From the open publishing newswire: During the height of the Anti-War Protests in PDX, I wrote a letter to Noam Chomsky asking for his opinion on the dilemmas we had been facing locally. The following article is comprised of these letters, beginning with my own so that his appears in context.

From the open publishing newswire: Today I was scheduled at 1 pm to appear in Multnomah County Court to be tried for charges stemming from protesting the U.S. invasion of Iraq on Friday, March 21, 2003. My volunteer lawyer, my friend and witness who was arrested with me on the 21st, and I spent many hours preparing my defense. The case was swiftly dismissed this afternoon for lack of evidence against me: the police officer called to testify against me was a no-show.

A brief history of my charges: I was arrested twice, on March 20th & March 21st, while nonviolently marching to protest the U.S. aggression. Each time I was imprisoned for a few hours before being cited and released; on the 21st I also got blasted in the face with pepperspray before getting arrested...

Over the eighteen months since my arrests, a couple of interesting things happened.

From the open publishing newswire: Independent Police Review Division (IPR) held its monthly meeting in Portland City Hall. CRC meetings are open to the public.

On the CRC's agenda at this meeting was Bill Ellis, a Portlander in his mid-20s, who appealed the IPR's denial of his claims of excessive force against numerous Portland police officers during a war protest on March 25, 2003. Video taken by several cameras at the scene on SW Fifth Avenue and Taylor Street show Portland police officer Leo Besner approaching Ellis on a bicycle. As Ellis ambles up the sidewalk, protest sign in hand and accompanied by a large group of peaceful protestors, officer Besner instructs him to 'come here.' Seconds later, Besner grabs Ellis' arm and swings him out into the street, throwing Ellis off-balance as Ellis tries to avoid falling over Besner's bicycle. Ellis is body-blocked, slammed head-first into the pavement, handcuffed, and pepper sprayed in the eyes from point blank range while dozens of stunned demonstrators look on in disbelief. [ READ MORE... ]

RELATED VIDEOS: [ Li2UNews | Martial Law ]

From the open publishing newswire: From the open publishing newswire: Alan Graf appeared in front of city hall today, along with Miranda May, Randy Lyon, and William Ellis. May and Ellis were both assaulted by Portland police officers while exercising their first amendment rights during an anti-war protest on March 25th, 2003. Lyon was assaulted by Portland police officers on March 20th, 2003, while working as an engineer for KATU.

During the press conference, Alan Graf announced that he and the victims of police aggression are filing federal civil rights lawsuits against the City of Portland, Mayor Vera Katz, police chief Mark Kroeker, officers Mark Kruger and Joe Hanousek, and "several yet-to-be-named police officers." This comes in the wake of several chilling incidents across the city in which police abused their authority and assaulted peaceful anti-war protesters and others after the US began bombing Iraq. In a press release, graf and the National Lawyers Guild ask, "How much is the Bill of Rights worth, Mayor Katz? What dollar amount would you assign to the First Amendment?" [ Read More... ] Press Release Announcing New Law Suits Against the City of Portland | Financial assistance needed for legal support

From the open publishing newswire: From the open publishing newswire:
Protests and what makes them powerfull and effective has changed in the last week and in order to make the best of the huge emerging anti-war movement we need to examine our stratagy,what has changed and what we need to do different....
[ Full Story... ]

More Creative Tactics"

From the open publishing newswire: Indymedia reporter arrested
an indymedia reporter was arrested this afternoon in downtown portland. here is a report from a phone call i had with them. the reporter was charged with a class a misdemeanor: interfering with a police officer (ORS 162.247) and obtaining content of communication (ORS 165.540). they spent two hours in a holding cell described as "very unsanitary" with blood and snot on the walls. the officer who put them in the cell was friendlier than the arresting officer and actually brought a beverage.

the reporter was released this evening, but without their video camera and cell phone. their camera is being held for "evidence" but the cell phone was listed as "missing" on the property sheet. this sucks. their arraignment is coming up april 29, @ 1:00 p.m., in westside community court (justice center courtroom #1). [ Read More... ]

Army of None: Photos Pioneer Courthouse Square March To the Park Blocks South Park Blocks 'Do Not Engage, Keep Moving' Terry Schrunk Plaza

Hit and run at Peace Camp
A report came in earlier today that a pick-up truck waving an American flag hit a peace camper. He was hit while riding his bike, and the incident was witnessed by several people. Thankfully, the peace camper did not sustain serious injuries. We've just recieved another report from the peace camp that the offending hit-and-run driver has been found by police - and let go! The police reportedly took his name, but said that they couldn't do anything about it because they did not personally witness the incident. [ Read More... ]

saturday arrests
From the open publishing newswire: Three people have been arrested so far. Two males were arrested at the sw corner of pioneer square around 1:20 another person was arrested at 10th and salmon. we have a report from the street that he was informed by the police that he was no longer allowed to be at the protest. the arresting officers were:
taylor (badge number: 37607)
elo (badge number: 35914)
if anyone knows who these people were, please call jail support: 286-2477
[ Read More... ]

two arrests at Peterson's on morrison Max line
Two arrests happened at 3:20 today, Peterson's Store between 9th and 10th on Morrison. First, there was a man who was the first to be arrested. The second, a person who was video-taping the arrest, became included when Officer Hunzeker #39600 of Central Precinct - located at 1111 s.w. 2nd, Portland, Oregon, 97204 (503) - 823 - 0097, arrested the videographer for allegedly "interfering with police". Officer Hunzeker would not allow a "release of property" to another individual upon requests. Included in the property of the second arrestee was both a video camera and several videotapes. Several citizens witnessnessed both arrests and claimed that police were arresting the videographer to "cover-up" a mis-arrest of the first to be arrested. [ Read More... ]

VIDEO FILE: Army of None Rally and March
Organized by a group calling themselves the Army of None, concerned citizens gathered at Pioneer Square on Saturday, March 29, 2003 to protest the U.S. illegal invasion of Iraq and the murder of innocent civilians. These gatherings will continue at 1:00 every Saturday at Pioneer Square. From the top steps of the Square organizers first quoted Thomas Paine. Next, after stating that the Oregon Constitution was written expressly to safeguard the civil rights of Oregonians beyond those of the U.S. Constitution, excerpts from the Oregon State Constitution were read. One excerpt stated that the citizens had the ability to determine whether the government was acting in the best interests of the people, and guaranteed them the power to do so. Following the Rally, the people marched through Portland to the South Park Blocks for an open microphone, where various citizens spoke their mind about the war in Iraq and the machinations of the Bush Administration. [ Read More... ]

Streaming video, ~8 1/2 minutes long: [ DSL/CABLE Stream | D56K Stream ]

From the open publishing newswire: I want to sponsor a peace and justice activist
I'm a middle-class person with a good career and financial obligations. As a result of the aggressive invasion of Iraq, I'm tempted to drop everything and return to my roots as a full-time activist. But I believe that offering room and board to a full time peace and justice activist is the next best thing. [ Read More... ]

How to return Critical Mass arrestees' bikes
Lots of people who were arrested yesterday during critical mass were separated from their bikes during their arrests. If you picked up anyone's bike, please contact us at Jail Support, 286-2477. We'll take a description of the bike with where it was found and attempt to get it back with it's owner. Also, if you lost your bike, call us and maybe we've heard where it is. Thanks. [ Newswire post ]

Come to Critical Mass Arraignments Monday, 2:00pm Justice Center Courtroom 4
Arraignments for the arrests from the actions yesterday, friday, 3/29 will be held on Monday, march 31st at 2:00pm at the justice center, 1120 SW 3rd avenue in courtroom four. Help us fill the courtroom with support for the approximately seventeen people who were arrested unjustly. We need to let the arrestees, many of whom will be in all weekend, know that they are not in this alone and that we are in solidarity. They are in there for us, and for the victims of this war, let's all be sure to be there for them. [ Read More... ]

peace camp is looking for donations
the peace camp is looking for cash donations to help keep itself going. the contact for this is todd, who can be reached at 971-570-7018. also people could stop by... [ Read More... ]

Do you know these officers?
So here's a list of officer names that we have so far. If you were arrested M28 and we didn't touch bases with you, feel free to add your arrresting officers name as well if you have it. Also, if you or anyone else you know was roughed up by the cops and you have a name or badge number, PLEASE post it. There was a lot of excessive force used last night, and it's time that these officers are held accountable for their actions. All this information will be forwarded to Belmont Law. They can be reached at 234-2694. [ Read More... ]

CALL TO SUPPORT THOSE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED THIS WEEKEND
this is a callout for support of those who were arrested this weekend--everyone who has been arrested this weekend will be arraigned at the same time: monday, 2pm, courtroom 4 at the justice center. this is a callout for people to physically show up to this arraignment. let these people know that we support them! so far we are looking at around 17 arrests between friday night and saturday afternoon.
[ Read More ]

Assault across from City Hall, March 25th- Witnesses needed
I was struck by a man wearing a yellow jacket. Police refused to arrest him. He was accompanied by two other men, one of which spit on me and my companions. Please contact me if you saw this.
[ Identifying photo ]

Request for Info: Alleged Violent Arrest at SW 4th & Jefferson, Evening of March 28
What was alleged -- and several others in the crowd stated that they had witnessed it as well -- was an arrest of a woman which involved the breaking of teeth and being dragged by the hair. What I'm seeking is anyone with information relating to this alleged incident.
[ Read More... ]

Videos or eyewitness accounts of arrests are needed badly.
Many of the people who were arrest on the 28th, and the 29th as well, were taken into custody rather brutally. We are asking that anyone with video footage, still shots, or eyewittness accounts contact us or Belmont Law offices to help out the arrestees. 234-2694
[ Read More... ]

From the open publishing newswire: From the open publishing newswire: This Sunday, we will be meeting downtown at the Park blocks (between Main & Park Avenues, near the Portland Art Museum) at 3:00 for an hour of silence to protest the war in Iraq. We will play dead during this time - this means it will be a peaceful protest, not a riot that may get out of hand. We don't expect any police involvement, although the cops may show up to snoop around.
[ Details ]

Day of Action: March 25
8:00am: Two marches, one leaving from the North Park Blocks. The other march from the South Park Blocks and Salmon.
12:00pm: Rally at Pioneer Square.
[ Read More... ]

From the open publishing newswire: From the open publishing newswire: Channel 12 photographer thrown to the ground and arrested last night. The police accused him of grabbing them and trying to steal their bike. The reporter present said he was running behind and saw no such thing. The early live report was very supportive of the demonstration, and very critical of the police violence. By the 10pm broadcast, the entire story had disappeared! [ Read More... ]

Corporate Media: "not particularly savvy or well informed"
In all of the discussion of the local corporate media, I feel that one important point is missing: there's a reason they work for a shitty local affiliate. They're not particularly savvy or well informed. I wouldn't be surprised if their worldview comes directly from their own consumption of corporate media. In short, they believe this stuff. So what does this mean? It means that, if we keep a properly mistrustful attitude, we can manipulate them to our advantage at times. [ Read More... ]

From the open publishing newswire: Nightly peace vigils @ Bagdad on Hawthorne
Nightly vigils are going on outside the Bagdad theatre. The time is 7pm - 8pm. Bring candles and dress for the weather. Go represent for peace! Dozens of people have been gathering outside the Bagdad theatre with candles everynight since heavy bombing. As long as we are committing our troops to war and killing - vigils will be held.
[ Come! ]

Protest on Belmont
From the open publishing newswire: We have all been doing a great job! Now, who is interested in beginning a weekly protest on Belmont Street? I suggest that we begin next week, I will initially propose it for Thursday at 4PM, meeting in front of Stumptown Cafe. That's Thursday the 27th @ 4PM. As for what we can do, I suggest either a die in right there at the intersection, or just a March up or down Belmont Street. I think this will be sucessful because we will pick up many protesters from the Belmont area. I will not plan on being there unless I receive a large enough number of e mails, or comments. In any case, if anyone can bring a bullhorn, or instruments, or drums, please state that in the comments or emails. Kindly waiting a response.
[ Respond ]

From the open publishing newswire: From the open publishing newswire: Here is a brief recap of brief of the actions events that took place in Olympia this week. Some of this material was taken from posts put up on the Seattle IMC earlier this week. There is a Memorial service going on at The Evergreen State College today (started at 3pm) for Rachel Corrie. Hundreds of people are expected to attend. Tomorrow there is a 7 mile march, from leaving the college at 1pm, and making will make its way downtown to the Capitol starting at 1 pm at Red Square. A critical mass, bike ride is planned plans to leave the Olympia Transit center around 8am Monday morning, to in order to continue take the actions from this past week of war and mourning and move them into the next.

Bridge Action: Thursday morning between 9am and 10 am, six people locked down on the 4th avenue bridge, successfully disrupting traffic between the downtown and the Westside areas of Olympia for approximately 45 minutes by blocking the main arteryon the main bridge connecting the two. The cops tried using force to rip apart the protesters, with while the screams of about 40 supporters in filled the background. They officers then cut the lock boxes off with cut-off discs(?), and arrested the six protesters. Two additional people were arrested arrests occurred within the vicinity of the action,, possibly while performing support roles. The bridge was blocked for approximately 45 minutes.

Peace Encampment: A "Peace Camp," later named Camp Rachel (after murdered Olympia native and activist Rachel Corrie), started on the Capitol lawn Tuesday night and persisted with and without a permits thru Friday afternoon. The camp started with the autonomous action of five people on Tuesday 5p.m., grew to 40 by midnight that night. Organizers estimated 300 were present Friday during the day. The space was used as a gathering space, a living space, a location on a major roadway to show solidarity, and a location from where peace activists could easily lobby legislators during the day. Early Friday morning Camp Rachel found itself infested with cops who informed them that a new "law" had been passed and the camp needed to break down all its structures. This was a lie. Organizers later found, through the support of State Senator Kline, that the law only banned camping (as in sleeping) and closed tents. Organizers plan to resurrect the Peace Camp as soon as possible.
[ More Actions ]

From the open publishing newswire: Today's march and rally- one of many this week- was angry and upset. People took to the square and the sidewalks to voice their views once again. Tempers ranged from stunned and confused to downright furious. Many slogans and chats were shouted and the cold concrete walls reverberated with the sounds of the people. A large peace sign was formed by protesters in the square, and then a large group of people started marching around the square. Police were present in large numbers. I spotted Officer Meyers and his gumshoes collecting intelligence throughout the entire occupation of Pioneer Square.

At this point, the larger part of the rally Marched away from the square and through downtown for awhile. During this march, the police were blocking traffic and following along with the march. Aside from the police riding along the side of the march, storm troopers and Officer Marty Rowley (Badge #8969) were lurking on side streets staying out of sight.

After the march went through Saturday market, it was confronted by a group of around 15-20 angry young men at the waterfront. [ Read More... ]

Reports from the street:
5:55p Police pepperspraying @SW 3rd and Yamhill - Morrison bridge now closed.
two arrests so far downtown - about an hour ago a man was arrested for standing on the corner of the sidewalk with his bike. now, at 2nd and alder someone stepped out into the street and was tackled. there have been riots cops all over the place this whole time, and vehicles from salem have been brought up.
police arrest disabled young woman despite mothers crys - 1st and yamhill, the crowd is still marching on the sidewalk and the cops who are there in massive force have arrested a young woman with a speech impediment for about the same thing as they arresting everyone else with - basically nothing. the mother was present and the police refused to release the woman into her mother's custody, but did tell the mother where her daughter was being taken, apparently.
UPDATE FROM THE STREETS 8:04pm Sat. night - 100 - 150 still going strong! bee cops have been very liberal with arrests for JAYWALKING if anyone so much as sets a foot in the street against the light. motorcycle cops following the march on the sidewalks. bee cops surroundingf on the perimeter of P square.
update from the streets 8:22pm sat. night - 30 people boarded the MAX train, now called PEACE TRAIN and headed for lloyd center. they were met by 3 police cars. they all got off and are now en-route back downtown.

War Protest in Portland [ Palestine ] March 22, 2003
From the open publishing newswire: Observations of the March 22, 2003 in Portland, Oregon Folks looked pretty bored in the few tents at the federal building. There were more rush-limbaugh types waving flags at pioneer square than protestoers. The feds program of 'fear' is working against those opposed to the war. The Hilton Hotel had 100's of cops coming going, I went inside and saw that it was donut central, they have a huge command&control center setup. The ANTI-WAR movement should be on this block since the cops have the protester's under control, its time the protestors siege the cop-shop, or should I say donut shop...

There are less than a 1 cop per 1,000 in PDX baby sitting the citizenry. These cops operate under the AUSCHWITZ principle that it only takes a few to contain the many, under fear, and terrorism. The ESSENCE OF USA government has ALWAYS been Beating, Killing, and Imprisonment. While the CITYofPDX may be Beriut/Lebanon the VANCOUVER/BEAVERTON is home of the COPS, e.g. the GESTAPO. This is where the MEDIA-ANTI-WAR should be fought. The COPS want nothing more than to contain PROTESTORS in a little area, where they can be managed, photographed, and have their personal lives destroyed [ this is what THEY did in 1991 to protestors ]. [ Newswire Article ]

From the open publishing newswire:

On Saturday, M22, citizens of Eugene once more took to the streets to express outrage and saddness at the illicit Bush regime decision to go to war. A march from the University of Oregon preceeded a 12AM U.S. Federal Building rally drew between 500 -- 1000 anti-war protestors, plus 7 pro-war demonstrators (the Eugene Register Guard newspaper tomorrow will no doubt focus on interviews of the pro-war side, although to interview all 7 of them they would have to re-interview one who was a repeater from Thursday, March 20).

The arrival of "shock and awe" bombing, as well as the corporate media's coverage of the war, a virtual lock-step cheerleading for the 1000 missle Blitzkeig, with heavily censored anti-war news, in particular arroused anger. But also, many protestors interviewed expressed overwhelming sadness. Others, including Black Block demonstrators, discussed the need to find creative and continuing opposition to the war. Many noted the total censorship of dead and mutilated bodies on the video game "newshows", and the lack of photos of destroyed residential areas in media reports.
[ Read More... ]