Comments on: Occupy Portland is a Non-Violent Movement

By: Laurie Childers

Laurie Childers — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:40:44 +0000

I read this quote in our Corvallis paper. DeJerk is absolutely INCORRECT. Do the research, watch the documentaries, read the books, talk with people. The most successful social movements have been the most peaceful. India’s independence movement. The US Civil Rights movement. (Women’s suffrage in the US.) The Otpor! Serbian resistance movement that toppled dictator Slobodan Milosovic. The Yellow Revolution in the Philippines. Solidarity in Poland. And there are more. For a concept less than 100 years old, it’s proving mighty powerful. People disassociate themselves from violence. Occupy will lose support if it goes violent, even if only a “small portion” goes violent. This is what happened in the protests against the Vietnam War: the non-violent SDS was gaining power at a rapid rate, like the early weeks of Occupy. Then the Weathermen took over and support dropped like it was a hot potato. Look at our violent occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan: who in those countries wants to join us? Look how popular violence is in Israel and Palestine: it has caused a stalemate in which everyone is losing. Pacifism does not equal passivism. It is an active seeking of social justice, and necessarily not demonizing groups of people. “The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be.” (Dalai Lama)

By: Cab

Cab — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:34:11 +0000

I am very happy actually tickled to see this events and others like it begin to manifest itself . This is not about civil disobidence although the press and even our elected officials may attempt to use any and all means available to cast a shadow of doubt and garner support from the public to disassemble the begining of something I feel should have never ceased since the earlier civil rights movement . This is in effect the continued effort of like minded people to come togther . Utilizing an avenue which was granted us through National and State constitution . I have to admit that the movement just like any infant will learn to walk run and so on .

As far as the assemblage of Drug Addicts , Mentally Handicapped , and other people who are wanting to seek alternate unsanctioned means to attract the type of attention that fans the flame of violence and destroys the integrity of a orchastrated effort Occupy must in fact disallow these same people from misusing their agenda to disrupt and destroy the demonstration. I believe a I.D. Badge should be issued in a manner that allows anonimity while insuring accountibility and seperating Our True 99% .

Howevr I do feel for those souls and send them blessings that they may become aware that Violence and Mischief are arming the authorities with what they want and expect . Portland Police are practiced in disassembling crowds of disruptors . Portland is a Beautiful amazing city with so much heart and soul and positive influence let it show the world how it is done . God Speed and Thank You .

By: sillygirl77

sillygirl77 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:09:55 +0000

I think the larger point here that is being overlooked entirely is that this movement is being noticed. It will sort itself out and the folks who really matter, who understand the reasoning behind it and are willing to support it peacefully and sensibly will continue on. All the violent madness going on now with the homeless, street kids, drug addicts, mentally ill etc congregating in these areas will disperse and go back to what they were doing before. This has just been a cool diversion for them. PDX Police will go back to fighting the street crime that essentially this movement if really carried out to fruition could potentially decrease dramatically. Kind of ironic huh? This movement will continue on…and be more organized next time, be smarter next time and skilled at getting their message out without the unnecessary interference. Just watch…stay tuned this thing is bigger than the originators ever thought it would be. There are smart folks behind this thing, not just a bunch of losers. Rome was not built in a day…

By: JustAnotherLousy(A)

JustAnotherLousy(A) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:35:13 +0000

Y’alls is gonna get beat, tear gassed, pepper sprayed, and quite possibly worse. Any pretensions of non-violence in the face of PPD are about to be completely ignored. Don’t turn those not willing to take this lying down into demons.

By: satori

satori — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:23:48 +0000

There will be a variety of tactics used,” said organizer Adriane DeJerk, 26. “No social movement has ever been successful while being completely peaceful.”

Then, what does this mean?

By: David

David — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:52:32 +0000

Our being at an occupation that has been deemed illegal is a ‘reason’ for the police to use force. Our disagreeing with the political or economic system is a ‘reason’ for the police to use force. Our having a darker shade of skin is ‘reason’ for the police to use (deadly) force. Our looking at the police the wrong way is a ‘reason’ for the police to use force. Or so they would have us believe.
STOP BLAMING THE VICTIMS!
If the police use force it is because they choose to do so- NOT because of anything we might do! Women don’t choose to get raped by wearing the ‘wrong’ kind of clothes- rapists CHOOSE to rape women. Police CHOOSE to harass/beat/shoot us. We can’t ever be perfect and rich and white enough for the police to leave us alone! Don’t think for a second that being polite or thinking good thoughts will ever make the world a better, actually safer or more peaceful place. Peace requires standing UP and STOPPING injustice.

By: Kram

Kram — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:52:05 +0000

Don’t give the cops any reason to use force. This is just the beginning. Keep it peaceful. We need everyone. Encourage others to do the same. If we do that, we win.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:43:34 +0000

Are you joking??? Portland caters to homelessness, drug-abusers, and the mentally-ill. You should STAND UP and take RESPONSIBILITY for your OWN DECISIONS, and stop blaming society for your actions.

Society never held a gun to your head and forced a needle in your arm? If you chose that path in life, blame your mother and father for not teaching your right from wrong.

By: I fought the law ...

I fought the law ... — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:34:28 +0000

IF ANYONE ADVANCES TOWARDS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON, LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO KILL THE ADVANCING PARTY.

I fought PPB tooth and nail and as a result there is a new FBI Agent-in-Chrage and, thank God, Dwight Holton is gone and Amanda Marshall is now the new US prosecutor for Oregon. I fought PPB because they were unjustly, illegally and unconstitutionally killing people. PORTLAND POLICE SEEM TO ENJOY KILLING!

I support Occupy Portland but with Sam Adams’ new city per Oregon Constitution Article I, Section 26. Assemblages of people; instruction of representatives; application to legislature. No law shall be passed restraining any of the inhabitants of the State from assembling together in a peaceable manner to consult for their common good; nor from instructing their Representatives; nor from applying to the Legislature for redress of greviances [sic].– I believe Sam Adams is wrong at this time to make this decision!

IF ANYONE ADVANCES TOWARDS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON, LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO KILL THE ADVANCING PARTY.

The Portland police will kill you! This city is not like other cities as far as the police are concerned.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:30:51 +0000

Really??? I never once heard the Police threaten violence on you. And this is not Egypt, its Portland and we have laws. You were asked to leave the park you destroyed, and were given ample notice. I really hope you know and understand what it is your about to do, I for one am 100% on the side of Law Enforcement. And I predict you will probably make a stand, invoke violence, and then claim Police Brutality.

I really wish your “Movement” would just move out of the park, so us 53% could stop having our tax dollars wasted on reviving heroin overdoses.