it would make so much sense. They wouldn't be blocking traffic. It's still on the MAX (light rail) line within a short walking distance. And there are public restrooms.

I don't understand this fixation on the Federal Courthouse. It's playing into Trump's narrative. If we could just move a little further away, there would be NO reason for the goon squad there except to violate our rights to peacefully protest. And honestly I think the protest crowd size would grow immensely (I'd be there in a heartbeat!).

excuse to move in and move in he did.

Last edited Sun Jul 26, 2020, 10:52 PM - Edit history (1)

I have a couple of questions I would love to get your opinion on, if you would be so kind...
Do the protests have a leader or some decision-making methodology?
What are the goals of the protests, any identifiable short and long term change?
Are you seeing anything positive or negative happening as a result of the protests?
How do you feel about the response of local government to the protests and to the federal invasion?

Sorry for so many questions. I’m seriously curious.

Although on TV and in the news, it might appear as though the protests in Portland are organized by a single governing group, but in my experience, Portland protests have always been a combination of home-grown groups (in this case, Wall of Moms and Don't Shoot PDX); sometimes working with national groups like MoveOn and Indivisible. But just as much, it's random people showing up, wanting to help.

Here's links to a few prominent Portland protest organizers:

Wall of Moms https://thewallofmoms.com/ This site tells about their mission, and explains how they take their direction from Black leaders, particularly Don't Shoot PDX. It's only a few pages and really worth reading!

Don't Shoot PDX https://www.dontshootpdx.org/about-us/has been around for about 6 years. They are Black-led, and call for divestment, demilitarization and defunding of police.

As for whether I'm seeing anything positive or negative, the short answer is "not really". Portlanders have always been politically active, we're used to protests, and aside from the fencing around the Federal building, life goes on pretty much as normal, even in COVID times.

How do I feel about local government response? Kind of disappointed actually. Ted Wheeler (the Mayor) showed up at a protest last week, and got pepper sprayed along with everyone else. I think it was a good-faith effort on his part, but more is needed. And I'm glad the State Attorney general has filed suits against the Feds. I'm not sure what the law is as to bringing in the National Guard to get rid of the Feds, but our Governor tends to play it on the safe side, and I don't see her doing that (I think Trump has ultimate authority over them, but not my expertise area).

I DO wish our elected officials would reach out to the local protest movements to work with them and support them. Find ways to keep this from escalating (similar to the ideas from the OP on this thread). I wish they could all come to agreement to move the protests away from the Federal buildings (there are a lot of them in that area. I wish our elected City and State reps would all join us in protest at one of the very large city parks in the same general area (or the waterfront, as I suggested, which is NEAR the federal building, but owned by the City). That, I think, would make the kind of headlines we need, while taking away the power of the Feds to "protect their buildings".

I feel better informed now.

Why a federal courthouse? The killings are done by municipal police. Get away from the courthouse, and the goons have no reason to be there.

Two whole big blocks of park space.

That provides a logical space for protests, were it not for Trump and his executive order to protect the buildings from mobs of black folk and fascists.

To the east four blocks is the Willamette River waterfront park. No federal property there.