19 'arrested' on Monday - Sit In at Ron Wyden's office

[Viva_La_Revolution]

I had no idea! So much for local news :eyes:

Report from inside Wyden's office
author: StevetheGreen
A group of 19 committed peace activists came to the office of Ron Wyden to speak with him regarding his sponsoring of legislation to bring the troops home.

The group was made up of a diverse collection of people, both politically and in age. They ranged from 20 to in their 60's. The group was almost evenly split between men and women (with a couple more women).
While many in the group had differing political philosophies, we managed to stay unified in solidarity when it came to tactics. I.E. Peaceful, non-violent, and unified.

The Feds were watching for us, so it took a little creativity to all be able to get into the office which was on the 5th floor. 19 people entered in pairs and spread out over the entire building and yet we managed to converge on Wyden's office right when homeland security vacated their watch of Wyden's front door. The power of peace was with us.

We entered the office and were immediatly greeted by office staff.
We explained that we had come to speak to the senator, but were told that he was not there.
A few minutes later, Wyden's chief of staff (Josh Kardon) came out to speak to us.

We then delivered nearly 2000 signatures from Oregonians who were demanding that he bring forth legislation to bring the troops home. After a few minutes of back and forth dialogue and the usual spin that has come to be expected from Wyden's office, Kardon became somewhat agitated with our refusal to accept his clever attempts to dodge our inquires about the senator's position on the war and our demand to speak with the senator. When we asked about whether he was aware of Earl Blumenauer's legislation to bring the troops home, he said he thought he might have read something, but wasn't sure. We felt this was indicative of Wyden's disconnect with his constituancy and fellow lawmakers.

Despite our respectful pleas, he refused to contact the senator by phone so that we could talk directly to him. He then told us that he had a meeting to go to, but that we were welcome to remain in the office until it closed. I don't think he expected us to do that, but we did. Prior to the action we all signed pledges of non-violence that were very specific as to how we would conduct ourselves and we remained true to that pledge throughout the entire sit in.

lots more here - http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/03/336415.shtml

[Kurovski]

1. K&R well, that's one way to take away the power of a protest

arrest everyone and then never breath a word about it, speak of it not ever again. :mad:

[Cleita]

2. Good work, but the media didn't cover it?

Darn.

[0rganism]

4. There's only one way to have the corporate newsmedia cover a protest...

...and that's to be protesting on the premises of a competitor.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. Hey J!

slide over to the Oregon forum, it's time to decide where to meet next month. :)

[babylonsister]

3. Hmmm. I thought this was the week senators were off to be

around to listen to their constituents.

[sandnsea]

5. He was in eastern Oregon on Saturday

He'll be in a couple of other locations this coming weekend. Anybody who wants to deliver a message directly to Wyden is able to, quite easily. I don't think Wyden even voted for the IWR. The Blumenauer resolution was just introduced last Thursday, and it only calls for the National Guard to start coming home sometime this year. It is less than the Kerry or Murtha plan. Meantime, Gordo is ignored completely and people like Pat Buchanan get away with saying Democrats have nothing except negativity. And these people are targeting Wyden. Incredible.