A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
L.E BASKOW / PORTLAND TRIBUNE
Anti-war protesters took to the South Park blocks on Sunday. Portland police made arrests following a brief clash with anarchists off of Southwest Park and Morrison streets.
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A last-minute scuffle between a small group of anti-war protesters and police marred an otherwise peaceful Sunday downtown rally and march marking the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq.
According to police spokeswoman Officer Cathe Kent, the confrontation began when a splinter group at the end of the march tried to pull a bicycle patrol officer into their group. The police responded by pepper-spraying several people and arresting three of them.
The confrontation took place around 4:45 p.m. along the MAX light rail line near Southwest Morrison Street and Park Avenue. After it ended, the group wandered around town and eventually ended up at the downtown Justice Center, where it engaged in a stand-off with police. Eleven more people were arrested for blocking traffic before the group finally dispersed Sunday night.
"This was a splinter group. It was not the group we negotiated with for weeks before the march. Those people had a peaceful march and went home," said Kent.
The 14 protesters were cited on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to resisting arrest. They have all been released.
Before the confrontation, thousands of people marched peacefully through downtown to demonstrate their oppostion to the war and the Bush administration. The march started in the South Park Blocks around 2p.m., traveled to the Federal Building and returned to the parks blocks around 3:30 p.m., with the last of the marchers arriving around 45 minutes later.
The protest began with an “action camp” featuring information booths and other activities in the park blocks next to the Portland Art Museum. A number of speakers addressed the crowd before the march began.
Although planning for the protest has been under way for many months, local interest increased dramatically about eight weeks ago, in large part because of the inability of the newly elected Democratic majority in Congress to end the war, according to Catherine Thomasson, president of the local chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, one of the event’s organizers.
“People are really disillusioned with the Democrats in Congress and frustrated with the war,” said Thomasson, who termed the invasion of Iraq “a disaster.”
Protest "anti-war" in Al Quaeda's Afghanistan, radical Islam's Iraq, Ahmadinejad's Iran, Kim Jong Il's North Korea, or Tianamen Square in China and I'll support the "effort". I beleive the democratic Iraqi elections in December 2005 were an "anti-war" protest.
Words have meaning.
(email verified)
Sun, Mar 18, 2007 at 02:26 PM
I was taking pictures on a corner about halfway through the march.
All in all it was a good march, as far as “escorted” marches go. Except for those “darn anarchists” who blockaded traffic on the Morrison St. Bridge, all went smoothly, according to plan. (We were on foot and couldn’t get there in time for pics).
As the photos show us, the police presence was so high that one might say that they seemed to be marching along side of the protesters, as if they themselves were participants in the dissent.
But in reality, they were escorting the marchers just as if they were escorting prisoners to other destinations within their jail. Been there, done that, I know it when I see it...
Domination and submission.
Is this what protests have become? Sheeple herding? It have felt like the only way this march was going to happen was if “certain sacrifices” were made, concessions, if you will, and the end result is that the entire effort was sacrificed.
The truth is that the dissident masses were herded like cattle through their pre-approved, planned route. Squad cars were used as pace cars, leading the pack, setting the pace for the march. A literal “pack” of bicycle police flanked the protesters and brought up the rear, while the motorcycle cops slid through to the next intersections, exactly the same way that they do during funeral processions.
From where I stood, the air was so heavy with repression that I couldn’t breathe.
Don’t get me wrong---I don’t take anything away from the participants or organizers, etc…I’m sure they did what they had to do to pull this large-scale event off.
I’ll put the blame squarely on the heads of the City of Portland, Portland Police Bureau. It is clear that a high level of intimidation still hangs over the area, along with the burn of pepper spray from demonstrations past. This event was a victory for the police bureau, for they have won. We are now granted permission to voice our opinions, provided we do so in a proficient, orderly manner.
In order for our voices to be heard today, we were forced into submission. Dotting the “i’s” and crossing those “t’s” proved to be the death of what was otherwise a profound, creative and well-thought out event.
The energy, heart and feelings were all there---we just forgot to ask for permission to factor them into the pre-approved plan.
(email verified)
Sun, Mar 18, 2007 at 03:50 PM
"From where I stood, the air was so heavy with repression that I couldn’t breathe."
A bit dramatic, eh? Glad ya enjoyed the march.
(email verified)
Mon, Mar 19, 2007 at 01:11 AM
i was in that march. my best friend and i had joined when things were still remotely peaceful, and well subdued. what happens is that people get caught up in those emotions, in the stupidity of it all, and the anger and sadness from all the unfairness, and all those deaths sweeps you into this torrent of emotion and you express it as only you can express it. me? well, my way was as a lot of other's was. loud, and clear. it made me feel proud to be saying what i have been thinking, out loud for the first time since this war started. i don't support this war, and i don't support bush, but my feelings and heart go out to the soldiers our corrupt government placed on the front lines, and the soldiers back home whom the government is now regretfully NOT taking care of. Sixpack, i wholly agree with you, and i dont think i could have described our movement better. my friend and i showed no physical hostility towards the officers in attendance, and all we wanted was to make our voices heard, and to promote the peace, and anti-war movement. i have to say though, that i was incredibly displeased with the horse-crews showing up. i felt bad for the animals that were obviously frightened, and thought it a terrible idea to bring a skittish horse to what, in their opinions was going to turn into a riot. my opinion was that that could only cause more trouble, and put more stress on the situation than need be; and just for the record, there were people hurt. pepper spray isn't friendly, or non-toxic, it does hurt people. we were merely down-wind of the few people who were 'Soaked' in it, and we still suffered from the effects of it being in our lungs (we were close enough). keep in mind we had been peaceful, though definitely not silent throughout this entire ordeal. anyways, it felt good to be a part of that, and we are prod of what we said, and what we stood for.
(email verified)
Mon, Mar 19, 2007 at 07:25 AM
The interesting thing is that the only violence there was on the part of the police. Having been there through the liberal "peace" march and then continuing on through the more radical and more legitimate portion of it I saw no violence unless you call rescuing friends from kidnapping, beating, pepper-spraying and by the PPD violent.
In either case the 300-500 that broke off in disgust of the ineffective tactics that the organizers chose were against the war, along with many other things but never claimed that they were pacifists in fact many, I included, are not so deluded as to believe that peaceful protesting will stop violent war machines. So to frame the argument by way of calling everyone "peace" protesters and claiming they turned "violent" is pretty much garbage.
It is ok to use force to defend oneself and others, and if this means resorting to violence to stop an attacker or the people and institutions that perpetuate mass-murder here and abroad, including the PPD, then so be it. Thus far though that has not occurred, however every year people become less and less willing to accept the flawed notion that legality is a valid measurement of ethics. That you can end systemic violence and oppression by waiting it out or obeying that same violent, oppressive system is non-sense and people are starting to realize that and act accordingly. People are breaking laws because law has neither served nor protected them, or the beliefs and people that they care for. Hurray for that!
(email verified)
Mon, Mar 19, 2007 at 06:24 PM
And no one finds it Appaulling that effigies of American Soldiers and Distressed American flags were being burned? I am sure the Troops love seeing themselves pictured as burning effigies in their own country. Whay a shame we have people in this country that are so full of hate and uninformed about what is truely going on in the world around us. They think that burning effigies of American soldiers is Free Speech? I call it Htae Speech and it truely expresses what lengths the Left will go to to demoralize our Fine Brave Troops who fight to giove them the right to Protest at all. As Our Military are out there daily defending freedom in this country and other countries I hope you Left wing Nutjobs can sleep well at night knowing that every time you do things like this you are placing our Troops and Our Country at a higher risk. I for One Support the Troops, Their Mission. All you Anti war Protestors need to buy a vowel and get a Clue. You also should hang your head in Shame because for every one of you who get out there and yell and rant, spitting on Troops, Burning the Flag and effigies of troops, The Blood of Innocent people is dripping from your hands. For every one of you who think being anti war and following the left wing whackos is just the cool thing to do. Take a look at the mass graves found in Iraq. Read what happened to the 7 million Cambodians when we up and left them back in the Nam Days and ask yourself one Question....What will happen to the Iraqi's who will be slaughtered If We Leave them without finishing the Job we started. And By the Way.. The Democrats Voted to go to this war as well. Listen to some of Hillery's speeches back when Clinton was President. After the past few months of seeing your Protestors around the Country defacing memorials and the capitol steps, I really wonder what side of the fence you are really on. Seems to me you are on the wrong side and I feel sorry for you.
(email verified)
Mon, Mar 19, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Thanks Allover--I did enjoy the march, and as one of my pictures shows, there were points where over a dozen police were standing so close to me that I had to step back in order to take a picture of them, which I did. I'm not claustrophobic, but being surrounded by so many people with such unpleasant looks on their faces did make me feel uneasy.
And I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the "snatch and run" tactics used by the police in front of the justice center that seemed to concentrate on female protesters. Since when did police feel it reasonable to block people from entering OUR justice center? Some people had reasons to go in there, asking for info on those arrested or whatever.
It has been said by witnesses that some protesters were actually singled out and separated from the crowd by police for some "extra attention" in the form of pepper spray and some rough treatment.
You know, police may have avoided having their abuses broadcasted on local media networks by waiting until after the news crews left, but they did not escape observation.
(email verified)
Mon, Mar 19, 2007 at 10:16 PM
TO "Sixpack"'s: "You know, police may have avoided having their abuses broadcasted on local media networks by waiting until after the news crews left, but they did not escape observation."
Nor did the coppers escape having the all-seeing eye of WE
THE PEOPLE film and record all these egregious acts of un-
professional conduct and rightwingnuttery.
You can be sure that in due course, after suitable edit
and representation that these "permainent records" shall
be put before the public so they understand why they're
footing the bill for high out-of-court settlement(s) OR
even higher awarded damages should the cases go all the
way to trial.
Stay tuned as they say!
(email verified)
Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 02:18 AM
Blood is usually on the hands of the murderers. The right wing christo-facists will never admit the huge mistake this war is. To do so would invite guilt and shame for the thousands killed under the false pretense of security. No mater why the war started, no matter how it is conducted, no matter how it ends, they will glorify the military and vilify all opposition. people who glorify the military never accept that an occupation government can never have legitimacy and the people occupied will take all the goodwill and rebuilding in the world and still fight you.
The hawks will continue to repeat false hoods such as: we had no choice, we are improving our security by occupying a muslim county, we have to murder there to stop unknown and possibly not-yet born terrorists, all compleatly false.
They will continue to repeat every crass and ignorant generalization about muslims and Arabs as born terrorists, and insist the need to kill them there instead of hear (maybe they have secret flying carpets). And if you press for explanation they will reveal their 'final solution' ideas, if Islam doesn't fall in line. Which reveals the hypocracy of their 'good intentions,' for the region.
The most appaling and false of their claims is their continued insitance that freedom is 'given' to the people from their military. The only true freedom you have is what you will do when someone (usually in a uniform) comes to take it away. Killing muslims in a police action has nothing to do with our security or freedom. The military can only kill and occupy. When it gets into politics, the only result is death and corruption. And every young person over there will have to live with what they have done, or what they have been made to do. And every supportor of this war will have to live with what they have done to contribute to it.
(email verified)
Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 03:54 AM
Your printed issue (3/20/7)has no mention of the protest. How is it not newsworthy when 20,000 people show up?
(email verified)
Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Once again Oregon proves herself to be a safe haven for liberal idealistic absurdity. Not enough that you march up and down the streets spouting nonsense you know nothing about but then you parade a burning flag and dummy of an AMERICAN SOLDIER through downtown! Many of you hid behind your signs, others had masks and costumes on – afraid to show your faces are you? You believe you are standing for a cause yet can’t even show your face. Oregon is quickly gaining herself a reputation as State of seditious agitators, and complete ridiculousness.
(email verified)
Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Thanks for the stab in the back. It's a real pleasure to see yourself burned in effigy. I hope this is not a accurate representation of most people in portland. As a soldier doing a diffucult job it helps to have the support of the people behind us as we perform our job. I guess we do not. After seeing the photo of the soldier being burned I can not help but be less motivated on the next misson I must do. I will try to stay motivated but it is not easy knowing there are places like Portland Oregon that I have to protect.
Spc S.Hoffman
(email verified)
Tue, Mar 20, 2007 at 09:35 PM
I would imagine that none of the people whining about the "repressive" atmosphere created by the police have never had their own private property (like a car) damaged by some unwashed idiot screaming for peace.
Why is it the far left has the need to destroy and be so violent to get their "peaceful" point across? Or is it just a bunch of thugs who use the march as an excuse to play out their own sick behaviors?
A truly peaceful protest, attended by thousands of people get the point across well. Turning it into a melee or mini-riot only turns off middle America.
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 21, 2007 at 02:32 AM
Why no outrage in the local media about the people marching with the "F*** the troops" sign or the image of our soldier's being burned in effigy. I had to see it on the net; no local news organization covered it. Sorry, that negates *anything* the "protesters" had to say. You are enemys of this country.
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 21, 2007 at 07:04 AM
HMLA267:
You're right, of course. I'm so used to the left slanted media here that I don't even notice it anymore. The media, mainstream or not in Portland would never say or do anything to put the far left in a bad light. A cop or fireman does something out of line and it's played out daily on the news for days, sometimes weeks. But some moron can burn the effigy of an American soldier and if it's reported at all, it's given very little coverage.
The far left runs this town and even though reporters are liberal, they still wouldn't dare tick them off. Look at the city council, you can never be too liberal to be elected in Portland. Randy Leonard is a prime example, in the state senate he was a fairly centerist Democrat. But once he got on the council, he realized he has to be a flaming, handwringer to keep his job.
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 21, 2007 at 09:49 AM
My assessment of the Portland protest crowd - a bunch of self-serving wankers who are not worthy of the privileges that citizenship in this country provides. Most notably, they neglected their education opportunity, which resulted in the lack of any practical analytic mental ability(s), as indicated by some of the previous commentary.
(email verified)
Wed, Mar 21, 2007 at 01:09 PM
I hang my head in shame for all those ignorant self righteous pacifists in the Portland Anti-War protest. Burning the flag was bad enough, the banner "F*** the Troops" was worse. But to burn a soldier in effigy was beyond the scope. I am ashamed of my fellow Americans that they can so easily trample on the very symbols of our freedoms and act so calously towards the very people that assure us of those freedoms that have been fought so hard for. Those that justify this behavior under the guise of "Freedom of Speech" and "Peace" need to do some very serious soul searching and re-evaluate their positions. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR TROOPS!
(email verified)
Sat, Mar 24, 2007 at 11:05 AM
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Re: Anti-war protesters stage mostly peaceful march
I was on 2nd street when I saw police in riot gear gathering and preparing to do their job. It was more like 3:00pm, maybe 3:30. Why can't "peace" protesters be peaceful? Don't these people understand that they don't help their cause when they turn violent?
"David R"
(email verified)
Sun, Mar 18, 2007 at 01:48 PM