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This is a press release from the PR committee.
Portland, OR — Ten protesters were arrested yesterday during a march against police brutality and in solidarity with Occupy Oakland. The tone and tenor of the Portland Police is of heightened aggression toward protesters and even bystanders, pulling individuals from the sidewalk to arrest them. Two windows were broken during the march; the police responded by violently arresting those not associated with the property destruction.
Eight days ago Occupy Oakland protesters were attacked with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash grenades when they attempted to use a long vacant building to provide community services. Over four hundred people were arrested en masse.
This national action, called for by Occupy Oakland, was not officially an Occupy Portland event and was organized by others in the Portland community. The Occupy movement is a non-violent movement and has not engaged in violence or property destruction during its four months of existence. Recent and past incidents are the acts of autonomous individuals.
The only violence during the evening was committed by the Portland Police Bureau who responded violently during the march. The police did not immediately respond to the breaking of two windows, nor did they target people who had participated in those actions. After the incidents, they forcefully arrested anyone who lingered in the street as well as pulled people from the sidewalks. Protesters were thrown to the ground, some visibly bleeding, and had their hands and feet tied by riot police.
Riot police showed a new level of aggression at the protest and made arrests in at least four locations in SE Portland. In all instances but one protesters were marching almost entirely on the sidewalk. The majority of those arrested were released within an hour on minor violations.
“I was with part of the march after riot police rushed at us,” said Emmalyn Garrett, a member of the Occupy Portland PR committee who was there to observe the march. “I was standing on the sidewalk on Belmont Street, when an officer ran up behind me, grabbed me by the hair, and shoved my face into the pavement, breaking my glasses in half and cutting my face. I was arrested for standing on a sidewalk at an anti-police brutality march. The police are out of control.”
For the sake of transparency, Occupy Portland Livestream will be posting video of police aggression that was captured by its cameras. While Occupy Portland did not organize this event, we once again call on Portland Police Chief Mike Reese and Police Commissioner Sam Adams to release all the video from their own cameras, uncensored and uncut for all the community and taxpayers to see.
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Interview with one of those arrested can be found here.
Not for nothing, but we need to speak out about the people that destroyed private property last night and then disappeared allowing everybody else to deal with the police.
Pointing fingers at the police only addresses that after effect of what set the tone of that night…
This was a really dissapointing press release given the actions of some of the protesters. You’re making it very difficult for the general public to support you when you try to claim that the police were responsible for all the aggression, while only stating ” Recent and past incidents are the acts of autonomous individuals.”
There were broken car windows, trash cans thrown in the street, broken store windows, and general intimidation that was all caught on camera. Call out this BS or lose legitimacy. To try and pass all the blame to the police is disingenuous. I want to support you guys, I really do, but you’re making it impossible to stand with you.
Thank you, ck, my thoughts exactly. And the broken window was a local restaurant, of all things!! That is why I’m going to propose and “insurance fund” for local businesses innocently vandalized by Occupy Portland marches to give compensation. It’s the least I can do, on how involved I am from the movement. I sense opposition on this already, if you can voice your support, please do!!
It’s listed on this website as an event in the calendar. What does an event then entail?
If this was not a official “Occupy Portland” sanctioned event then why is it even being discussed? Why not just issue a press release saying those involved in the event acted on their own and you disavow their destruction of property which hurts small businesses and tax payers?
Try to read the whole title. The rally was called “anti police BRUTALITY” not “anti police.” That means the rally was to protest against brutality perpetrated by police officers.
Reading the first few words and neglecting the rest can get you into trouble: someone who’s “anti child abuse” might seem to be against children, or a person who call themselves “anti animal cruelty” might seem to be anti-pet. The key here is careful reading and critical thinking.
This is meant to be a response to Rick John Denton’s comment below.
The invitation sent to members of Occupy Portland, via Occupy Portland social media channels, was for an anti-police brutality march.
As I have since learned, doing my homework via google, the organizers of this march were planning an anti-police march. Had I done my homework in advance, I would not have been surprised by what happened.
To clarify, the window of a car and the restaurant Genoa were broken. The event was organized outside of the Occupy Community. (There hasn’t been a political vacuum before Occupy, y’know?)Its incredibly misleading of the Oregonian to label this march as an Occupy Demonstration. I participated in the march, the majority of participants did not participate in property damage. Its too bad someone’s car window was broken. I disagreed with the target, and said as much after the act. On the other hand, if the act of property damage had been directed at international corporations or large banks, I would have supported it.
Occupy should only speak for itself. The non-violent, civil disobedient tactics employed by Occupy are evident. The tactics used by the radical community should be debated & critiqued. Perhaps there should be a clear distinction between Occupy & other events.
The acts of property damage occurred at the beginning of the march. Afterwards the police (who were stationed in large numbers throughout the neighborhood(s) all night) practiced very heavy handed aggression. I witnessed spontaneous arrests of people who were obeying police commands. I saw an overzealous eagerness towards conflict. The narrative in the news quotes Police Lt. King without challenge, he claims that demonstrators were the more hostile group. The evidence Lt. King provides to prove this statement is a more confrontational tone in the literature about the event. The reality is heavy-handed police violence. The amount of manpower & equipment deployed by the police cost taxpayers far more then any protestor did.
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Guys,
Advertising a march as “anti-police” was not too swift. We each need to deal with this problem so that the media can’t successfully sell a violent Occupy image to the public. Rick John
Thank you, OPDX PR for not completely disavowing the group of people who marched last night. I understand where the group feels it needs to make distinctions and clarifications as to who was involved and what took place, as OWS is a populist movement couched in non-violent rhetoric, but it makes me glad that, this time, people won’t be thrown under the bus. Solidarity.
-reality check – well written article THANKS!
-the cops have been killing and hurting unarmed people in this town for years.
-yet some people just want to talk about broken windows?
-Soldiasrity w/ Oakland and all the folks getting arrested and hurt by the local police.
Exactly. Thanks for making these points.
“Recent and past incidents are the acts of autonomous individuals.” If you claim to represent the 99%, then you claim to represent these “autonomous individuals” too.
Wait, did I read that the police were present when the property destruction happened? Sounds like a plant to me… they see this happening and do nothing until the vandals have meshed into the crowd and never to be seen….This sounds like a set up for the Portland police to become violent… Are PDX’ers memory so short… They (PDX police) try to cover their asses for everything, and we all know that that comments on this site. Now, a few line’s from William Shakespear’s soothsayer,… “Beware the ides of March. Beware the ides of March. At mine own house, good lady. About the ninth hour, lady. Madam, not yet: I go to take my stand, To see him pass on to the Capitol. That I have, lady: if it will please Caesar To be so good to Caesar as to hear me,… None that I know will be, much that I fear may chance. Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow:… Ay, Caesar; but not gone. ”
Be wise and aware paradigm shifters… our time is now.
Your beautiful occupy, like “flowers growing in cracked concrete.” Your critics “strain out the gnat and gulp down the camel.” They find flaws to rationalize their complacency or they like the powers of the dark side. But the truth is obvious and “guided by a message from heaven, the birthmarks on our skin, and the beauty of our weapon.” I’ll see you at the anti-war march this Saturday.
Hey all who were arrested or brutalized Monday night,
Come to the Arrestee Committee meeting Sundays at 6pm for solidarity, mutual support, and action planning. Call the legal hotline at 503-902-5340. Witnesses to police brutality should call the hotline too to report what you saw. See http://elkpdx.org for more info.
This is crazy. These protester behaved in an action that intentionally provoked the police for thier “anti-police brutality” march. I bet they were happy they got the reaction they got. Is that what occupy wants to stand for?
It is not an official OPDX event in a sense that it did not go through the GA and Spokes, nor did it originate in the Actions Committee. That does not mean we should simply disregard them as we feel convenient for the sake of political or PR expediency.
This whole incident is really fishy. The vandals (black bloc) appeared to have quickly disappeared as soon as these activities occurred, and the po-po never did anything in response as they should have. Combined with the alarmist press release from the Po-Po-Bo earlier that day, dots should connect automatically that this was all within the strategy of the Po-Po-Bo to levy a warfare against the demonstrators and that was done through their own black bloc agents provocateurs to provide a pretext.
While this may sound overly conspiracy-theorist, it is important for this movement to make NO room for the black bloc. It would be helpful to have an official OPDX safety policy prohibiting black bloc attires, just as we already have policies against display of racist, sexist, and other oppressive behaviors/expressions. Since the black bloc is making our movement less safer, we ought to make them clearly understand that they are not welcome. And for heaven’s sake, we need to know who are in the marches and other actions — create some mutual accountability so as to keep some troublemakers from doing evil hiding behind anonymity and crowds.
You are not imagining things,it’s real and you are spot on.
Sarah and all,
I’m not going to engage in this full debate re: black bloc since I wasn’t at Monday’s march and I don’t think an internet forum is the best place to arrive at any understanding of what happened and why. I do need to speak up against some dangerous suggestions you make here, though.
You may not be aware that since even before the eviction, police have been targeting protesters and “snatching” them–grabbing people from the crowd, off the sidewalk, often over a police line, arresting them, and subjecting them to rough treatment when they were doing nothing illegal and nothing different from anyone else. Random charges are made up after the fact. On multiple occasions, protesters have witnessed police consulting a print-out of photos (probably mug shots of those arrested previously in OP non-violent civil disobedience actions), pointing at a particular protester, then snatching and arresting them. ELK legal collective has been gathering data on these patterns. If anyone out there has witnessed this, please call the legal hotline at 503-902-5340 to report it.
This is a traditional and of course illegal police tactic geared toward repressing political dissent by targeting specific individuals for harassment and wrongful arrest, in hopes of intimidating them and anyone who witnesses it. It’s a flawed and misguided tactic for several reasons. For one, there’s little rhyme or reason to the targeting/profiling the police have done to Occupy Portland protesters so far. One pattern is that people of color seem to get targeted for harassment more. And second, it’s less likely to intimidate us than to make us more determined to stand up for our legal and constitutional rights in the face of political repression.
In light of this reality, that protesters of all stripes are being profiled and targeted by face and name by police, I think it would be wise for *more* people to disguise their identity at actions as the movement continues to confront the powers the police are beholden to protect. Not because of intent to commit acts of violence, but because of awareness of the level of political repression we’re now facing in this city and this country.
I believe it’s dangerously naive to think that anonymity in itself is a problem and that some should take it on themselves to unmask others. I’ve not yet masked myself at a march, but cops have told me, in an obvious attempt to intimidate me, that they “know” who I am. Who I am is someone who keeps tabs on them and takes note of their acts of brutality against peaceful protesters. I’m well within my rights to mask if I choose to. I’d appreciate it if you don’t take it upon yourself to unmask me and instead help us document all the acts of rampant police violence and wrongful arrest.
Sarah, you’re delusional. The black bloc has been doing this shit on their own and in other marches across the globe for 30 years. Just because it’s new and frightening to you doesn’t mean that you should make connections that feed your own fear, especially since there is a serious lack of anything close to evidence.
Black bloc is a tactic, it is an well known and in many places in the world a trusted tactic, just because portland is scared of it doesn’t mean it a bad thing or that it’s a secret plan by the cops.
Get a grip.
I am friends with those autonomous individuals who organized this march. Indeed the intentions were just: peaceful solidarity with those who have suffered at the hand of the state.
Who would be threatened by this statement of solidarity? Anyone who is afraid of or ideologically opposed to organized progressive free speech: capitalists and black bloc anarchists (and certainly others).
What do they gain from imposing destructive tactics at public events such as these? Derailing a movement with power to influence consumers, and a movement which has the potential to “rebuild institutions” (instead of simply destroying them, as the black bloc intends).
Before discounting the Occupy Movement for all of its hard work in in the community (too bad free community education, legislation, and guerrilla gardening aren’t “sensational”!), dig a little. Try on critical thinking for size and see what you find.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/02/06-3
I have supported and followed along with Occupy movement from Savannah Ga now to Portland, until now. In the end, it is all about personal responsibility. Owning our own mistakes.
My son and I followed along with the march in the beginning. It wasnt too far into it that one of those involved, tagged that vehicle with a lady inside. That isnt harmless stuff, that is terrorizing a woman, a mother, a fellow human being, and damaging her property.
At that point I lost faith in an organization that does criminal acts and then shouts “Fu%* the Police”. But wait, when the group started actually fighting amongst themselves, they cried out to those same police to act upon that aggression. You cant have it both ways.
The final straw was when I was labelled a cop by one in the group and then those around him started antagonizing my son who has sat with me in support of Occupy Wallstreet.
That wasnt a movement of solidarity for equality of mankind. Either you take responsibility for your actions or you dont. My 14 year old son watched, a woman be terrorized, a car get smashed, a business get damaged, and a group of so called adults yelling “Fu*& the Police”, and harrassing my 14 year old son. That was very anti-police and not representative of the 99%.
I would no longer support Occupy Portland and their beliefs.
Sensorship will happen when this post doesnt make your wall.
I am an undying supporter of Occupy Portland, and I realize that this movement is still going through it’s birth pains. This has never been done in this country and it will have slips and falls along the path. As we grow, we will handle things as we go. Even though those involved in that march acted autonomously, and may have done some damage, the actions of the police cannot and will not be excused. The public is rapidly losing confidence in the PPD because of the rash of incidents as of late. Patients! this will run its course and we will fine tune as we go. Solidarity!!!!
P.S. A fund for repairing damages and a volunteer force of skilled laborers wouldn’t be a bad idea.
I fully support the Non-Violent Occupy Movement. I am not trying to be smart*ss when I say the Occupy Movement needs to “police” itself. The Occupy Movement is being infiltrated by people who want to destroy it for their own less-than-ideal reasons.
I think we need to understand that, in the eyes of the public & the media — heck, even in my own eyes, as someone who came to the march to livestream it — that this *was* an Occupy event. It was publicized via Occupy meetings and Occupy social media. The distinction between “officially sanctioned” and “not officially sanctioned” isn’t sticking, outside of facilitated circles. If it is publicized via the Occupy community, then it is de facto an Occupy event. The simple fact of the matter is, lots of Occupiers showed up, and essentially were used as human shields by a few adolescents intent on smashing up a quiet 99%’er neighborhood. The cops didn’t care about the vandals, because their purpose in being here was political. The cops were waiting for the first weak excuse to begin terrorizing the Occupiers, who made up the bulk of the march (and who took the bulk of the punishment, after the pseudo-black-bloc kiddies ran away).
We were set up. On two fronts, actually. The pseudo-black-bloc kiddies set us up, to take the fall for their little senseless vandalism spree. The cops set us up, to take the beating (bodily, and in the media) for the acts of a few outsiders (who, themselves, disavowed Occupy during & after the march).
I believe there is a time and place for black bloc, such as to create a diversion when peaceful protesters are getting the crap beaten out of them by a lawless police force that has lost all restraint. (Where was the pseudo-black-bloc kiddie brigade then? Apparently, at home, on their parents’ computers, talking smack against Occupy on Facebook.) The petty acts of vandalism & terrorism against the 99% of SE Portland was *not* black bloc. There simply is no defense for how those individuals behaved, and they were the first to disavow Occupy — and even engaged in violence against Occupiers, when we objected to their senseless destruction.
We had violent people dressed in black in front of us, and violent people dressed in black behind us. Both deliberately harmed Occupiers, bodily, and in reputation. How did this happen?
Jess, yes, you probably were set up, in a sense. The fight (to the extent that there is one) is between the people you describe as the “violent people dressed in black” in front of and behind you. Until you fully and completely embrace one of those sides, each of them will see you as a part of the other. To each of these sides, you are defined by your backdrop. The police will not distinguish between Occupy and Black Bloc, and Black Bloc will not distinguish between Occupy and the police. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic: you stand at the center of a battlefield offering appeasement to both sides. That is a strategy which cannot work, and for as long as you employ it, you will suffer as the fodder for both sides.
I don’t agree that I have to choose allegiance to one of these dangerous groups. I don’t offer appeasement to either of these factions. Their black-and-white thinking, lumping me in with the other side simply because I don’t bow before them, is exactly the sort of nonsense that I protest against. “You’re either with me or you’re against me” — it wasn’t true when George W. Bush said it, it wasn’t true when Anakin Sywalker said it, and it isn’t true now.
The fact that their way of thinking is “nonsense” does not mean that they do not act on it, or that it is not the answer to your question: “how did this happen?” I am not suggesting that you have to choose any sort of allegiance. You are perfectly free to pursue whatever course of action you deem most appropriate. I only hope that you choose with the full knowledge of how those around you perceive your choices (assuming that you care about such things).
I believe that the Occupy Movement will evolve to the next level when we realize that the so-called “black bloc” is a much bigger threat than the police.
Any thing like breaking windows,throwing things,even questionable language or tanting police must stop if we are to reach the american public. We must show love NOT anger and hate. The eyes of the world are apon us. Simply saying “this is a peaceful protest” is not enough. It must look like one AND sound like one. Turn the other cheek. Love your enemys and you will win their hearts.Love is an action,not words,There are Corporate plants among us looking for ways to discredit us. One message we carry is very threatening to the 1%. Corporations are not people. They will stop at nothing to silence us. Be prepared in your hearts to take abuse.If someone among us is acting in a violent way, turn your backs on them and move away from them. Let them know in a loving way why you are turning away from them. The Amish groups call this shunning. It’s a way of showing the person they are on the wrong track. When they stop doing the act, welcome them back with love. Truly what I am promoting here is difficult. I am not sure I can do these things if faced with the situation, but at least we can all agree to try.Just say to your self,what would DR. King,or Gandi,or Jesus or any of our other great teachers do in the same situation? Occupy gentalness, goodness, peace and love and we will triump over greed and corruption.Love is powerfull stuff!
Unfortunately, those of the “Black Bloc” tactic will most likely continue to embed themselves into the ranks of occupy marches. How we self-police ourselves will be one of the main things the public will be watching, and those whom have not made a commitment to join us for safety sake may not at all. With the approach of the Spring and May, marches will need the numbers to offset the balance of the number of police per protester ratio. That will have a profound effect as to whether violence would break out from riot cops. Remember eviction night? I agree that shunning has had an effect in Native American tribes as well. If occupiers discontinue attending their marches, then the public will be able to make the distinction.
We need to concentrate on increasing numbers for upcoming actions withing the next 3 months.
No offense intended, PR Committee members, but this news release tries to defend the indefensible.
Marching into a residential neighborhood and trashing cars and restaurants isn’t a political statement worth listening to. All is says is, “I can do what I want, and you can’t stop me”. That’s no basis for a community.
The cops didn’t gas or pepperspray anyone. I don’t think they beat the hell out of anyone. They didn’t shoot anyone. They didn’t Taser anyone.
They arrested some people, and their innocence or guilt will be determined in court.
Most of the comments on the news release are thoughtful and spot on. Occupy Portland has to address the problem of pointless violence or lose all validity as an agent of change.
Addressing the problem means no longer defending it.
Out of all of these comments the one that makes the most sense is that OPDX needs to “police” itself. I was impressed at the commitment to non-violence when in one of the first marches that is exactly what took place. When a bottle was thrown at an officer the crowd of protesters pushed him through the crowd to be arrested. You guys are out there to make a point and invoke change but without a thug mentality. Incidents of public destruction and intimidation will loose you followers. More and more of the 99% will be less likely to join you out of fear.
By policing yourselves you kill two birds with one stone. first off you will repair the tarnished image of OWS; and second it would be a good way to check your theory of police infiltration. If the vandals are immediately stopped and pushed toward police for arrest as before that forces the police to act on the person creating havoc. If the police refuse to act on these individuals you have your proof. Just be sure to video tape the police letting these individuals walk away.