Enlarge Portland, Oregon -- October 6, 2011 -- People march through downtown Portland. Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian Occupy Portland gallery (79 photos)
Loosely organized, Portland demonstrators say they plan to meet at Tom McCall Waterfront Park near the Burnside Bridge, then march through downtown Portland starting at noon. They are expected to gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square later in the day.
3:05 p.m.: Live coverage of the Occupy Portland march moves to a new news story: "Occupy Portland: March leads to protest at Pioneer Courthouse Square" Join the conversation there.
3:03 p.m: From The Oregonian's Alison Barnwell: Chanting "this is what democracy looks like," the Occupy Portland crowd is now filling Pioneer Square. Organizer Ivy Knight says: "We didn't expect this big of a turnout. New York started organizing in January; we started two weeks ago."
2:55 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Maxine Bernstein via Twitter: #occupyportland: march turns east down SW Yamhill and heads into Pioneer Courthouse Square: "Whose square? Our square!"
2:53 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Maxine Bernstein: An orderly crowd of an estimated 4,000 are marching up SW Broadway, drawing out business owners, shoppers and hotel guests to witness the demonstration and take photos.
"Oh, it's another day in Portland, " said Lindsey B, who came out for a smoke break and watched the march up Broadway.
2:51 p.m.: From Portland Police via Twitter: March reaches Broadway and Morrison
2:48 p.m.: From Portland Police via Twitter: #OccupyPortland Waterfront Park has just emptied out. There is now a tail to the march.
2:47 p.m: From Portland Police via Twitter: March approaching Stark on Broadway. Crowd now estimated at more than 4,000.
2:46 p.m.: The Oregonian's Maxine Bernstein via Twitter: #occupyportland march: turning up SW Broadway: "Peaceful march for the people...this is our state..this is our country...this is our planet"
2:45 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Elliot Njus via Twitter: Crowd is letting trains pass #occupyportland
Protesters gather for Occupy Portland march People gathered in Waterfront Park for the Occupy Portland protest this morning, rallying for the march through downtown later in the afternoon. Watch video 2:41 p.m.: From the Oregonian's Elliot Njus via Twitter: Police seem to know route... Or be good guessers. Blocked Naito a block from Ash. #occupyportland From Portland Police via Twitter: #OccupyPortland Head of march is at 6th and Burnside moving WB.
2:39 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Maxine Bernstein: Ashley Anderson, 25, of Portland , holding a "Power to the Peaceful, not the Corrupt" sign and a clown mask, said she and friends are wearing the mask because "It's not about the individual. It's about the group...power of the people."
Whose street? Our Streets!
This is What Democracy Looks Like!
Banks Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!
Bike cops riding along the side...
2:36 p.m.: From Portland Police via Twitter: #OccupyPortland Head of march is approaching Burnside on 3rd.
From The Oregonian's Owen Smith via Twitter: Crowd stretching numerous city blocks. Chants of 'our streets.' #occupyportland
2:33 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Elliot Njus via Twitter: Now back toward Burnside. A little confusion. #occupyportland
From Portland Police via Twitter: #OccupyPortland march has begun. NB Naito blocked at Pine and SB Naito blocked at Couch. #OccupyPortland March is passing 1st on Ash.
2:29 p.m.: From the Oregonian's Elliot Njus via Twitter: March begins, but not headed toward Burnside as expected. Headed down waterfront. #occupyportland
2:25 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Elliot Njus via Twitter: Crowd is getting impatient near me. "Let's get this show on the road," someone yells. #occupyportland
2:22 p.m.: From The Oregonian's Elliot Njus via Twitter: Speaker: "Safety from police is not guaranteed ... But we can police ourselves." Says to make friends, stay calm. #occupyportland
From The Oregonian's Max Bernstein: Portland Police estimate the crowd at 3,00-4,000 people.
2:19 p.m.: From Oregonian reporter Elliot Njus via Twitter: People's mic breaks down when someone says something and the crowd isn't on board #occupyportland But loudest repeat so far was for "This is a peaceful march." #occupyportland
2:15 p.m.: ILWU and Pacific NW Regional Council of carpenters represented. Unions joined NY protest this week.
2:08 p.m.: Karen Anna, of Portland, holding her 2-year-old grandson, said she's concerned about his future. She stood on the edge of Waterfront Park with the crowd.
"I think there's so so many issues it's hard to focus on any one," Anna said. "I feel there's such a difference in opportunities in the country today."
Her daughter, Amanda, said she's worried about her son's future, considering the high price of a good education. "Almost everyone I know is in some kind of financial turmoil," she said.
As a rally continues in Waterfront Park, the crowd across the street at Southwest Ankeny Plaza is growing. People are playing drums, and harmonica, and talking about soon marching to Pioneer Courthouse Square.
The crowd is mixed with all ages, elderly to young children carried in baby carriers or strollers. So far, the gathering is professional and peaceful. Police on bikes are staying back.
2:04 p.m.: Sam Zapporah, 25, of Portland, originally from Boise, says she participated in protests when she was younger, but they were more angry. She brought an infant (won't march) for whom she's a nanny. "I feel really safe. It's really special that I could bring an infant here." she's been an advocate for pregnant women. Says, "when you're in pain, any sort of pain, it's usually a communication from your body you need to move or change. It's a clear message." says that applies to protest.
I've seen a number of folks with kids on the edges.
Dick Uhl, 83, of Portland, says he's been protesting since Vietnam War. Says it's a pretty diverse crowd, esp in age. "It's nice to see a little gray here."
There's a line of people who want to talk. Can't get everyone, but promise a cance in pioneer square.
On fringe, observers, few campers. More backpacks in the middle.
1:59 p.m.: People making up the gathering crowd are all ages -- from elderly to 20-somethings to very young kids with their parents.
1:52 p.m.: From Portland Police on Twitter: Officers at Waterfront Park report a peaceful crowd and welcoming of Police presence. #occupyportland
1:44 p.m.: Ted Pyle, of Vancouver, holding a bullhorn to his mouth, is walking along Southwest Naito Parkway, shouting, "Good jobs and benefits for all workers!" And "High unemployment is a failure of business, not government."
Pyle of Jobs with Justice and The Unemployed Coaliton, said he wants America "to use the laws to mandate good jobs and benefits."
Richard Beetle, business manager of Laborers Local 43 representing Portland city transportation, parks and environmental services employees, stood beside a huge, blown up character at Waterfront Park.
"It's the fat cat choking the worker," Beetle explained. "We're concerned about the unemployment in the city of Portland."
1:38 p.m.: Terence King, 61, of Estacada, a retired millwright, says: "I want to see an end to corporate capitalism. I think we need to have more labor-ism and less capitalism. ... Currently we have a money-centric capitalism, to the point that people on Wall Street truly believe you can make money with money when the truth is you need labor and money to create wealth. ... I'm very concerned with the rise in poverty. I believe this current situation is driving up the poverty rate. When you have great poverty, my fear is the person who may have the answers might be in one of those situations and never be heard."
1:36 p.m.: From Oregonian reporter Elliot Njus: #occupyportland speaker says they've talked to the police, will march in the street (vs sidewalk).
1:20 p.m.: Members of Portland's chapter of Veterans for Peace are gathered on Southwest Naito, waiting for the march.
Holding a flag and wearing a black "Veteran for Peace" beret, Harvey Thorstad said he's participating because he's disturbed that "our country is being taken over by corporations and the military is spending billions on the wars." He said a hundred of the group's members participated in a similar event in Washington, D.C.
Zeb Krieger , wearing a chicken suit and holding a sign that reads, "The sky is fallin" said he wants people to smile a bit amid the gloom. "We've got to change before the sky falls," Krieger said.
Crowds are swelling at Waterfront Park, with ralliers holding signs and shouting chants as cars drive by beeping their horns in solidarity.
Occupy Portland
1:05 p.m.: From Oregonian reporter Maxine Bernstein: Julie Mainwaring and Jennifer Lohse are headed to the demonstration. Mainwaring said she was spurred on by her friend's 80-year-old mother who told her "This could be the start of something huge." Lohse said she's coming to learn more, excited by the possibilities of a grass-roots movement. "I know it's about money. I know it's about Wall Street. I know I have little say about both as a middle-class American," Lohse said.
12:57 p.m.: From Oregonian videographer Joel Odom: "Who are we? We're the 99%," the demonstrators chant at #OccupyPortland.
12:49 p.m.: From Oregonian reporter Elliot Njus: #occupyportland protesters using "people's mic" to communicate. Speaker yells, others repeat so everyone can hear. "This is a nonviolent protest," says one speaker. "I love you all." #occupyportland
12:42 p.m. From Twitter: Portland Police are looking forward to a safe and peaceful event. #occupyportland #staysafe
12:15 p.m.
At the waterfront: Hundreds of people are milling at the Saturday Market fountain area near the Burnside Bridge. They're dressed for the cool, cloudy day. Young and old alike. Many are toting signs: "End the Fed" is a popular sentiment. Others read: "Greed is Bad," "Politicians are your enemy." "Fight greed."
10:55 a.m.: Portland Mayor Sam Adams released this statement Thursday morning:
A group called Occupy Portland has announced plans to peacefully assemble in Waterfront Park today at noon, march through downtown, and ultimately occupy a downtown park or other location. The Occupy Wall Street movement started in New York City and "Occupy" events like these have happened in dozens of cities across the country in recent weeks, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The vast majority of these events have been conducted peacefully.
The City of Portland has been preparing for the Occupy Portland event, with a goal of facilitating a peaceful, effective, and orderly event where everyone is safe.
Representatives of the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau have outreached to those helping to organize Occupy Portland activities, and have encouraged the group to obtain a permit and/or share their planned march route and gathering spots. A permit allows the Police Bureau, TriMet, and other agencies to plan for a safe, peaceful, and lawful event. Occupy Portland has so far not obtained a permit; regardless, the Police Bureau will be working to facilitate a safe and orderly procession. Obviously there may be disruptions in vehicle, pedestrian, and TriMet traffic in the downtown core on Thursday afternoon, beginning at noon.
I support Portlanders in their right to protest and exercise free speech rights, and I encourage all who participate to do so peacefully and with respect to the rights of others. Most of the people that are going to participate in Occupy Portland--as with most of the participants in cities across the country--are there to voice their legitimate concerns about national issues. A peaceful event is the most effective way for participants to deliver that message.
Updates regarding this or any event impact at public alerts and via Twitter @PublicAlerts.
Sincerely,
Sam Adams
Mayor
Occupy Portland put out a map of the planned route.
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