Police Brutality Against Occupy Portland
In an unconfirmed report, Occupy Oregon tweets:
ALERT! A man named Justin James Bridges, musician & ASL translator for Occupy Portland General Assembly, was assaulted by @PortlandPolice today during camp clean out.
He was beaten repeatedly in the back and has now lost use of his right arm. Though Justin was lying on the ground in compliance, Portland Police continuously beat him in the back with clubs until his eyes rolled back in his head. Fellow protesters thought he was dead. He is now in critical care.
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE, DO NOT HESITATE TO COME FORWARD.
National Lawyers’ Guild # 503-902-5340. Protect rights, protect the truth.
Occupy Portland notes:
After a conversation with Justin, over the phone, one occupier reports that our ASL [American sign language] interpreter (and groovy guitarist) has no feeling in his right leg and cannot use his arm, which allows Occupy Portland interpret for those in our community who communicate by signing.
Reports state that Bridges is the guy who goes down at around 34 seconds into the following video:
Riot Police Clash With Occupy Portland Protestors Who ask the police Whom do you protecting?! "Take off your riot suit. You're sexy, you're cute" and "Shame on you" were among the chants Portland protesters directed at police in riot gear after safe festive last night http://vimeo.com/32030282 In Portland, at one point overnight, the crowd swelled to thousands. As dawn arrived, riot police had retreated and most of the crowds had gone home, but protesters who have been at the two parks since Oct. 6 were still there. Portland Mayor Sam Adams had ordered the camp shut down Saturday at midnight, citing unhealthy conditions and the encampment's attraction of drug users and thieves.
One of the organizers, Jim Oliver, said the night had been a victory for Occupy Portland.In Portland, at one point overnight, the crowd swelled to thousands. As dawn arrived, riot police had retreated and most of the crowds had gone home, but protesters who have been at the two parks since Oct. 6 were still there.
A 12:01 deadline to evict public parks was met with cheers, a countdown and thousands of Occupy Portland protestors standing their ground.
Police stood watch as crowds of protestors defied the orders given by Portland, Ore., mayor Sam Adams to leave the parks by midnight Sunday. About two dozen protestors were later arrested, but protestors said the eviction notice brought more support to their movement.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYhMlIcsISE
And Bridges appears to be the guy dragged away by police at 8:40 in this video:
Getting shoved by PPD. Also at the 8:40 mark is where I believe Justin James Bridges is being dragged by police.
AP reports:
One man was taken away on a stretcher; he was alert and talking to paramedics, and raised a peace sign to fellow protesters, who responded with cheers.”
Daily Kos posts the following related tweets:
- “According to reports from the hospital, Justin James Bridges was beaten repeatedly with clubs by @PortlandPolice, has lost use of right arm.”
- “I was with [Justin James Bridges] and saw him dragged away by the foot by @PortlandPolice as he was screaming in agony!”
- “Call @PortlandPolice Internal Affairs @ 503-823-0236 & request an investigation into excessive force used in the arrest of Justin Bridges.”
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/11/occupy-portland-protester-was-lying-on-the-ground-in-compliance-portland-police-continuously-beat-him-in-the-back-with-clubs-until-his-eyes-rolled-back-in-his-head-loses-use-of-right-arm.html
