From the open publishing newswire, 9:26 p.m., Thurs., Mar. 20: Thousands of anti-war citizens taking to the streets put Portland traffic in great distress for the past six hours, closing I-5, I-84, and I-405 and closing major bridges and disrupting city bus services and after-work traffic. This huge city-wide protest resulted in many arrests of protestors who conducted a civil disobedience action by venturing out into highly dangerous Interstate traffic to stop the flow of fast-moving cars. Critical Mass bicyclers also backed up traffic when hundreds took over the downtown streets with their bikes, while a few groups of protestors clashed with police in various areas of Portland. [ Read more... ] GENERAL REPORTS
? They've taken the freeway - 1-84 ? 2 groups on I-84 ? Protestors about to take 4th bridge ? Does anybody know what bridges are open so I can get down to the protests? ? THANK YOU, PROTESTERS! ? Portland taken over by determined Anti-War Movement ? Portland sends anti-war message to commuters ? Thank You from South Carolina, Keep it Up! ? Prague, 1989. Portland, 2003 ? Protest is Proof of Effectiveness of Radical Approach ? Do I Win the Prize for Earliest and Most Absurd Arrest? ? SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ? what I saw ? notes from an independent reporter ? Stay healthy and in the streets - Black Cross Health Collective ? jail support, get some rest and show up at 6am ? Direct Action Seen and Heard All Over the Country: Thanks to Sierra for Reports ? oh my, oh my ? Whose streets? Our Streets! ? We Can't Stop Now ? who stole the police car? ? Where was Marty? [Officer Marty Rowley, Badge #8969] ? excellent local media coverage???? ? Complete log of protest text message service ? "Get a job!" (HUH?) ? HEARD ON COP RADIO: Officer safety, screwdriver comment, internet chat room ? cop and a protestor take a swim in the willamette? ? Did anybody else get a razor cut at the rally yesterday? ? Bigoted Arrest ? i LOVE portland ? Pissed Cuz You Can't Get to Work? SECOND & BURNSIDE "FREE STATE"
? Come Downtown and Support the Protestors! ? solidarity action? ? ACTION NEEDED!!!ACTION NEEDED!!!!!! 11:10pm ? Bridge Peace Blockade  ? Keep the Blockade up! ? COME JOIN THE ACTION TONIGHT! ? Get tthe fuck to 2nd and Burnside ? woman who lost bike when pepper sprayed ? Anti-Peace Car Driver Assaults Crowd ? bridge open around 2:30 ? One Candle Still Burns ? I STILL HAVE YOUR BIKE! ARE YOU OKAY? CRITICAL MASS
? From Police Scanner - 5:15 PM - "Critical Mass rolling" ? Critical mass takes back I-405 ? Cops beat critical mass riders ? I-405 liberation- any contact with arrestees? ? plate #'s for critical mass hit and runs ? Police Arresting A Critical Mass Protester ? IF YOU WERE HIT BY A VEHICLE DURING CRITICAL MASS - DO NOT CALL THE POLICE! NAYSAYERS
? Using violence to stop violence? [sic] ? Thousands behave like children in Downtown PDX... Claim protest was success ? Burnside "Free State"? Gag Me ? What did you expect to happen? ? Don't look stupid on TV! ? Sick of the some anarchist kids behavior PHOTOS
? Protest Photos ? good photos of rally, march, indymedia and freeway action ? photos - grainy in the dark ran ? One Surreal Photo of Some Riot(ing) Cops ? Forgive U.S. Our Trespasses ? March 30: Taking I-5 and Exchanging Pleasantries ? 3/20/03 portland protest: 1, 2, 3 ? Initial shots of March 20, 2003 Protest ? m21 pix ? Cop car almost runs over protester ? Four more photos from March20th protest in downtown Portland ? 3 photos from I-84 shutdown ? M20 Photo Gallery ? downtrown portland march 20th-21st, burnside push-ominous cops Video from blocking of I-5 on M20
Request for Information, Testimony, and Evidence People with information regarding police misconduct at the protests are requested to give their contact information to the Legal Support Team. Call 503-236-7916. Please leave a message with your contact information, and say that you have evidence relating to police misconduct. If you were assaulted, file a complaint (503-823-0146) and get in touch with the Legal Support Team (again, 503-236-7916). [ Newswire post ]
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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