protests, oh MY!
I didn't go to lunch until about 3 today. Occupy Portland was in full swing at Pioneer Courthouse Square as I went by. There was an unusually negative edge to it - not normal for Portland where protests are usually quite easy-going and Portland-like. When I got to the other side of the square, I came across a massive traffic jam - someone had abandoned their car in the middle lane of traffic on Alder at Broadway - I guess out of frustration with not being able to either park or drive. The net result was even more traffic until the tow truck came. There was much humor at the expense of the driver whose car is now at the impound lot!
Meanwhile the police were getting edgier and edgier. Some of the protesters were drifting off, but the square was still packed at 3:30. As I get back to the office at about 4, the riot squads were rushing down Salmon on their Suburbans, there were two police helicopters hovering close overhead, and I hadn't heard a MAX train in about a half hour. Things are quieter now (4:45) but we heard a lot of sirens about a half hour ago and none of our clients made it to their appointments today, probably because of the warnings about disruptions to bus service.
Will be interesting to see what they have to say about this on the news tonight.
Meanwhile the police were getting edgier and edgier. Some of the protesters were drifting off, but the square was still packed at 3:30. As I get back to the office at about 4, the riot squads were rushing down Salmon on their Suburbans, there were two police helicopters hovering close overhead, and I hadn't heard a MAX train in about a half hour. Things are quieter now (4:45) but we heard a lot of sirens about a half hour ago and none of our clients made it to their appointments today, probably because of the warnings about disruptions to bus service.
Will be interesting to see what they have to say about this on the news tonight.