I posted this diary the other day explaining my frustration with the city regarding their views of the Occupy Encampment.
Today I get another email claiming again the use of the park by the public was restricted.
Again I say there was no restriction of my ability to use the park. As the park is now completely fenced off makes this argument even more ludicrous.
I loved the civic engagement our common space was being used for.
The reason homelessness became an issue with OPDX is because the emergency shelter has a three month waiting list. Too bad those that were so successful in covering up and criminalizing the issues of the homeless had to see the reality of far too many people on their doorstep.
I just love this doublespeak Orwell would be proud:
Portland is a place where civic engagement is valued, and there are multiple avenues to affect local decisions. Commissioner Fritz encourages you and other supporters to join current efforts to change local, state and national policies, and/or to start your own advocacy groups in Portland's 95 neighborhoods if you don't find existing efforts match your desired goals.
"Multiple avenues to affect local decisions" followed by "start your own advocacy groups". Wing it on my own because we won't tell you what these magical avenues of redress are.
Dear HBIII,
Thank you for signing the petition from Occupy Portland supporters urging Commissioner Fritz to allow protesters to camp out in Portland parks without paying for permits or for repairs to the parks. Commissioner Fritz received more than 400 identical emails on this topic this past weekend. She also has more than 400 emails in her inbox from Portland citizens concerned about a variety of other issues affecting Portlanders, so she asked me to respond to your email.
Commissioner Fritz shares many of the concerns of Occupy Portland protesters regarding federal policies and funding. Here in Portland, citizens have multiple avenues to affect political decision-making locally. Commissioner Fritz is an immigrant and neighborhood activist/community organizer who worked as an RN at OHSU in inpatient psychiatry (and she was a leader in the 56 day RN strike at OHSU in 2001-2) before being elected to the Portland City Council using Public Campaign Financing (Voter Owned Elections). She is a community representative on the Council, your voice in City Hall. She welcomes your input and is planning to co-sponsor initiatives requested by Occupy Portland, such as lobbying the federal government and altering City policy on Responsible Banking, for example.
Illegal camping in public parks takes space owned by all Portlanders for the benefit of the few camping there. While camping out is a visible way to protest, it is not necessary for pursuing the political agenda, as there are other ways of remaining visible and active in advocacy. And illegal camping distracts the focus from the reason for the protests. Even leaders in the Occupy movement have admitted that many other problems with drugs, crime, mental health and houselessness soon overshadowed the primary Occupy issues and became the primary focus with the encampment. History from large encampments before the Chapman and Lownsdale Occupy protests shows why the City cannot allow this activity again, no matter how valid the Council may consider the purpose of a camp.
The camping agenda of Occupiers drains General Fund resources. While the Commissioner agrees that there might have been ways to provide a more measured use of police overtime, that bureau is not under her control, we did not know that at the time, and hindsight will not change the outcome in terms of money spent. We have a finite amount of tax dollars to spend wisely here in Portland. Dedicating those scarce resources to support Occupy Portland campers again with new camps would mean less money for Portland's neighborhood services.
Occupy Portland supporters who believe camping is a core component of the movement may seek a private property owner willing to host a camp, and then help that owner apply for a recreational camping permit. There are ways to camp out in Portland without impacting resources needed by all Portlanders.
While Commissioner Fritz received close to 500 emails from people signing the Occupy Portland petition this weekend, there are more than 582,000 people living in Portland who depend on City services. Commissioner Fritz has responsibility for providing basic services for all Portlanders. The city will need to repair Chapman and Lownsdale parks, an expense that the Parks Bureau and the City was not expecting. It would be a show of solidarity with other Portlanders if Occupy Portland supporters donate funds that will help to repair this public asset. We suggest sending an email along with your donation, to tell everyone that you are donating to support Occupy Portland. Donations may be made online here: http://www.portlandparksfoundation.org/...
Citizens concerned about wise use of limited resources to provide services for Portlanders are welcome to participate as advisors in the City of Portland's 2011-12 budget process. See here for a schedule of engagement opportunities: http://www.portlandonline.com/...
Portland is a place where civic engagement is valued, and there are multiple avenues to affect local decisions. Commissioner Fritz encourages you and other supporters to join current efforts to change local, state and national policies, and/or to start your own advocacy groups in Portland's 95 neighborhoods if you don't find existing efforts match your desired goals.
Portlanders who are the 99% will support this movement for its national goals, but will not ultimately support Occupy Portland if it continues to take away from other local public resources and goals for which City leaders are charged to protect. Occupy supporters can be visible by getting involved by acquiring permits to march peacefully and with predictability for working people needing to get to jobs and childcare responsibilities; by joining other like-minded groups; by registering to set up booths in local neighborhood fairs, and getting permits to set up booths in parks and plazas where you can peacefully and steadfastly get your message out to those who are not yet understanding or convinced of the movement's importance and merits. Supporters can also be visible and involved by testifying about issues in communications at City Council, and by supporting and commenting on other City legislation that will ultimately change how we do business with ourselves and the rest of the world in support of the 99%.
Thank you for joining the deeper public discussion on this issue, in addition to signing Occupy Portland's on-line petition.
Sincerely,
Caitlin Lilly, on behalf of Commissioner Amanda Fritz
Those that wish to respond:
Commissioner Amanda Fritz
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 220
Portland OR 97204
(503) 823-3008
Amanda@portlandoregon.gov