M20 Day of War Protests in Portland - all indymedia stories collected

Hey guys. I was one of the many on both thursday and friday protests.It was inspiring to see so many people coming together to stand up for what they believe in, and it made me realize the potential people have when pulling together for a common cause. Indeed, unity of people is the only reason we have the rights we have today.
But, the whole time i was there something wasn't right. And i realized, after watching the events pass last night, that the manner in which we go about doing what we do might not be the best approach. I got into a long conversation with someone i met last night, and we both agreed what happened wasnt right. It didn't have the best of outcome, and we came to the conculsion that we were virtually fighting fire with fire. We were lashing out to get our point across. And in this day and age we live in,we have every right to be angry. But I know from experience, when people tell me something has to be done, if they demand it, even if i agree with the point, i will reject it. No body really learns from having a fact shoved down their throat.
So maybe a peaceful approach really is the way. Maybe we should organize and have drum circles and massive peaceful gatherings in the middle of the city. That way, people might be drawn, want to come in and chill. We might draw more people in that are more willing to open up and listen to what we have to say.
I think we feel pretty lost and detatched, and i think now more than ever people really need unity, and a sense of family. So maybe we can do what this nation claims to uphold, the fact that we stand unitedly. Wouldnt it rock to take their propeganda and use it against them? To actually create some sort of mass unity and awareness?
Just a thought. Please give me your comments, because i'd like to hear what ppl think.
-genie

To genie,

Yeah, lets make a big peace rally and have all sorts of booths for people to sell plastic peace signs made in China by slave labor. And lets have lots of paper flyers so we can help dessimate the forests. And we can have a big stage where all the egos can speak down to us. And we can have peace cops to keep us in line. And because we will have to have a permit and post a bond, and pay money we need buckets to stuff the cash into. And, then lets make sure all the speakers are white men. And, the leaders (white males) can let women come to their meetings but everytime women speak they will be interrupted. And, no people of color please! You know we need to keep our distance from them...

Sounds like a good time.

Yes Genie, nobody likes geting the truth shoved down their throats. Our problem is simply that so many of us are products of the state and corperate education system. We are always tempted to teach others in the way we were taugh, with self-rightiousness, and a blind disregard for the basic humanity of those we would teach. We can do better, but it will take lots of trial and error for us to learn how.

Those who would trade a little security for more freedom, deserve NO FREEDOM AT ALL!!
Please keep in mind that not all Jewish people condone the current illegal actions of Isreal. They are our brothers and sisters. WE NEED TO DO THIS TOGETHER!

don't forget #50137...farcical, except for the real bicycle that got crushed by the real truck, and the real cyclist arrested while trying to make a police report on the matter.

I belive that NO ONE took anything except half the bridge on m20

freestate bernside and
the hiway were on DAy X

get your militant takeovers right yo