This piece is a little bit late to the party, but after reading the other reportbacks published locally and participating in discussions with dear friends and close strangers, we still felt that some ideas were in need of sharing. We don’t wish to recap the events of May Day but hope to contribute some thoughts and expansions on other takeaways of the occupation and the march. As Palestine solidarity actions continue to grow, we feel that these points are still important. Additionally, much of what we have to say applies far beyond this struggle. What follows is a compilation of thoughts from a few different voices, which we hope can add to the conversation. Continue reading “Additional Thoughts on May Day and the PSU Occupation”
Stay Together, Stay Tight: a warning after a recent arrest
On May 2nd, Jarrid Huber was taken into custody by the Portland Police for alleged actions related to a fire at the UPS Distribution Center on January 20th, which someone had claimed online in solidarity with Atlanta forest defenders. He had already been on a 60 month probation for a former arson charge in 2021. He had his initial arraignment on May 3rd and was released on a $1000 bail the same day.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed on May 3rd with the court, when interviewed by the detective, Huber admitted his involvement with the action and further went on to state “he was there with a group of “unknown” people that he met at a book fair.”
We discourage public speculation on anything beyond what is in public court documents, but it is reasonable to assume that the police are seeking to prosecute other individuals. As always, solidarity is our best weapon.
It is always in yours’ and others’ best interest to never speak to police. To remember your right to remain silent, and to ask for legal counsel.
If the police come to your door, say, “No, you cannot come in. I do not consent to a search.” Keep the outer gate or door chain locked. If you must, step outside and close the door behind you. Better yet, speak through the door. Say “No, I will not answer your questions.” You can also say “I have been advised to not answer questions. If you leave a card, a lawyer may contact you.” The police are trained to intimidate. Don’t let them bully you! The police are trained to lie, to manipulate. Regardless of what they say, remember that you are never required to answer anything they ask. Your responsibility is to your conscience, your ideals, and your community.
Resources:
When the Police Knock on Your Door
What to Expect When You’re Expecting Repression
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Quick thoughts on Refaat Alareer Memorial Library
In a beautiful occupation, self appointed leaders definitely took a toll. There were a lot of people starting convos about who to let in. Mostly informal, but some attempts at solidifying it in weird meetings. Some people decided to work the door. Instead of focusing on welcoming people, giving them encouragement to act autonomously, and making sure they have skills to stay safe from repression, many decided to try to sus out who’s a cop or not with it and turn people away. Continue reading “Quick thoughts on Refaat Alareer Memorial Library”
May Day action against AirBnB
On the eve of May Day, we acted in solidarity with those struggling to survive against the genocidal state of Israel, and with the student occupations who seek to end this genocide from within the belly of the beast.
A small unorganized group of your neighbors targeted and redecorated a number of AirBnb’s in the most gentrified neighborhood in Portland. AirBnb profits from the violent displacement of our neighbors, while simultaneously profiting off the bloody expansion of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Our struggles are connected, our enemies are the same, we are not alone, and we can strike anywhere.
After redecorating these parasitic eyesores known to some as “get aways,” we littered the streets with leaflets that read:
AIRBNB IS A BAD NEIGHBOR
COMPLICIT IN GENOCIDE: 200 rentals in the occupied West Bank
COMPLICIT IN GENTRIFICATION: 5000 rentals in Portland
NO BUSINESS AS USUAL DURING GENOCIDE
HAPPY MAY DAY
There are countless targets when everything around you is the machinery of genocide. You could flail your arms wildly and hit those complicit. You don’t need to look far, you can see it in your neighborhood, and you can fight back too.
FREE PALESTINE
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MAY DAY REPORTBACK AND REFLECTION
On May 1st in downtown Portland, 50-60 people gathered in a black bloc at the edge of the Palestine Solidarity March, which was comprised of several hundred people. Inspired by the combative student protests all over the country, our goal was simple: disrupt business as usual; bring the war home. There is no peace in genocide. Continue reading “MAY DAY REPORTBACK AND REFLECTION”
On Delusion
On May 2, 2024, in a joint press conference with the Portland Police Bureau and PSU President Ann Cudd, Mayor Ted Wheeler denounced the militant solidarity actions of the Student Intifada, claiming: “If you believe that damaging these businesses or trashing a library on a university campus will impact events in the Middle East, you are delusional.” Continue reading “On Delusion”
Preemptive May Day attack against PPB
On May Day we torched some PPB cars at their training facility. We cut through a fence, set ten fires and are happy it grew to burn fifteen cars!
April 29th: Reflections on the beginning of the Portland State University library occupation
The spirit of the Intifada swarmed through the Portland State University (PSU) library as a whirlwind. Computers, printers, and televisions made with Coltan, a mineral extracted via slave labor in the Congo, had been smashed throughout the first floor. Commodified food and drinks were transformed into becoming free stuff that anyone can take to consume without paying any money. Cameras got smashed and the first floor changed from a surveilled stuffy work site into being a community social center decorated with beautiful political art on the walls. The gusts of this Intifada disrupted space and time totally, as anarchy revealed itself for the liberating force it is against oppression by attacking the present state of things.
Machines burned at highway construction site in NW Portland
On Tuesday morning I burned three large machines at an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) construction site in Portland. They were destroying the forest hillside on the south side of the st. johns bridge to protect highway infrastructure.
ODOT construction sites, and highway construction in general, often leave expensive (and highly flammable!) specialized equipment unattended and unsecured overnight, making them easy targets. ODOT is planning major highway expansion in the Portland area over the next few years, despite long campaigns by Youth vs ODOT and other environmentalist groups. Acting through the political system is a futile and insufficient response to the current crisis, as capitalism must continue its endless growth no matter how bad things get. The highway system can only expand if we allow it to. With some creativity, courage, and determination, capital is far more vulnerable than it would have you believe.
I used plastic 1 gallon milk jugs filled with gasoline. A flare attached to the side of the container (so that it sticks out past it) makes for a convenient delay, burning down for 5-10 minutes before the flame reaches the plastic and ignites the gasoline, leaving plenty of time to get away before the fire starts. You can steal flares from most large hardware stores and car supply stores. I placed each milk jug underneath the engines of the machinery, where the heat would rise to the most flammable and critical components.
It was easy, fun, and I think I’ll do it again. You should too!
XOXOXO
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Butcher shop sabotaged
Last night we cut off the tiny padlock to the breaker box of a butcher shop “pasture pdx” and shut off their power to make the flesh they butchered unsellable. we also sealed the lock on the door with spray foam insulation. We also shut power to two adjacent stores because it was fun. These things are easily reproduceable and we encourage anarchists to think outside of the box. you can do other things then smash windows.
we dedicate this act to Jack, the Susaron 4 comrades in chile, and all antispeciesists who have been put in cages.
for total freedom!
-some anarchists
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