Today in Occupy: December 8, 2011

• Denis Theriault, Portland Mercury’s News Editor, explains the source (and controversy) of 500 Occupy Portland t-shirts handed out on November 13, 2011.
• Justin James Bridges, Occupy Portland’s ASL interpreter, testifies at a City Council hearing on police accountability. Bridges was injured in the November 13 police actions to evict Occupy Portland demonstrators. More information: press@occupyportland.org
• Occupy Portland and Portland Parks & Recreation announce a December 14 cleanup at Lownsdale and Chapman squares.
• The Occupy Portland daytime “re-occupation” organizers are meeting to discuss logistics. The meeting is 5 pm at 333 NW 4th Avenue. More information: press@occupyportland.org
• The community meets tonight to continue planning for the December 12 ports demonstration. The meeting is 7–9 pm at 3556 SE 26th Avenue. Occupy Portland’s Media Committee plans to coordinate reporting and documentation for this community picket. More information: http://shutdowntheport.com/, media@shutdowntheport.com
• Bike Swarm announces its plans to support the December 12 ports demonstration with a set of citywide rides. More information: http://www.pdxbikeswarm.org/

Yesterday

• The Occupy Portland Panel visited the Astor School, on invitation, to discuss current events. The occupiers were asked to leave, by the principal, because he declared them controversial.
• Kate Lore, Reverend at Portland’s First Unitarian Church, asks occupiers to remove their gear from storage to make room for an influx of families without shelter.
• Occupy Portland’s General Assembly unanimously passed a proposal to seek city permits for a demonstration, expecting this to further their legal strategies.
• Portland Police Bureau confirms it has sent non-uniformed police officers to Occupy Portland demonstrations.
• Occupy Portland’s General Assembly heard an announcement that four unaffiliated people in Shemanski Park are dangerous, and that one brandished a knife.

—Reid Parham, reid.parham@gmail.com

Today in Occupy is a quick, broad look at the day-to-day happenings of anything related to Occupy Portland. Please send your tips to Reid Parham, media volunteer, and include who, what, where, when, and why, plus links for more information. Your feedback is welcomed.