Category: Sections

Activist Targets Need to Reform Unchecked Police Power

By Pete Shaw Jo Ann Hardesty, a local activist and tireless voice in the struggle for police reform, was the featured speaker at a recent Justice Social Happy Hour. The March 12 gathering, hosted by the McKenzie River Gathering Foundation (MRG) at Portland’s Queen of Sheba restaurant, included a discussion on the movement to hold…

Occupy Portland is Moving Out

By Daniel Hong Occupy Portland is moving, out ­­ but it’s not for certain where they’re moving to. Their last day with St. Francis Parish is April 15th, with plans to move on this International Workers’ Day, May 1st. While it might seem rushed, it’s actually been a long standing collaborative effort representing several months…

ILWU Strength Imperiled by Dangerous Course

Story and photos by Pete Shaw A crowd of over 200 Longshore workers, other union members, and community supporters rallied at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, WA, on March 8 in support of ILWU Local 4 grain handlers locked out of their jobs by United Grain Corporation in late February. After some speeches, the assembly,…

The Dream of Sleep

A Light in the Commons Illumines a Truth Entropy of ordinance Makes for horrid experience   Miles of empty real estate Heated for the plumbing Souls shiver on sidewalks Denied legal bedding   Shattered Realities And Neighborly Angst Breed environment of Fear No politician will stand against A cadre of neighbors Riddled . . .…

Former Black Panther Remains Committed to Legacy of Party

Story by Pete Shaw There are few groups in the annals of US history more willfully misunderstood than the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. According to the FBI line pushed by the corporate media, the Black Panthers became the face of everything white people should fear:  black men with guns. The Panthers hold a place in…

The Choice In Portland: Austerity Versus a People’s Budget

By Mark Vorpahl It’s no secret that most cities, counties, states and school districts in the U.S. are facing big deficits. What is less understood is the extent to which austerity cuts have become politicians’ bipartisan response to the situation. The dramatic measures being implemented in Portland, Oregon are no exception. By “austerity” is meant…

Rise Up, Strike Down Sexual Violence Against Women

Story and photos by Pete Shaw Only Alaska has more dismal state statistics regarding women and sexual violence: Fifty-five percent of Oregon women will be the victims of sexual or domestic violence and 27% will be raped. With numbers this mind-numbing, it would have been heartening to see thousands flooding the streets in protest. Still,…

Students Test School District Will To Maintain One Size Fits All Standards

Story and photos by Pete Shaw Standing in solidarity with Seattle’s Garfield High School teachers and all instructors in the Seattle Public Schools who have refused to administer Washington’s Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Test, a crowd of 30 Portland Public Schools (PPS) students and about 5 parents gathered in front of PPS headquarters on February…