PORTLAND DREAM DIES? NO, THIS ISN’T DETROIT, BUFFALO, OR MINNEAPOLIS

Big question: Is the Portland Dream dead?

From a coin flip on the banks of the Willamette River, to a human shield of protest moms downtown, what was the dream to begin with?

It’s a big question, one that gets asked when the biggest town in the state pulls a federal response to Black Lives Matter protests.

What are the rules of protesting in Portland, or any other Oregon town? The Oregon ACLU is pretty clear on it:

You have a constitutionally protected right to engage in peaceful protest in “traditional public forums” such as streets, sidewalks or parks. But in some cases the government can impose restrictions on this kind of activity by requiring permits. This is constitutional as long as the permit requirements are reasonable, and treat all groups the same no matter what the focus of the rally or protest.

This isn’t just a Portland dream, it works across America. This last part catches up to people a little too late:

You do not have the right to block a building entrance or physically harass people. The general rule is that free speech activity cannot take place on private property, including shopping malls, without consent of the property owner. You do not have the right to remain on private property after being told to leave by the owner.

If you feel that your rights as a protester have been violated, you can submit a Legal Request  or call us at 503-227-3186.

Portland Dream Hand Signal

Will Chris David, Captain Portland, submit a legal request? Should he?

He is one reason why the Mom Wall is a good idea. If you haven’t seen the video, or read the story, here’s the short version:

An older man stands in front of geared up riot troops in Afghanistan, er Portland, and has his moment. He wanted to remind the young guys of their honor, their code.

The Navy sweatshirt was a reminder to the club wielding guys that he was once an officer and gentleman. As a reported Naval Academy guy who did his due service, he felt like he had rapport with the new federal troopers.

In normal times people like him are thanked for their service. The thanks he got for his time was getting sticked, starting high, mid-body, then the knee. His going away prize was a couple of whacks in the back after getting hosed.

The man stood his ground, then walked away flying the bird, but not just any bird, the Double Bird. What’s his hand signal convey?

My interpretation: Don’t bring slappy to the plate to hit a single when you need to score. Do you suppose Clubber got razzed in the after operations meeting?

The signal from Captain Portland looked pretty clear: “F-You, lightweight.”

Portland Protest Song Application

Goes like this. Sing along:

I see the bad moon a-rising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightning
I see bad times today

Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

I hear hurricanes a-blowing
I know the end is coming soon
I fear rivers overflowing
I hear the voice of rage and ruin

Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

All right

Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye

Well, don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise