Portland protesters bring pitchforks and torches to City Hall over anti-homeless proposal

By George Chidi
Sunday, February 16, 2014 17:44 EST

Protesters in Portland, Ore., showed up at the doors of city hall carrying actual pitchforks and torches, to express their anger about proposals to change laws related to homelessness in the progressive city.

Portland’s leaders have begun debating a bill that would allow police to target homeless people sitting on sidewalks, according to The Oregonian.

The new laws would make it easier for police to clear out homeless encampments, which opponents say would merely exacerbate the problem as police discard homeless people’s only warm clothing and blankets during a purge.

Mayor Charlie Hales “told reporters at Oregon Live “This is not about homelessness. It’s about lawlessness.”

But a self-described “angry mob” of protestors took to City Hall on Tuesday waving pitchforks and torches. “We demand that our city council stop making homelessness a crime,” one protester identified only as “Justin” says to the camera.

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AEu2n2DGF8s for 5-minute video.

Hi! I'am with the protesters in spirit from a non-violent state of mind and as Gandhi once said,"There are unjust laws as there are unjust men and women!"Making homelessness a crime is a crime in itself and I don't resonate with the mayor's comment,"That this is about lawlessness!"Me and my Dad were homeless in Albuquerque,New Mexico ourselves.So we know how the homeless their feel not to mention the impressive show of protest against this law by the occupy movement! If anything they deserve free housing according to my paradism mindset.It should be in the constitution as well written as a right for all human beings not just a luxury as most conditional service to self people would like to think it is.In the spirit and force of unconditional love and service to others.May the homeless have homes made for free out of recycable material and may these homes be off the grid powered by non-nuclear free energy technologies healthy as well as in balance plus in harmony with the natural environment,"Namaste!"P.S:I also saw that scene in the movie,"They Live,"as well and talk about crimes against humanity when their encampment was destroyed,"Bye!"

"Note that the CIA has Uranus in the 8th House, just like Israel and Iran (and George H.W. Bush). Use of eavesdropping technology and the need for getting information "behind the scenes" is a good description of this placement, but another…"

"Trust was put into Vance as Vice President of the US. He should take his role more seriously by trying to ease potential fears instead of fuelling the fire. It’s disappointing because he generally speaks sense, but here he seems to be choosing fear…"

"Yes I agree Drekx, even our family members were reasonable and open minded for Catholics, they weren’t completely insane like some of these others. That tells me it’s a conscious choice to remain blind, there’s really no excuse."

Replies

Richard Levison February 18, 2014 at 10:20pm

Hi! I'am with the protesters in spirit from a non-violent state of mind and as Gandhi once said,"There are unjust laws as there are unjust men and women!"Making homelessness a crime is a crime in itself and I don't resonate with the mayor's comment,"That this is about lawlessness!"Me and my Dad were homeless in Albuquerque,New Mexico ourselves.So we know how the homeless their feel not to mention the impressive show of protest against this law by the occupy movement! If anything they deserve free housing according to my paradism mindset.It should be in the constitution as well written as a right for all human beings not just a luxury as most conditional service to self people would like to think it is.In the spirit and force of unconditional love and service to others.May the homeless have homes made for free out of recycable material and may these homes be off the grid powered by non-nuclear free energy technologies healthy as well as in balance plus in harmony with the natural environment,"Namaste!"P.S:I also saw that scene in the movie,"They Live,"as well and talk about crimes against humanity when their encampment was destroyed,"Bye!"
1 darkstar February 18, 2014 at 3:09pm

Reminds me of the movie They Live, where they bulldoze the homeless camp.