Fight Against Camping Ban Continues
Mood:
on fire
Now Playing: Solidarity with the Houseless Protest - Police Sweep Away Protesters
Topic: Houseless
(by Joe walsh)
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2013/07/424146.shtml
I look to Jose for info and request the same from the ladies and gentlemen of the protest against City Hall and their stupid camping ban. There was a call for help for 0700 on Tuesday, 7/23/2013 because the mayor was going to have maintenance wash down the area and force the people to move. I hate getting up at 5:00 AM; don’t know much about where I am at 0500. So I did get up and of course walked into my bathroom door and banged by old head. “What did you do that for?” said Patty, our dog looked like she was laughing!
I was on my way to take a shower, it took some time to finish my cussing about the bump on my forehead, but “Onward you old shit and move your butt so that you can catch the 0600 #4 bus to downtown." The people on the bus looked like they did this traveling in the middle of night as a regular adventure. I turned on my radio and put in my ear plugs to listen to some music, which would be good. Think about a Mocha from your friend around the corner from the den of thieves, it did wake me up and with all my whining I got to city hall about 0645, and the good people were already awake and across the street from city hall. I did not understand why but talked to Jose and was told that the city wanted to power wash the sidewalks and they needed to protect their stuff. I went over and saw some staff from the council and one person who works for the city attorney. I like David and usually when he is around things go smoothly, I hope for the best. I met a wonderful man whose name was Jim D. Whittenburg; he was prepared to be arrested and was not going to move off the sidewalk when ordered. I came this morning to be a witness, lend support to the people who are forced to live on the streets, not to get arrested but I was not going to see the wonderful man stand alone, so I told him I would go where he went and if that was jail so be it. There were the usual 50 or so cops in the area that I could see, they were going to do a clean sweep and we were going to get caught in the middle of the “Wave of Hales Corruption.”
We waited and waited and about 0900 the police approached and Jim announced he would not move voluntarily and I just said, “I’m with Jim.” I had my USS Independence hat on and a jacket that says, Navy and Peace—Ha! The police did not want to arrest two old guys who were willing to give up some of their liberties so that others have a chance at what we once knew as “Democracy.”
So, off we went to the big house, the justice center for processing and booking, my wife did not know I was going to push the issue, so she was not going to be happy. We were allowed to walk with the two police who were friendly and professional and very uncomfortable about arresting us. We were taken inside the entrance and told to wait on a bench and the police would get things started inside and be out in a few minutes. After about an hour we were given some bottled water and told to wait. We waited and were not handcuffed, could walk out anytime we wanted, it was a strange arrest. I was watching my oxygen and it was getting near the red zone and that is not good, but from time to time I sit at home reading or watching TV and not use oxygen, so I was not in a panic but concerned. Jim was a good companion and the time moved along, the one police officer came out and informed us that they talked it over inside and they were not going to charge us and we were free to leave. Off we went!
I got back to city hall and found that the religious display was taken down; Lighnting’s sculpture was also taken apart, gone! This was not a surprise, but sad. I talked to the group and they seemed to be in good shape, the cops that I came into contact with were professional and that is good. My hope is that because Jim and I were respectful that these two cops may see people who protest a little different considering their experience of today. Patty was home when I arrived and was surprised that I stayed so long, “Well, honey…………………………………arrested”
She seemed ok with the Tuesday event only saying, “You have a busy week coming up you know,” “Yea, but some of it will be fun” I said.
I feel good about what we do, I don’t like getting arrested but sometimes we old folks need to stand firm and not let these young whippersnappers push us around!
Into the streets I say, and bring me a mocha when you see this old grumpy guy standing with a sign for freedom, I love mochas!
Individuals For Justice will be at the City Hall for their meeting at 0930 Wednesday, the dog and pony show does feature the 4 s---s and Commissioner Amanda Fritz who is the only human remaining on this council. We also will be at the County Commissioners meeting on Thursday at 0930 at the Multnomah headquarters on the East-side near Hawthorne & Grand. We want to welcome back Cogen and ask him to resign. Join us if you can!
Posted by individuals4justice
at 10:07 PM PDT
Updated: Tuesday, 23 July 2013 10:12 PM PDT
crushed out
