Portland Shat

COPS and PORTLAND SHAT

Ro(d)ger here is an answer to my Email from the Mayor of Portland I identified myself with badge number and agency. I have responded to this and asked if the man defecating on the flag in public was protected speech and if he was arrested of course he was not. This is all  so much pap. I will pass on the other correspondence. Jack (Hamilton) From: Potter, Mayor [mailto:mayorpotter@ci.portland.or.us] Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6:24 PM To: Potter, Mayor Subject: Portland Iraq War Demonstration         Office of Mayor Tom Potter City of Portland On Sunday, March 18th, as many as 20,000 people gathered in Portland to protest the continuing war in Iraq. Almost all were both peaceful and respectful of our young men and women in service, and concerned about the future of our country.  I spoke to the crowd, as did a number of elected officials, and expressed our gratitude for the troops. Unfortunately, a few media personalities have focused on the activity of a small handful whose actions at the end of the afternoon are protected as free speech under Oregon's Constitution, in much the same way that burning the flag is protected by the U.S. Supreme Court. Portland police have monitored the protests closely, and made arrests when appropriate. It is also important to recognize that the intent of this tiny band of anarchists is to provoke a strong response and generate attention. I would hope most people will continue to focus on the real issues facing our country, and not the actions of a minority or the media circus that feeds off them. Though I do not support our military's presence in Iraq, I do support our troops and wish them all a safe return home.