Comments on: Do Not Bring or Participate in Anything Illegal!

By: nurseday

nurseday — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:52:23 +0000

It would be a shame if we lost the legitimacy and support of the people because of the agenda of the few. I am not am against those who smoke it illegally. I am not against legalizing it. But I recognize we are an extension of occupy wall street. We want this movement to grow and supported by the 99% so we can affect change. I worry this will be thwarted because of the drug activity.
The rationalization that doing one legal activity, justifies other illegal activity is a slippery slope

By: Quinn

Quinn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:20:32 +0000

You realize that you are already doing illegal things by not having permits and block a road…!!!!

By: j

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:17:08 +0000

I have thought about this overnight, and now I believe the occupation is legal. Not because the city is allowing it, but because the right to assemble is guaranteed by the US Constitution. At some point in the future when the city decides not to allow it (and declares it illegal), it will still be legal because of the right to assemble. The original post is poorly worded. Civil disobedience is a part of activism. Civil disobedience is illegal. To put a post up to “not participate in anything illegal” does not recognized diversity of tactics used by activists, including civil disobedience. The post should have clearly asked people not to use recreational drugs and alcohol. Also, by signing the post “The Entire #OccupyPortland Camp” you appear to speak on behalf of all. Your statement is exclusive to activists who engage in civil disobedience. I agree that drugs and alcohol should not be used in the occupation, in line with the GA’s consensus decision at the 3rd GA. I appreciate the work people are doing on the communications team.

By: Malcolm Chaddock

Malcolm Chaddock — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:46:30 +0000

If this is an attempt at real community building it is necessary to adopt an attitude that puts the thing we are trying to create ahead of personal considerations to some degree. Autonomy does not relieve on of responsibility to others it begs it, it demands it.

By: PetePDX

PetePDX — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:01:20 +0000

I don’t view this as camping in the park, per se: the intention is to exercise our rights to assemble and demonstrate peaceably.

“Intention” is the key part here.

By: PetePDX

PetePDX — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:59:54 +0000

Additionally (and coming from the perspective of someone who serves on the board of a Portland charity that serves people with mental illness and substance abuse problems), it would be sad for OccupyPortland to inadvertently facilitate drug and alcohol abuse by street kids and older homeless.

(By the way, I am completely fine with the reasonable use of medical marijuana–just do it in a tent and keep it out of public eye.)

By: PetePDX

PetePDX — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:50:25 +0000

I am not opposed to the reasonable use of recreational drugs (including alcohol), but am absolutely opposed to use or being altered on them at the Occupy campsite. The experience of Occupation should be adequately mind-altering itself.

It’s not an unreasonable request to ask people do them elsewhere–and return when they are of clear mind and body.

By: Catharticus

Catharticus — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:28:20 +0000

“A lot of the homeless you mention are part of the protest, fool. ”

And a lot of them just need enough money to get a Greyhound ticket ’cause their car broke down, you see, and…

You guys are aware, I’m sure, that the police regard the park as safer and cleaner now than usual because it may be filled with hippies but at least there aren’t hookers in the men’s room, rape in the women’s room and paint-huffing junkies in the park.

“when a protest is up to YOUR standards, I’ll send ya an email.”

Do you actually organize protests?

By: Catharticus

Catharticus — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:24:31 +0000

And then Portland will just write you all off as a bunch of junkies. The 99% downtown aren’t drunk or high because they have actual shit to do.

A lot of people… (I’m not one of them. You’d never accept me because I think Leonidas did a whole lot more for democracy than freakin’ Ghandi, and I don’t wear Che Guevara panties, dig?)… a lot of people worked really hard to organize this, gain the respect of the community and the police, and I think it’s reasonable to respect their wishes because they’re clearly doing an excellent job.

Sic Semper Tyrannis!

By: Agent420

Agent420 — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:07:44 +0000

If anyone is there and needs to medicate, please do it in a tent. I’m sure that you will not have trouble finding a sympathetic tent occupant that will be happy to help you. You just cannot do it in public.

The homeless are as much a part of the 99% as anyone there. I you don’t like it, you don’t have to come as a tourist, come as a participant and try to change it. Everyone has a voice, use it and quit complaining.