Pioneer Courthouse Square Interviews

There was one security guard who walked around the square but he didn't seem particularly concerned with the meditators. There were a lot of television news cameras around getting ready for the PPRC demonstrations that happen there after the meditation vigil. And then I saw the meditators. At first there were 2 meditators but over the 1/2 hour period that number grew to a total of six.

I walked around the area and interviewed random people. Some didn't want to talk and some had plenty to say. Overwhelmingly, the people I spoke with were very positive about the protestors and were against the war in Afghanistan. Only a small group of people were for the war. Below are some of the interviews.

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Interviewer: What do you think of the meditators over there?

Guy: I don't see a problem with that. I really don't. I mean its an open area. Plenty of people come and go. To sit down and do something different shouldn't be a problem.

I: Do you think they're causing a tripping hazard?

G: No, not at all. There's a lot of open space. If they're sitting there meditating and if someone can't look down and see them... they stand out. They're not causing any problems whatsoever.

I: What do you feel about protestors against the war?

G: Well, I'm in the military for the reason to give people that opportunity to protest and do that kind of stuff. And if they protest against it, that's their opinion and they're free to do it. Just cause I'm in the military and I have a chance to go out and fight for that kind of stuff - its for the people, either for the ones against protesting or for the protestors themselves. Its why I'm here. Its why I do what I do.

I: Thanks.

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Next, I interviewed a young lady reading a book on the steps near the meditators.

I: There are three people currently meditating over there, what do you think about them?

Young Lady: I think its fine.

I: One of them is holding a sign that says, "Be Bold, Be Peace." What do you think that refers to?

YL: Be strong - they're protesting the war.

I: What are your opinions on the war?

G: I think its inappropriate. Its unneccesary, really. I think its cool that they can [meditate] and nobody's going to bother them.

I: What do you think of meditating as opposed to other forms of protest?

YL: Whatever works for you.

I: Last week, during the meditation one of them had a chair they were using. Security Guards told them the chair was a tripping hazard, that they could be fined and possibly not be able to return to the square for 30 days. Do you think that or the meditators are tripping hazards?

YL: No, not at all.

I: Do you see other people sitting on the square with things next to them?

YL: Like me? [She has a bag next to her]

I: Do you think you are causing a tripping hazard?

YL: No, its a huge place.

I: Have you ever been fined?

YL: No, I've never even been approached.

I: Because, the guards said that there was strict enforcement - no exceptions.

YL: I've never even heard of that rule.

I: Thanks!

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Then I came across 3 young men who had just finished eating fast food.

I: There are now 5 people meditating, what do you think about that?

Guy A: Depending on what they're doing that for I think it could be really cool. But depending on the reason, I don't know what the reason is, if it was a good reason I'd be doing it too.

I: What about the sign, then, "Be Bold, Be Peace." What do you think that refers to?

A: That means don't take anything anyone gives you for granted. And just give peace to everybody. Don't be rude or obnoxious to people. Be nice and just give out what you would want to receive.

Guy B: Be humble, you know. Respect yourself. Respect others. You gotta respect yourself to respect others. They seem like they respect themselves and they're trying to reach nirvana. That's what I'm assuming that they are doing, if they are meditating, you know.

Guy C: It seems to me they're just making a statement, they don't have to be out like walking crazy like how people do those riots to demostrate peace. They're not doing that, they're doing it the other way. That way its more productive.

I: Have you all meditated before?

A: Yeah.

B: Many times.

A: Its really good.

I: What do you think about the war in Afghanistan?

A: I think its crap. I think its something we do not need to be over there doing. Its pretty much like the Vietnam War - we're not supposed to be there.

B: And I think it goes both ways. I think it gives the US government more excuses to harass Middle Easterners because, for example, I live in a strong Muslim community. Most of them are Somalians and their families in Somalia don't have much money and they come here to work and send money to their families. Now because of this war, they're not able to do that because they feel that the Somalians are supporting the so called terrorists and that's just an excuse, a cover up to say hey we want those people to keep feeling like crap over there. So that's a good way to do it by making all this propaganda and blowing up stuff...

C: I think America has capitalized it way too much. I think that all it was, was just a big effort to make more money. I think that's what it really boils down to.

A: All of a sudden, there's all of these people that never cared about our government that much, like nobody had american flags or nothing, right? But because these terrorist attacks happened, everybody's like, "We have to buy these American flags. We have to support our country. blah blah blah." Its, "We have to go buy American flags. We have to go buy these things."

B: They should have been given away. [Laughs]

I: Who gives away anything for free around here?

ALL: No one.

I: Do you think the meditators are making a statement against the war?

A: I think so.

B: Maybe not against the war but against the attitude that's kinda clouded over us.

C: For the last couple of months everybody like looks at Arabic people and they get all angry, you know. Maybe the FBI is investigating Arabic people in Portland just because they're Arabic and its not cool.

B: They have been - I totally disagree. I think it goes both ways. I've seen some stuff you know to prove that it goes both ways and if people don't take ownership for it its just going to look one sided for both sides until whenever and its not going to stop.

I: Did you know Bush is going to be in town tomorrow?

A: No.

B: No, I didn't but, honestly, I couldn't care less.

I: You don't have a special message for him?

C: Take the stick out of your ass.

B: No, not necessarily that but I notice that whenever there's a Bush in office the economy goes really bad and there's always a war in the Middle East or on some form of brown people. And people lose their jobs here and it gets really crappy - and it happens all the time. Something needs to change and it shouldn't be for the rich, man. I got laid off, you know, I was doing good. I was supporting myself and going to school. Now, I can't do that because of... I want to say him, obviously, because everytime there's that certain person. When his dad was in there my mom lost her job and everything. We had to live on welfare and just look really bad like I got made fun of. Its really degrading. I think that needs to change severely.

I: What are your ages?

A: 18.

B: 21.

C: 18.

I: Anything else you guys want to say?

A: I just want to say PLUR to the world.

B: Yeah, Peace, love, unity, and respect.

C: Ravers unite!

B: Peace, like that sign up there.

I: Thanks.

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And then I found a family visiting from Austria.

I: So you guys are visiting Portland?

G: Yeah, from Austria.

I: How are you guys enjoying it here so far?

G: Good. Very good.

I: So, what do you think about the people here meditating?

G: I don't think its so good but if they want to do this I have no problems with it.

I: Do a lot of people meditate in Austria?

G: No. [laughs]

I: OK, what does "Be Bold, Be Peace" mean to you?

G: Its good but um how many people died at the world trade center. I think all the relatives want revenge and I think that's right. Peace is good but why can Afghanistan people come to the US and kill people. That's not good.

I: Um, in Austria what is the general opinion of the war in Afhganistan?

G: I think just a moment... [they talk in Austrian amongst themselves]... I think its good. I think they understand the people. Its better to make war than to make nothing. And the women in Afghanistan have their rights back and they can go to school and the Taliban is not pushing them. I think that's good.

I: Do you think most Americans are for the war too?

G: Yes, I think so. They're not just those 5 people.

I: Do you believe these 5 people have the right to meditate and to speak out?

G: Of course.

I: Bush is going to be in town tomorrow. Do you have anything you'd like to say to him?

G: Hello. [laughs and everyone says hello].

I: Where are you off to next?

G: Seattle.

I: Great.