Occupy Portland Aims to Occupy Park Blocks

Portland Mercury:

8:30pmThe police just announced that they're closing the South Park Blocks half an hour early. There is a PA truck, a phalanx of riot police, and a dozen bike cops around the South Park Blocks, announcing that everyone who's in the park will be arrested if they don't leave immediately.
Occupy supporters had about 20 tents up in the afternoon, but now people are slowly taking the tents down. Denis Theriault reports from the scene: "This is going to bifurcate. The plan I've heard is that some people [Occupiers] are going to stay here and likely get arrested and another group is likely going to head to city hall." Sounds like police will be moving in very soon. The Occupy-run livestream is here. jake HatchquetUpdate 7:30pm— The Occupy bat signal is up and running at the South Park Blocks and a crowd is still at the site. There are about 20 tents up and word on the street is that the police are considering enforcing a park eviction at 9pm. Riot police are reportedly suiting up and on site. Matt BorsA business owner skeptically watched the Occupy march pass his shop.Well, the "reoccupation" is underway. Supporters of Occupy Portland met at Salmon Springs fountain this afternoon and went on a round-about march to a previously undisclosed site they hope will be a new tent city for a two-week long occupation. The location chosen for the reoccupation was kept secret because protest organizers worried about the police getting word of the location and shutting down the protest before it even started. After marching over the Willamette and back again just around downtown, the 300-person crowd headed to the mystery location: the South Park Blocks, right behind the Schnitzer. When the group arrived, people started shouting, "Welcome home!" There was minimal police presence along the march and, although Mayor Sam Adams said yesterday that park closure hours would be enforced, minimal police presence at the Park Blocks so far. As Occupiers started setting up tents, one the handful of police officers accompanying the march told them to take the tent down, but after the crowd began chanting, "We love the police!" no action was taken. As Denis Theriault reports, the parks are now home to five tents, three canopies, and several platters of veggie chips. Updates as we have them! [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

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