Tag: houselessness

Portland Anti-Eviction Movement Taking Names, Gaining Ground

Story and photos by Pete Shaw Fifty supporters of the eviction resistance movement gathered outside City Hall on November 16 to demand the City of Portland and Multnomah County declare a moratorium on evictions and the use of city police to help the sheriff enforce evictions. “We are bringing the fight to City Hall,” said…

#OccupySandy: Disaster Relief and Dual Power

Occupy Sandy volunteers feeding FEMA volunteers following Hurricane Sandy By Nolan MacGregor, Nate Perkins, and Chase Wilson Last year, Occupy Wall Street emerged from the labyrinth of concrete and steel that is New York City. Three weeks ago, Hurricane Sandy made landfall. In the wake of the storm which left millions without power, thousands without…

Portland Police Stepping into Eviction Role with Both Feet

Story and photos by Pete Shaw Just after her husband had driven away to take their granddaughter to school on November 6, Heather Sirotak found herself confronted by 40 officers, some brandishing guns. Prior to entering the house with the aid of what she described as a battering ram, Sirotak said she heard one  “bellowing”…

Citizen Support Cracks Bureaucratic Inhumanity Against Homeowner

Story and photos by Pete Shaw The notice on the door of Room 3000 at 1900 SW 4th Avenue —  home of Portland’s Bureau of Development Services (BDS) — listed the various administrative hearings that would be taking place on September 6, 2012.  I was present because I expected a 9 a.m. hearing between the…

Sleep Activist Wins in Court

  by Andrea Townsend Sleep Activist, “Kernel” Moses Wrosen was found not guilty on two charges Thursday, stemming from his March 2 arrest outside City Hall. Wrosen was sleeping on a wooden platform on the sidewalk in demonstration against the city’s camping ban, when police woke him up and ordered him to move the platform.…

Housing Justice Activist Cameron Whitten Ends Hunger Strike

Story and video by Mungen Cakes.  Photos by Paul. Citing concessions from and ongoing negotiations with the City of Portland, Cameron Whitten ended his hunger strike today with an event he called “The Big Eat”. He gave a speech in front of city hall at 10 am culminating in a ceremonial bite from a custom…

Vigil Preempts City Plan to Clean Sidewalk

by Crash In yet another demonstration of the people’s rising gumption and grit, the sidewalk in front of Portland City Hall was cleaned up to a shine early Sunday morning. The cleaners included Occupy activists, long-term vigil keepers, one hunger striker, and the unhoused folks who have been sleeping on the edge of the sidewalk…

Day 30: Cameron Whitten Adjusts Agenda, Presses On

By Jerry Bruce After 30 days of going hungry, a thinner, weaker Cameron Whitten had something to say. An expectant crowd of some 70 supporters gathered Sunday night in front of city hall to hear him. “I’m ending my hunger strike,” he said, and the crowd applauded. But after explaining why he’s not satisfied with…