Here is the Indymedia Occupy Portland Page

OTHER COVERAGE
LiveStream: WATCH - Wiki: portlandwiki.org/ - Occupy: occupyportland.org

From the open publishing newswire: The Trans-Pacific FTA is being negotiated behind closed doors between a dozen countries throughout the Pacific Rim. Journalists, most Members of Congress and the people most likely to be impacted by these negotiations are barred from reviewing the U.S. proposals, but approximately 600 corporate lobbyists certified as official "citizen advisers" have regular access to both the negotiating documents and the negotiators. Join us as we learn more about this pact; about the impact of past trade deals on our communities; and to send a message to Senator Ron Wyden and other elected officials that we will not accept another business-as-usual trade pact that offshores jobs, reduces the tax base and puts a downward pressure on the wages and benefits of jobs that are left.


Sunday, 2/12 * 3:00 - 4:30pm Redmond, OR
Monday, 2/13 * 6:30 - 8:00pm Eugene, OR
Wednesday, 2/15 * 6:30 - 8:00pm Ashland, OR
Wednesday, 2/22 * 6:00 - 7:30pm Portland, OR
Thursday, 2/23 * 3:00 - 4:00pm Monmouth, OR
Thursday, 2/23 * 6:30 - 8:00pm Salem, OR

Help us promote these events on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/events/213487345409982/

 http://www.citizenstrade.org/ctc/oregon/fair-trade-events/
phone: 503) 736-9777

From the open publishing newswire: From an arrestee:

On Monday night there was a march in Portland in solidarity with Occupy Oakland's call-out for a day of action against police brutality and arrests. The description for Portland's march specifically called for a respect for diversity of tactics including a black bloc and nonviolent direct action. Unfortunately the actual event proved much less tolerant to this diversity of tactics - people utilizing black bloc tactics were physically assaulted by other marchers on multiple occasions, and scapegoated for the 10 arrests the police made.

From the open publishing newswire: It is clear from much of the discourse that occurred in the march that occupiers, by and large, have no understanding of anti-oppression politics and very little if any understanding of, and/or affinity for, historical anti-police tactics.

Largely I have hoped to try to bridge this gap in the past, however it has become undeniable now that the behaviour of occupiers at radical marches is not merely frustrating or politically derailing, it has developed a pattern of putting people in the hands of police. This type of behaviour in portland has in the past caused individuals to incur injuries at the hands of belligerent occupiers.

From the open publishing newswire: This was the 2.1.12 PIMC Breaking News posts, for the protest at City Hall, for the Right 2 Dream 2 fines to be waived / stopped

>> News post 3.
Right 2 Dream 2 Protest: Cell phone video clips [12] from some of speeches are Here

>> News post 2.
Over 100 supporters show up on city hall steps. Speakers rally for one hour. A few cops outside watching. 50+ then go inside to the weekly city hall meeting.

>> News post 1.
Right 2 Dream 2 - Protest on steps of Portland City Hall 8:30- 9:30 AM Wave The Fines

Videos from protest at city hall

From the open publishing newswire: Monday, January 30, 2012. Mumia Abu-Jamal is off death row and out of solitary because you called and wrote and faxed and emailed. He is out of the "hole". We did it. This was an international effort, including the delivery of over 5000 petitions, thousands of letters, and the threat of legal action. Because of your solidarity and actions, tonight Mumia called and recorded "Of Idiots and Sages", a new essay on forced sterilization written on a scrap of paper at SCI Mahanoy from lockdown. Mumia gives all of you a shout out and tells it how it is.
Full story at Infoshop News

[Related: William Singletary, 65, Courageous Witness of Mumia's Innocence
Mumia Abu-Jamal's "Why There is No Iran War on the Horizon"]

The Great Debate

freemumia.com

From the open publishing newswire: A short drive by video of the Pioneer Square protest of the NDAA

NDAA Protest in Portland Oregon 2.3.12 [one minute video]

President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law. It contains a sweeping worldwide indefinite detention provision. The dangerous new law can be used by this and future presidents to militarily detain people captured far from any battlefield.

He signed it. Now, we have to fight it wherever we can and for as long as it takes.

From the open publishing newswire: Next: The House
It's almost too good to be true.

Tonight [Feb 1, 2012] the Washington Senate, on a bipartisan 28-21 vote, passed a marriage equality bill -- the first time in Washington history that an equality bill has passed in either chamber of the legislature.

Our efforts are working, creating real changes in Washington's marriage policy -- and it's all due to you, and thousands of other Washingtonians who care deeply about equality. We're hearing that all the calls and emails to the Capitol are changing minds. But, while this is a historic victory, it's far from the end of the road. The next step toward getting equality signed into law is a vote on the House floor, which may come as early as next week. And it's tempting to celebrate after such an important victory, but we just don't have the luxury. If marriage equality is going to be a reality in Washington, we're going to need to keep pushing, and keep speaking out.

We can't let up. Not yet.

Washington United for Marriage
 http://washingtonunitedformarriage.org

From the open publishing newswire: The main issue of discussion is the Union struggle against the business practices of EGT at the port at Longview Washington. After acquiring port facilities at this location, this multinational corporation, a subsidary of Bungee, broke contracts with the union specifying that they would continue hiring local union labor.
Interview with Occupy Portland EGT Working Group
[Video 57 Minutes]

Besides this discussion, other topics include recent moves by the coal industry to bring coal to Oregon ports for export to Asia. Recently, Port of St. Helens Commissioners approved agreements with two companies wanting to export coal. Also discussed are predatory practices by many multinational corporations who convince or force underdeveloped countries to adopt single crop agriculture for export, forcing the importation of many food items previously supplied by local agriculture. This destitutes the people, while creating large profits for the corporations.

To learn more or to participate in this struggle.

Related PIMC Posts:
ALERT: " tentative settlement " with Longshore workers & EGT
Last minute settlement averts clash at Washington's Port of Longview
ILWU, EGT reach tentative deal in Longview labor dispute
Bullshit "Tentative Settlement" in Longview

From the open publishing newswire: "Background: Native American activist Leonard Peltier was wrongfully convicted in connection with the deaths of two agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The evidence shows that the FBI was the aggressor in the firefight that occurred on June 26, 1975. From 1973 to 1976, Indigenous People on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota were victims of beatings, drive-by shootings, and stabbings carried out by local vigilantes who collaborated with the FBI... Indeed, Mr. Peltier's co-defendants, tried separately, were acquitted on grounds of self-defense."

As a result of my experience as an fbi agent and my battle with the fbi assassins over the past few decades, I can confirm that the following report is based upon valid premises and that in all likelihood Leonard Peltier was wrongfully convicted as set forh below; further, he is in my opinion a hero who stood as man against the fbi psychopaths and serial killers who were sent to kill him. Also, I seved in the fbi during the time of the violence at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota; Today, the fbi continues gross violations of constitutional rights against political dissidents. I believe that Leonard Peltier was such a dissident and he is a defender of liberty against the murderous fbi agents who ran amuk at the reservation .

Full Report

Saturday Feb 4 Leonard Peltier Clemency March in Tacoma - carpool info from Portland

whoisleonardpeltier

From the open publishing newswire: Prior to today's shooting, it had been over a year since a Portland police officer killed a civilian. That this is notable at all highlights a serious problem in the way Portland police interact with citizens, especially those citizens with active mental illness and/or untreated addiction.

Early this morning, January 25, 2012, Portland Police officers shot and killed a man in downtown Portland. Prior to today's shooting, it had been over a year since a Portland police officer killed a civilian. That this is notable at all highlights a serious problem in the way Portland police interact with citizens, especially those citizens with active mental illness and/or untreated addiction. The Mental Health Association of Portland has collected the names and known history of over 220 persons shot and/or killed by Portland area police officers since 1970. The list is not comprehensive, but it clearly shows a correlation between active mental illness or addiction and the chances of being killed or wounded by police officers.

The year-plus from Thomas Higginbotham's death on Jan. 2, 2011 until today may be the longest duration without a police-caused death in Portland's history. Higginbotham, age 67, was described by friends as a late stage alcoholic. His shooting death was described by police through the media as having occurred as he advanced toward two officers holding a "large knife." It is unknown if the Multnomah County District Attorney convened a grand jury to inquire about the death of Higginbotham, or what parts of the county's use-of-force plan were followed.

From the open publishing newswire: We strongly encourage you all, especially those involved with Occupy Portland who tried telling their stories to City Council but were gavelled down by the Mayor, to turn out next Thursday, the 26th, at the East Portland Community Center to go on record with CRC with your concerns. It would probably be helpful even if you are relating a personal story of misconduct to articulate how you think things could be made better... no police horses or pepper spray at protests? Investigations into misconduct done by independent civilians, not police Internal Affairs? You decide.

WHAT: Community Public Forum on Police Accountability
WHEN: Thursday, January 26, 2012 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: East Portland Community Center 740 SE 106th Ave, Portland 97216

Related Post on Police violence and Portland Occupy: Breaking News 6:30 -10:30 J25 Egypt Solidarity
Reportback Video of Police Accountability Meeting Video: Citizen Police Accountability Meeting - Occupy Portland Jan 26 2012

From the open publishing newswire: The International Day in Solidarity with Leonard Peltier is Saturday, February 4. There will be a Northwest Regional March and Rally for Clemency for Leonard Peltier in Tacoma, Washington that day. For Portlanders interested in carpooling (either needing transportation or willing to share your vehicle to carpool) to Tacoma, there is an opportunity that day.

Noon: March for Justice from Portland Avenue Park (on Portland Avenue, between E. 35th and E. Fairbanks) in Tacoma, Washington. (Take Portland Avenue Exit off I-5 and head east.)
1:00 p.m.: Rally for Justice in front of the U.S. Federal Courthouse, 1717 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington.

*** For Portlanders interested in carpooling (either needing transportation or willing to share your vehicle to carpool) to Tacoma, please RSVP to (503) 750-0523 or  oregon_jericho@gmail.com . Transportation will meet up outside of KBOO Community Radio Station, 20 S.E. 8th Avenue, Portland before embarking to Tacoma between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. ***

 http://www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

From the open publishing newswire: Thursday, February 2nd 2012
6-9:30pm
Food for Thought Cafe
Portland State University, Portland OR

Join your community allies for a discussion, film screening and letter
writing night for Political Prisoners. This documentary depicts the
increasingly harsh treatment of people who protest against what they see as crimes to the environment. Today, protesters who were once described as environmental activists are being called 'terrorists', and environmental activism is being labeled 'eco-terrorism'.
*Free, open to the public, all ages and disability affirmative!

Contact:  oregon.jericho@gmail.com