This Week in the Mercury

From the Top

Music

From the Top

Hitchin' a Ride with Here We Go Magic


Film Shorts

Film

Film Shorts

In Which We Hit It and Quit It



  |  

Monday, November 14, 2011

Occupy Video: Injury Reported at Occupy Portland

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 8:47 AM

The Portland Police cleared the Occupy Portland protest out of its two downtown parks yesterday—at the time we reported that the great push-out appeared to have resulted in no serious injuries. The Occupiers lodged indoor overnight at the downtown Unitarian Church, which opened its doors to the protesters.

Now, though, Occupiers are saying that the camp's sign language interpreter, Justin James Bridges, was sent to the hospital after injuries sustained during the move out. He was reportedly hit repeatedly on the back, then passed out, and now has trouble moving his arm.

It's not clear to me when Bridges was injured, but Occupy Portland's web group posted a video last night of police in riot gear hitting members of a crowd with their batons. It's a tough video to watch and the only incident of its kind that I've heard about over the weekend:

 

Comments (13) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment
1
Justin is seeing greedy green in terms of a lawsuit against the city, I'll wager.
Posted by frankieb on November 14, 2011 at 9:01 AM · Report
2
Because someone who holds the city accountable for their actions must be motivated by greed.
Posted by iPortland on November 14, 2011 at 9:19 AM · Report
3
I've posted photos of Justin as he is loaded onto a stretcher and into an ambulance: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1…
Posted by jacob.s on November 14, 2011 at 9:22 AM · Report
4
@iPortland - "Their" actions? He's the one who refused the eviction notice, and went up against riot police after being warned dozens or hundreds of times that force might be used.
Posted by Reymont on November 14, 2011 at 9:31 AM · Report
5
The protester in the upper right who, at the beginning of the video, is throwing full punches at the police looks a lot like this guy: http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/Blogto… I can only imagine he made the situation worse. On the other end of the fight, I have to wonder why some officers are doing overhead swings with their batons. That shit never looks good on video.
Posted by Night Moves on November 14, 2011 at 9:45 AM · Report
6
You can't see what's happening.

This ain't the 1960s, everyone has a camera and the cops know they're always being filmed.

And when you decide to confront riot police you've got bigger problems than a sore back.
Posted by D on November 14, 2011 at 10:23 AM · Report
7
The Occupy Portland media volunteers had seen Mr. Bridges at 7 am on Sunday. He was healthy, safe, and in good spirits. This was after the stand offs near Central Precinct, but before the clearing of Chapman Square.

The injuries he sustained were during police activity to clear Chapman Square.
Posted by reid.parham on November 14, 2011 at 10:29 AM · Report
8
Everyone in that video knows what they're doing. Cut the babes in the woods act.
Posted by Blabby on November 14, 2011 at 10:36 AM · Report
9
Well said Blabby.
Posted by frankieb on November 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM · Report
10
It looks like that squad did not follow the training procedure. The union will get them reinstated.

Back in MP school you had to spend 3 weeks as rioters, after messing up that bad, to learn how the baton is used in crowd control.
Posted by Rosy on November 14, 2011 at 12:07 PM · Report
11
I wonder what video shot from the Police perspective would show? You don't see what caused the cop to start swinging, do you?
Let's not forget the cops did an amazing job at the task they were given by our Merc endorsed Mayor Adams.
This could become the standard nation wide for all cops on how to best engage a hostile crowd.
Our Police Force did one hell of a job, and deserve credit for their work.
Posted by frankieb on November 14, 2011 at 12:32 PM · Report
12
Um, you do realize that video was shot by your buddies at Willamette Week and ganked onto YouTube without attribution, right?

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-27876-video_riot_police_clash_with_occupy_portland_protesters.html

http://vimeo.com/32053846
Posted by Aaron W on November 14, 2011 at 1:21 PM · Report
13
Someone in the crowd grabbed an officer's baton and the others were swinging at those folks' wrists. That's why everything seems focused oddly low.
Posted by Someone on November 16, 2011 at 7:30 AM · Report

Add a comment

Our Friends

Our Enemies

/images/adoftheweek.gif

ad of the day

The Handyman Pro - Your Honey-Do Specialist
Don’t let our name fool you. The Handyman Pro, LLC is a repair and remodel service provider with over 25-years experience. We cover all aspects of construction and repairs for residential and commercial clients.go


post an ad

All contents © Index Newspapers, LLC

115 SW Ash St. Suite 600
Portland, OR 97204

Contact Info | Privacy Policy | Production Guidelines | Terms of Use