This bit of land opposite Portland City Hall is an outstanding victory for anti-war forces in Portland.
Conversely, to loose it would be a setback.
Portland Peace Park is one front where we have one-uped San Fransisco! There is nothing like it in S.F. as far as I know. (not to denigrate San Fransisco's heroism in fighting fascism!).
Mass protest actions everyday of the war may not for a variety of reasons be able to be sustained. If they can, great!
But across American vigils like the Portland Peace Park can grow, spead, and help end the war quickly, or at the vary least shorten in and save lives for every moment it is there.
What it accomplishes locally?
1. City Hall administration can't avoid it.
2. Media can go there to get interviews and photos anytime.
3. Portlanders walk by, bike by, and drive by and give the peace sign or thumbs up in astonishing numbers 24 hours a day.
4. There is a good group of folks with high energy devloping there...absolutely not the Bush forces depicition of wino's with nothing better to do. They are also very diverse politically so whatever faction you tend toward, you have soul-mates at Peace Park.
5. They are resolved to stay there until bombing stops.
6. Legally, they are on solid ground. Doesn't mean Homeland Security might not try to evict them and face the music in court later and in sparking new protests.
Please visit it in person (directly across the street from City Hall). Take what you can to help out (Currently authorities have banned tents but vigil has vowed to stay in rain with no tents...so obviously they need tarps, gortex if you can loan it.
Interesting, their peace signs are paper, small, and disintegrating! Please take down old sheets and paint so they can make some more fitting signs. Pre-made signs even better...positive, general appeal, pro-peace message...
Thanks!
|
a woman with a whole lot of energy
who is gluten intolerant
If you can bring down food
without GLUTEN in it - and mark it
she'd be a much happier Peace Camper!