From the open publishing newswire: Announcement for an internship opportunity with a local non-profit organization, Portland Fruit Tree Project. Portland Fruit Tree Project is currently accepting applications for our 2015 Harvest & Stewardship Intern position! The Harvest & Stewardship Intern will aid in the implementation of Portland Fruit Tree Project's Harvesting, Fruit Tree Stewardship & Community Orchards programs by assisting in the coordination our Tree Care Teams program and Tree Care Workshop series, helping us maintain our existing Community Orchard sites, co-lead harvesting events, and assist in the coordination of our harvesting program in general. Time commitment: 12-20 hours per week for 26 weeks (schedule is somewhat flexible, 312 total hours minimum) Wednesday April 1st, 2015 - Wednesday September 30th, 2015 Location: You would be working primarily out of PFTP headquarters in NE Portland, but will be traveling throughout the City of Portland for site visits and events. This internship is unpaid, but the rewards are many - including a great learning experience and the unique opportunity to be a part of a vibrant and growing organization. You will gain great event coordination and volunteer coordination experience; connections in the local food & urban agriculture movement, and the fulfillment of knowing that your efforts will make a positive impact for hundreds of people in the Portland area! http://portlandfruit.org/2015-harvest-and-stewardship-intern-position-description

The application deadline is Sunday March 8th

homepage: http://www.portlandfruit.org

From the open publishing newswire: Ani and Lyn talk w/ Tori Abernathy and Nick Caleb about the upcoming Portland Renters Assembly
We are pleased to have The First Portland Renters' Assembly organizer, art worker and activist Tori Abernathy, plus Nick Caleb, former city council candidate, professor of government and speaker at this event. Check details of this event out at FB [Tiny URL link to FB page] Listen and join the discussion on KBOO, Friday morning 8-9 AM

The Portland Renters' Assembly is a gathering of people united by the burden of rent. The housing struggle in Portland, much like activism of our time at large, often operates in a state of emergency. There is a need to stand behind those facing foreclosure, eviction, renoviction, homelessness, and rents rising well beyond livability. It is time for these concerns to stand in solidarity with the basic injustice underlying the concept of 'rent' itself. Come and share your experience as a renter or with rent-related issues, learn about the history of rent and tenant struggles, and share resources for moving forward together.
We just know listeners, that you've got stories and questions for our guests! Call in at 503-321-8187.

Portland's First Renters Assembly 232 SE Oak St - February 24, 2015 7PM to February 26, 2015 10PM

RELATED LINKS:
Housing as a Human Right by Arnold Kunzli, emeritus Swiss professor, in 2003:

From the open publishing newswire:
A weekly 30 minute review of international news and opinion, recorded from a shortwave radio and the internet. With times, frequencies, and websites for listening at home. 3 files- Highest quality broadcast, regular broadcast, and slow-modem streaming. NHK World Radio Japan, Radio Havana Cuba, Radio Deutsche-Welle, Sputnik Radio.

The latest Shortwave Report (February 20) is up at the website http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at page bottom [...]

From the open publishing newswire: Start the Valentine weekend off right and show our mayor how much we "heart" him. Let's ask our mayor Charlie Hales to return the love by honoring his pledge of a fossil free future for Portland.

We'll remind him that on June 5, 2013, World Environment Day, he declared, "The City must urge the Oregon State Treasurer, the Local Government Investment Pool, and the Oregon Investment Council to divest of all state holdings in fossil fuel."

When: Friday, February 13th, 12-1pm Where: In front of Portland City Hall 1221 SW 4th Ave Who: Everyone who loves Portland!

RELATED VIDEO POST: Video from the PDX event at City Hall on 2/13 is here: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2015/02/429143.shtml#441176

From the open publishing newswire: "Just Say No"

We all knew it would be a long night; there were almost 30 people who signed up to go on the record concerning whether Portland, Oregon should join the JTTF. Our status with the Feds now seems to be, on call or as needed and the US Attorney wanted us in or out. We had to listen to the US Attorney go on forever, (30 minutes +) about how the JTTF would save our city from all invasions from ISIS and the Martians. You must look up and get the video of the hearing because you will have your mouth open most of the time Amanda Marshall was speaking, she is a very sick person, in my opinion, and should be removed as our US Attorney.

After Marshall finished, even Commissioner Fish looked worn out by her bizarre testimony and Commissioner Saltzman would have been bored to tears if he was there, but he was AWOL. We only had four people present at 5:00 PM to listen to the community tell them do not rejoin, join or even get near the FBI because our police are having their own problems and do not need this action. All but one person spoke against joining the JTTF. I was very proud of those who testified, including a very young girl who read a message she and her mom wrote about the 14th Amendment to the ACLU who gave a wonderful presentation that made me wonder what to say. All the groups were stunning; they spoke with a wonderful intelligence that made the walls move. They spoke of freedoms, they spoke of dignity, and they pointed out the terrible history both far and near of the FBI. One could see the effect it was having on the three Commissioners and the Mayor and at the end I was proven wrong, the city government seems to be heavily learning towards saying no to JTTF. Wow, it was a wonderful night for this activist; I just love to be proven wrong. We now have two weeks and a vote will happen, so if you went and offered your opinion, thank you so much, if you could not get there you can e-mail or make a phone call because the record will remain open for most of the two weeks. You do not have to live in Portland to offer your opinion and as one of our leaders said last night, "The rest of the country is watching what we do."
To contact the mayor's office go here:
 http://www.portlandoregon.gov/

From the open publishing newswire: what you can do

Individuals For Justice has been fighting with city hall, county and the state of Oregon for only a few years yet has shed enough tears to fill Mt. Tabor Reservoirs.

Homelessness/Houselessness touches all of us, adults with jobs, children who are thrown away or run away, veterans, wives, husbands, sons, and daughters. We are still the richest country in the world and yet we still have this terrible plague with us in 2015. When oh when will you yell with us about this injustice\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\? Please stop to say hello in front of city hall each and every Wednesday, as we stand & protest for the people on the streets. We will be there about 0800, we will always go into the building and let our feelings be known. We ask/demand that the sweeps end immediately, we ask that the city council stop talking and do something like creating storage areas, and how about safe places where people can put their head down at night without being arrested by our police for being poor. Join us or call the mayor's office and ask that the sweeps be stopped now!

More info:
 https://oldtimer.wordpress.com/2007/05/09/homeless-youth-some-random-facts-that-may-scare-you/
 http://www.homeless.org.au/pictures/44.htm
homepage: homepage:  http://IndividualsForJustice.com

From the open publishing newswire:
A weekly 30 minute review of international news and opinion, recorded from a shortwave radio and the internet. With times, frequencies, and websites for listening at home. 3 files- Highest quality broadcast, regular broadcast, and slow-modem streaming. Radio Deutsche-Welle, Radio Havana Cuba, Sputnik Radio, and NHK World Radio Japan.

The latest Shortwave Report (February 6) is up at the website http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at page bottom [...]

From the open publishing newswire: A rally with speeches and songs on the Capital steps. A skit with 2 clowns: Wallie Walmart & Ronnie Mac D. A march to nearby McDonald's for a protest call for 15 Hour, fair wages for the workers Then into the streets for an unpermitted march to a nearby meeting / lunch area

The organizers, 15 Now Portland, protest income inequality and say they are dedicated to making Oregon the first state to enact a $15 minimum wage. Rally on the Capital steps Jan 24 at noon. 15 Now Portland is fighting to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour in the City of Portland. We are also helping to lead a coalition of almost 50 other 15 Now chapters, labor unions, and community organizations across the state that are dedicated to making Oregon the first state to enact a $15 minimum wage.

https://www.youtube.com/ [1 hour 15 min]

Oregon Needs a Raise! Rally at the Capitol Building

Saturday, Jan. 24, Noon—1 pm in Salem, OR

Bills for a $15 minimum wage are being introduced in the State House and Senate for the 2015 session. Low-wage workers, union members, faith and community allies — ALL OUT for $15 !

-video out take-
15 Now! Salem Capital Rally with Ronnie and Wallie https://www.youtube.com

From the open publishing newswire: Join Portland Fruit Tree Project in preventing waste, building community, and making fresh fruit available to neighbors in need...

If you believe that everyone should have equal access to healthful food, if you believe in the power of community, enjoy talking with people and want to help promote the work of Portland Fruit Tree Project, outreach events are a great way to volunteer!.

PFTP Ambassador Overview:
PFTP Ambassadors will play a vital role in connecting community members with Portland Fruit Tree Project. Ambassadors will help spread the word about PFTP's mission, programs, and ways to get involved. This will be done primarily through info booths at community events. Good communication skills and enthusiasm are essential to this position. This will be a great opportunity to meet new people, gain experience in community outreach, and help Portland Fruit Tree Project grow and thrive!

PFTP Ambassador Responsibilities:
Attend the 2015 Ambassador Orientation on Wednesday, March 25th from 6-7:30pm If you are not able to attend, we may be able to make alternate arrangements. Represent PFTP for at least 4 community outreach events this year Attend one harvesting party at the beginning of the harvesting season (June-July) Assist in set-up and take-down of PFTP tables and outreach materials at events Assist in transport of materials to and from outreach events

To Apply:
Request an application by calling 503-284-6106, or send an email to ximena@portlandfruit.org, with 'PFTP Ambassador Application Request' in the subject line. We'll send you an application right away! The application deadline is Saturday February 28th.

From the open publishing newswire: A series of free, facilitated conversations on race and policing will be happening in Portland in the month of February at Multnomah County Libraries.

Portland has a long history of antagonism between police and communities of color, including the deaths of unarmed black men and women -- Kendra James, Aaron Campbell, James Jahar Perez and Lloyd D. Stevenson, among others -- at the hands of the police.

Join members of our community for an opportunity to talk about the challenges built into how we protect ourselves in a series of community discussions on race and policing led by trained facilitators and hosted in libraries and community spaces in Portland during the month of February.

Tuesday, February 3 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Central Library, 801 S.W. Tenth Avenue

Saturday, February 14 - 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Kenton Library, 8226 N. Denver Avenue

Saturday, February 28 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Rockwood Library, 17917 S.E. Stark Street

From the open publishing newswire: Due to the recent events in our country of police brutality and racism, the Multnomah Youth Commission (the official youth policy body of Multnomah County and the City of Portland) is hosting a Call to Action event on Sunday, February 8, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Rosewood Initiative (16126 S.E. Stark Street, Portland). This is a free event for youth and young adults between ages of 13 and 21.

Sunday, February 8
Call2Action Against Police Brutality and Racism!
Hosted by Multnomah Youth Commission
The Rosewood Initiative, 16126 S.E. Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97233
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
For youth and young adults between the ages of 13 and 21
Please RSVP to:  multnomahyouth@gmail.com
or Marc at (503) 793-1691

From the open publishing newswire: Organized Snitch programs like Tip Submit and Community Alerts are manipulating communities to target progressive writers and Activists.

In the new millennium, we have seen trends in group behavior: Flash mobs, Smart mobs, Zombie races, Zombie this, that and whatever. (One has to wonder about the popularity of the Zombie, a creature who cannot think, but only destroy.) These trends appeal to people's desire to be accepted and have fun as a group, but also show their desire to conform. We have seen many follow group behavior in a fun and entertaining way, however, a very negative form of group behavior has evolved over the last ten years. [...]

Even real Law Enforcement can be manipulated by an angry mob who constantly call in to report on someone they have been manipulated into hating. The Tip Submit Program to anonymously report on someone can be used against innocent people by the unscrupulous or even by an overzealous Neighborhood Watch. In 2005 a female colleague (a very bad bully) bragged to me that she had reported on me to some high-ranking security official, but refused to tell me what she had said. I never saw her again after that and have no idea about the accusation.

This organized snitch system is horribly wrong. Also, the snitches appear to be hounding innocent people. They don't question anything. They do not ask the person if whatever has been said, is true. Instead, they merely follow. Simon says, "Don't ask questions." [...]

From the open publishing newswire: Hands Up PDX march on Jan 18 2015
Hundred + show up in the rain to bring awareness to the police shooting people of color ...and to make the public aware that we citizens say; Black Lives Matters, and we do care about these concerns.

Tiny URL link to the YouTube video:  http://tinyurl.com/py57zdy (1 hour 34 min video)

Hands Up (Don't Shoot) PDX held a march on the day before Martin Luther King's Birthday. The march was in unity with "Black Lives Matter, and police accountability, it was in Solidarity with struggles in Ferguson, NY, Portland and around the US. The march was a unified voice of the community to end racism and violence. And to gather in the streets on Dr Martin Luther Kings birthday in memory of his fight for justice as we still face the current struggles today in our own communities. [...]