders campers. Those camping at the parks have not said when they all plan to move out. Police have not yet set a deadline, either.

There were concerns over the weekend that the protest would get in the way of the Portland Marathon, but no major problems were reported.

Portland Marathon spokeswoman Katie Edlin said protesters and marathon organizers worked well together and some of the protesters volunteered for the marathon.

A statement released on the Occupy Portland website over the weekend touted the cooperation, reading, "We are excited about cooperation with the Portland Marathon Committee to make this a great experience for all involved."

There were no reports of disruptions during the race or clashes between marathon participants and protesters.

Courtesy KGW.com

Other Stories of Interest

State of Oregon

Print Story

9 Comment(s)

Comments: Show | Hide

Here are the most recent story comments.View All

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of NewsSource 16

TWaldo - 10/12/2011 11:40 AM

1 Vote

Report User

The root issue is the current administration whether you care to get out of your smoke induced coma and realize it or not. "Hope and Change" is not coming with Barry.

motherhawk - 10/11/2011 3:07 PM

0 Votes

Report User

Comments telling protesters to "get a job" are insensitive at best. First, many have f/t jobs already, thank you, myself included. Second, there are 5-7 unemployed people for every one job out there, depending on where you get your statistics. Complaints that the demands are unknown ignore the fact that hostage takers make demands, not liberators. The demands are from Wall Street, demands for tax breaks, no regulation, bailouts, and they have been largely successful. We are here to liberate the 99% from the demands of the 1% who are holding us hostage. If you are still siding with the 1% but still think you are helping the 99%, well there were a lot of folks helping the British in the first revolution, too.

Mordecai - 10/11/2011 12:10 PM

0 Votes

Report User

@aplastic, They were initially threatened with arrest, but when so many people overtook the park it became much harder to enforce with having to process that many people in booking. It's people from all walks of life, race, and economic status out there. There are homeless people out there, people who rent, people who own homes, and people who lost there homes. @rgl1345, It really sucks when the people stand up against social injustices. When Americans show how Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly works. When corporations are feeding off the blood and sweat of workers, CEO's who aren't busting their ass to make a living. Most of the protesters have jobs and take shifts at the encampment. Teachers are there, welders, homeless, students, war vets, warehouse workers are there. Who are you really mad at? The wealthiest individuals are not paying a dime into taxes, the largest corporations are not paying taxes.

aplastic - 10/11/2011 11:16 AM

0 Votes

Report User

If they were homeless people they would have been beaten or shot. But the are priviledged entitled people so they get to camp wherever they want. And portland can pretend they are progressive.

Christa O - 10/11/2011 11:16 AM

1 Vote

Report User

They are protesting the state of the government, and these facts: employment is down, the illegal foreclosures on homes, the bail out on wall street (and the bonuses that employees received afterwords), corporate interests have too much say in our government, that the government is in shambles. Many people, regardless of political party, are angry. These people are speaking out.

rgl1345 - 10/11/2011 11:02 AM

1 Vote

Report User

I am for shooting them..they are deadbeats and must be on welfare. I worked for what I have...they should do the same..screw them

angelgabe - 10/11/2011 8:22 AM

1 Vote

Report User

Maybe this is an ongoing story that I missed: exactly WHAT are they protesting? it doesn’t say anywhere in this article why they are protesting, what their agenda is, or give any information on their reasons for the protest. Might be nice to know.

FairiesATcampB - 10/11/2011 5:58 AM

0 Votes

Report User

We also help spave for Native Voices at Holladay Park from 3-5 pm, feed people chili, and educated people about Leonard Peltier

Mordecai - 10/11/2011 3:05 AM

4 Votes

Report User

A "few hunders campers" eh. I believe that's Norwegian for dogs. That's a lot of dogs taking up in this movement. Even they apparently are pretty upset over the financial and government issues we all are dealing with. Well if a dog can recognize this crisis we are in, that says a lot about the current state our nation is in. I will stand with these dogs.

Click Here to Add Your Comments View All