PHILOSOPHER SEED

Break Up the Banks

At Pioneer Square the event was moderated by Laurie King of Portland Jobs with Justice, who states in broad terms the problem with past and current government bailouts of the banking industry. “That money should be going to health care, education, child care, jobs for now and in the future, ………….not to zombie banks, zombie bankers and zombie shareholders.

She then introduces Barbara Dudley, adjunct professor at Portland State University, the first of three speakers, who declares, “if they’re too big to fail, they’re too big to exist. What we need to know is that any time they are demanding taxpayer money to keep Wall Street afloat we have a problem.”
She spoke about a Populist movement 100 years ago whose first focus was the banks. “One of the things they demanded was that they be broken up because they were essentially monopolizing the money of this country. We can’t allow this to happen again. We need to nationalize these banks, and not nationalize and give them back to Wall Street, but keep them under our control or keep them so small that they will never again need to be bailed out by the taxpayer.”
“We need to bring our money home. It is very, very important that we begin to understand that investment is about economic development, it is not about gambling….We need to decentralize our money……and the banks and make our State government put it’s money in the state, to put people back to work, and we need to put our personal money in this state.”

Barbara then introduces Jarat Gardener, working with a a local campaign called Fire Your Banks, which urges people to fire their national, multinational, corporate banks. “We have some tremendous banks and credit unions in town that are serving our community, and that’s what we are asking people to do.”

Jarat introduces Mike, of the Rural Organizing Project,who says that “we need to take things over………we have to get serious, we have to look deep down inside and see if we have the fortitude to move forward and take control of these institutions before they take control of us entirely.”
He speaks about some of the work his organizations is doing in the rural communities of Oregon, called Human Dignity Groups, who seek to address the problems and form alliances which could find innovative solutions.
“When people create revolutions they create alternative structures of government and we have to think about that.” After a few more words from Laurie, the gathering moves off down the street to Bank of America, the first of the three banks being given their Notice of Termination by the people. Chris Ferlazo first emphasizes the fact that this bank received 25 billion dollars in tax payer bailout, adding “now that we have contributed our part, don’t you think that it is time that we owned this bank”"
Jarat then read the Notice of Termination. We are firing this bank for “violent disregard of public welfare, gross mismanagement of all taxpayer funds, devastating violation of public trust, willful and criminal undermining of the values assets world wide, and a personal grievance, outrageous compensation for these criminals.”
He then encourages folks to move their money to Community Banks and Credit Unions, using their money towards more productive use.
Chris then speaks about Bank of America organizing against the Employee Free Choice Act, the right of workers to organize. “They are taking our tax dollars and trying to stop our right to organize unions.

The march next stopped at Key Bank, who, besides receiving 2.5 billion in bail out money, are currently funding Oak Harbor Shipping and Delivery out of Seattle Washington, who is attempting to break their Teamsters union. Members of the Portland Teamsters Local 81 have recently returned after being on strike there for 154 days.
A member of local Jobs with Justice took the megaphone and stated that, “they’ve brought in strikebreakers from all over the country to bust this union that has been there for over 50 years.
“This is 1000 family wage jobs before this contract battle happened. They’ve been without a contract for two years, they are trying their best to bargain a new one, but Oak Harbor is able to hold out because they’re being funded by Key Bank. Our bail out money is being used to fund these strike breakers and to break this Union……We don’t want our taxpayer money to go to break Unions and take aways people’s right to a decent life.”

The final stop was at Wells Fargo, also loudly fired by the crowd. This bank received 25 billion taxpayer dollars in bailout money. Taking the megaphone, Chris Ferlazo declares that, “it’s time to nationalize this bank, it’s time to fire this bank and break it up.”
As with the other two banks, there were other Northwest grievances. “Wells Fargo is an investor with the Geo Group which runs the Tacoma Immigration Detention Center up in Tacoma Washington. This is a privately run prison, technically a holding center for folks who have no rights, folks that were arrested at the Del Monte factory in Portland, taken up to Tacoma where they were tricked into signing voluntary deportation. Wells Fargo invests heavily in the Geo Group which runs that.”
Reading from the Notice of Termination, Chris says, “it has come to my attention that this bank participates in corrupt financial practices that have damaged working people everywhere. I can no longer support this shameless behavior with my patronage, therefore………..you are hereby given notice that your employment as my back is terminated. You are not too big to fail; you have failed.”
“I am moving my money to local institution that better reflects my values, one that is accountable to me and my Community. YOU’RE FIRED!

The video of the event finishes with a brief interview with Barbara Dudley, who besides urging folks to move their money from the big banks to smaller, more socially responsible institutions, is also trying to get the State of Oregon to move it’s money into more productive places. These many billions of dollars are now “in the same private equity and global investments that brought us into this problem.North Dakota is a good example of what we could do if we decide to take over our own Economy.”
Barbara believes that presently “the level of anger and understanding on the part of many people in this country is more heightened than I’ve ever since it since maybe the Vietnam War days. I wish people were out in the streets more………their consciousness has been raised dramatically by the debacle that we see on Wall Street, and the greed. ”

Portland Tax Day Tea Party

Most signs and all the speakers blamed the government, mainly the present administration, for a whole range of problems, including taxes, bail outs, the compromise of liberty, and “the wholesale intrusion of the public sector into the private sector, our businesses, our property, our families. ”
A dominant theme throughout the rally was that the problems we face “are not a left and right thing, but an up and down thing, an us versus them thing.” There was a consistent and persistent effort to include and play to the left, though the left had no obvious part in the planning or execution of the event.
When thank yous were handed out at the end no Progressive group was included, though many thanks were offered to the Republican and Libertarian parties, Glenn Beck’s 912 Project, and Americans for Prosperity, among others.

An opening speaker brought the crowd together, defining their values and priorities. “Our state and nation were founded on time honored principles; we believe in living within our means, living according to the Ten Commandments…..and yet today our state and national leaders have gone astray. Today our leaders seek to solve a credit and debt crisis with unprecedented levels of borrowing and spending.”
“Today our state and national leaders act like we are working for them instead of them working for us. In 1773 the Sons of Liberty sent a message to the King of England when they tossed a boatload of British tea into the cold, black waters of Boston harbor.” Today we gather in cities and ports across our nation to honor those patriots and send our message to elitist officers in Salem and in Washington: ‘we have had enough.’”

Speaker after speaker fanned the crowd into a nationalistic frenzy of chants about liberty, revolution, religious and family values. All the Conservative hot button phrases and values were utilized to impress upon them the need to organize against what they allege is wholesale government intrusion into their lives. Obama wasn’t specifically mentioned though many signs depicted him as a dangerous socialist; another claimed that we have “One Big Ass Mistake America.” The event patriotically began with a spirited speaking of the Declaration of Independence and ended with our Pledge of Allegiance.

Both these events were as interesting for what they left out as for what they discussed. The former Rally and March didn’t address government collusion in the banking collapse and the later didn’t mention either the past Republican contribution to current crisis or the overall culpability of our Capitalist economic system.

(New Content Posted 12/06/07)
Video File: Democratic Party Protests Gordon Smith
Today, December 05, 2007, members and supporters of the Democratic Party of Oregon gathered outside the offices of Sen. Gordon Smith in downtown Portland to protest and hold him accountable for his Iraq War record.
Though much of what was said was obscured due to construction noise, the DPO Chairwoman Meridith Wood presented the gathering with the reasons for the protest. Also speaking was Maria Medina of Oregon Action

(New Content Posted 10/19/07)
Peru Free Trade Scam on YouTube.com

(New Content Posted 09/17/07)
Summer of Love 2007 Anniversary on YouTube.com

(New Content Posted 09/18/07)
Human “Dam” blockade at PacifiCorp

(New Content Posted 09/18/07)
Agustin Aguayo, Iraq War Resister

(New Content Posted 09/18/07)
Rise Up Grannies

(New Content Posted 10/04/07)
Chambers Brothers at Summer of Love 40th Anniversary

This is a 14 minute video of the event, finishing off with a commentary by Laurie King of Portland Jobs With Justice, whose organization staged the event.

Out the Earl Video, RealPlayer

(New Content Posted 04/07/07)
Video File: Surge Protectors Good Friday Vigil at Military Recruiters Office
Today, Good Friday, April 5, 2007, for the tenth time since the New Year, the Surge Protector Brigade held a vigil at the military recruiters office on NE Broadway in Portland Oregon.

(New Content Posted 03/20/07)
Video File: Let Peace Prevail

An 8 minute video of the March 18, 2007 March to commemorate the fourth year of the Occupation of Iraq. The March followed right after a Rally in the South Park Blocks, and wound about 20 blocks through downtown Portland, eventually returning to the Park Blocks.

It was not a day to celebrate, though the human spirit rose up and found reason for joy and faith in some future release from the failure of war.

It was not a happy event, though there were smiling faces, dancing children and boisterous camaraderie.

It was not an event to curse the soldier, but to abhor the war, and support the humanity living and dying on both sides.

And it was a day to criticize, condemn and vilify an Administration sworn to continue this War, in the face of all common sense and unpopular opinion.

Music, signs, theater and chanting abounds, transcending the tragedy of the daily death of innocents and the slow evisceration of what America once stood for, and against.

Let Peace Prevail, RealPlayer

(New Content Posted 03/05/07)
VIDEO OF ARRESTS AT OFFICE OF SENATOR GORDON SMITH

On Friday, March 2, 2007, constituents ofOregon Senator Gordon Smith were again denied an audience with members of his staff, and two were arrested for trespass.

This is the sixth episode with two people being arrested for seeking an audience with their Senator since the first of the year when Smith made a blistering speech condemning the war as “absurd and maybe even criminal.”

Since that time members of the group, Defund the War have visited his office weekly, demanding, in light of his earlier pronouncements, that he announce his plans to deny any future funding for the war. Smith has refused to make a statement either way, and in fact no longer allows these constituents even to go beyond the lobby in the building where his offices are located.

On this day, security asked the two people wishing to speak with a Smith representative and deliver written statements to leave or be arrested. When they refused 911 was called, though this was far from an emergency, as the protesters were peaceful and the relationship with security during the 15 minute wait for the police to arrive was congenial and without incident.

When the police arrived all were asked to leave the premises , including the one independent media who was present. .

This is video of the period of time between the arrival of those bearing an anti war message to Smiths office and their final arrests, including a brief interview with Kerry Bassett, a media spokesperson for the group.

Video of Arrests

(New Content Posted 02/08/07)
INTERVIEW WITH PRO-WAR ADVOCATE AT RALLY TO SUPPORT LT. WATADA

While at the Rally to support the noble actions of Lt. Watada on February 5, 2007, I interviewed a pro-war supporter who was conspicuously stationed near the overpass where all those who traveled between the rally and the vigil by the gates to Fort Lewis had to pass.

Though he was not alone, the pro-war group numbered in the handful compared to the large gathering to support Lt. Watada, that day facing court martial for being the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. There were also a few signs, many containing abusive statements concerning the character of Lt. Watada. Some anti-war demonstrators always stood beside any of these pro-war protestors when they would stake out a corner along the avenue, the overpass, or the numerous intersections adjacent to the entrance and exit from Interstate 5.

There were certainly discussions and debates throughout the day between these two groups, and hopefully something positive was gained by this dialogue, the opportunity for which lasted from late morning until at least around dark. For the most part I encountered no real drama between the two groups, though others may have had different experiences.

I found this interview interesting, not so much that anything new was shared, but more because of the derisive tone taken by the two pro-war folks, who took jabs at me and the anti war community at various occasions.

This is a window into one small segment of the pro-war mentality. There will certainly always be disagreement about the conduct of this war. Maybe by understanding the position held by those on this side of the debate we can move closer together and at least discover areas where we might agree. It’s certainly worth a try!

This video is about 4 minutes in length.Pro-War Advocate, DSL/CABLE Stream

Pro-War Advocate, 56K Stream

(New Content Posted 02/07/07)
VIDEO FILES FROM THE RALLY TO SUPPORT LT. WATADA

We can only imagine what Lt. Ehren Watada must have been feeling on February 5, 2007, the first day of his court martial for being the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. But he must have been heartened by the attendance at the rallies before the gates of Fort Lewis Washington where his “trial” was to be held.

Thousands lined the roads, the overpass leading to the gate, and a nearby field where many spoke and sang out their support, often speaking of other resisters who have taken similar stands of conscience, most without the enormous outpouring of support afforded Lt. Watada. None faulted him for this, yet many urged the crowd to educate themselves about some of the other soldiers whose lives have been equally devastated, both by their experiences in Iraq and their treatment by the military machine.

And the high price is paid as well by their families, their wives, children and parents. Many of those who spoke that day were these family members. This is a video of three of these, all women, two mothers and one wife. Their stories are deeply disturbing, and their sacrifices which go far beyond the injustices suffered at the hands of their government, in the name of patriotism and Democracy make a mockery of both.

The three women are: Anita Dennis, mother of Darrel Anderson,Iraq Veteran Against the War; Sarah Rich, mother of Suzanne Swift, who refused redeployment to Iraq under the command of the same individuals who allowed her to be raped and sexually harassed; and Helga Aguayo, wife ofAgustin Aguayo, a medic, who after refusing to redeploy to Iraq and applying for Conscientious Objector status, is facing up to seven years in prison.

They speak passionately and eloquently, pleading not only for their own loved ones, but for all soldiers, all those who might have the Courage to Resist, if they felt they had the support and strength of the larger Community. All of these GI resisters have incurred enormous debt fighting for their freedom; all have suffered the loss of what armed forces benefits they earned; all face a life much different than envisioned when they enlisted, thinking they were providing a service to their country.

There are many ways we all can participate in the growing resistance to this illegal and immoral imperialism. We can all do something, whether it be contacting our elected leaders, marching in the streets, or taking on the work shirked by our mainstream media. And too, support those brave soldiers who have stood up for the Constitution, who have endured the agony of Occupation and quite often derision and condemnation back here in the States.

There are many perhaps who need but a little nudge to do the right and honorable thing: refuse to be a part of the warfare machine and stand besides the growing number of fellow GI’s now joining with the people in open defiance.

This video file is about 12 minutes in length.

Women Speaking Out, RealPlayer, DSL/CABLE Stream

Women Speaking Out, RealPlayer, 56K Stream

During the afternoon Rally, the Tacoma Puppeteers held a Court of the People of the United States of the World in order to try George Bush, Dick Cheney, Condi Rice and Donald Rumsfeld for their crimes against the people of the world. Charges were read, witnesses heard and a verdict was rendered by both the people and the presiding magistrate, the Honorable Let History Be The Judge.

This video is about 15 minutes in length.

Peoples Court of the World, Multiple Capacity RealPlayer Stream

(New Content Posted 01/08/07)
VIDEO FILE: Video File: Die-In At Pioneer Square.
Attended by about 150 people, the die-in at Pioneer Square on Saturday, January 6, 2007 honored the 3000 U.S. soldiers and 650,000 Iraqis who have died in Iraq.
After a few brief words about the reason for the gathering, the moderator said that, though these symbolic events are necessary, people must do more than this to exert their will. There were people present with the names of our Congressional delegation pined to their shirts who were handing out postcards addressed to each individual Senator or Representative. She urged everyone present to follow through and contact their representative and let them know their feelings about this Occupation.
Following this she introduced Reverend John Schwiebert of the Metanoia Peace Community United Methodist Churchwho read a poem written by Malita Arredondo. Malita and Carlos Arrudondo lost their son Alexander S. Arredondo in Iraq in 2004.
At this point the community laid down in the Square in respect for the many who have lost their lives during the invasion and occupation. There was actually two consecutive die-ins that day. Since this first one lasted so brief a time, many members of the community spontaneously later laid back down for a much longer period of time. Their anger and grief over this senseless and immoral loss of life needed a larger time to be expressed.
The community found many ways to commemorate the dead, especially for those soldiers from Oregon killed in Iraq. A man carried a poster with the pictures of each Oregon soldier and a couple young women handed out black ribbons, symbolizing each of 47 soldiers killed. Their sign read: “47 Oregon soldiers have died as result of this war; there is a ribbon for each of the brave Oregon soldiers who have died. Please keep them in your hears and thoughts.”
As people were getting to their feet, a loud voice rang out across the square. “Hear me! Our family lost one of our boys on that poster, (a poster showing all the Oregon Soldiers killed in Iraq.) His name is Travis Bradach Nall. We’ve been working since that happened to end this war. But when you’re filling out those post cards, write one word on there: IMPEACH!” The crowd voiced their approval, here and throughout this brief speech, with loud cheers. The man continued, “We need our Congresspeople and our Senators to do their duty, to bring to justice the wrongdoers who caused this war. What we need is a double impeachment, on the same record, to impeach president George W. Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney.”
Indeed, there was much more to this gathering than honoring the dead. Dan Shea, of Veterans for Peace, chapter 72, spoke strongly against the war and the need for Congress to begin bringing the troops home. “I’m here to say we’ve had enough.. It’s time, we have a new Democratic congress, that they stand up to what the people and the electorate already said, that we’ve had enough of war, we’ve had enough of dying. That’s the best way we can honor these people, so that no more people die in Iraq.”
I also spoke with Tom Hastings, with the Portland Catholic Worker. Following the speech made by Republican Senator Gordon Smith, on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, condemning the disposition of the Iraq Occupation, Hastings and a few others visited Smiths office to inquire when there would some kind of policy promise attached to this speech. “We were arrested instead. We never spoke above a conversational tone……….we never blocked anybody’s way, we never left the public area of Gordon Smiths office; we were taken out in chains, in handcuffs. We’re going to continue this kind of campaign until we hear from the Senator that he in fact is going to vote against any funding for this God awful Occupation of other peoples lands.”
Hastings says that the Viet Nam war was stopped in this way. “Congress has one power….and that is the power of the purse strings, if in fact they don’t impeach. That’s not real real likely. This is what we have to do. This is what Gordon Smith has to do.”
Beginning the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 16, “a number of us will go to Smiths office, at least one or two of us every single day. Somebody may get arrested every day; maybe more than one person.” Hastings invites anybody who is interested to join this campaign, by e-mailing him at pctom@gmail.com.
Though the emphasis was on the death of so many young Americans, the fact that a much larger number of innocent Iraqis have also lost their lives was everywhere present. Towards the end of the event a sign appeared proclaiming, “Fuck the Troops.” Needless to say this ignited a furious debate, both at the scene and later, on Portland Indymedia
A case can certainly be made that, though these soldiers are all enlistees, these Iraqi deaths are, for the most part, deaths of defenseless men, women and children. They had been caught in currents of Empire, greed, hate and revenge far beyond their ability to understand or, unfortunately, escape. We have unleashed a firestorm in a country whose demographic landscape is prone to sectarian violence. This apparently was not considered when the lies were told which seduced us into accepting this atrocity.
We need these reminders. We need to remember those who have died, even if they may be nameless and faceless half way around to the other side of the globe. Our Democracy, we the people, have permitted this war; we have funded and justified an occupation both heartless and heartbreaking. Our taxes supply the weapons doing so much of the killing on both sides, and in many other conflicts around the world.
As a nation, we cannot hide behind the fact that the majority of Iraqi deaths are at the hands of their own people, of their own religion. A bloody drama has been set in motion in Iraq, a drama which consumes both them and us, and which offers no way out.
This day, perhaps laying down in solidarity with the dead can in some small way resurrect the heart of a nation. Perhaps our grief added to the anguish felt by the families of the dead will swell and rise and reach a kindling temperature whose heat will purify each premature death, each tortured family, each heart seared by the injustice of it all.
I cannot say. No one can predict how this drama will end, certainly not our leaders, who were foolish enough to initiate the unnecessary conflict in the first place. But, standing up for Peace, symbolically laying down beside those who have died, standing out above and beyond the anemic excuses for war, we can resist the wobble of Empire, the swerve which is slowly extinguishing certain inalienable rights our Constitution so righteously guaranteed ALL people upon this planet.

(New Content Posted 11/24/06)
VIDEO FILE: Fur Free Friday, 2006.
Today, November 24, 2006, in downtown Portland Oregon about 150 people took to the streets to bring attention to the gross cruelty involved in the fur industry.
The protest was organized by the Portland chapter of In Defense of Animals, who this day celebrate a one year educational protest of Schumacher Furs. Beginning with a rally here at Schumacher Firs at 9th and SW Morrison, the gathering then toured various fur establishments or shops who sell items made with or adorned with animal fur.
Stops were made at Nicholas Ungar Firs, Sacs Fifth Avenue and Nordstroms, where Matt Rossell, of In Defense of Animals, spoke of the incredible cruelty and callousness involved in the raising, killing and skinning of these animals. In an interview before the march began, Matt said that this torture is, “all about fashion and vanity, and needs to end.”
Besides these three stops, the crowd also gathered across from Pioneer Square to educate shoppers about details of the process used by the fur industry in order to bring the fur coats and other fur items to market. These animals are caged their entire lives, often in filthy living conditions amounting to torture. Sensory deprivation and thirst, among other things, drive many animals crazy. They pace, mutilate themselves, and sometimes even kill their cage mates.
These animals have emotional lives, perhaps not as broad as do human beings, but certainly as deep. Anyone who has had a pet can testify to the depth of attachment, affection and loyalty demonstrated on a daily basis. They can equally feel depressed, frightened, and rage. Watching other animals killed, they know what is coming, and can only remain helplessly in their cages for their turn. And death is no relief, as anal electrocution is the common form of killing them. A metal rod stuffed up their rectum, and the electricty is sent through their bodies. This form of death is not quick or painless, and often the rod slips out and the animal must endure further electrical shock, before death from massive hear failure.
Matt also described the skinning of these animals, where some may not be quite dead, and awaken to be skinned alive. All this so a human being can wear fur, as a sign of prestige or wealth.
After the tour of downtown Portland, the march returned to Schumacher Furs where they promised, “all your torture, all your greed; we’ll be here until the animals are freed.” Matt finished off by requesting that we all make this a cruelty free holiday, and not buy fur.
Included in this report is a 7 minute video of the event.
Fur Free Friday, DSL/CABLE Stream
Fur Free Friday, 56K Stream

(New Content posted 10/28/05)
VIDEO FILE: NOT ONE MORE DEATH, NOT ONE MORE DOLLAR VIGIL
Late this afternoon, October 26, 2005, and into the early evening voices were raised in Portland Oregon memorializing the 2000 U.S. soldiers and countless Iraqis who have died in Iraq during the invasion and occupation.
After a few brief comments by Kelly Campbell and remarks by Michelle De Ford, whose son was killed in Iraq, people lined up and took turns reading off the names of the dead, the soldiers, the Iraqi civilians, the children.
The litany of outrage and sorrow continued for what seemed a lifetime, a prayer and a gong rang out for lives cut short and offered on the altar of greed and indifference. The greed and avarice of a powerful few and the apathy and indifference of the majority of Americans who are content to sit idly by while their government forcibly occupies a sovereign nation, daily murdering its people.
We were all there to remember the many souls who have died along the way. But, ultimately, the dying is not measured by the death toll announced daily by the media; nor by the ruptures and agony experienced by the families of those whose lives have ended so abruptly and senselessly. With every death the United States is minimized, with every family scorched with the heat of war, humanity is lessened; with every innocence devastated, the planet is shrunk to the size of a grave, over which names are being read in solemnn and bewildered agony.
My heart goes out to those brave souls who stood up and read the names of the dead, who maintained their composure enough to finish the task they assigned themselves. One after the other they took the microphone and spoke the names of soldiers, young and the not so young. Of Iraqis, the youngest of which I think was 8 months, 8 MONTHS. A brief blink of life, before ending in a hot flash of searing metal and blinding light and collapsing buildings.The line awaiting their turn to read never seemed to lessen as new faces rose up to lend their voice and their heart to the reading. Tears welled up, hearts swelled with pity, shame and compassion. A full gauntlet of emotions swirled through the crowd like an autumn wind. Leaves fell from the trees and drifted to the pavement- another name, another death, another promise lost to time and possibility.
Yea we are bringing Democracy to Iraq, liberating them a few at a time, and enflaming the insurgency with the growing list of their innocent dead. The names ring in my ears, and the sorrow and determination I saw in many of the faces at this Vigil will remain with me indefinately. We were all there to grieve, yet no grief can measure the monumental loss our country is visiting upon the planet. Nothing can ever serve to excuse these deaths, our soldiers whose innocence has been surrendered in the mounting collateral damage they have inflicted upon a foreign country, however ignorantly and well intentioned.It’s all too much to contemplate, which is why the names must be read, the deaths acknowledged, the loss measured and compiled in our memories and our hearts, striving for an end to this escalating Crime, that is the Occupation of Iraq.
This report includes a 12 minute video of the evening events.
CABLE/DSL Stream
Not One More Death

(New Content posted 4/06/05)
VIDEO FILE: THE HUMAN COST OF WAR DISPLAY IN PORTLAND
The American Friends Service Committee brought its traveling memorial exhibition,”Eyes Wide Open,” to Portland Oregon on April 6 and 7, 2005.
Eyes Wide Open has been traveling the country since January 2004, and has already impacted more than 40 cities crosss-country including: Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington D.C., PhiladelphiaO, Austin and Atlanta.
Through this memorial, organizers seek to honor American soldiers fighting in the War in Iraq and to raise awareness of the high human cost of war. The exhibit opened in Chicago’s Federal Plaza with 500 pairs of boots in January 2004 and wikll continue to grow as the death tool continues to rise.
The First Methodist Church, where the exhibit is being displayed, is filled with pairs of boots, signifying the fallen American soldiers, and 1000 pairs of shoes memorializing a small fraction of thge numerous Iraqi civilians who have been killed in the conflict. A tragic and heart rending scene, layed out with flags, pictures of the deceased both in the armed forces and in younger days, peace signs, sweet grass braids, identification tags, flowers, and other mementos of lives cut short and desperately missed.
Here is a 4 1/2 minute video of the exhibition, which does not do it justice, but does give an approximate visual of the impact and sense of loss conveyed by this display. Perhaps, as Susan Segall, Pacific Northwest regional Director for American Service Committee says in the video, “we’re hoping that in grief and reflection, some new questions can be asked about the necessity of war.”

(New Content posted 3/20/05)
VIDEO FILE: PORTLAND M19 MARCH
On this the two year anniversary of the U.S. preemptive invasion of Iraq, Portland joined many cities world wide to protest the continuing occupation of both Iraq and Afghanistan. 1000 people gathered at the Urban Center, near Portland State University and marched through the streets of Portland to demonstrate their opposition to war and their dedication to the peaceful resolution for all conflicts.
Before the march, Laurie King, of Portland Jobs With Justice spoke to the crowd, defining the reasons for the gathering. “We march today to protest the immoral occupation of Iraq, and we want to bring the troops home where they belong…………..people are mourning the loss of 1500 American soldiers and over 100,000 Iraqi people have died in this immoral war, the 1500 American dead, the thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians deaths.”
After reading a list of Oregon cities who demonstrated against the war, Laurie speaks about demonstrations at Fort Bragg North Carolina, and about the Longshoreman in San Francisco, California, who shut down the port in solidarity with these world wide demonstrations.
The group then marched through the streets of Portland, gathering briefly at the Oregonian to chastize them for their slanted coverage of the war in Iraq and refusal to fully report Palestinian deaths in that occupation.
Finally, back at the starting point, the crowd was exhorted to continue their peace activism, to join peace groups, write letters, particpate in “street heat,” any number of activities in order to bring the important message of Peace to the American people. “Organize broadly and deeply, continue to educate yourselves…………everything is linked together, we all have to talk to everyday people, all has to be pulled together.”
This video file is about 8 minutes in length.
DSL/CABLE Stream
56K Stream

(New Content posted 11/03/04)
VIDEO FILE: PORTLAND RALLY AND MARCH PROTESTING BUSH ELECTION
Meeting at Pioneer Courthouse Square at about 5:00 pm the day after the ‘04 election, people then took to the streets, playing a cat and mouse game with the police.
At the Square various people took the mike, giving their viewpoints about the Bush Administration, the Election, and what the people must do in order to correct the radical swerve to the right our country is taking. Angry, yet thoughtful; raw, yet respectful of each other; boistrous, yet non violent, this first part of the evening, at the Square and afterwards for about an hour, saw much outrage, much condmenation of Bush policies and equally as much creative insight on how to achieve the change everyone was in the streets to generate.
This video gives a window into the mood of the crowd, some words of the speakers, most of whom seemed to be speaking spontaneously and eloquently from the heart of their outrage and disillusion. Mostly young people, but not only young people comprised the majority of the gathering.
I left about 6:30, when, according to newsposts on Portland Indymedia, the march heated up, and several arrests were made. Portraying the Rally at the Square and the first hour or so of the march, this six minute video also shows two arrests, or actually the aftermath of one arrest on Burnside, and an arrest a little later on.
DSL/CABLE Stream
56K Stream

(New Content posted 08/17/04)
VIDEO FILE: FOREST ADVOCATES SHUT DOWN UMPQUA BANK
On Wednesday morning, a group of forest advocates shut down the 11th and NW Lovejoy branch of the Umpqua Bank in Portland Oregon. Once an activist in owl costume locked down to a large tree stump placed on the sidewalk in front of the bank, the festivities, chanting and theatre began.
During the closure, demonstrators handed out literature detailing their grievances with the management of the Bank, which is tied to old growth logging in the Pacific Northwest. According to the protest spokesperson on site, “Umpqua Bank has close ties to Herbert Lumber and Roseburg Forest Products…..supports the old growth logging industry of Oregon, destroying our water, our wildlife and our forests, while greenwashing their image in Portland and across the state to increase their market. We’re here to expose these ties.”
Asked if these antics might succeed only in alienating the public, the spokesperson for the group replied, “it’s an important part of bringing the message to the public, to be able to engage in non violent civil disobedience. And it’s an important part in how we can protect our National Forests from the commercial timber sale program. When the politicians and the corporations are not listening to the public, which is overwhemingly opposed to continuing to log our old growth forests…..We have to take our message to the street.”
Police appeared rapidly, and, other than pulling down banners from the building, did not interfere with the demonstration. It was said that the manager of the bank requested the affair be kept low key as possible,which meant no charges were being pressed against those who had basically shut their business down, poured sawdust all over the sidewalk, and performed street theatre in the middle of the upscale Pearl district. An officer told me that folks across the street were miffed by the activities and called out to have the demonstration ended, yet, since no laws were being broken, police didn’t interfere in the activities. I’ve never seen such mellow and accomodating police officers in my life, especially during an instance of civil disobedience.
For information on this and other forest issues visit
Cascadia Rising
This video is about 7 1/2 minutes in length.
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(New Content posted 08/17/04)
VIDEO FILE: FOREST ADVOCATES OCCUPY SEN. WYDENS OFFICE
This is a 3 minute video taken from inside Senator Ron Wydens office this morning, August 17, 2004. About 25 forest activists occupied the office for a short time, hoping to consult with Senator Wyden or either of his environmental assistants. Senator Wyden was not available, and, apparantly, neither were either of his two assisstants.
The group brought a power point presentation with them to present, but this didn’t happen. At first Wydens staff agreed to sit down with six members of the group, then twelve, then negotiations broke down and everyone departed, perhaps due to the fact that an amount of sawdust, “trees blood,” was poured out on the rug, outraging the owner of the building.

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(New Content posted 07/22/04)
VIDEO FILE: TRE ARROW-OUT ON A LEDGE
This is a 5 1/2 minute piece of Tre Arrow on the ledgwe at the USFS building ib the summer of 2000, speaking to a large crwod that had gathered to witness him coming down after 11 days.
An article from the Oregonian about the occupation of the ledge
Oregonian Article

Current information about Tre can be found on the search engine at Portland Indymedia
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New content posted 07/08/04
VIDEO FILE: NW FOREST DEFENSE-PROTECTING MT. HOOD, THE TONGASS AND THE SISKIYOUS.
Tuesday, July 6, 2004, simultaneous rallies were held in Portland and Medford to protest the largest public lands timber sale in modern history in the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area in Southwestern, Oregon. The Portland rally first gathered at the Greenpeace ship, Artic Sunrise, and then moved the brief distance to the Battleship Memorial in Waterfront Park.
The brief program was moderated by Joe Keating of Witnesses Against Lawless Logging. Joe first introduced Rolf Skar, of the Siskiyou Project, who gave a synopsis of the threat to this unique area. Next to speak was Laura Etherton of OSPIRG, followed by Jake Krielick of the National Forest Protection Alliance
From there all marched down to the US Forest Service office chanting “shame on you.” At the building they were greeted by about 4 officers, one armed with some kind of high tech paint gun, who kept the crowd back away from the doors of the building, which was, as usual, in shut down mode. This is the first time I’ve seen this scenario, where the people were kept back away from the doorway of the building, Again, the event was moderated by Joe Keating, first introducing Rolf Skar who announced the winnder of this years “Golden Stump Award. The winners were George Bush, Linda Goodman, regional Forest Service supervisor, and Mark Rey, a former timber lobbyist for 25 years who is now in charge of the Forest Service
.Following the award ceremony burnt biscuits were lined up on the sidewalk to emphasize dissatisfaction with current Forest Service plans to log 372 million board feet in the Biscuit post-fire project, filling 70,000 logging trucks.

(New Content posted 05/04/04)
VIDEO FILE: RISE IN REMEMBRANCE
Sunday afternoon, July 27, 2004, an event entitled Rise in Remembrance was held in Laurelhurst park to honor the US soldiers killed in Iraq. The event culminated in the release of black balloons carrying a red tag for each US Soldier who died in Iraq.
(Taken from the Rise in Remembrnce website:)”At a time when the images of fallen soldiers are being censored by the media and the government, we are clouded to the true casualties of war–those lives lost and the families they leave behind. In recognition of their service, an equal number of black balloons to the number of American soldiers killed in the Iraq War will be released from Laurelhurst Park June 27th. Each biodegradable balloon will carry a card stating a soldier’s information in remembrance to the individual sacrifice made for our country. The intent is to provide an opportunity for release and communal support for those who have suffered a loss, and to question whether the casualties justify the war’s goals and agenda.”
“MERCY KNOWS NO RESON FOR THE KILLINGS.”
After Andrea of Rise in Remembrance made some brief introductory remarks, the event was moderated by Marvin Simmons, of Northwest Veterans for Peace. Speakers included Jefferson Smith of the Bus Project; Grant Remington, Veteran and President of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 72; Tom Markgraf, Sr. advisor to Rep. Earl Bluenauer; statements from family members of those killed in Iraq war and occupation; and one other speaker, a minister I believe, whose name I didn’t catch.
Unfortunately the event was sparsely attended, but what it lacked in numbers it made up in heart and compassion. The deaths of these soldiers in the face of the lies and dissemulation which brought them to this fate is more than tragic, it is CRIMINAL. Those who love Democracy in this country are burdened, not only with an Administration seeking world Empire, but by a population apparantly asleep at the wheel, lulled into a numb state by a Corporate Media refusing to ask hard questions of government officials or challenge the growing Corporate influence upon every facet of our daily lives.
People spoke with a depth of feeling that went far beyond Death and Loss, but welled up from deeper sources of Love of humanity and Democracy, which alone makes this country great. Neither wealth nor the bludgeon we wield across the planet makes this country great. What makes a nation, a people, a culture great is it’s ability to provide space for all voices and keep its promises, especially to those with little power.
This is an 8 1/2 minute video of a little of those speakers and music.

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(New Content posted 02/05/04)
VIDEO FILE: Student Activist Alliance March and Rally
Students gathered at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland on February 2, 2004, to protest the low priority government gives to education. After gathering at the Square, they marched through downtown Portland to City Hall and back to the Square.
The event was not so much in support of Measure 30, as a protest against these constantly recurring band aid measures. A student, William Gillis, stated that “we’re here to shine the light on all that’s gone wrong with the public education system in the last 13 years as we’ve lost funds again and again and again. They keep saying it’s gonna stop, the bills are gonna reform it, but they never take any action to stop it. We have to say something, we have to have our voices heard.”
The students moved boisterously, but peacefully up Broadway, taking to the middle of the street almost immediately, and were herded to the sidewalk just as immediately by Portland police. Police officers ran to the head of the march, pushing past many students out in the middle of the street, and moved to surround and roughly arrest a well known peace activist. This person was at that time moving towards the sidewalk, and was able to grab on to the fire hydrant at the curb side before he was dragged to the ground by a number of officers. In ignoring others who were also out in the street, the arrest seemed to target a specific individual.
Two minute video segment of this arrest.
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Moving through downtown Portland to City Hall, the students loudly chanted, “student power,” education is liberation,” and books not bombs.” At City Hall, another of their memebers addressed the crowd, speaking first about Measure Five “which limited tax revenues in Oregon and shifted the bulk of the funding from the schools to the state general fund. Now the majority of our funding is allocated by the Oregon Legislature…..Each year as the budget shortfall grows, funding for our schools system is shrinking.”
The speaker complained about the legislature bringing forth, “these crappy band aid measures.” Citing these mesures she says, “yea they have to pass because the results will be tragic if these measures don’t pass, but it doesn’t matter. We don’t need a band aid; we need serious surgery.” Finishing the remarks with chanting, “take back our education,” the students marched back towards Pioneer Courhouse Square.
Here, after another round of chanting, the group broke up. At this point, after the legal observers had departed, and local community media had put away their cameras, police swooped to arrest one of the student who had been a high profile organizer of the march, and confiscated the camera she was using to document the event. Both arrests of the evening seemed to target specific individual, in that they ignored others whose conduct was no different than the ones arested. Perhaps the goal wasn’t to protct the public so much as to emphasize authority and intimidate those who demonstrate for change and justice.
Indymedia Post

(New Content posted 02/04/04)
VIDEO FILE: Police Target Activist For Arrest
Video footage of the first arrest at the Monday evening Student Activist Alliance March in downtown Portland, February 2, 2004. Footage clearly shows officers singling out the individual for arrest.
Upon leaving Pioneer Courthouse Square, people almost immediately begain marching up Broadway Avenue. As soon as they took to the streeet, patrol cars sped up Broadway, with sirens, and parked in the middle of the road. These officers then ran to the head of the march, which was already moving towards the sidewalk, running past some marchers in the street, and shoving others out of their way. They then grabbed the individual, who was himself so close to the sidewalk that he grabbed a fire hydrant to keep himself from being dragged off.
This all takes place about 25 seconds in to the tape. The individual was thrown to the ground, and tben dragged to a patrol car where he was straddled across the hood. Officers clearly ran past others who were in the street in order to apprehend the person arrested. This person is a well known peace activist, who helped organize rallies and marches against the preemptive war with Iraq.

(New Content posted 01/21/04)
VIDEO FILE: Dick Cheney Scams Portland
On January 13, 2003, Dick Cheney struck Portland a glancing blow and made off with close to half a million dollars. Those attendeding the event to protest the policies of the Bush adminstration were crowded in to a small “protest zone,” barely within shouting distance to the Embassy Suite Hotel where Dick was fleecing his constituency.

This is a 6 minute video from that “protest zone,” as the 75 or so people struggled with the suppression of their constitutional rights and the typical over reaction of the police, who at least equalled the number of protesters.
Being shot mostly after dark, the video is somewhat difficult to make out, though the night shot function of the camera helps quite a bit. I figure that the video is worth posting, as it does give an idea of what the “protest zone” was like and clearly portrays the community response to this outrage.
All who attended were peaceful, though legitimately angered over the diminishment of their right to voice their grievences to an elected official and the ludicrous show of force by local law enforcement.
What is Dick Cheney so afraid of?
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(New Content posted 08/22/03)
VIDEO FILE: A21
A seven minute video on the A21 march and demonstration. There was such an incredible display of wit and creativity, that no video could document it adaquately. But, here is my attempt to at least partially portray the events of the day
From the march in the beginning, throughout the morning to the police shutdown of Columbia Park in the afternoon, the day was full of satire, parody, music, theatre, and yes, contempt, taunts and ridicule. I must remark on the contrast between government and police severity of demeanor and the frolicing, boistrous, almost carnival deportment of the crowd. Citizens were there to make a serious statement against Bush adminstration policies which are slowly eroding our civil rights, our environment and our standard of living. Yet, much of it was accomplished with individualistic humor, with innovative phrases and creative motion.
Contrast the staunch, morose, anonomous robotic minions of law and order, standing, marching, riding, advancing, attacking in straight lines, a fleet of carbon copy machines, without thought, without individuality, following orders, following orders. In some ways they were the funniest part of the day, if one ignores for a moment their trained tendency towards violence as their bottom line response to minor infractions of “law and order.”
And too, there were the Bush supporters. I guess it all depends on your point of view. Though doesn’t it seem like a paradox to you that so many of his defenders are Christians, whose “savior” is also called “the Prince of Peace,” whose fundamental religious tenants demand one turn the other cheek when abused, and that, perhaps arguably, Christs most famous and universally acclaimed teaching is “above all things, love one another?”For those of you that were there, perhaps this video will bring some of it back; to those who were not, perhaps this will give you an inkling of this local reaction to the latest escapade of George Bush in Oregon, collecting from the rich, distaining the rest.
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(New Content posted 08/20/03)
VIDEO FILE: TWO BUSH VIDEOS
Dug around a little in my video archieves looking for anything concerning Bush’s prior visits to “little Beruit.” Found two. First,this 9 minute video of a gathering in Pioneer Square on January 20, 2001, protesting the stolen election.
This video was originally produced for television, which is a little different than streaming video on the internet, so some of the signs and graphics may not be clear. But, the images and words demonstrate clear outrage for the criminal assault on our constituion and deep concern over where this will lead Video features various speakers, finishing up with Lloyd Marbet.
Interesting, we all knew that we were in for a difficult ride, but I don’t think we understood back then just how rough the ride would be. I know I certainly didn’t fully copmprehend the magnitude of the assaults, on the environment, on civil liberties, on labor, on armed forces and veterans benefits and salary, the tax cuts for the rich and the contempt for working class people. Everywhere you look, America, is crumbling and becoming a pariah on the world secene, beligerant, bellicose, arrogant, contemptuous, and worse of all, squandering not only our massive resources, but the noble experiment of freedom and justice for all.
From the USA PATRIOT ACT to the tax cuts for the rich; to the biggest annual deficit in history; to the appointment of more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history; to dissolving more international treaties than any president in US history; to being first president in US history to order a US attack against a sovereign nation, against the will of the will of the United Nations and the world community; to having removed more checks and balances, and having the least amount of congressional oversight than any presidential administration in US history; to being the first president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the Human Rights Commission; to withdrawing from the World Court of Law and refusing to allow inspectors’ access to US prisoners of war and by default no longer abiding by the Geneva Conventions; to being the first president in US history to refuse United Nations election inspectors access during the 2002 US elections, the ride has been wickedly consistant and anyone who is not in total denial can see where this road is leading. (Above paragraph modified from a communication by By Helen Thomas, UPI.)Reminds me of a quote, I believe attributed to Oscar Wilde: “America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without being civilized along the way.”
Inauguration Day, 2001
A second video is from the first Bush visit, in January 2001, where he first visited a youth facility on MLK, and then a high school at NE 122nd and Sandy. This 7 1/2 minute video is from the park, before the March to MLK Blvd, featuring speakers on various issues.
January 2001 Bush Visit

(New Content posted 03/30/03)
VIDEO FILE: ARMY OF NONE RALLY AND MARCH
Organized by a group calling themselves the Army of None, concerned citizens gathered at Pioneer Square on Saturday, March 29, 2003 to protest the U.S. illegal invasion of Iraq and the murder of innocent civilians.
From the top steps of the Square organizers first quoted Thomas Paine. Next, after stating that the Oregon Constitution was written expressly to safeguard the civil rights of Oregonians beyond those of the U.S. Constitution, excerpts from the Oregon State Constitution were read. One excerpt stated that the citizens had the ability to determine whether the government was acting in the best interests of the people, and guaranteed them the power to do so.
Following the Rally, the people marched through Portland to the South Park Blocks for an open microphone, where various citizens spoke their mind about the war in Iraq and the machinations of the Bush Administration. The use of Depleted Uranium (DU)in U.S. weaponry and the misuse of public funds to harass and intimidate protesters were only two of the many brief but poignant speeches given at this time.
From there all marched down to support the Peace Camp, a 24 hour a day Peace Vigil, located along fourth street across from City Hall. This Vigil will continue until the bombs stop falling.
Along the way Marchers were confronted with a small group of Pro War belligerents, who, in an obvious attempt to provoke a confrontation, almost completely blocked the sidewalk directly in the path of the March. Portland Police were quick to move onto the scene, but did not attempt to clear the sidewalk. One officer, Rawlings, made a feeble attempt to inform them that they were breaking the law, but more vehement were his vocal assertions that the Pro War group were merely voicing their opinions, as were the protesters. My statements that the protesters were not atempting to incite a riot were repeatedly ignored by this “Officer of the Peace.” Another blatant example of PPD bias and selective law enforcement.
This video is about 8 1/2 minutes long, and features a portion of the track, “Oh America,” by Jenn Rawlings, from the locally produced CD,
911 After Words.
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(New Content posted 03/23/03)
VIDEO FILE: March 23, 2003 PEACE RALLY AT PORTLAND TERRY SCHRUNK PLAZA
As organized for weeks in advance in the eventuality that the US invaded Iraq, people gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza to express their opposition to this premptive strike.
Just 5 days after a march and protest which turned out at least 30,00 people, this rally featured numerous speakers, individuals and those speaking for a multiplicty of organizations, all voicing their outrage at the path of war chosen by the Bush administration. Besides outrage, many spoke of compassion and grief for the loss of innocent lives.
This video is about a 14 minute synopsis of some of the speakers. Powerful words, powerful emotions, and a powerful resolve to stop this war machine which is pursuing a course of unprovoked agression against another country and alienating much of the world in the process. Some of these speakers include, a representative from Women International League for Peace and Freedom, a couple students, and a Viet Nam veteran.
Following the rally people took to the streets, spontaneously taking some of the streets and bridges, shutting down portions of downtown Portland until after midnight, resulting in police use of pepper spray, rubber bullets and concussion grenades.
For extensive coverage of these events, and the subsequent long week end of similar street actions, see Portland Indymedia
One group involved in organizing this and other Peace events:
Peace and Justice Works
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(New Content posted 03/18/03)
VIDEO FILE: March 15, 2003 PEACE RALLY AND MARCH IN PORTLAND OREGON
30,000 people gathered this day at Waterfront Park by the Williamette River in downtown Portland to protest the U.S. preemptive invasion of Iraq.
After some music and an address by John Lewis, long time civil rights activist and current Represenative from Georgia, the crowd marched a circuitous route through downtown Portland, finshing off with more music and speeches back at Waterfront Park.
There were numerous feeder marches as well as the larger march: the Pacific Green Party, the Hiroshima Flame Walkers and an unpermitted march, which temporarily “took back” the Morrison Bridge, before being pepper sprayed and forcibley removed. For pictures and commentary on this last part of the event, Portland Indymedia
For an audio file of the presentation by John Lewis, John Lewis
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(New Content posted 03/10/03)
VIDEO FILE: NO WAR IN IRAQ DEMONSTRATORS SHUT DOWN PORTLAND FEDERAL BUILDING.
At noon today, March 10, 2002, seven Portland citizens acting as Weapons Inspectors shut down the Federal Building in downtown Portland for about two hours in opposition to the war in Iraq.
(From the Press Packet)
This civilian resistance is part of an international; popular effort against a war in Iraq. People have been blocking trains transporting US military equipment in Italy and the Netherlands, disabling US military planes i n Ireland on their way to the Middle East, and blockading the doors of military recruting stations in San Francisco.”If the US government will not listen as the world boldly declares “NO WAR IN IRAQ’, we as citizens must engage in civil resistance to prevent this illegal, unjust and unnecessary war,” said participant Tamara Wallace.
“Why are we spending billions of dollars oon a war in Iraq when people ar home in Oregon are suffering from under-funded schools and social services?” said another of the blockaders, Josh Raisler Cohn.
In the press packet was information from two groups: Center for Economic and Social Rights, phone number 718-237-9145 and National Priorities Project, phone numbwer 413-584-9556, concerning the costs and consequences of war in Iraq.
Two other groups mentioned in the Press Packet were Voices in the Wilderness who listed 10 solid reasons for No War With Iraq; and Iraq Peace Pledge who, among other materials, gave a brief background of the conflict in Iraq.
Three web sites for more information:
Education For Peace in Iraq Center
Iraq Peace Team
Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq

One remarkable point of the afternoon occured when a police officer was attempting to move the crowd back to the side walk from the building. Being told that this building belonged to the people, that the government belonged to the people, he replied, “no, it doesn’t.” So much for Democracy!!
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(New Content posted 03/02/03)
VIDEO FILE: NORTHWEST PORTLAND PEACE MARCH
People the world over are gathering in groups large and small to protest the Bush administration’s move to a preemptive war with Iraq. On Saturday, March 1, 2003 about 100 people met at Wallace Park and marched through the local Northwest Portland business district in a high profile statement against the war.
This march was another indication that not only countries, cities and towns are stepping out for Peace, but neighborhoods are joining in and demonstrating their solidarity with this international Movement against the failure of War as a foreign policy.
I interviewed four people after the March had returned to the Park. None believe that the administration reasons for war with Iraq are either reasonable or real, and that there is another agenda behind the strident rhetoric and patriotic thumping. An agenda one hears from all quarters of the globe: control of the petrolem reserves of Iraq, and perhaps a large step towards global empire. Video is about 7 minutes in length.

Soon after the first of the year I interviewed some people demonstrating against the war along Highway 101 in Waldport and Newport at the Oregon coast. For a ten minute audio file of those interviews: Coasting for Peace

Northwest Portland Peace March

(New Content 4/16/02)
Peace is Patriotic. Short video of the community protest against George W. Bush when he briefly visited Portland on January 5, 2002. A longer version is now playing on Community Television channels. For schedules of the longer version, Portland Cable Access

Portland Protests George Bush

Portland Protests George Bush

Michael Parenti Interview. Conducted by Portland Indymedia reporter, Kellie La Bonty, at Pioneer Courthouse Square, during the Peace, Solidarity and Change, anti-War March of February 27, 2002.

Michael Parenti Interview

(New Content 3/25/02)
Spoken Word Artist, Turiya Autry, performing at the John Trudell and Bad Dog concert, Wednesday, March 20, 2002. Powerful imagery and social change content.

Turiya Autry

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(New Content 3/12/02)
Interview with Miguel Fredes, President of the Southern Environmental Law Center, concerning destruction of Chilean temperate rainforests.

Miguel Fredes