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Had a nice sunrise prayer at RH this morning led by an array of interfaith clergy.
The continually bustling camp is perpetually repairing and innovating, all while people at all levels of involvement engage in heavy conversations on strategics and philosophy.
The continually bustling camp is perpetually repairing and innovating, all while people at all levels of involvement engage in heavy conversations on strategics and philosophy.
Amidst the constant threat of a police invasion, spirits are remarkably light.
Conversations about the appropriateness of some of the overnight graffiti and whether to clean it up are ongoing.
Nothing here is black & white; the ironies are not lost on these diverse protesters.
Conversations about the appropriateness of some of the overnight graffiti and whether to clean it up are ongoing.
Nothing here is black & white; the ironies are not lost on these diverse protesters.
With this story being so big - and rightfully so - the larger media has definitely been sensationalizing the ongoing action.
To be downright honest, while the moment in itself is exciting, most of the work is mundane, repetitive, dirty.
It's not an enjoyable experience.
To be downright honest, while the moment in itself is exciting, most of the work is mundane, repetitive, dirty.
It's not an enjoyable experience.
But contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to enjoy something for it to make you feel good. This isn't a camping trip, this is solidarity with the unhoused.
If being unhoused were fun, none of this would be happening. This, for many, is an exercise in humility.
If being unhoused were fun, none of this would be happening. This, for many, is an exercise in humility.
One might wonder how people can put in so much labor with so much uncertainty on the horizon, but for most of the working class this feeling is not unfamiliar.
In fact, our "normal" work, even if enjoyable, is often socially and/or morally destructive.
This work is refreshing.
In fact, our "normal" work, even if enjoyable, is often socially and/or morally destructive.
This work is refreshing.
But despite the over-arcing moral righteousness, this work is dangerous; threats of police raids, actual right-wing attacks on the perimeters, and even camera-wielding provocateurs create risk for people physically, emotionally and socially.
This is the cost of protecting ppl.
This is the cost of protecting ppl.
Whether or not you agree with creating barriers on public roads to protect a family facing a "legal" eviction, you have to stop and ask yourself what creates the conditions to illicit this type of public response.
You have to see this as one of many examples of stolen land.
You have to see this as one of many examples of stolen land.
Instead of looking at how this keeps happening in a city literally known for gentrification, the mayor and his allies would rather point blame at its victims.
Meanwhile these banks operate as loansharks & developers prey on their victims. Police help to create AND collect debt.
Meanwhile these banks operate as loansharks & developers prey on their victims. Police help to create AND collect debt.
How many homes are owned by relatives of the Kinney's? Do they have pets? Criminal records?
Who cares?
How many Black families has the City of Portland displaced? How many homes does Roman own? Any criminals in his family or businesses?
Normalize questioning the oppressor.
Who cares?
How many Black families has the City of Portland displaced? How many homes does Roman own? Any criminals in his family or businesses?
Normalize questioning the oppressor.
Did Roman donate to Wheeler's campaign? Trump's campaign?
Why did Ted Wheeler send PPB to an eviction? Are the police playing loose with the law? Was this a politically motivated action due to Ted's right-wing obsession with hunting anti-fascists?
Where are the think pieces?
Why did Ted Wheeler send PPB to an eviction? Are the police playing loose with the law? Was this a politically motivated action due to Ted's right-wing obsession with hunting anti-fascists?
Where are the think pieces?
We tear down the victims of white supremacy as individuals while pretending the oppressor's above reproach. It's easy to pile on those in bad predicaments.
But to take a closer look at the rich people wreaking havoc on the working class? Knocking on the doors of power is risky.
But to take a closer look at the rich people wreaking havoc on the working class? Knocking on the doors of power is risky.
I'll say that more plainly:
The press and others are not afraid to go after a struggling Black family; they just gonna get mad on the internet.
Go after Ted and he can hit you in the pocket. You might lose your job going after City allies. Portland has ways to shut you down.
The press and others are not afraid to go after a struggling Black family; they just gonna get mad on the internet.
Go after Ted and he can hit you in the pocket. You might lose your job going after City allies. Portland has ways to shut you down.
PPB and the City went after WHITE OWNED bars for allowing rap music; they've gone after the Greeks for sitting on a future MAX stop.
If you think they won't sacrifice some PR and a Black family (or 50) for a few million dollars, you're not paying attention.
If you think they won't sacrifice some PR and a Black family (or 50) for a few million dollars, you're not paying attention.
This is so much more than an eviction battle. It's more than PPD hunting anti-fascists.
This is about the development plans that have been in place for decades, designed to line the pockets of the wealthy and willing, being challenged by racial ethics.
This is money vs people.
This is about the development plans that have been in place for decades, designed to line the pockets of the wealthy and willing, being challenged by racial ethics.
This is money vs people.
The writing is quite literally on the wall (photo by @SeemabHussaini).
Big money has already gone into this.
Ted wins re-election and within the month he's greenlighting evictions and trying to profit further on more stolen land a few blocks away (press conference today).
Big money has already gone into this.
Ted wins re-election and within the month he's greenlighting evictions and trying to profit further on more stolen land a few blocks away (press conference today).
Money vs People
At its core, this is why this story's gone national. It's not about an AZ or a mortgage or sovereign citizenship; sure those things get clicks, but this story hits because it's the Rebels vs The Empire.
The Government vs the Ungovernable.
Power vs The Empowered.
At its core, this is why this story's gone national. It's not about an AZ or a mortgage or sovereign citizenship; sure those things get clicks, but this story hits because it's the Rebels vs The Empire.
The Government vs the Ungovernable.
Power vs The Empowered.
