Civilian soldiers have again struck a blow to the stockpiles
of the 1%. On December 12, 2011 nearly the entire West Coast was shut down by
the forces of the 99%. Medford and Ashland sent reinforcements in the form of
12 Occupiers to Portland’s Port Shutdown.
Resistance was heavy by 7:30 a.m. with a massive police
presence on bike, by car, and in riot suits. In no way did it stop Occupiers
from accomplishing their goals. The police line blocked the road while
Occupiers picketed, creating a line of two opposing forces accomplishing the
same end: no deliveries in or out.
By 9:30 the crowd at each of the three terminals had swelled
to roughly 350 each. As the day wore on the police realized the futility of
keeping a large presence at the peaceful picket line and left the area. An
announcement was made that the workers had been sent home for the day. There
was rejoicing at our first successful shift as the crowds started to disperse,
off to prepare for the next shift at 4:00 p.m.
By 1:00 p.m. the crowd at Terminal 5 (where Medford
concentrated itself) was down to about 80 people. This is when donations of
food came in with a truck which had massive speakers and a DJ with Cascadia on its flat bed.
An Occuparty was in motion.
At 3:30 the crowd had grown again. After a few impromptu
general assembly meetings it was decided to move the group to the other half of
the port for the evening shift. Hundred’s of people made the march or drive 3
miles down the peninsula.
By 8:00 p.m. the ports were effectively shut down with no
protest related arrests or reported injuries. It was an impressive display of
democracy at every turn as the people operated in solidarity with their fellow
citizens to stop the abuse perpetrated against so many working people in this
country and around the world.
Great story!
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