Bob Projansky, of Veterans for Peace, had been to The World Trade Center before to attend the theatre, located inside building two, but today he accompanied Mike Glaze and Peter Bergel, of Oregon Peace Works, to speak with Sen. Gordon Smith about defunding the war.
“We want him to promise us, the people of Oregon, that he will vote to defund the war,” said Projanksy. “Then we won’t pester him anymore.”

No one from Senator Gordon’s office came down to meet with the three men, or their supporter from Defund The War and another onlooker referring to himself as Joe Anybody.

Since the building is privately owned, the owners called to remove the activists for trespassing. The Senator, who is elected by the public, was unable to be reached for comment.

The question here is, does the owner of this building or the Portland Police have the right to deny an American citizen the right to talk to their senator? It appears so!

As Projansky trailed off in our conversation, looking over my shoulder, he said, “Looks like the sent the big boys,” referring to two large police officers who just arrived. In all six officers responded to give the three men their final ultimatum, leave the property or be arrested.

“Looks like we’re going to be guests of the city for awhile,” said Projansky. All three men were arrested.

more photos on jump... Photos by Daniel Savickas