TAKE THE SURVEY

For more information on Sisters in Strength, visit them on facebook or on Portland General Assembly.

The purpose of this survey is to provide feedback and input from the general public (as well as our members) of Portland, Oregon about Occupy Portland and the greater national movement. The data is being collected for research purposes in order to better understand public opinion about the movement and help better the movement to become a more positive, effective force for political, social and economic change. Please note that no personal information will be collected (names, addresses, identity, etc.) and your responses will remain confidential by Occupy Portland only. (info@occupyportland.org, 971-258-1006) The computer IP address may be collected to ensure there are no duplicate surveys. This survey has been derived from the survey for Occupy Wall Street. (occupywallst.org) You do not have to answer every question in this survey. Thank you very much for your voluntary cooperation.

*TAKE THE SURVEY*

May Day arrestee meeting on Friday, 5:30 to 7pm.

Stu Sugarman’s Office – 838 SW 1st Ave., Ste 500.

Take notes and gather evidence now while it is fresh.  Write statements
about what happened on May 1st and the circumstances regarding your
arrest. Collect all pictures and video possible.

If you have not checked in with the ELK Hotline ( 503 902 5340 ), please
do so.  You can email your evidence to info (at) elkpdx.org.

Please pass on to anyone else that needs this information. It is
absolutely crucial for your defense, and the defense of this movement to
participate actively in this effort. The police are in the spot light like
never before for police brutality. Lets make that light even brighter!

This is posted in accordance of the Occupy Portland GA Solidarity and News policy.

The Occupy Portland Webteam thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts on the comment portion of the website. However, we are becoming overwhelmed with discussion. Comments are now turned off on all posts and pages. With recent influx of conversation happening within the comments, we are asking everyone to direct their comments and discussions to the Occupy Portland Forum or engage in discussion right inside the OP chatroom.

If you’ve commented in the past 2 days, your comment may or may not appear in the posts and pages. We apologize and hope everyone understands.

Thank you for you patience as we get the kinks worked out.

-The Occupy Portland Webteam

Purpose

Take the Bank Transfer Day concept to City Hall! Help convince local leaders to move Portland’s money out of the Wall Street banks and bring it home. In the long term a Municipal or State Bank might be the best institution, in the meantime: why not a credit union or local community bank?

Other details
Todd Olson of Oregon Move Our Money will address the City Council with the following demands:

1. That they immediately move as much of the city’s money as possible out of Wells Fargo and Bank of America and into local credit unions and banks who serve the interests of the 99%;
2. That they direct the city’s chief financial officer to publish a summary of the city’s current and projected cash deposits, debts, and contracts with all banks and financial institutions as soon as possible;
3. That they schedule a public hearing as soon as possible to address questions and hear proposals regarding the city’s banking relationships and policies.

This will be a fun, positive action, and all the rest of us have to do is show up!

• 9AM – Meetup at City Hall
• 9:30AM – City Council Meeting
• 10-10:30AM – Victory!

• ACTION: Very Important! Council hearing on police oversight, Wed. 11/16, 2 PM Please plan on attending!

The event will surely attract media attention and put the city council on the spot. Pundits and politicians have been asking for demands from the Occupy movement so let’s give them one. ( Note: No signs bigger than an 8.5×11 are likely to be allowed in the chambers. Small signs, Occupy and 99% t-shirts, buttons, etc. are encouraged but not necessary. Just being there is enough! )

• Facebook event for this action
• Facebook page for Move Money oregon

GA at 7:00pm in Pioneer Square

There’s a nice tree and some festive lights…

Point of Process!

I’m hungry!

Yes, we know. We’ll be feeding humans at 6:00pm, but we don’t have mess kits. Bring an fancy eating utensil and something to put a bit of food in.

Moving forward

Options for how to move forward would be a rather nice conversation for tonight. The air has been thick with talk about what’s next. A lot of people have voiced opinions on what they’re feeling, now it’s time to voice proposals on what’s next. Bring a good idea to share.

To the Occupy Portland encampment:

I know that you agree that the growing number of arrests and reports of illicit drug and alcohol use, violent behavior and other criminal conduct must be immediately addressed. I understand that similar challenges have arisen at other Occupy encampments. Uniquely, I appreciate that Occupy Portland, via the website occupyportland.org, is one of the few encampments to clearly note these challenges.

Thanks you for meeting with representatives of the police bureau, my staff, non-profit service providers, and me to discuss concerns and potential solutions face-to-face.

The purpose of this open letter is to underscore to all Occupy Portland supporters the urgency of dealing with these issues. The way things are operating now is not sustainable.

I know there is a nationwide Occupy process for working through those things, which I want to give some time to work. But we cannot wait long.

It is imperative that solving these serious problems be a priority for Occupy Portland, before a serious injury or death occurs. I do not want to see something like the following incidents occur in Portland, and I’m sure you do not, either:

• In Vancouver, B.C., there has been a death in camp that is a suspected drug overdose; and,
• In Washington D.C., protesters have reportedly been the victims of two hit-and-run incidents.

I have said from the beginning that I believe the Occupy movement would have to evolve in order to realize its full potential. Based on my conversations with mayors around the country, I know that Portland is not unique in facing these real issues around camps. But I hope we are unique in our solutions. In Bend, Oregon, Occupy participants have closed their camp, but continue to meet regularly. I believe Occupy Portland can lead the nation in figuring out what the next phase of the Occupy Movement looks like.

We’ve got work to do—and by we, I mean everybody, including all Occupy supporters. I look forward to finding solutions in the coming days.

Sincerely,

Sam Adams

Mayor

PORTLAND, ORE. — Late Saturday night and early into Sunday morning, an emergency Occupy Portland meeting composed of concerned individuals, including people from several committees, was held to discuss what many volunteers felt was becoming a growing problem. They discussed, at length, the issues surrounding illicit drug use, violent behavior, and otherwise disruptive conduct that was being exhibited by some of the people camping at Chapman and Lownsdale Squares.

Many of the occupiers present at the meeting expressed exasperation and frustration at what they felt was a dangerous distraction being perpetuated by people who use the area as a “free drug space.” In an ongoing survey of occupiers there has been an almost universal consensus that safety and violence are primary concerns.

At the meeting it was decided that in order to address the situation some kind of action had to be taken. Ideas that were discussed included obtaining a permit for the space to allow exclusion of dangerous or unsafe elements, involving the police immediately to address situations as they arise, and even stopping services that the camp provides to those who do not involve themselves in the process or the movement.

While the group that met felt that some of these actions, such as obtaining a permit, could not be taken without a larger discussion among the occupiers, other actions, such as limiting services and police involvement, seemed more feasible.

Many of these problems have been brought as concerns by others, including the City and the Portland Police, but previously Occupy Portland has attempted to solve these through dialogue and outreach. The meeting was called because it was felt that those options had been exhausted and the problems not solved.

“As part of the 99% it is our duty to listen to all those who we try to reflect,” Patrick Dougherty said as a camper at Occupy Portland. “Their concerns have been clear. People say they support the movement, but they preface it with concerns about some of the people who use the camp instead of working with the camp. And frankly, these things concern many of us too.”

Occupy Portland didn’t create these problems however it has become a space for some of them, and it distracts from the message of the movement and the effort of our volunteers. Occupy Portland will never support dangerous, violent or destructive behavior, as restated by the General Assembly on Saturday, and volunteers will be meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss further steps to take, including coordination with the City and the Portland Police to address these issues.

While Occupy Portland is open to anyone, and we do not wish to exclude people, behavior which is destructive to the community should not be tolerated or allowed. We do not wish to be an impediment to the efforts of social workers and public safety officials who exist to address these issues.

Those who met planned to work with the Portland Police, established drug treatment programs, and other civil services to eliminate these problems from the space. It is important that any movement which tries to address society’s concerns is welcoming to the people of the city, and we will immediately work to eradicate the aspects of the camp which abuse our goodwill and inclusiveness at the expense of the people’s voice.

Occupy Portland was formed out of a popular sentiment that systemic problems within society were preventing the 99% from having a voice in our government, in our economy, and in our lives. We continue to focus our efforts on these things, and in creating a space for the people, we must remove the elements which are a danger to themselves and others.

Content: The meeting was summoned as a means for Peace & Safety to directly respond to the concerns and emerging questions which arose due to a very emotionally charged press release and internal memo made on behalf of the Portland Police Department regarding the recent Occupy endorsed solidarity with Oakland march regarding police brutality.

There were four main agenda items that the occupy supporters brought forth to the Portland Police:

• Issue with cultural misunderstandings
• Incident regarding alleged citizen pushing an officer in to a moving bus
• A needed clarification on Class ‘C’ uniforms
• Specific concerns regarding action logistics

The first question presented to the police chief was a concern over the difference between the PPB hierarchy structure compared to that of the horizontal collective processes and structure of the Portland Occupy Movement. It was asked if the PPB currently interprets our processes as inherently threatening. Chief Reese then asked who the leaders of the movement were and or if we were leaders.  It was then expressed by us, that in order to have productive conversations between police and Occupy Portland that the police would have to have a better understanding of the processes we utilize and our form of collective leadership. It was acknowledged that it may be difficult for officers coming from a hierarchical structure to operate comfortably within a different process, but it was assured that it could be done, providing that they understand that there is not a single go to person, or a single group. It was explained that if they wish to have better communication with the movement they would have to express their specific concerns with the GA, related individual sub working groups, as well as our PR team and our newly emerging liaison team.  This was acknowledged and we were thanked for explaining this better.

Our other discussion was in relation to the alleged incident involving a participant in the Wednesday march who supposedly pushed an officer in to a moving bus. This issue is obviously of great concern, so in a matter of clarification, it was asked if the Portland Police would release the video to the public regarding the alleged incident. Gina R. expressed that she attended the March as a peace and safety member and based on her observation did not witness at any time, anyone pushing an officer in to a moving bus. Police Chief Reese responded by saying that they are unaware of the existence of a video and that any such evidence would be presented during the case trial. If members of Occupy are interested in knowing more about this case we should follow or attend the trial.

The next question was in regards to clarifying what a Class ‘C’ uniform looks like in comparison to what we at the occupation and the public have been currently seeing. Officer Day was apparently wearing this exact uniform (without the extra tactical gear). It looks like a standard navy blue police uniform with a heavier tactical belt. He modeled it for us and explained that it was the equivalent to ‘blue pajamas.’ In the internal memo sent by Chief Reese to officers, it states that “All sworn members will have their gas mask, baton, and helmet immediately available.” It is unclear based on the response given in the meeting whether or not the term “immediately available” refers to them wearing the extra tactical gear.

The main conversation revolved around issues pertaining to political action logistics. Chief Reese was asked to clarify what the department meant by his statement, “The tone of this march seemed to change from previous events, and many in the crowd seemed confrontational.”  Chief Reese then explained that protestors in this march were more verbally aggressive, some waving sticks as well as their accusation of having an officer being pushed in to a moving bus. It was clear by this conversation that fear and uncertainty surrounding the nature of organic events is interpreted by the police as an aggressive approach. The Chief was then asked if there were any specific concerns he would like to clarify, taking in to consideration the movement’s desire for free and organic actions. He said yes and provided a list of statements and requests:

-          They would like Occupy Portland to know that they do not wish to be adversarial, and that their duty is to ensure the public safety of all. They say they have to balance freedom of speech with the concerns, safety and freedoms of others, which is no easy task.

-          Although they appreciate the desire and need for organic action, they request in the future that marches, especially of a large nature, at the very least have a desired destination and or purpose, and that this destination and or purpose be communicated with the PPB, even if it is only 10minutes beforehand. This is so they can help mitigate traffic and prevent unaware citizens from being accidentally injured, as well as them.

-          Chief Reese was asked specifically what number of participants is required to take the streets freely, and he said that his personal opinion was that there would have to be well over 200 however the exact number will be decide by the individual incident commander on duty at the time of the action.

-          It is requested that all non-permitted events with 200 or less keep to the sidewalks

-          If the movement wishes to keep the events nonviolent it was expressed that there is a ‘shared accountability’ in ensuring that this happens. The best way for the movement to do this according to Reese is to have the community of Occupy Portland hold each other to the values of nonviolent peaceful protest.

NOTE: It is unclear at this time despite further conversation on this subject, if the police will continue to interpret all nonviolent actions outside the reaches of permits and permission as aggressive or threatening. The current memo and press release indicates that they will.

It was then expressed by us that due to the organic nature of many of these events it will not always be logistically possible or desirable to provide all of the information they are requesting at the moments they are requesting. This was acknowledged and Chief Reese responded by re-stating their desire for more communication on the ground, even if all the details are unknown.

We also addressed our concern for the PPB escalated aggression citing their verbal announcement at the Wednesday march that they would employ chemical weapons or impact weapons upon those not staying on the sidewalks. It was expressed that this use of language generates great fear and can in actuality create a scenario of violence rather than de-escalation. Gina R. responded specifically stating that the statement and desire to “protect people” made on behalf of the Portland police sounds ridiculous when paired with the statement of the use of force. Chief Reese asked if we had a better idea on how to handle the situation when people are not peacefully responding to the request of moving on the sidewalks. Out of what appeared to be clear frustration over a lack of other options it sounded as though police may be willing to employ an alternative tactic if a better idea is presented. The subject then changed and a direct response to this question was not able to be made.

Final Closing Remarks:

The Police Chief asked if we had any final statements. We said we had covered everything we wanted to cover, and he then asked if he could address some of the PPB concerns regarding the in camp environment. We said yes, and Chief Reese provided the following concerns:

-Health & Sanitation (Public Health, Disease, Hygiene)

-Violence

-Minors & Street Youth (Runaways, Schools & Resources)

-A need for low impact camping

-Fear of increased occupation in small space

Additionally they wanted to give some feedback regarding the overall perception of the movement. They feel that we are losing our political message by being bogged down by internal camp issues, and that we are losing ‘public’ support. Commander Day spoke to this issue specifically, and voiced a concern that it may be to the benefit of the movement to create some sort of distinction between internal camp issues and the overall political issues. It was unclear as to what the term “distinction” meant explicitly. However, it was suggested that those who suffer the most from poverty and disenfranchisement be connected to the resources available and that Occupy should make a more concentrated effort in making this happen.  To do this he suggested creating a stronger collaboration between transitions Projects, Join, and Janus Youth Programs as well as the recently opened winter shelter. In response to these comments it was then expressed by us, a concern over the lack of resources and capacity that these organizations have and that they are most likely unable to assist many in the encampment. No real response was made regarding this issue on behalf of the PPB. It was simply reiterated that these services and programs are good programs.

In response to the overall concerns of the encampment we responded by explaining that the transitions and sustainability working group is in the current process of developing an Occupation wide survey to gain community feedback regarding issues surrounding the Portland  Occupy Movement  for the purpose of developing an immediate and comprehensive sustainable transitions proposal. It was also stated that many in the movement are aware and concerned about the very same issues and we are in the processes of a large collaborative effort seeking to address these issues as a community.

Chief’s  Memo, Nov. 4th

Further details of this meeting can be found via video or audio recording which will be posted by John and or Paul from the PR team sometime soon. Those with questions, concerns and or comments may contact any of us via e-mail, and or in person at the camp. This meeting and its notes will be presented at tonight’s GA, and posted online under the Social Media and Peace & Safety Forum.