- Occupy Portland sustained Portland Police Bureau’s attempted eviction from Shemanski Park. Approximately 75 demonstrators remained in the early morning. Thirty demonstrators slept in the park overnight.
- The Portland Police Bureau released a statement that Occupy Portland demonstrators used children as human shields and that no children suffered injury. Oregonian photographer Ray Whitehouse published evidence of injuries to a 15-year-old present at the demonstrations. Protesters dismiss the “human shield” claims as false and editorialized.
- Later, Portland Police disclaim the brutality as “unverified.” This disclaimer had not been used in any of their previous reporting on events loosely related to Occupy Portland. Contact: press@occupyportland.org
- Mayor Sam Adams called the protesters’ jovial, street theater response to police force “a low point for #OWS.” Adams, an elected official within a representative democracy, states that he will be attending to Occupy Wall Street’s platform because Occupy Portland is not doing so.
- Occupy Portland’s National Defense Authorization Act demonstration marched to KATU’s Eastside offices to call for additional media coverage of this legislation they oppose.
- Drug dealers later threatened Occupy Portland with violence for disrupting their trade. Reports included skateboards as weapons and one person who was spit on. The demonstrators packed up and left, retreating to Director Park.
- Occupy Portland announces a December 17 demonstration in support of immigrant’s rights. Contact: D17outreach@gmail.com
- Organizers for the December 12 ports demonstration held a tactical training at 316 NW 4th Ave. They plan to hold another training at 1 pm on December 11 in the same location. More information: http://shutdowntheport.com/
- Unsettle Portland announces plans to resist evictions of Portland families on December 6. More information: http://unsettleportland.org/
Yesterday
- The Occupy Portland ReOccuFest march and demonstration gathered on the Waterfront and marched through Downtown, before attempting to set up a two-week encampment in Shemanski Park. The Occupy Portland live blog and The Oregonian reported demonstrators as obeying traffic signals and allowing MAX and buses to pass. Contact: press@occupyportland.org
- Officer Aaron Schmautz was alleged to have struck cyclists near the Occupy Portland demonstration. Various accounts indicate Schmautz clotheslined two non-occupy cyclists with his baton. Contact: press@occupyportland.org
- Occupy Portland demonstrators swept up fallen leaves in and around Shemanski Park.
- The Portland Police Bureau announced an “emergency closure” to Shemanski Park at approximately 8:30 pm. Demonstrators asked for a written statement of the closure and the legal justifications for the action. The police did not respond to either request. Mayor Sam Adams later explained on Twitter that the emergency closure was in response to protesters defiance of Portland Parks & Recreation orders.
- The Oregon Symphony audience applauded Occupy Portland’s presence in the park blocks adjacent to the concert.
- Riot police forced Occupy Portland out of Shemanski Park. Demonstrators at the scene reported baton strikes that injured ribs, hands, and more.
- Occupy Portland responded to the park eviction with street theater that included marching, dancing, and chanting.
—Reid Parham, reid.parham@gmail.com
Today in Occupy is a quick, broad look at the day-to-day happenings of anything related to Occupy Portland. Please send your tips to Reid Parham, media volunteer, and include who, what, where, when, and why, plus links for more information. Your feedback is welcomed.
2 comments for “Today in Occupy: December 4, 2011”