May 1st was traditionally known as Beltane, a joyous celebration of Spring and of planting (& fertilizing ;>) the fields. A time of feasting, bonfires, flirting, and community. It is importantly half way between the Vernal (Spring) Equinox of March 20-21, and the Summer Solstice of June 20-21. As society urbanized, it was revitalized as a worker's holiday.
The primary purpose of a march might be to help the marchers feel good about themselves, and enjoy a bit of fellow-feeling in a crowd of people who already believe the same things they do.
If that were the case, it would make a lot more sense to hold the event at the center of an urban area, where it is more convenient to more participants, instead of out on the edge of the populated area.
While there's plenty of police presence (justified, I would say), they definitely seem to be pretty laid back about the whole thing, from what the photos seem to convey. Here's hoping it stays that way, for once.
Most groups of humans use more than one approach to getting what they want and not feeling like crap all the time. Before declaring any one of those approaches is a total, dismal failure, however, you need to at least ask what the group might be getting out of it.
If there's anything our recent political history should have taught us, it's that to a whole lot of people, feeling better about themselves right now is far more important than government policy that might tip this or that aggregate statistic a few percentage points in their favor a few years hence.
Crowds are looking pretty thin...It was a breeze getting home from downtown. I'm gonna file this one with Windstorm 2016 and the Hillary Clinton Victory Party that took a right turn....
I'm not sure whose side you think I'm on here, but...
There have been a lot of important things accomplished by mass movements using a wide variety of approaches, and there have been a lot of mass movements that have failed, fallen apart, or fizzled out in various ways before effecting any lasting change in society. Or afterward. But then, maybe lasting social change wasn't entirely what the Situationists or Revivalists were after, you know?
It's a dumb, boring answer, but the world doesn't seem to work according to any smart, exciting formula.
I think it's great when people march for what they care about. Keep it legal and it's all good. This is basic, foundational American Constitution and, I'm sorry, there's no argument against that.
Also, as someone who has some economic comfort, I am sincerely interested and invested in ensuring that the working class people in our city have housing, safety and a good life for themselves and their families. There's no argument against that, either.
Sorry / So / Sassy!!!
Happy May Day, everyone, and stay off the damn freeway!
Let it never be said the Anarchists haven't done anything for you-- on one day in some parts of town, they made it relatively easy to find parking during rush hour.
I'm in Pioneer Square, and it seems even the gentlemen of no fixed address have cleared out for the day.
That, and the Pacific Northwest Revolutionary Reenactment Society seems to have picked Portland for their annual convention this year.
You'd think someone at a newspaper owned by the same company might have heard of that, and thought it worth mentioning somewhere in the blanket coverage...
robotslave dear, I started my day up at 97th and Aurora and drove downtown about noon. The whole drive (Aurora to 5th, 5th to Cherry) was like a Sunday morning, and there was loads of parking in the SMT garage. It was like Seattle in the 70's.
"Officers made five arrests at Westlake on charges of aggravated assault, theft, obstruction and possession a fixed-blade knife." So fascists were allowed to openly carry guns to a protest and get away with it, but an anarchist who carried a mere knife got busted for it. If ever there was any doubt about which side cops are on...
I personally think there is value in marching together in your own "territory" (so to speak). More than just "feeling good" (which is psychologically beneficial on its own), collective public action helps create connections between people and builds group resolve, as well as allows people to practice tactics. Morale is critical to large movements, and it makes sense to start small in a place you aren't going to be berated to pieces, so that you can later take on a more oppositional force. It also makes sense to "manifest" at home, in the place you live, so that your neighbors are aware of your presence. Perhaps they'll even join.
The one thing I'd point out about MLK/Civil Rights marches & Gandhi's efforts as well, is that the participants were of one identifiable oppressed "ethnic" group, and oppressed for asinine reasons (skin color). People who have a strong or clear social bond (frequently through shared experience) find it easier to stand up together.
That's neither good nor bad, just an observation. But since there is a notable lack of 'class consciousness' in the USA right now, I suspect that it is harder for people to stand up for "free speech", or or other less concrete concepts since the diminution of these sorts of rights affect people differently, and (I think) it's less likely for people to have an immediate personal identification with the issue, or approach the issue differently. They're not all getting their heads cracked by the cops for being a sub-minimum wage retail worker, and it's harder for SMWRW's to easily identify one another and organize collective action (to say nothing of the time required to do so).
Harder things have been achieved, as has been pointed out, it's just a particular wrinkle of our current situation.
Black Lives Will Eventually Matter, After I've Had A Latte And A Bite To Eat
Does that include the spirits of the Black Bloc Historical Reenactment Society?
I mean, they looked pretty crushed in that Costco parking lot, it was super depressing.
The primary purpose of a march might be to help the marchers feel good about themselves, and enjoy a bit of fellow-feeling in a crowd of people who already believe the same things they do.
If that were the case, it would make a lot more sense to hold the event at the center of an urban area, where it is more convenient to more participants, instead of out on the edge of the populated area.
I don't think you're missing anything, really?
Most groups of humans use more than one approach to getting what they want and not feeling like crap all the time. Before declaring any one of those approaches is a total, dismal failure, however, you need to at least ask what the group might be getting out of it.
If there's anything our recent political history should have taught us, it's that to a whole lot of people, feeling better about themselves right now is far more important than government policy that might tip this or that aggregate statistic a few percentage points in their favor a few years hence.
"Zing"
(Please don't say "voting", because that is demonstrably not true.)
Marches were held in the North and the South. In fact one of the most violent marches occurred in Chicago.
I'm not sure whose side you think I'm on here, but...
There have been a lot of important things accomplished by mass movements using a wide variety of approaches, and there have been a lot of mass movements that have failed, fallen apart, or fizzled out in various ways before effecting any lasting change in society. Or afterward. But then, maybe lasting social change wasn't entirely what the Situationists or Revivalists were after, you know?
It's a dumb, boring answer, but the world doesn't seem to work according to any smart, exciting formula.
Also, as someone who has some economic comfort, I am sincerely interested and invested in ensuring that the working class people in our city have housing, safety and a good life for themselves and their families. There's no argument against that, either.
Sorry / So / Sassy!!!
Happy May Day, everyone, and stay off the damn freeway!
Let it never be said the Anarchists haven't done anything for you-- on one day in some parts of town, they made it relatively easy to find parking during rush hour.
I'm in Pioneer Square, and it seems even the gentlemen of no fixed address have cleared out for the day.
That, and the Pacific Northwest Revolutionary Reenactment Society seems to have picked Portland for their annual convention this year.
You'd think someone at a newspaper owned by the same company might have heard of that, and thought it worth mentioning somewhere in the blanket coverage...
Concealed knives are illegal in WA unless carried for work, open carry is legal in WA. Lobby your state gov't if that makes you upset.
Five seconds of research, and you would not look like a dumbass.
Thanks for your responses, @facts & @robotslave.
I personally think there is value in marching together in your own "territory" (so to speak). More than just "feeling good" (which is psychologically beneficial on its own), collective public action helps create connections between people and builds group resolve, as well as allows people to practice tactics. Morale is critical to large movements, and it makes sense to start small in a place you aren't going to be berated to pieces, so that you can later take on a more oppositional force. It also makes sense to "manifest" at home, in the place you live, so that your neighbors are aware of your presence. Perhaps they'll even join.
The one thing I'd point out about MLK/Civil Rights marches & Gandhi's efforts as well, is that the participants were of one identifiable oppressed "ethnic" group, and oppressed for asinine reasons (skin color). People who have a strong or clear social bond (frequently through shared experience) find it easier to stand up together.
That's neither good nor bad, just an observation. But since there is a notable lack of 'class consciousness' in the USA right now, I suspect that it is harder for people to stand up for "free speech", or or other less concrete concepts since the diminution of these sorts of rights affect people differently, and (I think) it's less likely for people to have an immediate personal identification with the issue, or approach the issue differently. They're not all getting their heads cracked by the cops for being a sub-minimum wage retail worker, and it's harder for SMWRW's to easily identify one another and organize collective action (to say nothing of the time required to do so).
Harder things have been achieved, as has been pointed out, it's just a particular wrinkle of our current situation.