Occupation

Just in from the Info Team:

Important update from the City Hall Vigil: Officials have told us that in order for signs to exist on the sidewalks at City Hall, instead of them being hung structures, they need to be carried by people. With this, they are at a urgent need for people to come down to pick up a sign and demonstrate.

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The vigil keepers are calling for donations of balloons and helium gas. As part as a creative message tactic, the vigil keepers want these balloons, with to-the-point messages written by them, to float around the city and be given to passing children and adults to get a change of pace from the typical plasterboard sign.

If you haven’t been by the Vigil recently, they have been doing a great job with their signs and messaging.  If you can spare a few hours or at least help get the word out, it would be appreciated.  The Vigil’s next planning meeting will take place this Friday, August 17th at 5pm at Terry Schrunk Plaza – at the last meeting on Sunday we had a great turnout and very constructive time – feel free to stop by with your ideas Friday for further planning on next steps!

Friday, July 20th will be the 50th day anniversary of Cameron Whitten‘s hunger strike for housing justice at City Hall. The site of the rally has moved from City Hall to directly across the street, to Terry Schrunk Plaza. The rally will begin at 4:30pm. A reminder for what Whitten is asking City Council to consider:

1. For City Commissioner to withdraw the fines on the co-owners of the Right 2 Dream Too Rest Area, and to seek a peaceful resolution for this cost-free solution to homelessness for the remainder of the lease agreement.

2. Creation of a task force composed of concerned citizens and non-profit organizations to find better ways to provide basic city services to those without.

3. Initiation of a dialogue between city officials and representatives of the houseless community to find an alternative to the current ban on camping in the city.

4. Location of a city site capable of providing shelter and basic services for 300 persons.

Confirmed speakers include Ahjamu Umi, Kate Lore, Jefferson Smith, Ibrahim Mubarak, Woody Broadnax, Charlie Hales, Brandi Tuck, Felecia Campbell, Israel Bayer, and Phiamma Elias. At 5:30pm there are plans to link arms around City Hall and sing a song of unity. Find out more and RSVP on the Facebook Event Page.

This upcoming Friday, July 20th will mark activist Cameron Whitten’s 50th day of his hunger strike to bring attention to housing justice issues in Portland. The rally will start at 4:30pm at the City Hall entrance on 4th Ave. At 5:30pm we will be linking arms around City Hall to sing a song of unity. Confirmed speakers at the event include Ahjamu Umi, Kate Lore, Jefferson Smith, Ibrahim Mubarak, and Woody Broadnax. If you haven’t already RSVPed on the Facebook event page, do so now!