My learning experience at OHSU a year later!
author: Mars
 e-mail: mswinkkle@yahoo.com
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once again, ohsu has gone too far and gotten away with it.
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I went to OHSU to pick up information and ended up getting arrested. A year later, there is still no explanation.
A yellow door hanger left on my property described some disturbing facts about OHSU and their vivisection animal research. On the morning of Aug.17,'05, I phoned OHSU President Peter Kohler's office (503 494-8252) and inquired about getting their side of the issue. I spoke to someone who identified herself as Tiffany*. She offered to mail the information packet, printed by OHSU for public education on the subject, or she said I could pick it up in Mac Hall across from the hospital. Since I was going out anyway, I elected to pick it up. Not knowing where Mac Hall was, I entered Baird Hall and told the women at the cashiers window, Betty**, what I was there for. She said she did not know what I was talking about. So, I went back to my car to get the yellow door hanger with the number on it, I had phoned 30 minutes earlier. When I returned to the cashier's window, Betty walked away and two men approached me. One in a brown uniform, I later learned was Officer Mark Nichols and the other in casual street clothes was Lieutenant David Bodin. David Bodine stepped forward and yelled in my face and told me to leave or I would be arrested because I looked suspicious and was precipitating an incident. To this day neither accusation has been identified for proven. Confused I headed out the same way I came in, down the stairs and onto the public sidewalk, walking away from them. I was followed down the sidewalk and across the street. By this time, there were several male security following me. Within a few minutes one of them, Officer Brandon Braim, approached from behind, pushed me and someone said I was under arrest for Criminal Trespassing. At that time I was double handcuffed and searched for weapons, then transported to the OHSU security office. I remained there for several hours, in cuffs, while they questioned me and wrote their report, copied my ID, library card, and took pictures of me, my clothes, boots, small purse and contents. I again asked what I had done wrong. Lieutenant Gary Rasmussen told me, if I didn't know by now I never will. A Portland police officer arrived later and issued me a citation for Criminal Trespassing II, a misdemeanor ($1000 fine). He said if I plead guilty at the first court appearance, the charge would drop to a violation and I would probably only get community service.
Since I was not guilty of anything, I pleaded not guilty and got another court date. At that hearing, Judge Greg Lowe, an hourly paid judge, listened to the prosecution continue to contradict themselves and each other. There were 9 OHSU employees who testified against me. The Judge did not hear or consider anything I had to say. So, of course the verdict was guilty. I was to pay a fine, which I did. The attorney I hired at the last minute, Geordie Duckler, did nothing for me except show up and take my money.
I came away from this experience shaken and wondering what is going on at OHSU? Why would they treat someone like this? I was only trying to obtain information about a controversial issue they are well known for? The arrest was not on private property but on a public sidewalk we all pay for. I'm excluded from OHSU property and asked not to phone there, including the Primate Center in Hillsboro, where much of the vivisection research is done. I've written several letters to Chief of Public safety Gary Granger, asking what I've done wrong but have yet to receive an answer because there is not one. This Public Corporation seems to be above the law. Why are they so paranoid? As stated in Lt. Rasmussen's report, he requested a lock down on President Kohler's office. Tiffany was hiding in the back office, teary eyed because I was at the cashiers window. If they are doing such great things in the name of vivisection animal research, largely funded by taxpayers, why are they so secretive and arresting people for asking about it?
Since this incident occurred, I've met several people who have also been excluded from the property, followed and threatened when attending public lectures and events sponsored by OHSU. What explanation do they have for displaying such aggressive behavior and unnecessary reaction?
*Tiffany Peterson
**Betty Harvey
Contact:
Mars Greenwood
mswinkkle@yahoo
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MARS C/O CAPERS BX 66051, Portland Or. 97290
