Occupy Wall Street demonstrations that began in New York two weeks ago are spreading to Oregon, with disruptions likely in downtown Portland on Thursday.
Occupy Portland plans a protest Thursday at Waterfront Park that will then march along a route not yet disclosed to downtown Portland. The Portland Police Bureau announced Wednesday morning that the group declined to obtain a permit for a march.
Occupy Portland faxed police, stating: "For best impact, we will march in the streets and disrupt the city," according to the Portland Police Bureau.
The group will meet at Waterfront Park near the Burnside Bridge at noon on Thursday, and then march to undisclosed locations in the city.
Bureau spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson cautioned downtown businesses to be aware of protesters, and that the event will disrupt mass transit and slow down both vehicle and foot traffic.
"The Portland Police Bureau is committed to vigorously pursuing the goal of allowing participants to express their view which is there free speech right," he said, "Our overall objective is to take all appropriate action to help make this event happen in a way that is safe for participants and the general public alike." More: Read PPB release
The occupation protest is based on the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, now in their third week, which have spurred other similar demonstrations in major cities like Boston and Los Angeles, all to protest corporate greed.
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