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Who would a thunk it?--Portland's youth and citizenry defied corporate power--and peacefully occupied Portland's downtown Bank of America Building, in the N17 protest, along with Wells Fargo, Chase, and other banks.
Hundreds of riot police, like yellow and black hornets, lined streets and alleys, seemingly content to fondle their weapons, collect overtime, and listen to the people's voices. They, themselves, seemed like Darth Vader clones, or perhaps killer penguins, stranded by global warming, and dreaming of better skull-bashing days.
I had some trouble finding the demonstration, as well as a place to park downtown, but I overheard one of Portland's
Critical Mass bike riders, say everybody was down at 2nd and Morrison. The Critical Mass Bikers parade the streets in support of Occupy Portland, and help give a distinct carnival effect, to balance the serious nature of the movement, and perhaps affect police consciousness, to diffuse their violent tendencies.
The Bank of America Center, with its shining layers of glass and corporate greed, was ringed by an enthusiastic Portland crowd, as well as scores of riot police, trying to look lethal, even though they were sadly overdressed, with lethal gadgets, guns, cuffs, and flares of the latest James Bond sort, bulging from every pocket, loaded for bear when they were really closer to the big neon reindeer sign, that towers a few blocks away, and helps give Portland its whimical and inviting nature.
The movement is dynamic and growing. Citizens have decided not to submit to a caste system lorded over by corporate thugs. A new energy is taking the land, one that is coalesing into a collective consciousness that will congeal, and light a new flame in Lady Liberty's torch, so the molten possibilities become solid--real change--a new and fair America. The people will demand it.
The Police seem like Aliens from another planet, which I realize is a redundant oxymoron. They know that students, union workers, and Portland citizens--that they face down with sideward glances--are their own children and neighbors, and are looking out for police welfare, as well as our country's justice and freedom.
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Even Portland's Police Chief knows it. But he wants to run for mayor, so he puts on a tough face, under his flip visor, knowing that his corporate masters demand mindless servility, and a brutal show of force, so they can keep their stolen billions.
Still, it is a beautiful day. Even in the rain, Portland shines.
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