Elders Shut Down Military Recruiters Office in Portland Oregon
13:35
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2 years ago
Today, March 30, 2007, members of the Portland Community opposing the war in Iraq protested the military recruiters office on NE Broadway. When I arrived, there were about 20 people present and three elders in rocking chairs blocking the doorways, refusing entry at one point to an 18 years old who had an appointment inside.
The young man was affable and not at all enraged or indignant about being refused admittance, though the same could not be said for Officer Schaffer who verbally engaged the protesters for several minutes before pushing elders aside to gain entry both in and out of the offices.
This officer, though short of abusive, insisted repeatedly that the young man had the Constitutional right to make the choice to enter the building and serve his country. Though the officer was able to physically push his way past the Grannie blockade, the young man showed much more respect and consideration for those who were trying to save his life, or protect him from contributing to the massive war crimes being committed daily in Iraq.
On hand was Col. Ann Wright (ret.) a 29 year Army veteran and diplomat who resigned in opposition to the invasion of Iraq, local members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Pace, Chapter 72, Code Pink for Peace, and Portland Peaceful Response Coalition. Ann Wright was an inspirational speaker who engaged the crowd a couple of times, offering her perspective and her experiences with the resistance to the war taking place in Washington D.C.
The 13 1/2 minute video includes a 5 minute or so interview with her as well as footage of the arrests.
Two officers eventually appeared and queried the grannies blocking the door if they intended to get arrested. They replied that they would not remove their rocking chairs from the doorways. The officers left, but returned with reinforcements, who arrested the elders seated in their rocking chairs, cuffed them and escorted them to the car, amidst cheers and refrains from, "we shall overcome."
Another small group of protesters entered the building from a side doors, which quickly brought officers to that part of the building. Two or three of this number exited the building, while one woman was arrested and escorted to jail.
I think the total was five arrests. I don't know the count, but during the three month campaign, scores of elders have been arrested, and insist that these weekly blockades will continue until the Occupation is ended.
This, as with the weekly www.defundthewar.com campaign at the offices of Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, is an ongoing presence for Peace in Portland Oregon.
We can all do something!Today, March 30, 2007, members of the Portland Community opposing the war in Iraq protested the military recruiters office on NE Broadway. W...all »Today, March 30, 2007, members of the Portland Community opposing the war in Iraq protested the military recruiters office on NE Broadway. When I arrived, there were about 20 people present and three elders in rocking chairs blocking the doorways, refusing entry at one point to an 18 years old who had an appointment inside.
The young man was affable and not at all enraged or indignant about being refused admittance, though the same could not be said for Officer Schaffer who verbally engaged the protesters for several minutes before pushing elders aside to gain entry both in and out of the offices.
This officer, though short of abusive, insisted repeatedly that the young man had the Constitutional right to make the choice to enter the building and serve his country. Though the officer was able to physically push his way past the Grannie blockade, the young man showed much more respect and consideration for those who were trying to save his life, or protect him from contributing to the massive war crimes being committed daily in Iraq.
On hand was Col. Ann Wright (ret.) a 29 year Army veteran and diplomat who resigned in opposition to the invasion of Iraq, local members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Pace, Chapter 72, Code Pink for Peace, and Portland Peaceful Response Coalition. Ann Wright was an inspirational speaker who engaged the crowd a couple of times, offering her perspective and her experiences with the resistance to the war taking place in Washington D.C.
The 13 1/2 minute video includes a 5 minute or so interview with her as well as footage of the arrests.
Two officers eventually appeared and queried the grannies blocking the door if they intended to get arrested. They replied that they would not remove their rocking chairs from the doorways. The officers left, but returned with reinforcements, who arrested the elders seated in their rocking chairs, cuffed them and escorted them to the car, amidst cheers and refrains from, "we shall overcome."
Another small group of protesters entered the building from a side doors, which quickly brought officers to that part of the building. Two or three of this number exited the building, while one woman was arrested and escorted to jail.
I think the total was five arrests. I don't know the count, but during the three month campaign, scores of elders have been arrested, and insist that these weekly blockades will continue until the Occupation is ended.
This, as with the weekly www.defundthewar.com campaign at the offices of Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, is an ongoing presence for Peace in Portland Oregon.
We can all do something!«
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