Throughout the entire “Hands up! Don’t Shoot!” meme that has accompanied nonviolent protests over multiple examples of how police have murdered young unarmed black people, I have sided with the protestors and published several articles supporting them. It saddens me to oppose them in my own home town.
Sen Ron Wyden’s [D-OR] staff was not prepared for what happened at his annual Multnomah County Town Hall, held at SCC Southeast on Saturday afternoon. When "Hands Up Pdx" demonstrators took over the meeting and stopped the Senator from taking questions, his staff scrambled for a way to regain control and let the town hall proceed.
They failed.
In the end, the town hall was abandoned. The Senator met privately with anti-TPP activists; Rep Alissa Keny-Guyer, who was supposed to have served as moderator but was relegated to observer, noted the iron of those folks getting a more direct opportunity to share their concerns with Wyden than they would have otherwise. After most attendees had left, a number of protesters and activists gathered together in what amounted to a singing-to-the-choir (as most public demonstrations tend to be).
No one got to ask a single question of the Senator. I’m not sure anyone’s mind was opened or changed. Some were angry with the protesters; one woman was angry that Wyden didn’t respond to the “organic” nature of the moment and turn over the microphone to the protesters to let them speak. He did, actually, for far longer than I think many United States Senators might have done. Can you imagine John McCain or Mitch McConnell standing amidst “Hands Up” protesters for half-an-hour seeking a resolution to such a standoff? In the end, anger and frustration trumped civil discourse. Or at least cancelled a town hall… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Blue Oregon>
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Ron Wyden was already on the protestors’ side. He has repeatedly supported plans to make police accountable to the communities they serve. He did not deserve to have his Town Hall shut down. Now I appreciate that the protestors couldn’t find enemy elected officials here in Multnomah County, so they kicked a friend to get some publicity for themselves. Not only have they made it less likely that they will have access to Wyden in the future, but also, they have damaged the reputation of the entire movement. Be assured that several Democrats at that meeting used to support the protestors and no longer do.
16 Responses to “Protestors Disrupt an Ally”
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Oh dear – it would be interesting to know if there were just daft hotheads organising this protest – or if there might have been an 'agent provocateur' encouraging them to do what was self defeating.
No. I'm afraid these were lefties.
I have to agree with Pat A on this. Might there have been outside "agents" trying to agitate the people? Or else they did not know that Sen Wyden stands on their side. Pay attention, people.
Great minds think alike, Pat.
See my reply to Pat. I've been seeing the woman in the pic foreground in local demonstrations since #occupy.
There was a similar protest this weekend with the hashtag #BlackBrunch where protesters interrupted people enjoying Sunday brunch at venues in NYC and Oakland that had NOTHING to do w/ Brown or Garner.
I think this tactic is poorly thought out and counterproductive.
Although the Tweet by John Cardillo included in the link about the protest below is pretty frightening
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/black-brunch-protests-nyc-oakland
Equally stupid and self defeating.
Who are the leaders?
TC is right, they are just looking for publicity, no matter what.
If their leadership (if there is a leader) called this protest, then they are idiots and deserve to disappear from the scene.
This is why movements die.
They claim there are no leaders, but I think they are hiding behind anonymity. That's what people on the extreme left fringe claimed back in the 60s, whan I was in SDS. I left that organization, when it abandoned nonviolence.
I can absolutely understand the feeling that no one is listening, no one cares, and the country is going to hell in a handbasket. Frustration doesn't begin to describe it.
I understand.
Respect works both ways! This is something that these protesters need to learn, and learn FAST! if they want their protest to mean something and accomplish its goals, if it has any goals.
True, they may not have realised that Wyden was on their side, but by not respecting him and his town hall meeting, they lost the opportunity to find out, to gain his respect and maybe even his help.
Talk about gun control, the protesters shot themselves in the foot with a howitzer!
My mother had a saying when I was a kid . . . "Sugar attracts more flies than vinegar!"
I fully agree.
Town Hall meetings are important for a number of reasons. Town Hall meetings with a sitting Senator are rare. An ordinary citizen can ask a question and get an answer from their elected official in order to obtain information on issues that matter and concern them.
A disruption by protesters like the one held at Sen Ron Wyden’s [D-OR] town hall meeting left many people frustrated with unanswered questions. The protesters could have asked questions to Ron Wyden and gotten an answer, feedback on their issues. The protesters shot themselves in the foot by doing just that, protesting and disrupting the town hall meeting and getting nothing. Unless, of course, an "agent provocateur" and/or undercover political agent was attempting to get a cancellation of the town hall meeting as a means to an end.
Wyden did allow the protesters some microphone time. Some meetings were held in private later on afterwards for Wyden talking with anti-TPP activists, a very important issue.
Bought Bitch Mitch & McCant would have not given any time to any protesters. Most likely the protesters would have been taken down by the paramilitary police and hauled away like garbage.
Looks like I got myself into a bit of a rant here. lol. There is a time and place for a protesting demonstration.
Well ranted.
They hurt their movement instead of helping it. There is very little reasonable discourse these days, just angry ranting.
You're right. I agree!