Occupy Portland Demonstrators: a Little Damp but Very Determined

Watch Salem-News.com for continuing coverage.

All photos by Dexter Phoenix Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Occupy Portland rally is continuing to draw media attention and plenty of participation. It seems clear most calling for a new day in America in this Oregon city are sincere and water resistant.

As we have seen all across the country, there is no age group, no particular type of people, rather all types and they are working together to support the massive effort.

The groups behind the effort are asking for support from those who care, tarps, tents and food are items they need and there are many more, detailed in a list below.

Organizers say the best thing to do is visit the info booth at the event where a wish list will give anyone wishing to help some good ideas, or you can simply visit their Website: http://portlandwiki.org/Occupy_Portland

This is an event that drew a crowd in excess of 10,000 on its first day, and there have been no clashes with police. (see: 10,000 Plus Occupy Portland )

Oregon is making an incredible showing in this event where the crowd was several times larger than the Seattle event a few days before.

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Occupy Portland - Photos by Dexter Phoenix Salem-News.com

In the video essay below, several people from Occupy Portland offer their thoughts on this historic event that participants hope will set the stage for concrete and real change to the U.S. financial system.

• One man now helping with security walked up and was immediately issued an arm band and asked to help out. He says many hours passed on the first day without a rest, but that was the spirit and it is an enduring one.
• A high school girl discusses her concern over the apathy among teens in her Oregon school, and the future impact lackadaisical views will have on their own future generations.
• You will also hear from an organizer who discusses the myriad needs for this people power event and those needs will not diminish, so everyone that can help support them should do what they can.

Occupy Portland is Portland's answer to the Occupy Wall Street movement happening in New York City. The demonstration of solidarity with the Wall Street protesters began at noon on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 with a march out of SW Waterfront_Park". (see coverage from that night: 10,000 Plus Occupy Portland )

Following the march, a public space in Portland was "occupied" and used a a central location for meetings, events, and communications.)

From the official website:

"We will gather in solidarity with the ongoing protest in New York City, Occupy Wall Street, and the growing number of cities whose people will no longer sit back watching corporate and special interests run their government. We are citizens of the United States, and this country is ours. We will take it back."

Thoughts for those participating in Occupy Portland:

Do Not Bring or Participate in Anything Illegal!

The Occupy Portland encampment does not condone any illegal activity. Do not bring illegal substances or engage in illegal activity while you are here. If you are and are doing so, please leave immediately. You will most likely be arrested and jeopardize everything we have worked so hard for.

The Entire #OccupyPortland Camp stresses that this not a statement agreeing or disagreeing with the laws. This is a statement of fact.

As referenced, you can visit the Portland Wiki page for the occupation, http://portlandwiki.org/Occupy_Portland; here is a list of things that can help the thousands staying there.

Sustainable Power Generation

• Permanent Magnet Motors
• Charge Controller
• RV Car Batteries
• Blocking Diodes
• Bike Trainer Starts
• Old Permanent Magnet Alternators
• Belts
• Cables
• Pallets for Wood
• Old Cheap Bikes
• Gearbox

Food Committee     

opdx99foodteam@gmail.com

• URGENT: Food storage space
• Spices
• Mugs for coffee
• Pots (HUGE POTS)
• Igloo coolers
• Tables
• Purple tape
• Gluten free food options
• Trash transit  (people with trucks, cars or bike trailers)
• Dish towel runners
• Water runners
• Outdoor heaters

Internet Committee      opdxwebteam@gmail.com

• WIFI for the occupation
• Power strips

Media Committee

• URGENT: System for gas delivery and allocation
• Power strips
• Lanterns/lights
• Hot spots
• External batteries (energizer X18000)
• Whiteboard
• Computers
• People to edit videos
• Tables
• Chairs
• Shelving
• Microphone

Livestream

• HD Webcam
• PVC piping (1 ¼)
• 90 degree elbows

General

• Tents
• Rope
• Tool kits
• Tarps
• Ladder/step ladder
• Grass seed
• Large bins
• Car batteries
• Power cables
• Power strips
• Fan belts
• Alternators
• Waterproofing spray

Kids Village

• Socks
• Rain gear
• Toys
• Books
• Totes for storage
• Cloth diapers
• Puppets
• We will take any kid related items

Medical Committee

• Sealable transport storage bins
• Rubber hot water bottles

Library Committee

• Cardboard boxes
• Spray paint
• Couches
• Lanterns/lights (electric or solar)
• Paintbrushes
• Twine
• Bookshelves

Information Committee

• Pillow hangout area
• Extension cords, power strips
• Batteries (AAA, AA, D, 12 volt)
• Flashlights
• Radios/Broadcasting for locals
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Orange duct tape
• Clocks
• Super glue
• Other glue

Engineering

• URGENT: Generators
•  Lot’s of generators!

Safety

• Lock boxes

If you have anything to add please post it in the comments section below or in the discussion topics at www.facebook.com/pages/occupyportland

Occupy Salem was also launched today and that event saw several hundred in attendance, which is a sizable crowd for any such event in the capitol city. Of course there never has been an event like this in the past.

Watch Salem-News.com for continuing coverage.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience in broadcast and Internet news. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with the U.S. Army and Marines.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim is a member of the Orange County Press Club in Southern California. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

Dexter Phoenix has worked as a staff and freelance photographer since the mid-1990's and has a wealth of professional experiences on his resume. We welcome his presence to our staff and Salem-News.com.

This native of Great Britain moved to Los Angeles in 2007, where he photographed general news, general Interests, sports, freelance model photo work, and also stock images. Dexter Phoenix has had photos published world wide, in many magazines and newspapers and online. Throughout the course of his career he has experience with technology of all imaginable types. As a photographer Dexter has covered stories in Norway, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, France, Mexico, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Turkey, Somalia, Tunisia, Algeria. Angola, Iran, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. Email inquiries about photo purchase to: innocent_p0stcard@hotmail.com