Lennon was born Oct. 9, 1940. He was shot to death in front of his New York City home Dec. 8, 1980. Protesters plan to sing his 1971 song "Imagine" during Sunday's march.
Also on Saturday, about five dozen Occupy Portland protesters camped in Chapman Square will move to the South Park Blocks near Portland State University. A skeleton crew of protesters will stay in Chapman Square during the marathon, but the larger group plans to make way for the race.
The group also plans to join other Occupy Portland supporters to march back to Chapman Square Sunday after the Portland Marathon is finished.
Organizers posted a statement on the OccupyPortland.org website saying that "The mayor’s office graciously invited us to join the race, behind the runners at 2:30 p.m. We follow them from the Rose Quarter, over the Broadway Bridge, along Naito Parkway, West on Southwest Jefferson to Southwest Fourth to the occupied Chapman Park/camp/headquarters."
Organizers said they would “get out of the marathon’s way.”
The decision is a compromise that could allow marathon volunteers to use Chapman Square. The race, which begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, should be finished by noon, with many runners finishing by 9:45 or 10 a.m.
"The Portland Marathon understands the intentions of those protesting at Occupy Portland," organizers said in the news release. "Portland Marathon officials are working closely with City and representatives from Occupy Portland to reach a solution. The Portland Marathon is confident they reach a compromise that meets the needs of all parties."
The Portland Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, and was plannned to start and end at the downtown park where the demonstrators are camping, according to the marathon's map. Marathon organizers have a permit to use the park, which is bordered downtown by Southwest Salmon and Southwest Jefferson streets and Southwest Third and Southwest Fourth avenues.
Thousands of "Occupy Portland" protesters made their way through downtown Thursday, and some of them spent a wet night there.
Portland police allowed a group of protesters who chose to camp out to do so overnight at Lownsdale Park.
But the city is gearing up for the Portland Marathon over the weekend, and it’s not clear what the protesters will do as marathon preparations begin.
A Portland police patrol car is found "tagged" near Pioneer Courthouse Square early Friday a.m. Two were arrested. Courtesy Portland p.d.
Portland police have said the protesters will need to leave by 9 a.m. because the marathon organizers have a permit.
As April Baer reported, the group is "not very hierarchical" and informally was discussing options early this morning.
Baer said it was not a very restful night in the noisy downtown, but that there was lot of excitement in the air. (Hear her 6:45 a.m. Q&A report by clicking the audio icon above).
Meanwhile, Portland police reported early Friday that two arrests had been made at about 1 a.m.
According to the release, 21-year-old Nolan Zane MacGregor and a 17-year-old were observed "tagging" several buildings including a Starbucks and a patrol car.
Police said the two suspects were in possession of aerosol paint, stencils, and over 100 "Occupy Portland" flyers.
But police stressed that these were the only two arrests in an otherwise peaceful night.
The group "Occupy Portland" is one of many around the nation inspired by protests in New York dubbed "Occupy Wall Street."
The groups have been active on social networking sites. Twitter users are using the "hash tag" #OccupyPortland.
No comments:
Post a Comment