OREGON S LGBTO NEW SMAGAZINE
4
number of small-town and rural folks,“ says
Westerling. “I can’t prove it, but I’d suspect
that if you look at all of the states that make
up this country, there are more small-town oc
cupations going on in Oregon than anywhere
else in the United States. I think that particu
larly is testimony to how here in Oregon we
do have an organization that is entirely about
amplifying those voices and making sure that
these concerns are felt everywhere.”
W hile the focus on individual Occupy
movements nationwide begins to trend to
ward sustainment of the various camps, gen
eral health and well-being of protesters, and,
walking the tightrope o f civil disobedience,
Westerling hopes that those involved con
tinue to analyze their motivations. She en
courages every citizen to look at where they’re
most impacted “by the downward mobility of
our society, and to make that a household
discussion, and to come into this m om ent.”
community’
OCTOBER 21. 2011
19
»
Beaverton Barber
Coin and Gun
"We g o t you co vered from h ea d
to holster."
“I would he part o f this, healthy or not,” says
Westerling of the Occupy movement. “Right
now, we are living in an incredibly jumbled
society. We can pull at any strand and see at
the other end how a problem has actually been
made so much worse over recent decades. I see
it as a very grown-up- movement message to
say that all of us matter. If people can’t hear
that, I think that’s because they’re not looking,
really, at what’s going on.”
I
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You Weigh In
Just Out asked readers via Facebook their thoughts on the Occupy movement
and the demonstrations in downtown Portland. Below, a recent thread...
I believe in the right to free speech and to ers recognize that simply sitting in the park dom o f speech is more im portant than tres-
protest. I believe in what their general mes- is not enough and is really just [an] initial passing on private property, which is a mis-
sage is ..(though it seems to he getting lost), action—eventually there has to be a phase demeanor. Conservatives who support the
However, I also believe in abiding by laws and two, the w hat’s next.
Tea Party movement, which is named after
ordinances and not being destructive. It’s
They have (for some time) been/are plan- a felonious act against oppression, seem not
tough.The damage caused to the parks is add- ning to collect funds to pay for the park to agree. Don’t you find that oddly hypo
ing up and we, as taxpayers, will foot the bill, damage— including volunteering to do the critical? -Shelly Casteel
Granted, it’s far less than we
work (keeping in mind the
already spend in taxes, but it’s “This for me is turning
broad range o f skills there).
I support the cause and the message. I don’t
money that could go to bet
-Debra Porta
believe that a (largely) homeless camp in front
into yet another 1
ter use. I say move them to
of Portland City Hall is going to have any
percent
speaking
for
us.”
Pioneer Courthouse Square.
By 99 percent they are impact. As we know there are scant few For
-APRIL LANDERS talking income levels. So tune 500 companies based in Portland. Pro
Even more obvious and no
chance of ruining anything.
technically whether you tests like this in our liberal mecca is certainly
Also, they should apply for a permit to stay agree with them or not, you are part o f the singing to the choir. If the movement is going
overnight in an effort to make it legal. [Mayor 99 percent. Unless you’re a billionaire. I am to have any impact, besides whining about the
Adams], surprisingly, has worked well with tired o f people complaining about how much obvious and abhorrent inequities in our soci-
them so far. I’m sure he’d entertain the idea of this is costing the city. The damn fact is peo- ety, they need to have a platform o f issues, an
legally allowing them to stay overnight, pie have the right to protest without frigging agenda to accomplish them, and leaders to
-Michael Olson
.
permits, and if our government and financial promote and elect. They will N O T overthrow
sector hadn’t screwed us we
the government or subvert the
I understand the basic thought behind the wouldn’t be having a problem *qn
Am erica
current paradigm by camping
Occupy movement, but I do not think they with our budgets being
____ ^ .
in a park. I think it’s time to go
have the right to claim they are the “99 per- stretched. Your apologetics for reecfo m O Speech IS
home. -Scott Osburne
cent.” If they base their actions on a vote, I do the 1 percent is sad. So let me more important than
My partner and I have par
not remember ever being asked if I agree with get this straight. You would trespassing on private
their actions. They are no more the “99 per- halt all demonstrations and all
ticipated in the marches... very
property,
which
is
a
cent” than the “1 percent,” if you ask me. As the progress this movement is
inspiring... so many different
things move on and on, the communities they making because it costs money? misdemeanor.”
kinds o f people participated...
are protesting in are burdened with having to -Djambel Unkov
-SHELLY CASTEEL union folks, grandmas, every
pay for more police, cleanup, etc. I don’t think
ethnicity, not just the usual
with all the budgets already stretched pretty
Throughout history REAL change has suspects. The message is important... the in-
far this is a good use of the funds. Nor do I only occurred by the people. Instead o f fo- come disparity is about the disappearing
think blocking streets, derailing other groups cusing on the minimal cost of a park cleanup, middle class... the richest folks and corpora-
who took the time to get needed permits, etc. perhaps attentions would be better focused tions OW N our government. This model is
really speak for the 99 percent. Sorry but this on the trillions of dollars the banks have UNSUSTAINABLE. The park that is being
for me is turning info yet another 1 percent taken from us and the criminal activities occupied (in a very organized way) is paid for
speaking for us. -AprilLanders
they have yet been held accountable for. O r by the taxpayers. It is being used for an impor-
perhaps the fact that the banks/corpora- tant purpose. Those who are occupying are
They have been working on education/in- tions/rich own politicians and the people’s representing those of us who stand in solidar-
formation campaigns— I think the organiz- will is being ignored. In my America, free- ity but can’t be down there. -Wendy W ic k M
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