Following negative feedback, how long can Occupy Portland last?

Now unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve heard about the occupy movement by now, it has swept the globe in a whirlwind and left many with mixed opinions and emotions about the cause of it and the aftermaths that it has had.

I am one of the 99%, I’m not speaking for everyone but most people attending MHCC are most likely in this boat as well. I pay taxes and have school loans that I do not want to pay but I am not crazy enough to pitch a tent in a park and live like a cave man.

The Portland movement started on Oct. 6 and it’s been a little over a month since hundreds started living in downtown Portland in a sort of homless-esk camp in Lownsdale and Chapman Squares. Currently the movement has no clear goal and it has been causing several issues lately.

The occupiers in other words are becoming obnoxious, they said from the beginning this was a peaceful movement, but in the past few weeks they have been becoming rowdy and restless. Now I’m not sure if it’s just because they are bored from sitting on their asses all day accepting free food and handouts but at least they get to stretch their legs during their weekly marches.

This point is well-said in a Nov.9 Oregonian article “Portland’s patience has run out with the camp, which has shifted from political statement to an open-air, acute facility for many homeless, mentally ill or drug-addicted men and women who have flocked to the squares for the free food, shelter and community. Crime has gone up around the area, and overtime for the police bureau hit $316,000 Wednesday.”

The movement is becoming hostile and so are those who have opposed it from the beginning.

If I were Sam Adams I would have put a stop to this ridiculous ruckus weeks ago, I understand that this is an important cause and they are trying to achieve a better nation but they have accomplished nothing so far. And, I’m sure the costs to clean up after the occupiers and the damages they are causing to Portland parks, not to mention the costs for extra security at the marches and to keep the occupiers in line, has amounted to quite an incredible cost. I just wonder how long the city will let this go on before they put their foot down and tell these people to go home and get a life.

In the same article it is stated “The city tightened the pincers Wednesday (Nov.9) to end the takeover of Chapman and Lownsdale squares. The city’s top elected officials and the business community said they are ready for the occupation to end, and the police bureau is drafting an “immediate action plan”

to remove Occupy Portland if Mayor Sam Adams gives the word.”
It seems to many on the outside of this movement that at this point Occupy Portland has no clear goal in mind and if they do, it has not been made apparent to the public, Despite the varying opinions people have towards the movement, most people are becoming irritated with what is now going on.

Local news has recently reported that several occupiers have been suspected of crimes such as breaking into SW Portland businesses, and even letting off gasoline bombs such as the Molotov cocktail incident at the Portland World Trade Center. And an increasing number of protesters have been arrested during weekend marches.

The Occupy movement started as a way to show that we expect and deserve change but one can’t help but think that maybe the original plan of action has been abandoned in the midst of these participants wanting only to vocalize their opinions and frustrations with the nation.

I believe that once the negativity leaves the movement that it will be a productive and for the most part respected movement. And with possible plans to shut the movement down, this may motivate people to shape up and bring the original plan to the movement.

In any protest there will be disagreements and problems among those who oppose the movement and those who are actively engaged in it. I hope that the movement does not get completely shut down. But I do think the negative people involved, including those who have been arrested and have vandalized public and private property, should seriously rethink their actions; their actions affect everyone involved. Maybe if the mayor and the rest of the city can see that a positive attitude has returned to the movement they will not feel as if this is something to be frowned upon.

And with the possibility of the movement being nixed in the very near future, those near and dear to this movement should think about separating themselves from those in it for the free loot and excuses for vandalism.
So if you’re an occupier or if you are acquainted with one, pass the message on to them that this started peaceful and it should stay peaceful otherwise it isn’t really in solidarity as it is advertised.