Statement from Occupy Portland
Statement from Mayor Sam Adams
PORTLAND, Ore. - Occupy Portland is planning to camp in another downtown park this weekend, but organizers aren't saying which one.
However, two sources within City Hall and one in the movement, told Willamette Week that the plan is to occupy O'Bryant Square between Southwest Stark and Washington streets and Southwest 9th and Park avenues.
Friday afternoon, Occupy Portland released a statement detailing their plans but still did not announce a location. The statement did say the protesters would care for the park and the campout would last "only" two weeks.
But Portland's Mayor Sam Adams said he won't allow the protesters to camp at any city park "based on the experience that these encampments become inherently dangerous."
He said the city can't afford a new camp that adds to its $1.7 million in Occupy-related bills.
"As someone who supports the Occupy Wall Street movement, they are a complete distraction to the cause," Adams said.
But "having that central location is really critical for us," said Occupy spokesman Jordan LeDoux.
He defended the importance of a camp as a gathering spot that helps would-be demonstrators get involved.
As for the costs associated with policing it, LeDoux said occupiers don't make that decision.
"I'm really hoping that the city takes a measured response that really considers the concerns of the taxpayers because that is there job; that is not our job," he said.
But the protesters aren't making it any easier for police by withholding which park they plan to occupy. Without details on Saturday's march and stopping point, the Portland Police Bureau has to staff for the possibility of problems whether they happen or not.
"The costs go up because we don't have a plan from the demonstrators," said police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson. "Frankly it is on the demonstrators to come up with a plan and provide a route for the rest of the city to know what?s going to happen."
LeDoux said he has between 200-300 protesters committed to the march and occupation.
The group is telling supporters to bring tents and sleeping bags to a rally and march beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday at Salmon Springs Fountain.
The group is saying it has learned about sustainability and security from the encampment at Chapman and Lownsdale parks that police closed down Nov. 13 after more than a month.
Unedited Occupy Portland statement sent to media Friday afternoon:
To Sam Adams, Mike Reese, and Nick Fish:
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On December 3rd, Occupy Portland will once again occupy a public space. We have decided to do this after carefully considering many of the concerns expressed about our previous encampment, the sustainability of the space and the occupation, the environmental impact of our stay, the security concerns some have voiced, and the disruptions that may be caused to those around the park.
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We do this in solidarity with Occupy movements around this country and this planet because we have the right to peacefully assemble on public property and because we have grievances with a variety of injustices in our society that have not been redressed. The proposal of this occupation is simple:
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We will only occupy this park for two weeks;
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We will clean up, for as long as it is necessary, to remove all litter, rake and till the ground, and replant any of the park?s plant life that requires such action under the direction of the Parks Commissioner and Portland Parks & Recreation;
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We will have a group of volunteers ready to do this and will dedicate a portion (at our discretion) of any donations received by Occupy Portland toward the materials necessary to accomplish this end;
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We will constantly ensure that our actions are having the smallest impact possible upon the public space, for example by using mesh tubing to ensure no damage is done to trees by any ropes which are fixed, using canopy tents instead of tarps where possible, and trying to contain much of the camp to brick or paved areas where available;
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Although we attempt to make the space and the community as inclusive as possible, we will encourage a security culture in the space by rigorously keeping our protest in compliance with the established Code of Conduct which was passed by the Occupy Portland General Assembly earlier this fall, and employing an idea promoted by Gandhi known as ?Shanti Sena?, or ?Peace Army?, where anyone that hears this call is directed to immediately assist the person making the call with whatever issue has arisen.
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Occupy Portland would like to create a space that works for all, and learning from the experiences of our first camp, we hope to see in what ways the City believes these things can best be accomplished. While we are hoping to address concerns the City may have, we categorically reject the idea that the dissolution of our encampment is an answer to any of these issues, and implore both the City of Portland and the Portland Police to be forthright, honest and measured in their interactions and expression with the public.
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The ideas which the City is concerned about are solvable, and we hope to see our public officials engage in actions which attempt to solve them instead of simply shoving them aside.
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Signed,
Occupy Portland
Statement from Mayor Sam Adams regarding Occupy Portland:
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Today, the City received a statement from Occupy Portland indicating that protesters ?will once again occupy a public space? tomorrow, December 3.
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As a city, we have learned a lot in the eight weeks since the first Occupy Portland camp set up in Lownsdale and Chapman Squares. While the camp shone a bright light on important national issues of economic equity, it also showed the on-the-ground local impact of state and federal cuts to social service funding, which have left too many people without housing and without the mental health care that they need.
As we look to make our own budget cuts in the coming year, we simply cannot afford another encampment in our city. I would much rather spend our finite dollars on direct services to those in need, rather than patrolling and cleaning up after an encampment. As someone who empathizes with the founding frustrations of the Occupy movement?economic inequity, our high unemployment rate, the influence of corporations and money in politics?I believe that the encampments have become a distraction from addressing these national issues.
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With these lessons learned in mind, I have directed the Portland Police Bureau to enforce all parks rules at all parks in a peaceful manner.
This does not preclude the expression of free speech, something we have tried to balance from the beginning: Demonstrators can protest in any park during open hours, as long as they observe all parks rules, including those regarding structures. We are also anticipating a peaceful rally and march through downtown tomorrow.
We will continue to monitor the ongoing Occupy Portland protest, and make practical, day-to-day decisions like these as warranted.
Finally, I encourage supporters of the Occupy Portland movement to contribute to the Portland Parks Foundation fund to restore Chapman and Lownsdale Squares. You can donate here.
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