TINY protest in Portland, very disappointing. Bridge protest was better.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

One little blurb on PortlandIndyMedia said to meet at Pioneer Square at 12noon. Only 15-20 people showed! (PDXBara and I were the only DU'ers, but my DemocraticUnderground sign was great advertising) I was disappointed in the turn out to say the least. This is PORTLAND fer crying out loud! :( (the big rallies were in Vancouver, Seattle, and Albany.)

We spread ourselves out on the corners, got lots of honks and hoots in support. We also got a few "get a job" comments to which we replied. "It's SATURDAY, moron."

When we got comments about how the War is noble and for a good cause, etc; I turned my "Make Levees Not War" sign around to show the other side. "Military Mom for Peace". That shut them right up!
(I added that great drawing by DU'er ? that shows Cindy Sheehan in front of the tank. It was great to see that drawing in a few of the DC pics too :) )

After 2 hours of standing on the corner by the square, we decided to parade up and down the streets chanting "Bombs are dropping while you're shopping!" Oh, the looks on the peoples faces coming out of Meier & Franks and Abercrombie & Fitch were PRICELESS!

We made our way over to Saturday Market, and got the best reactions there! (For anyone who doesn't know, Sat. Market here is a big deal, always packed with people.) It was beautiful! The crowd parted in front of us (we had a drummer and 2 big flags) got lots of applause and peace signs, and several people jumped in behind us.

It was quite a spectacle, and made up for some of the disappointment we felt at the low turnout.

After a break to run home and feed my teenagers dinner, I went back for the Candlelight Vigil on the Bridges. MUCH better turn out!

We were on the Burnside Bridge with at least 400 people lining both sides, we got honks of support from at least 3/4 of the cars passing by. We could see the next bridge over also lined with candles. :)
The cops (on bikes) were very friendly, just reminding us to stay on the curb. Dave asked one to hold his candle for him, he said he would but he wasn't talented enough to steer the bike with one hand. ;) Dave was a little disappointed he didn't get handcuffed and thrown in the pokey for being a nuisance. :rolf:

Channel 8 was there with cameras, but I haven't found any pictures yet, will update when I do.

THANKS to everyone who made it!

[havocmom]

1. Had a dream a few years back about a HUGE outpouring of people

massed and marching over a bridge. Lots of trees, looked like OR or WA. The bridge spanned a very deep gorge, like for a big river in a place with lots of rain. The mood of the masses was jubilant. The crowd was jam packed and went on for a very long stretch. The dream made me very happy and optimistic, though I have no idea what it was about and have never been to the Pacific North West.

I hope to see my dream come true someday soon. Would like to meet many of you in the NW, and a march over a bridge seems a grand place to do it.

Thanks for all who turned out yesterday! Americans for America and restoring the values of the people to the leadership of the nation!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. From the Bridges tonight - report from IndyMedia...

From the Bridges tonight
author: M
At least a thousand, maybe 2000 on the Burnside, Morrison and Hawthorne Bridges tonight.
We lined the bridges with candles, flags, signs and our passion that this evil war end now. Passing motorists honking horns lent support - even a stretch limo. The best motor support came at the end while walking down off the Morrison Bridge when a PDX Police wagon honked and waved the peace sign.
Some tide has turned. It is in our hands that this flood tide is taken on to victory.
No resting on our laurels! PEACE MONGERING: It's not just a good idea - It's a moral imperative.

add a comment on this article

I'd say it was just under 2000 people 24.Sep.2005 23:35

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Walking Boots link


I was on all three bridges and saw at least 300 to 400 on the Burnside, about 300 on the Morrision, and about 800 to a 1000 on the Hawthorn.


I wanna see some pictures! 25.Sep.2005 00:38

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Tanuki link


Candlelight vigils on the bridges in the evening sounds like a beautiful way to protest the war. Please, somebody post some pictures for those of us who weren't there... :)


Police support 25.Sep.2005 04:23

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Varro link


I was on the south side of the Burnside Bridge, and a cop in a police van gave us a peace sign as well.


Oregonian estimates 100 25.Sep.2005 07:34

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Nala link


Today's Oregonian is saying 100 (hundred) protestors. Please make with the pictures to prove them wrong! I was on the Burnside bridge and on our side of the bridge alone there were over 200....


It was a Peace DEMONSTRATION 25.Sep.2005 09:06

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anniebody link


I was there to advocate PEACE.... I dislike being referred to as a "protester"... I felt a sadness and disparity...mixed with a glimpse, a flicker.... an ember of hope (on the Hawthorn Bridge) last night.
I am glad/proud to have been there and hold those feelings,dearly.

[Dervill Crow]

3. Advocating peace, protesting war.

Thank you for pointing out the difference. :thumbsup:
I thought it was the same thing, but on further reflection I see your point.

I was on the north side of the Morrison Bridge and really have no good idea of how many people were there, but at 7 as I wandered around looking for Code Pink I saw probably 50 people arriving at the Burnside. The Oregonian reported a total of 100? :::insert Marge Simpson growl:::

I hope someone has pictures.

[aaronbees]

4. LaGrande, OR protest...

My father and stepmom attended the protest in LaGrande, northeast Oregon. Pops said "more than 100" showed up, including lots of student and youth. Having spent some time in that town, I'm quite pleasantly surprised. :)

[Dervill Crow]

5. Pictures at portland.indymedia.org eom