Blogtown, PDX

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Politics Today at City Hall

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Wed, May 14 at 11:36 AM

“I think everyone’s preference is to have all four members agree on a budget,” Mayor Tom Potter said, kicking off a conversation about the budget. Ultimately it was a low-key discussion, other than a short aside between Potter and Commissioner Randy Leonard about the differences between ongoing and one-time funding (with Potter seeing one-time funding as an affront because it could evaporate the next year, and Leonard pointing out that the council has to reapprove all funding, ongoing and otherwise, every year). The council heard testimony from two dozen people, and went over a few line items—areas where Potter disagrees with Leonard and Commissioner Sam Adams, who’ve put together their own budget revisions. In the end, they didn’t adopt a budget; They’ll keep discussing it for a few weeks, and Commissioner Dan Saltzman has his eye on trying to craft a compromise.

The real action happened outside. I got a call reporting that things were about to escalate with the protest, so I ran downstairs. There were a handful of cops, who had honed in on one man who was asleep under a blue tarp. He didn’t respond to vigorous rubs on his chest, so the cops called paramedics. As media and other protesters gathered around, the paramedics came and took the largely unresponsive man away. While he was being loaded into the ambulance, protesters asked the cops if they were going to confiscate his belongings; No, they said, and let the protesters move in to gather up his things. With that, the cops left.

Protesters said they believe the cops had shown up to enforce city ordinances, but the medical issue took precedence—and when it drew attention, they believe the cops abandoned their ‘sweep’ plans for the moment.

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Comments

I am one of the protesters who is rebelling against the oppression of the group. The leaders of the group, do not lead, and do not represent many people who believe in changing the ordinance.

Some of the protesters are not holding signs, obstructing the sidewalk and basically being rude. The common sense of the protest moving up to the water fountains area called four square is the place to rest. This place has not been given a warning for camping because no one has camped their.

So when they sweep, this is the place to be to continue the fight for the Constitution.

Not a Good Queer

Posted by Lee Iacuzzi | May 14, 2008 2:29 PM

Hi Lee

I read your comment on the Mercury's blog. I spent over three years straight on the streets of Portland. Through Street Roots and Sister's of the Road I became a homeless advocate, published writer and have helped strategically plan 4 campaigns.

Like you I believe one of the root causes of homelessness in this wealthy country is one of prejudice and perception.

The current Portland city hall homeless protest is the most powerful since Dignity Village. It had the spontaneity and organic grassroots support that cannot be manufactured in planning meetings at Street Roots or Civic Action Group of Sisters of the Road.

The catalyst is combining a basic physical need (sleep) while meeting a spiritual need (having a voice). Most homeless people are so focused on meeting basic need they do not have the consistent energy to commit to a project like this. Please have some empathy for those on the street who are not willing to sacrifice basic daily needs for idealistic goals.

However without some strategic planning the group will likely splinter as realities sink in, people’s pet ideas get sidelined and egos get bruised. There is much more pressure on city hall to enforce the sit lie than to let things slide. This pressure comes from perception and prejudice of the homeless. Your view of behavior of some of the protest participants is correct. Their behavior reinforces stereotypes and works against the message of the protest.

This experience is why Street Roots or Sisters of the Road have up to six months of planning and training before they have an event. Again the process of planning and training sidelines ideas, bruises egos and fears of perception tends to give the events the flavor of milk toast.

I applaud the work the HLF or PCAP is doing, I not sure what they are calling themselves today, but they have raised issues of poverty and homelessness at a time when politician may listen.

Posted by Dan Newth | May 14, 2008 4:31 PM