Portland, OR – On Saturday, January 3, hundreds of Portlanders mobilized into the streets after the United States’ attack on Venezuela the night before, launching airstrikes and abducting President Nicolás Maduro.

The protest on January 3 was called by Portland for Palestine (P4) and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and supported by Portland Contra las Deportaciones (PDXCD). It began at 2:30 p.m. across the street from Pioneer Courthouse Square, in the heart of downtown. Around 150 people chanted “Hands off Venezuela now! Free Maduro, free him now!” and “Trump wants war, Trump wants oil! Hands off Venezuelan soil!”

Cole Dunahugh of P4P told the crowd, “This is a war for oil, but it is also a war to do regime change on one of the few anti-Zionist governments currently standing. Venezuela cut all ties with Israel in 2009, and continues to support the resistance in their shared fight against U.S. imperialism.” Dunahugh went on to say, “The United States may have Maduro, but they do not have the vice president, they do not have the defense minister, they do not have the interior minister, and they will not have Venezuela!”

“The Venezuelan government has been a target of the United States for decades,” explained Fern Long, an organizer with P4P, “These economic foreign policies of violence and terror, such as naval blockades, sanctions and no fly zones have now become more overt. Night operations and bombings in the capital of Caracas, striking not just military assets but targeting grave sites and residential zones, while the government that fails to represent us, the people of the United States, actively continues and escalates a war on multiple fronts providing nothing but death and despair for the people.”

Around 3:30 p.m., the protest at Pioneer Square had grown to over 200 people, and marched to meet another protest.

Like protests that happened all across the country on January 3, these were organized within hours of the airstrikes on Caracas, showing the heightened level of organization of recent years, as well as the overwhelming unpopularity of the Trump administration’s violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. The anti-war movement is in a period of rapid growth and will only continue to be so as the American empire continues to decline and lash out.

#PortlandOR #OR #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #P4P #PDXCD #FRSO

Portland, OR – On Friday, September 2, Portlanders rallied calling for the arrest of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. The protest took place at the intersection in front of Powell’s Bookstore on 1005 W Burnside Street, one of the busiest intersections in the city. This demonstration was organized by Portland for Palestine (P4P) responding to a call to action by the Anti War Action Network (AWAN).

The action was called to protest Netanyahu’s arrival in the United States to give a speech to the United Nations in which he called continuing aid for Israel’s brutal ethnic cleansing in Gaza. The majority of United Nations delegates boycotted his speech, leaving the chambers when he arrived at the podium. Similar grassroots protests to the one in Portland occurred in New York, calling for the arrest of the genocidal Zionist leader.

Lora Wilde, a member of Portland For Palestine stated, “Benjamin Netanyahu and the government of the settler colonial state of Israel deserve the full weight of the International Criminal Court. The settler colonial state of Israel has been committing atrocities against Palestinians for 100 years; they need to be stopped at all costs.”

There were around 40 protesters at the height of the rally, with the signature chant being “We want justice, you say how? Arrest Netanyahu now!” The response from the members of the community was overwhelmingly positive, with many in cars honking in support of the protesters' chants. Many people not initially coming for the protest joined in, creating signs or joining in on chants to end the genocide.

“There was a lot of love for each other and the people of Palestine, and righteous anger at the people perpetuating this genocide,” said Isabella Shepard, another member of Portland for Palestine. “There was overwhelming support from the surrounding people. Folks who wanted to offer support to us, symbolically as well as materially. We got many honks in support, as well as donations and people signing up to join. The people are waking up.”

The rally concluded around 7:30 p.m. and was successful in its mission to continue to keep Palestine in the minds of the people of Portland. There was some backlash by Zionist Portlanders, but their voices are getting drowned out by the overwhelming support of Palestine in the city as more people are made aware of the atrocities.

“There are folks that don’t respond to us or that yell at us, said Wilde, adding, “but those voices are getting quieter each time. The voices of the pro-Palestinian movement continue to grow louder and stronger!”

#PortlandOR #OR #AntiWarMovent #Palestine #Netanyahu #P4P #AWAN

Portland, OR – On Wednesday, August 20, 40 Portlanders came together at the intersection of 37th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard to denounce Israel’s renewed offensive in Gaza. The invasion plan, which began with indiscriminate aerial bombardment on August 13, is set to displace 1 million Palestinians southwards, and is another step in Israel’s plan to ethnically cleanse all of Gaza.

This protest was organized by Portland for Palestine (P4P), a member organization of the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN), in response to AWAN’s emergency national call for protests against the ground invasion.

“Israel’s invasion of Gaza City is an atrocity that cannot be morally debated or justified,” said Savi Bansore, a member of P4P, “It’s the genocide and starvation of innocent people, many of them little children who haven’t gotten to experience so much of the world – their first steps, their first lost tooth, their first day at school, their first love. For even just a second, imagine if these were your loved ones who’d done nothing wrong being tortured to death, and how horrific of a thought that is, and then remember that that is someone’s reality every single day. Fight and do what you can, because there’s no other option.”

The protesters were gathered at all four corners of the intersection. They waved Palestinian flags, passed out informational pamphlets on the starvation of Gaza, and chanted slogans like, “Gaza must have food and water! Israel, Israel stop the slaughter!”

The visibility rally garnered plenty of support from passing cars and pedestrians, with there being only one recorded heckler and many passersby joining the protest as it went on. A large banner reading “Free Palestine” was hung up between two poles nearby.

Caitie Donovan, another member of Portland for Palestine, remarked, “It was amazing to see everyone come together on the streets of Portland to demand a free Gaza and the end of using U.S. tax dollars to fund a genocide. No one is free until we’re all free!”

The anti-war movement in Portland is growing and will not stop until a liberated Palestine is achieved.

#PortlandOR #OR #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #P4P #AWAN

Portland, OR – On Thursday, June 5, organizations Portland Contra las Deportaciones (PDXCD) and Portland for Palestine (P4P) held a joint press conference to announce the success of their campaign against politically-motivated fines levied against two vehicular support activists who helped escort an anti-deportation march back in February.

The drivers, Michele Darr and Harlan Shober, were pulled over away from the rest of the crowd and collectively fined over $2000 in traffic violations for keeping the protest safe from traffic as it moved through the streets.

After a public pressure campaign, as well as legal assistance from the National Lawyers Guild, the fines and the charges associated with them were dropped by city attorneys. This case sets the precedent for all future marches in Portland escorted by vehicles, affirming their right to protect themselves. To quote Mike Porter, senior deputy city attorney, “Assuming no other complicating factors [criminal acts], the police will not be citing people who are facilitating traffic control around protests.”

“If there’s anything to take away from our struggle against these citations, it’s that when the people stand united, we can never be defeated! It is our unity that allows us victories like this one in the face of repression. And for the Portland Police Bureau, know that when you fail to serve and protect the people, you will be met with resistance,” said PDXCD organizer Omar Gil.

In her speech, Michele Darr declared, “We are not afraid to make noise for justice. When we dare to struggle, we dare to win!”

#PortlandOR #OR #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #PDXCD #P4P #ImmigrantRights #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Portland, OR – On Sunday, February 23, Portlanders gathered at Terry Schrunk Plaza early afternoon to stand against Donald Trump, his most recent attacks on immigrants, and the escalated ICE repression happening throughout the country.

Despite the heavy rain, a couple hundred protesters came out to stand with immigrants and march through downtown Portland, demanding legalization for all, and an end to deportations.

Cass Cano, a member of Portland Contra las Deportaciones, told the crowd, “The United States isn’t the victim of immigration, it is immigrants that are victims of the United States. Their homes have been devastated by U.S. imperialism. Homes that would be much better places to live in if the United States would end their plunder of the world! That is why we demand legalization for all and an end to deportations!”

Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS), a youth-led organization from Salem, also spoke at the rally. LUS is currently campaigning against Salem Keizer School District’s implementation of “YONDR” pouches, a magnetized phone pouch meant to lock student’s access to their cell phone, even during break times and lunch. This greatly affects immigrant children and families, restricting them from reporting immigration enforcement activity and checking in on their families. LUS demands an end to the “YONDR” phone pouches program and the reinvestment of those funds into emergency response resources for immigrant families.

Other organizations that spoke at the rally were Portland for Palestine (P4P) and Students for a Democratic Society at Portland State University (SDS). Mutaz Alshawa (P4P) drew parallels between the Israeli abduction of children in Palestine and the violent separation of families by ICE here in the United States. Finn Cunningham (SDS) spoke on the importance of fighting for the safety and protection of immigrants on campus, directly challenging Trump’s authorization of ICE raids in schools.

Holly Brown, of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), stated, “We demand political power for the oppressed, which includes our immigrant brothers and sisters!” FRSO is a national group of revolutionaries fighting for socialism and national liberation in the United States.

After the program, the crowd took the streets and marched through downtown, with chants like Chants like “¡El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!” and “No fear, no raids, no ICE in our state!” People looked out of their homes and waved in support and other observers joined the march. People honked and raised their fists out their windows in solidarity as they drove by. The people weathered the constant downpour and strong winds, the energy was high from beginning to end.

There was heavy police presence during and after the demonstration and march. They circled the demonstration before and during speeches. During the march, a cop riding their bicycle on the sidewalk ran into a protester in a wheelchair. One police officer drove a motorcycle toward an organizer wearing a reflective vest as she blocked traffic from entering the intersection while the march passed through. This officer on the motorcycle hit the organizer. Luckily, she is unharmed. The officer did not apologize but threatened the organize with citations while she was protecting the crowd from oncoming cars.

Shortly after the protest, two vehicles that helped keep the march safe were pulled over and given citations, away from the crowd. The fines totaled well over $2000.

“A march is an exercise of our First Amendment rights against political repression. The usage of traffic citations to deter us from taking the streets is a demonstration that the cops do not care about protecting our rights or the safety of the public,” said Simon McGrath.

The Portland Police Bureau's revamped “Public Order Team” was out in force. Officers on this team received a 6% salary increase, costing the city an extra $380,000 annually. The increased spending and presence is a direct reaction to the expected resistance of the new presidential administration. A new police oversight board was approved in 2020, meant to replace the current police accountability body. After being scaled back in 2023, members of the new board are set to be chosen this year.

The organizers are committed to fighting the citations and seeking justice for the harassment exerted by Portland police. The Portland Contra las Deportaciones, with help from Portland for Palestine, organized the rally and march. Other endorsements included Students for a Democratic Society at Portland State University, Latinos Unidos Siempre, Abolish ICE PDX, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#PortlandOR #OR #ImmigrantRights #LUS #PCD #P4P #SDS #FRSO #LUS

Portland, OR – On Monday, August 26, the organization Portland for Palestine (P4P) held a protest at the Leupold and Stevens manufacturing facility in Beaverton, Oregon. About a dozen protesters showed up to expose Leupold’s involvement in supplying the Israeli occupation with rifle scopes and other telescopic technology.

The protesters were met with hostility. Beaverton police department vehicles were spotted making the rounds. Leupold stationed armed private security guards at both driveways leading to their main facility.

Leupold and Stevens Inc. has been supplying the Israeli occupation army since around 2017. A $2.72 million contract with the Israeli occupation forces bought 800 of the company's Mark-6 telescopes. P4P member Omar Gil stated, “It is very likely that these scopes were used in the killing of children, men and women during The Great March of Return demonstrations that took place in Gaza between 2018 and 2019. There are numerous filmed instances of snipers maiming or murdering Palestinians. How despicable that such proof exists and the merchants of death at Leupold continue to supply the Zionists!”

Protesters marched on the street in front of Leupold and held signs calling them war profiteers and demanding divestment. They echoed chants such as “Leupold, Leupold, we know you! Genocider through and through!” and the more targeted chant, “Christopher Maerki you can’t hide! You’re committing genocide!” Christopher Maerki is the international and OEM sales manager for Leupold and Stevens. He is responsible for the sale and distribution of equipment to military and law enforcement agencies across the globe.

Mog Clark, a member of People Organizing for Philippine Solidarity (POPS) and the Resist US-Led War Movement, gave a speech in solidarity, stating, “We condemn all war profiteers and their disgusting acts of violence against the masses. Leupold and Stevens, we see you for the imperialist pawns that you are! We will not rest until you, and all other war profiteers, are brought to your knees before the mighty Palestinian and Filipino movements for national liberation. From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machine!”

Many Leupold employees ended their workday by driving past the protest. A few of them were spotted peeking through the blinds, catching a glimpse of the demonstration.

P4P member Finn Cunningham gave some closing remarks, stating, “We came here to disrupt Leupold and we accomplished that. We have created a conversation among the workers about our presence and their company’s involvement in the ongoing genocide. So long as companies in our backyard continue to profit from the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, we will be there, protesting at their doorstep.”

As we are nearing a year into the Gaza genocide, and without an end of U.S. aid to Israel in sight, Portland for Palestine vows to continue spotlighting war profiteers such as Leupold, and demand that they divest from the Israeli occupation.

#PortlandOR #Portland #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #P4P #POPS