April 11, 2003
(Updated) As of 3:30 PM, Peace Camp Remains
Note: This post has been updated. Any and all updates appear at the end of the original post.
Well, after 2 1/2 hours in a sort of parallel Portland Peace Encampment consisting of local media across the street outside City Hall, I can reprot that at of 3:30 PM today, Peace Camp was still in place.
Outside of what appeared to be a couple of Federal officers of some sort, presumably from the Federal Building on the other side of Terry Schrunk Plaza, apparently taking some video of the campers, nothing transpired.
One of the campers did, however, go into City Hall and obtain a copy of the relevant portion of the City Code:
14A.50.020 Camping Prohibited on Public Property and Public Rights of Way.
A. As used in this Section:
1. "To camp" means to set up, or to remain in or at a campsite, for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a temporary place to live.
2. "Campsite" means any place where any bedding, sleeping bag, or other sleeping matter, or any stove or fire is placed, established, or maintained, whether or not such place incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, shack, or any other structure, or any vehicle or part thereof.
B. It is unlawful for any person to camp in or upon any public property or public right of way, unless otherwise specifically authorized by this Code or by declaration by the Mayor in emergency circumstances.
C. The violation of this Section is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days or both.
Emphasis added to point out what the City will likely use, by deeming the lawn chairs in use on the sidewalk as "other sleeping matter." Which makes one wonder if the encampment would be evicted were it to consist of a 24/7 rotating series of standing protesters.
Update
As of the weekly PPRC march to Terry Schrunk Plaza, the Peace Camp was seemingly still there.
Comments (1)
The One True b!X on 11 Apr 2003
FYI, there are no pictures because, having gotten my Canon A-1 back from the shop, I took it out for a spin, leaving my digital at home.