Occupy Portland, ME Eviction

Citizens of Occupy and Supporters thereof:

The word has been handed down from the City of Portland that Occupy Maine, Portland chapter, has seven days to quietly remove itself from Lincoln Park. In a public hearing, though the voice of the public was overwhelmingly supportive of Occupy Maine’s presence (49 to 4 speakers in favour), it was voted by the city council to reject the permit that it had previously demanded of the occupation. The councilors were largely in favour of what the movement stands for, yet they were bemused by the necessity of a physical occupation, and some councilors mused on whether or not an encampment of individuals coming together as a community could be considered ‘assembly’; they furthermore were alarmed that Occupy Maine had requested the park (which closes at 10:00 pm) be designated a “twenty-four hour Free Speech Zone”, citing concern that it would somehow prevent the citizens of the city to practice their free speech and rights to assemble.

Therefore, we call upon you, the people, to let your voices be heard. In this coming week, we ask that you come out in solidarity– flood Lincoln park with your presence; call up contacts to put more boots on the ground; call the city councilors, write to them and the chamber, email-bomb them; if you are of the organisation without name or have contacts, do what you do; if you are a print maker, plaster the city; if you have access to a kitchen, even some cookies could help. If you can’t camp out, there are so many other things that can be done to make a difference– be creative. I recognise that some of you are in other states, and therefore cannot get out here. Yet, if you can get out here, or you know individuals of occupies that have recently shut down who can travel, we would really appreciate your help. We need to get people out here by the 15th at the latest, to make it as clear as possible: the Occupation is an idea whose time has come, and it will not be silenced.

District 2
41 Pine Street, Apt 1
Portland, Me 04102
409-6617
damarshall@portlandmaine.gov